Introduction
Congratulations on your shiny new Alcorn McBride RidePlayerX!
Just like its predecessor, we carefully designed this second-generation product to be the perfect solution for the unique challenges of on-board audio and show control systems for themed attractions.
Many would agree that the most significant of those challenges is the ability to synchronize on-board audio with off-board audio, video, lighting, animatronics, ride control, etc. RidePlayerX accomplishes this by incorporating Alcorn McBride SyncCore technology, which leverages several methods to ensure extremely precise synchronization with other show system components. These industry-standard methods include PTP (IEEE-1588), NTP, GPS, and SMPTE LTC. When used in conjunction with other SyncCore products like the V16X and BinloopX, it’s easy to synchronize even the most complex attractions.
Another important requirement of on-board systems is the ability to trigger and monitor sub-systems like animation controllers, PLCs, RFID scanners, and other miscellaneous equipment. Once again, RidePlayerX steps up to the plate by integrating the power of Alcorn McBride’s industry-standard show control core into the same hardware platform. This enables it to interface to just about any device including PLCs, animation controllers, sensors, lighting systems, video servers, and our ShowTouch panels. It also empowers the user with full scripting, logic, and timeline capabilities to handle those pesky curveballs that crop up during installation.
Of course, the primary purpose of this device is to provide high-quality audio playback, so it has a wide-range of features to suit that task well. It is capable of sourcing up to 16 outputs of 24-bit 48kHz uncompressed audio. This powerful audio engine provides playback of up to 64 simultaneous tracks with the ability to route, crossfade, and mix those tracks to any of the 16 outputs. This polyphonic capability allows any combination of discrete playback of tracks like background music, vocals, and sound effects all mixed on a single audio output. Each audio output is also equipped with powerful DSP capabilities that enable you to tune audio characteristics on-site.
Audio distribution is provided using the industry-standard AES67 or Dante network audio protocols. Not only does this provide a nice clean digital signal in a notoriously noisy environment, this also offers intelligent monitoring of our RideAmp on-board amplifiers and clean integration with our V-Page paging stations.
Content production and workflow are also critical to building great rides. Using the built-in 16x16 AES67/Dante interface, media designers can patch in their source (i.e. ProTools, Audition, etc.) to preview content on the actual on-board audio system without having to load a single file. Once satisfied with the mix, WAV files can be easily exported to the product via network for normal operation. These network audio inputs are also useful for taking in audio outputs from other devices like on-board gaming engines and paging stations so that they can be incorporated into the audio outputs of RidePlayerX.
Special care has been taken to ensure that this design is rugged enough to handle on-board applications like tour vehicles, dark ride vehicles, parade floats, and even high-vibration vehicles like coasters.
This product leverages over 38 years of experience designing products specifically for themed entertainment applications. In true Alcorn McBride fashion, the solid-state and rugged design will ensure years of 24/7 maintenance free operation which is essential to zero downtime for attractions. At Alcorn McBride, it is our passion to engineer solutions that are uniquely suited for themed entertainment. We hope that you love using this product as much as we enjoyed designing it!