Venue (sound system)

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VENUE is a brand of live sound digital mixing consoles introduced by Digidesign in February 2005. The family now includes 5 different consoles and a number of ways they can be configured. They can all be connected to Pro Tools, the audio editing software also created by Avid/Digidesign, to provide recording and 'Virtual Soundcheck' facilities. One of the system's key marketing points is its use of the same AAX DSP/TDM plugins as Pro Tools, an industry standard digital audio workstation (DAW). This is designed to enable the sounds recorded by the artist in the studio to be easily recreated on stage, and to allow for greater flexibility in signal processing without heavy and mechanical-shock-sensitive racks of external processors. There is also a PC-based offline editor for creation and editing of show files, although there is no audio processing in the editor.

Contents

Digidesign was acquired by Avid Technology in 1995, but its products continued to be branded Digidesign until the brand was phased out in 2010, and VENUE systems are now branded Avid.

Console products

D-Show

This was the first and largest control surface in the VENUE range, and was discontinued in 2015. The main unit, which includes a trackball, master controls, faders and meters, can be expanded with up to three sidecars to give a maximum of 56 faders. [1] One sidecar was included in the standard package.

The console can either be connected to the Mix Rack, which contains all FOH I/O, DSP and stage I/O in one rack, or to the combination of an FOH rack and a Stage Rack. The FOH rack contains the DSP and a small amount of inputs and outputs, and the Stage Rack contains the main stage I/O. They are linked using a digital snake cable, with an option to use a redundant cable in parallel. There can be a maximum of two Stage Racks linked to one FOH rack.

Profile

Profile at a corporate event Com DigidesignProfile.jpg
Profile at a corporate event

This smaller console contains all of the features of the larger console in a smaller form factor, [2] and quickly became the industry's standard touring and festival console for many years. Though it has fewer input faders, it can still run the same show, as it can be connected to the same combinations of inputs and outputs described above. Avid sold its last Profile and Mix Rack consoles in the Summer of 2016, although they are still supported. [3]

The Profile carries 33 motorized faders: 24 to address banks of inputs and effects returns, eight to address banks of outputs and VCAs, and one to control the master Left–Center–Right output, also configurable as Left–Right plus Mono.

Profile itself is just a control surface that must be used with either local and remote stage racks, or with one Mix Rack that combines processing and inputs/outputs. Mix Rack is essentially a SC48 without control surface.

SC48 and SC48 Remote

SC48 in a warehouse shop Avid SC48 mixer.jpg
SC48 in a warehouse shop

The SC48 is all-in-one box VENUE system, where all processing, inputs and outputs is built into console. This feature allows it to 'drop into' existing wiring systems where an analogue console had been used. Outwardly it appears quite similar to a smaller version of the Profile, and was introduced as the 'starter' console in the range. Recently a remote rack option became available for SC48, either add-on to existing system in form of an empty rack where user can relocate I/O boards from main SC48 unit, or order new system (SC48 with remote stage rack) with remote I/O preinstalled.

As with its larger predecessors, the SC48's master output section can be configured as Left–Center–Right or Left–Right plus Mono. [4] The control surface has 26 motorized faders: 16 to address banks of inputs and effects returns, one to link to any desired input, eight to address banks of outputs and VCAs, and one to control master output. An expansion slot at the rear panel allows one of several options: 16 analog outputs can be added; eight analog and eight AES3 digital outputs can be added; or A-Net connectivity can be achieved with external Aviom Pro16 personal monitor mixers.

S3L-X

Robb Allan mixing Massive Attack on S3L-X Massive S3L-X.jpg
Robb Allan mixing Massive Attack on S3L-X

VENUE | S3L-X was introduced in 2013 and features the smallest footprint of any VENUE console, with 16 faders and 32 knobs. [5] The modular system was Avid's first live console to be built on an Ethernet AVB architecture that connects the S3 control surface, up to four Stage 16 I/O racks, and the E3 Engine over Cat5e cables. The system can support up to 64 inputs and was the first VENUE system to enable the sharing of I/O between systems over the Ethernet AVB network. [6] A unique feature of the system is that the S3 control surface can be used as a standalone DAW mixer using Avid's EUCON Ethernet control protocol, which is supported by Avid Pro Tools and Media Composer applications as well as Steinberg Cubase and Nuendo, Apple Logic, and others. [7]

S6L

Greg Price mixing Black Sabbath on S6L Greg Price S6L.jpg
Greg Price mixing Black Sabbath on S6L

Avid released its new flagship VENUE | S6L live sound system in 2015, which effectively replaced earlier D-Show and Profile systems at the top of its live sound range. Although S6L runs VENUE software like earlier systems, it features a new control surface that integrates multiple touch screens and significantly more knobs [8] for faster navigation and editing of parameters than older VENUE systems. S6L also offers much greater processing power, supporting over 300 processing channels and up to 200 plug-in slots. Although its Stage 64 I/O racks borrow from the mechanical design of its predecessors, the I/O was completely redesigned with new high performance preamps and a 96 kHz audio path throughout the system.

The S6L system consists of an S6L control surface (with either 16, 24, or 32 faders), an E6L processing engine, and up to three Stage 64 I/O racks (for up to 192 physical inputs). Like S3L-X, S6L is built on an Ethernet AVB architecture that supports sharing I/O between multiple systems using Avid's True Gain technology (over both Cat5e and fiber cabling). In addition to Ethernet AVB, S6L also supports a new generation of VENUE option cards, including the DNT-192 Dante Card [9] and the MADI-192 MADI Card. [10] Connectivity with Pro Tools is also facilitated over the Ethernet AVB network, with support for up to 128 channels of recording and playback over a single Cat5e cable. S6L natively runs onboard AAX DSP plug-ins from both Avid and 3rd party developers like McDSP, [11] Sonnox [12] and others, [13] while also supporting Waves SoundGrid systems over MADI.

Common features

All Avid consoles create VENUE show files that are inter-compatible. However, due to the architectural differences between systems and numbers of inputs and outputs supported, some files may require edits to fit a new system. While D-Show, Profile, Mix Rack, and SC48 consoles run Windows XP Embedded and use the same TDM plugin architecture as Pro Tools HD, S3L-X uses Avid's newer HDX chipset for its mixing and AAX DSP plug-in processing. The new VENUE | S6L system features a dual engine design that uses a real-time operating system for its core mixing functionality and HDX cards for all onboard AAX DSP plug-in processing. The consoles are all compatible with Pro Tools for recording directly off the console with one cable, and also to enable the 'Virtual Soundcheck' feature, where a recording is played back through the inputs, in effect reducing the need for the band to actually be present for soundcheck. [14]

Related Research Articles

Mixing console Device used for audio mixing for recording or performance

In sound recording and reproduction, and sound reinforcement systems, a mixing console is an electronic device for combining sounds of many different audio signals. Inputs to the console include microphones being used by singers and for picking up acoustic instruments, signals from electric or electronic instruments, or recorded music. Depending on the type, a mixer is able to control analog or digital signals. The modified signals are summed to produce the combined output signals, which can then be broadcast, amplified through a sound reinforcement system or recorded.

Pro Tools Digital audio workstation

Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation (DAW) developed and released by Avid Technology for Microsoft Windows and macOS. It is used for music creation and production, sound for picture and, more generally, sound recording, editing, and mastering processes.

Digital audio workstation computer workstation or software application used for editing and creating music and audio

A digital audio workstation (DAW) is an electronic device or application software used for recording, editing and producing audio files. DAWs come in a wide variety of configurations from a single software program on a laptop, to an integrated stand-alone unit, all the way to a highly complex configuration of numerous components controlled by a central computer. Regardless of configuration, modern DAWs have a central interface that allows the user to alter and mix multiple recordings and tracks into a final produced piece.

Stage box Interface device used in sound reinforcement

A stage box is an interface device used in sound reinforcement and recording studios to connect equipment to a mixing console. It provides a central location to connect microphones, instruments, and speakers to a multicore cable (snake), which allows the sound desk to be further from the stage and simplifies setup.

Sound reinforcement system

A sound reinforcement system is the combination of microphones, signal processors, amplifiers, and loudspeakers in enclosures all controlled by a mixing console that makes live or pre-recorded sounds louder and may also distribute those sounds to a larger or more distant audience. In many situations, a sound reinforcement system is also used to enhance or alter the sound of the sources on the stage, typically by using electronic effects, such as reverb, as opposed to simply amplifying the sources unaltered.

Neve Electronics was a manufacturer of music recording and broadcast mixing consoles and hardware. It was founded in 1961 by Rupert Neve, the man credited with creating the modern mixing console.

Aux-send

An aux-send is an electronic signal-routing output used on multi-channel sound mixing consoles used in recording and broadcasting settings and on PA system amplifier-mixers used in music concerts. The signal from the auxiliary send is often routed through outboard audio processing effects units and then returned to the mixer using an auxiliary return input jack, thus creating an effects loop. This allows effects to be added to an audio source or channel within the mixing console. Another common use of the aux send mix is to create monitor mixes for the onstage performers' monitor speakers or in-ear monitors. The aux send's monitor mix is usually different from the front of house mix the audience is hearing.

Harrison Audio Consoles is an international company based in Nashville, Tennessee that manufactures mixing consoles, Digital Audio Workstations (DAW), audio plugins, and other audio technologies for the post-production, video production, broadcast, sound reinforcement and music recording industries. The company is renowned as an industry innovation for its "in-line" mixing console design that has subsequently become the standard for nearly every large-format music console. Over 1,500 Harrison consoles have been installed worldwide, presenting a significant percentage of the overall world market share for high-end audio consoles. The company founder, Dave Harrison, was inducted as a Fellow in the Audio Engineering Society for this technical contribution of the recording industry and in particular the first 32-bus "in-line" console.

Digital mixing console Electronic device used to manipulate audio input signals using digital signal processing

In professional audio, a digital mixing console (DMC) is a type of mixing console used to combine, route, and change the dynamics, equalization and other properties of multiple audio input signals, using digital signal processing rather than analog circuitry. The digital audio samples, which is the internal representation of the analog inputs, are summed to what is known as a master channel to produce a combined output. A professional digital mixing console is a dedicated desk or control surface produced exclusively for the task and is typically more robust in terms of user control, processing power and quality of audio effects. However, a computer can also perform the same function since it can mimic its interface, input and output.

Euphonix was a professional audio company located in Mountain View, California, United States. Euphonix produced the first successful line of large digitally controlled analog audio mixing consoles in the late 1980s and has since moved on to all-digital systems. In 2010, it was acquired by Avid.

Yamaha M7CL

The Yamaha M7CL is a digital mixer that was manufactured by Yamaha Pro Audio. Two models with onboard analog input exist: the M7CL-32 and M7CL-48. These models have 40 - and 56 -input channels respectively, counting mono channels. Mixes, masters, groups, DCAs and individual channels can then be routed to an output via any number of the board's 16 configurable output XLR ports. The eight faders of the master control section can control multiple functions by way of "layers" in the same manner as the Yamaha PM5D. The board features Yamaha's "Selected Channel" technology, and Centralogic, unique to the M7CL. It can be augmented with more inputs or outputs via expansion cards, and can be fitted with third-party cards such as ones made by Aviom (A-Net), AuviTran (EtherSound), Audinate, AudioService (MADI), Dan Dugan (automixer), Riedel Communications (RockNet), Waves Audio, and Optocore. The M7CL-48ES recently joined the line-up with built-in EtherSound for digital networking using EtherSound stage boxes.

Live sound mixing blending of multiple sound sources for a live event

Live sound mixing is the blending of multiple sound sources by an audio engineer using a mixing console or software. Sounds that are mixed include those from instruments and voices which are picked up by microphones and pre-recorded material, such as songs on CD or a digital audio player. Individual sources are typically equalised to adjust the bass and treble response and routed to effect processors to ultimately be amplified and reproduced via a loudspeaker system. The live sound engineer listens and balances the various audio sources in a way that best suits the needs of the event.

Real-Time AudioSuite (RTAS) is a format of audio plug-in developed by Digidesign, currently Avid Technology for their Pro Tools LE and Pro Tools M-Powered systems, although they can be run on Pro Tools HD and Pro Tools TDM systems. RTAS plug-ins use the processing power of the host computer rather than DSP cards used in the Pro Tools HD systems. As the name suggests, the plug-in architecture is designed to be run in real-time, mimicking hardware inserts on traditional mixing console. This is in contrast to rendering files out of time with effects applied directly to the audio, which in Pro Tools is facilitated by AudioSuite Plug-ins. Avid's AAX format, which runs on both native CPU and Pro Tools HDX DSP, is the replacement for RTAS.

Yamaha Pro Audio, Inc. is a division of the Yamaha Corporation that offers a complete line of beginner professional audio products for the live sound and sound reinforcement markets. It has a long history of introducing significant products for the professional audio market such as the PM-1000 modular mixing console, the REV1 and SPX90 digital signal processors, and the 01, 02R, 03D, PM1D, PM5D, QL5, M7CL, CL5, and PM10/7 Rivage digital mixing consoles.

DiGiCo is a British company, founded in 2002, that manufactures digital mixing consoles targeted for live audio mixing applications. DiGiCo is part of the Audiotonix Group.

Stage monitor system Speakers for live music performances

A stage monitor system is a set of performer-facing loudspeakers called monitor speakers, stage monitors, floor monitors, wedges, or foldbacks on stage during live music performances in which a sound reinforcement system is used to amplify a performance for the audience. The monitor system allows musicians to hear themselves and fellow band members clearly.

Bruce Jackson (audio engineer) Australian audio engineer

Bruce Robert Jackson was an Australian audio engineer who co-founded JANDS, an Australian audio, lighting and staging company. He joined American touring audio engineer Roy Clair and mixed concert stage monitors for Elvis Presley in the 1970s. With Clair Brothers, a concert sound company, Jackson designed audio electronics including a custom mixing console. Beginning in 1978, Jackson toured as Bruce Springsteen's band engineer for a decade, using Clair Brothers sound systems. A business interest in Fairlight CMI in Sydney introduced Jackson to digital audio, and he subsequently founded the digital audio company Apogee Electronics in Santa Monica, California, where he lived at the time. After selling his share of Apogee, Jackson co-founded with Roy and Gene Clair a joint venture which produced the Clair iO, a loudspeaker management system for control of complex concert sound systems. Jackson turned the venture commercial with the help of Dave McGrath's Lake Technology. Dolby Laboratories bought the technology and formed Dolby Lake with Jackson as vice president, then in 2009 Lab.gruppen acquired the brand. Jackson was honoured with the Parnelli Innovator Award in 2005 for his inventive loudspeaker controller.

Matrix mixer

A matrix mixer is an audio electronics device that routes multiple input audio signals to multiple outputs. It usually employs level controls such as potentiometers to determine how much of each input is going to each output, and it can incorporate simple on/off assignment buttons. The number of individual controls is at least the number of inputs multiplied by the number of outputs.

SoundGrid is a networking and processing platform for real-time professional audio applications. It is a product of Waves Audio.

Audio interface

An audio interface is a piece of computer hardware that allows the input and output of audio signals to and from a host computer or recording device.

References

  1. ↑ "D-Show system datasheet" (PDF). avid.com. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "Profile console datasheet" (PDF). avid.com. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "Profile System Support". avid.com. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  4. ↑ "VENUE SC48 Guide" (PDF). avid.com. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  5. ↑ "S3L-X datasheet" (PDF). avid.com. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  6. ↑ "S3L-X Networking Guide" (PDF). avid.com. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "S3 User Guide" (PDF). avid.com. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  8. ↑ "S6L system specifications". avid.com. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  9. ↑ "DNT-192 Dante Option Card". avid.com. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  10. ↑ "MADI-192 MADI Option Card". avid.com. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  11. ↑ "McDSP Live Pack". McDSP. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  12. ↑ "Sonnox VENUE Installers". Sonnox. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  13. ↑ "S6L Plug-in compatibility list". avid.com. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  14. ↑ "Live Recording Guide" (PDF). avid.com. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
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