Avid VENUE | S6L

The next stage in live sound

New—With VENUE 7.2, you can patch any source to any input, and unlock unlimited patching possibilities. Get the details

 

Mix and record live productions of any size with ease. Avid VENUE | S6L delivers the unmatched processing power and sound clarity artists and engineers rely on to present the best show possible. From direct AAX and Waves plugin support and 128 tracks of Pro Tools recording, to full system modularity and 300+ processing channels, the S6L unified platform gives you the mixing efficiency, creativity, and flexibility you need to meet the demands of any gig. And with its expanded line of five control surfaces, three engines, and five I/O racks (including the new Stage 48) to choose from—with 100% hardware, software, and show file compatibility across all—it’s easy to configure and scale the perfect system for your needs.

  • Specifications
    Control Surface S6L-48D S6L-32D S6L-24D S6L-24C S6L-16C
    12-inch daylight-visible touchscreens
    1 Master Touchscreen, 5 Channel Touch Modules
    1 Master Touchscreen, 3 Channel Touch Modules
    1 Master Touchscreen, 2 Channel Touch Modules
    1 Master Touchscreen
    none (requires user-provided external touchscreen)
    Faders
    48 + 2
    32 + 2
    24 + 2
    24 + 2
    16 + 2
    Knob Modules with high-resolution OLEDs and tri-color function indicators
    160 assignable knobs across 5 Channel Knob Modules
    96 assignable knobs across 3 Channel Knob Modules
    64 assignable knobs across 2 Channel Knob Modules
    32 assignable knobs across 1 Channel Knob Module
    32 assignable knobs across 1 Channel Knob Module
    Master Live Module
     
     
    Graphic TFTs with soft buttons; Touch and Turn assignable encoder; 2 assignable faders; monitoring, layout and snapshot controls; transport controls and function buttons
     
     
    Metering
     
     
    30-segment meters per channel, with pre- and post-fade metering options; Nominal indicator, Expander/Gate status and Compressor/Limiter gain reduction meters
     
     
    Analog inputs
     
     
    8 XLR mic/line inputs with 48V and signal present LEDs
     
    1 XLR mic/line input*
    Analog outputs
     
     
    8 XLR outputs with mute and signal present LEDs
     
    2 XLR outputs*
    Digital inputs
     
     
    4 pairs of XLR stereo AES/EBU (8 channels total)
     
    none*
    Digital outputs
     
     
    4 pairs of XLR stereo AES/EBU (8 channels total)
     
    none*
    Headphone outputs
     
     
    2 independent 1/4" TRS stereo headphone jacks
     
    1 1/4" TRS stereo headphone jack
    Ancillary I/O
     
     
    DVI-D video out, 5 USB 2.0 (2 rear, 2 front, 1 internal), ECx Ethernet port for wired/wireless remote control, GPIO (8 in/8 out), 2 footswitch, Linear Time Code input, MIDI I/O
     
     
    Ethernet AVB ports
     
     
    2 etherCON (copper), 2 selectable as etherCON (copper) or SFP (fiber); redundant ring topology; supports Luminex GigaCore 26i and GigaCore 10 AVB switches for redundant star configuration
     
     
    Power supply
     
    Dual redundant, internal hot-swappable PSUs
     
    Dual redundant, internal**
     
    Height (front, rear)
     
    3.6, 15.3 inches (91, 388 mm)
     
    3.6, 8 inches (91, 205 mm)
     
    Width
    76.1 inches (1,934 mm)
    51.3 inches (1,304 mm)
    38.9 inches (989 mm)
    38.9 inches (989 mm)
    26.4 inches (671 mm)
    Depth
     
     
    31 inches (787 mm)
     
     
    Weight
    212 lbs (96 kg)
    155 lbs (70 kg)
    119 lbs (54 kg)
    84 lbs (38 kg)
    72 lbs (33 kg)

    * Local 16 Rack can supply additional local I/O
    ** S6L-24C and 16C power supplies are not compatible/swappable with S6L-48D, 32D, and 24D control surface power supplies, or with E6L-192 and 144 engine power supplies

     

    ENGINE E6L-192 E6L-144 E6L-112
    Sample rates
     
    96 kHz
     
    Input channels
    192
    144
    112
    Input processing
     
    HEAT, HPF, LPF, 4-band PEQ, Expander/Gate, Compressor/Limiter, Delay, 4 plugin inserts, hardware insert
     
    Mix busses
    96 + LCR
    64 + LCR
    48 + LCR
    Output processing
     
    7-band PEQ, Compressor/Limiter, Delay, 4 plugin inserts, hardware insert
     
    Matrix
    24 x 24
    16 x 16
     
    VCAs
     
    48
     
    Stereo solo busses
     
    2, with independent control
     
    Graphic EQs (31-band)
     
    32
     
    Digital signal processing
    Supports up to four HDX-192 DSP Expansion Cards for plugin processing; includes one card
    Supports up to two HDX-192 DSP Expansion Cards for plugin processing; includes one card
     
    Plugin support
     
    64-bit AAX DSP; also supports Waves SoundGrid systems through the WSG-HD Option Card for full integration with S6L, or over MADI
     
    Plugin slots
    400
    400
    400
    Pro Tools integration
     
    Record/play back up to 128 audio tracks via Ethernet AVB
     
    Expansion Option Card slots
     
    4 max
    2 max
    Ethernet AVB ports
     
    Includes two AVB-192 Ethernet AVB Network Cards with two ports (per card), selectable as etherCON (copper) or SFP (fiber), with redundant ring topology; supports Luminex GigaCore 26i and GigaCore 10 AVB switches for redundant star configuration
     
    I/O sharing
     
    Supports up to three S6L systems, up to 192 inputs total (requires two AVB-192 Ethernet AVB Network Cards to share I/O)
     
    Word Clock I/O
     
    Clock I/O BNC, 75 Ohm coaxial
     
    USB ports
     
    5 USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 2 back, 1 internal)
     
    Power supply
     
    N+1 redundant, internal hot-swappable PSUs
    Dual redundant, internal*
    Dimensions (H x W x D)
     
    8.6 x 16.9 x 19 inches (218 x 430 x 483 mm)
     
    Rack spaces
     
    5U
     
    Weight
     
    74 lbs (33 kg)
     

    * The E6L-112 power supply is not compatible/swappable with S6L-48D, 32D, and 24D control surface power supplies, or with E6L-192 and 144 engine power supplies

     

    I/O STAGE 64 STAGE 48 STAGE 32 STAGE 16 LOCAL 16
    Maximum I/O
    64 input channels, 32 output channels @ 96 kHz with one Stage 64 rack; up to 192 inputs/96 outputs supported (depending on the E6L engine in use) with three Stage 64 racks (64 ins/32 outs each)
    48 analog input channels and 24 analog output channels @ 96 kHz with one Stage 48 rack
    Total of 32 input/output channels @ 96 kHz with one Stage 32 rack
    16 XLR mic inputs/preamps, 8 XLR line outputs, 4 channels of AES3 output
    8 XLR mic/line inputs, 8 XLR outputs, 4 pairs of XLR stereo AES/EBU inputs (8 channels total), 4 pairs of XLR stereo AES/EBU outputs (8 channels total)
    I/O card slots
    12
    n/a
    4
    n/a
    n/a
    Sample rates
    96 kHz
    96 kHz
    96 kHz
    96 kHz**
    96 kHz
    Ethernet AVB ports
     
    2, selectable as etherCON (copper) or SFP (fiber), with redundant ring topology; supports Luminex GigaCore 26i and GigaCore 10 AVB switches for redundant star configuration
     
    2 Gigabit Ethernet AVB ports, etherCON (copper), with redundant ring topology; supports Luminex GigaCore 26i and GigaCore 10 AVB switches for redundant star configuration
    2, each providing etherCON (copper) or SFP (fiber optic) connections
    Maximum cable length
     
    Copper: 100 meters (328 feet); Fiber: 500 meters (1,640.4 feet)
     
    100 meters (328 feet)
    Copper: 100 meters (328 feet); Fiber: 500 meters (1,640.4 feet) for Multi-Mode, 10,000 meters (32,808 feet) for Single Mode Fiber
    MADI
    Dual MADI output offers direct split of all 64 inputs
    Dual MADI output offers direct split of all 48 inputs
    Single MADI output offers direct split of up to 32 inputs
    n/a
    n/a
    Headphone confidence monitor
    1/4" TRS stereo headphone jack with volume control; display for channel selection
    n/a
    n/a
    n/a
    n/a
    Word Clock I/O
    BNC, 75 Ohm coaxial
    n/a
    n/a
    n/a
    n/a
    Power supply
     
    Dual redundant internal PSUs
     
    Single internal PSU
    Dual redundant internal PSUs
    Rack spaces
    10U
    8U
    5U
    4U
    3U
    Dimensions (H x W x D)
    17.5 x 17 x 12.2 inches (445 x 432 x 310 mm)
    14 x 16.9 x 22.4 inches (355 x 430 x 568 mm)
    8.7 x 18.5 x 18.9 inches (220 x 470 x 480 mm)
    6.9 x 19 x 8.1 inches (175 x 483 x 206 mm) with ears/handles out (rackmount configuration)
    5.2 x 17.4 x 11 inches (132 x 442 x 278 mm)
    Weight
    69 lbs (31 kg)
    80.2 lbs (36.4 kg)
    49 lbs (22 kg)
    15.8 lbs (7.1 kg)
    13.2 lbs (6 kg)

    The specifications listed above are provided for informational purposes only and subject to change without notice.

    * Option cards are available as separate purchases and not included with core systems.
    ** When connected to Avid VENUE | S6L—operates at 48 kHz when connected to Avid VENUE | S3L-X.

     

    This page provides A&E specifications for the Avid VENUE | S6L system, including product, architectural, and engineering specifications, as well as graphics assets and other resources for live sound system integrators, designers, and consultants.

     

    ARCHITECTURAL & ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS



    Drawings



    User Guides and Documentation



    Contact Us



    Product Images



    Other Resources



    Creating Worship Environments with S6L




    Teatre Lliure, Barcelona


  • What's Included

Product Highlights

    • Do more with a single solution

      When it comes to mixing live sound, efficiency, sound clarity, and reliability are of critical importance. Avid VENUE | S6L is the industry’s only unified live sound platform that offers 100% software, hardware, and show file compatibility and interoperability across the entire line. It’s also the only system that offers direct Waves and AAX plugin control from the console to elevate mixes, and 128 tracks of built-in Pro Tools recording/playback with Virtual Soundcheck, saving hours of prep time. Plus, you get three years of 24x7 priority support to ensure the show always goes on.

    • Meet any live sound challenge

      S6L delivers unrelenting performance and reliability through its advanced engine design and intelligent workflows to handle any live production. Its modularity and unmatched flexibility make it easy to scale a system with your choice of five control surfaces, three engines, and five I/O racks(including the new Stage 48), plus the networking options you need—including Ethernet AVB, Dante, Milan, and MADI—to meet the demands of any live sound application, on almost any budget. You can even share I/O across up to three networked systems, providing more workflow possibilities while cutting costs.

    • Mix and record high-quality audio

      With its premium-grade architecture, audio engine, and high-performance preamps, S6L delivers incredible clarity, warmth, and presence throughout the signal path. It provides the most integrated, cost-effective, and redundant Pro Tools recording workflow, eliminating the need for expensive audio interfaces. It also supports 2-track recording and playback from a USB flash drive. And it supports the same audio plugins and emulations of prized outboard gear used in countless recordings, so you can easily re-create the sound of the studio—live.

    • Pump up performances with massive power

      From large concert tours and Broadway shows, to smaller club and corporate events, today’s stage productions are bigger and more complex than ever. That’s why we designed a groundbreaking engine for S6L—the VENUE | E6L—which combines two powerhouse technologies that work in concert together. With a state-of-the-art real-time processing engine and dedicated DSP plugin processing, you get unrivaled processing capabilities to handle an extraordinary number of channels—without the complication or stress.

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    Where to Rent S6L

    Find rental companies and sound providers that have stock of VENUE | S6L systems for hire.
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    Build Your Own

    See all of the control surface, engine, and I/O options available to help you configure the perfect system for your live sound needs.
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    AVID VENUE | S6L FEATURES

      • Complete control of patching and routing

        Patch a source from anywhere in your system or connected network (from any pickoff point) to any input channel with full automatic delay compensation.

        See more of what's new in VENUE 7.2

      • Mix more creatively and easily

        Expand your creative possibilities with new mixing features. Add analog warmth and color to mixes with HEAT available on every input channel. Shape sounds without constraint with unlimited graphic EQs on all output busses. Filter out frequencies with HPF and LPF on every output channel. Enable parallel mix control on built-in channel EQs and dynamics to perform parallel compression, expansion, and gating on every channel. And see your levels in their full glory with the Big Meters view.

      • Get seamless Waves V14 integration

        Avid VENUE 7.1 and Waves 14

        With the latest VENUE software, you can now use Waves SoundGrid Servers and V14 plugins directly with your VENUE | S6L system, enabling a flawlessly streamlined workflow. Take full control of all your Waves plugins right from the desk, store settings in snapshots, and get all the power you need to present beautiful sound that's perfectly time-aligned—even for the most demanding shows.

        See more of what's new in VENUE 7.1

      • Get quick ’n’ easy USB recording and playback

        Don’t need a full Pro Tools multitrack session? VENUE 7 enables easy 2-track recording and playback using a USB flash drive connected to your S6L control surface. Perform basic live stereo recordings. Play back stereo tracks for pre-show entertainment or walk-up music. You can even integrate audio files with VENUE snapshots and events to trigger sound effects, cues, and music beds for theater performances.

      • Share I/O across three S6L systems

        VENUE now supports I/O sharing across three S6L systems, giving you more workflow flexibility while cutting costs and complexity. This makes it easy to add a broadcast console or second monitor console to your setup or enable fast switchover at festivals. Plus, all I/O configurations fully support True Gain technology, which automatically manages gain compensation to ensure proper signal levels are maintained for each engineer.

        See more of what's new in VENUE 7

      • Explore more processing and routing possibilities

        Have access to four new post-fader plugin inserts and one post-fader hardware insert on every input channel—ideal for automixing workflows. Double your plugin fun with 400 plugin slots available across all S6L systems and engines, allowing for better VENUE show file compatibility—regardless of the system or configuration used. And with bus-to-bus routing, you have the freedom and flexibility to route any Aux or Group to any other Aux or Group.

      • Connect to Milan-networked devices

        Milan (Media-integrated local area network) is an open standards-based network protocol, built on the AVB standard, that’s gaining traction across the Pro A/V market for its easy, reliable, and future-proof media delivery. With the new MLN-192 Milan Option Card and latest VENUE software, you can now connect S6L with Milan-enabled loudspeakers, amplifiers, and other devices and benefit from the speed, interoperability, and reliability Milan brings to live sound.

      • Take better control of delay compensation

        Got plugin-heavy mixes with complex routing requirements? Aligning busses and matrixes is now super simple with the expanded Automatic Delay Compensation (ADC) settings. Plus, the new Input Delay Alignment command makes it easy to align selected input channels to compensate for any plugins inserted on those inputs, giving you more granular control and visibility over how delay gets managed across the system.

      • Build your perfect system

        VENUE | S6L offers a variety of component options to configure and scale a system to meet any production, space, or budget requirement. Take control of your mix with a choice of five surfaces that offer from 16–48 faders. Power performances and integrate studio processing with a choice of three engines. Get all the ins and outs you need by mixing and matching any combination of five I/O rack options, including the new Stage 48, which provides the same pristine sound of Stage 64 in a more affordable solution. And scale up or down to meet changing control, processing, I/O, and connectivity requirements, with 100% hardware, software, and show file compatibility across all components.

        Check out the new Stage 48 I/O rack

        Learn more about the S6L unified platform

      • Choose your ins and outs

        With a choice of racks and I/O options available, it’s easy to customize your setup for your stage and local needs, as well as for remote I/O distribution. Connect one or more racks and choose from a variety of analog and digital I/O, including mic/line XLR, AES/EBU, and ADAT connectivity. You also have additional local I/O built into each S6L control surface for added flexibility, including up to 8x8 analog I/O, 8x8 AES I/O (4 pairs), two headphone outputs, MIDI I/O, and GPIO.

      • Take intelligent control of your mix

        When you’re mixing live, there are no do-overs. You have to anticipate and react fast. With Avid VENUE | S6L, you get instant access to every facet of your mix. View detailed information across high-res displays—in even the brightest outdoor conditions. Access and adjust your mix, including plugins and VCA groups, using the touchscreen and surface controls. And gain insight into every input, aux, and more through the Universe screen.

        Get the brochure

      • Expand your creativity

        Mix with the same sound processors used in top studios to get the sounds you want. Or re-create an artist’s signature studio sound live. Because all S6L configurations support Avid and third-party 64-bit AAX DSP plugins, you’ll have far more creative choices at your fingertips than any other live mixing system. Plus, you’ll be able to use way more plugins in your mix, thanks to the system’s dedicated, scalable HDX-powered DSP processing.

      • Experience unprecedented power

        From Broadway to broadcast, many live shows require hundreds of channels. With the VENUE | E6L engine, you have the power to support over 300 processing channels. The real-time processing engine handles all routing, channel, and mixing functions. The HDX-powered DSP engine manages all plugin processing, with full automatic delay compensation, so you can create bigger, better sounding mixes—with no round trips to external servers. Simply put, it outperforms the competition—hands down.

      • Connect with everything

        S6L offers extremely reliable Ethernet AVB connectivity across all system components—no matter how long the cable runs. Put an end to expensive, bulky analog snakes. Use lightweight, inexpensive Cat5e cables for runs up to 100 meters. Or use fiber-optic cable for longer runs up to 500 meters. Need to connect to MADI or Dante devices? Just add option cards to integrate S6L into your existing environment. Plus, with support for Luminex GigaCore 26i and GigaCore 10 AVB switches, you can connect your VENUE engines and I/O racks in a redundant star configuration for better flexibility and resilience.

      • Achieve pristine sound—live

        VENUE systems have always been respected for their unprecedented sound quality. The clarity. The warmth. S6L is no different—yet it totally is. And it starts at the source. Every VENUE | S6L I/O rack features the exact same professional-grade build quality, with a high-performance preamp design, so they deliver the same sound quality and clarity no matter which you choose, enabling you to present even higher quality mixes, with incredible presence.

      • Mix monitors with ease

        S6L makes it easy to handle dozens of monitor mixes to help artists deliver their best performance. Get one-touch access to any mix on the faders, whether in-ear, a wedge, or backline. Make complex level adjustments with single fader moves. Enable performers to control their own stage mixes with the VENUE | On-Stage app, or integrate Aviom personal monitoring systems over Dante. Monitor two independent stereo solo busses, which can be assigned to a cue belt pack and/or listen wedge. Plus, get two built-in headphone jacks for local monitoring.

      • Expand the local I/O of your system

        Need more inputs and outputs at your local mix position? The Local 16 I/O rack provides you with eight analog ins and outs, as well as eight digital ins and outs in a compact, 3U package—with all I/O conveniently located on the back for easy integration with external processing racks.

      • Mix theater productions with ease

        Stay on top of every performer, act, and scene with new workflow enhancements that take the stress out of mixing live theater. Add any of the 96 aux sends to your snapshot Scope. Gain greater efficiency with numerous snapshot advancements. And perform complex mixing adjustments with speed and ease thanks to significant updates to the intuitively programmable Events system.

      • Directly control Waves plugins

        With the WSG-HD Option Card, you can run Waves SoundGrid systems with Avid VENUE | S6L and experience full unrivaled integration, enabling you to access and control Waves plugins directly from the S6L surface and VENUE software. Just as easily as and right alongside your AAX plugins. It’s super-simple to set up, supports Snapshot automation, and provides full system redundancy for the utmost reliability. You can even open older VENUE (TDM) show files that use Waves plugins right in S6L and have all of your settings ready to go.

      • Have peace of mind

        VENUE | S6L not only delivers road-tested, industry-proven reliability and the same robust build quality across all of its components, it offers the highest level of service and support in the biz. Even when on the road or in the most extreme environments. All S6L systems now come with three years of Avid Advantage Elite Live support, giving you the highest priority care whenever you need help, 24x7. From ultra-fast response times, to same-day hardware exchange shipping, we’ve got you covered so your show always goes on.

      • Learn once, mix anywhere

        VENUE software is the common platform across all VENUE systems, speeding up all aspects of live mixing and recording. It eliminates complexity, so you can focus more on what matters most—your mix. You can even access a host of parameters and views with just a single touch, increasing your efficiency. If you’ve mixed on any other VENUE system, you’ll feel right at home.

      • Boost your efficiency

        With Snapshots, you can store and recall console and plugin settings instantly. Set multiple snapshots to handle changes for every song in a set list. Or quickly switch settings for different performers or scenes. You can also trigger time-consuming but frequently performed actions using Events. And with Layouts, you can assign any channel to any fader strip in any order and save your settings for easy recall. Save up to 48 channel strips per Layout and up to 48 Layouts per show file, enabling assignments and fader settings to be preserved when moving from a larger surface to a smaller one.

      • Record shows directly with Pro Tools

        Experience the most powerful live recording and playback capabilities in the industry. S6L comes with and supports 128 tracks of redundant Pro Tools recording, so you can create a backup of all live recordings without any extra interfaces or expense. Create a Pro Tools session automatically from your current VENUE show file in seconds—complete with all track names and patching. Record and play back up to 128 audio tracks through a single Cat5e cable. And control your live mixing and recording rigs as one.

      • Take your mix to go

        All VENUE systems use the same software, so you can load any VENUE show file into any S6L system and be ready to rock. This makes it easy to transition from one console to another, like when going from a club tour to a big festival. Just copy your show files to a USB key and load them into S6L. VENUE software adapts the settings to fit within the available hardware and software feature set of the given VENUE system configuration.

      • Save time with Virtual Soundcheck

        When sound checks get compressed or scrapped, show time becomes stress time. With timesaving Virtual Soundcheck, you can get a head start on your mix using Pro Tools recordings from a previous night’s performance in place of the live mics. Then fine-tune from there. And because it doesn’t require the presence of any performer, it’s also a great way to prep a show, from programming snapshots to experimenting with different plugins.

      • Expand your sonic palette

        S6L comes with an amazing collection of studio-quality plugins to get you started. But you can expand your library even further by installing renowned plugins from Avid, Sonnox, McDSP, and other top audio designers directly into the system, as well as integrate Waves plugins through the Waves SoundGrid Option Card. From unbelievable emulations of vintage and modern hardware, to a wide array of compressors, EQs, delays, and other sound processors, your creative possibilities are endless.

        Find more Avid plugins

        Find third-party AAX plugins

      • Tackle big productions with dual operators

        With the latest VENUE software, you can now designate up to two fader zones on a VENUE | S6L-48D, 32D, or 24D control surface, enabling dual-operator mixing. It’s ideal for theater sound, live broadcast events, and other complex productions. And it offers a cost-effective way to divide and conquer FOH and monitor mixing on a single S6L surface.

      • Remotely control S6L functions

        VENUE | S6L enables you to perform up to 128 custom actions/events instantly using its function keys/switches. With the free VENUE | Function Pad iOS app, which puts wireless remote control of your S6L function keys at your fingertips, you can organize, navigate, and trigger Snapshots and Events from anywhere in the venue using your iPhone or iPad.

      • Mix monitors on your iPhone or iPad

        Wish you could step away from S6L and fine-tune individual monitor mixes on stage? You can with the VENUE | On-Stage iOS app, which enables you to control Aux master levels, Aux send levels, and Aux pans remotely through its VENUE-style interface. You can even let performers control their monitor mixes using their own mobile device. Best of all, it's a free download from the Apple App Store.

      • Take tactile control of immersive live sound mixes

        Give audiences the most engaging and immersive aural experience possible with new AAX DSP plugins of Flux:: SPAT Revolution, d&b Soundscape, and L-Acoustics L-ISA that provide intuitive and deeply integrated tactile control over all surround parameters from the surface.

    Oeksound Soothe Live

    Get a 1-year license free as a VENUE | S6L customer
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