Avid (NASDAQ: AVID) today announced the VENUE SC48 Remote System, a compact digital live sound system that delivers the revered sound quality, deep Pro Tools integration, and direct plug-in support of the award-winning VENUE SC48, now with remote I/O functionality for increased flexibility.

Consisting of the SC48 console and new VENUE Stage 48 remote box, Ethernet Snake Card, and VENUE 3 software, the SC48 Remote System is an alternative to the all-in-one SC48, enabling engineers to place the I/O away from the console and closer to sources for optimal sound. And with fully redundant Ethernet AVB snake connectivity (the first in the live sound industry) over inexpensive, lightweight Cat6 cable, engineers get the utmost reliability—without the bulky cable clutter.

With the new VENUE SC48 Remote System, customers can get the sound, power, and reliability of VENUE in a flexible, compact system while gaining extensive connection versatility, with 48 inputs and 16 outputs (expandable to 32), customizable between SC48 and up to two Stage 48 remote boxes). With the VENUE SC48 mic preamps can be places as close to sources as possible, eliminating long analog cable runs and ensuring pristine audio quality.

The VENU SC48 offer highly reliable transmission through low-latency, open standard Ethernet AVB, delivering fully redundant, all-digital connections through standard Cat6 cable—at distances up to 100 meters along with record and play back up to 32 channels in Pro Tools (included) with just a FireWire-equipped laptop. The sound of the studio can be brought to any live performance with fully integrated plug-in support—no external cables or computers needed. Load show files created on any VENUE system—no matter the configuration—for full show file portability

VENUE Stage 48

The Stage 48 remote I/O box will also be available as an add-on option (along with its companion Ethernet Snake Card) to existing SC48 users, enabling them to get more flexibility from their system and move existing SC48 I/O to Stage 48 for a more cost-effective remote I/O solution. The remote I/O box will provide the best possible sound quality with the I/O closer to sources for maximum fidelity. Use of the remote I/O will also increase reliability and reduce cable clutter with fully redundant Ethernet AVB connectivity. Users can connect a second Stage 48 to SC48 for more distributed I/O versatility.

VENUE 3 Software

The VENUE 3 software upgrade offers VENUE customers many new features, including faster workflows to significantly speed up all aspects of their mixing. SC48 customers will especially benefit, as the software upgrade provides more busses, input processing channels, plug-in slots, and Pro Tools channels than ever. By upgrading, users can:

• Record and play back up to 32 Pro Tools channels (up from 18) over FireWire (SC48 and FWx Option Card users)
• Create bigger mixes with expanded input processing channels in SC48 (increased from 48 to 64) and VENUE Mix Rack (increased from 64 to 80) Systems
• Get HPF settings included in all EQ presets, and when copying/pasting EQ settings
• Quickly configure console layouts by simply dragging and dropping channel strips
• Handle a full stage of monitor mixes with 24 busses available for SC48 (up from 16)
• Expand their creativity with more plug-ins, now with 40 plug-ins slots for SC48 (up from 20)
• Program the Console User button in the Events List to perform common tasks such as tap tempo or recalling a snapshot

“Customers are realizing the benefits of networked I/O solutions and are seeking ever more powerful features in compact mixers,” says Sheldon Radford, Avid senior product manager. “With the SC48 Remote System, they get the sound, performance, and reliability VENUE systems are known for, plus the flexibility to split up the I/O and place each distribution where needed for optimal sound. They can customize the system to support up to 48 inputs on stage or distribute the I/O to handle a variety of sources on stage, at FOH, and even another location anywhere in the room.”

The VENUE SC48 Remote System, VENUE 3 software upgrade, Stage 48 remote box, and its companion Ethernet Snake Card are all expected to be available worldwide in February 2012.