Digidesign Venue SC 48

Digidesign’s new live mixing console, the SC48 is Avid’s  “LE” offering in their Venue line.  Offering I/O built into the smaller-frame console and multi-track recording through USB – it bridges the gap between the huge Venue systems and mixing on a Mackie 1604 (which is still pretty fun).

Details from Digidesign.com

• Fully integrated console offers built-in I/O for stage and ancillary sources, DSP, and tactile control for ultimate portability
  
• Compact footprint fits small- to mid-size clubs, houses of worship, theaters, corporate events, and more
  
• First-rate VENUE sound quality provides amazing audio clarity in any room
  
• Supports professional audio plug-ins for creating studio-quality mixes live
  
• Pro Tools LE FireWire interface and software included for audio recording and playback system connection
  
• VENUE D-Show® software, the industry’s easiest, most comprehensive control software
  
• 48 analog mic/line XLR inputs, 16 analog line outputs (expandable to 32)
  
• Single expansion slot for maximizing output count or adding A-Net® connectivity
  
• 16 Aux Sends, 8 Groups, plus 8 mono matrixes (linkable as up to 4 stereo matrixes)
  
• Choice of Left-Right plus Mono or Left-Center-Right Mains bus configuration
  
• 26 touch-sensitive, motorized faders: 16 input, 8 output master, 1 Flex Channel, and 1 Mains
  
• 16 assignable, push-switch rotary encoders with multi-segment LED rings enable immediate access to key parameters
  
• Additional I/O, including talkback, analog and digital 2-track, GPI, MIDI, and Word Clock

Some features mentioned, but I couldn’t find explained in great detail are:

VCA Spill-Out -  All they say is that it allows you to maintain control over specific channels without banking.  I think this probably means you’ll have mix-group faders that don’t disappear when you bank to your next set of channels.

Flex Channel – This seems to be a channel strip whose functionality you can customize.  Using it in a “latch mode” supposedly lets you specify a single channel that is exempt from banking and nudging faders.  Seems like a cool function if you’ve got a picky lead vocalist who keeps swinging his mic into things, whispering, then screaming.  Can’t really afford to lose sight of that channel.

All-in-all I’m pretty excited to see more of this console – as the idea of bring ridiculous Waves Plugins to a show gets closer and closer to my budget.