HHB Communications Ltd. has announced that the new Master Joystick Module and Mini Filler Panel for the Avid S6 control surface is now available to order.
New Avid Exchange Program To S6 For Icon Hardware Owners
Starting today (20th August 2015) we can announce that Avid has introduced special pricing for existing D-Command and D-Control customers which will offer the opportunity to exchange their ICON hardware for a new Pro Tools | S6 System
Tutorial: Assignable Spill Zones On Avid S6 V2.0 From RSPE
In this Avid S6 v2.0 tutorial, Gary Lux demonstrates assignable Spill Zones, one of the most talked about new features on Avid S6 v2.0 software.
HHB Releases Avid S6 v2.0 Software Overview Video
In this video from Partner brand HHB, Devin Workman highlights the key features introduced by the new version 2.0 software update for the S6 and points out the new features requested by Icon Power users.
Scrub Supplies Avid S6 And S3 To Empire Design
Our friends at Scrub have supplied Avid S6 and S3 control surfaces for Empire Design’s London post production studios.
Tutorial: How To Use VCA Auto-Spill On The Avid S6 Control Surface Using v1.3 Software
Watch as Gary Lux and Richard McKernan demonstrate VCA Auto-Spill, the most anticipated and talked about new feature on Avid S6 v1.3 software. Once VCA Auto-Spill is enabled, you simply have to focus (or attention) the VCA master and all of the slaves automatically spill out on the surface, making adjustments and edits quicker and easier. Check it out, and stay tuned for more video tutorials on using the Avid S6.
To learn more about the Pro Tools | S6, visit our dedicated Avid Pro Tools | S6 blog.
Avid Pro Tools | S6 Show & Tell: Layout Recall in S6 Software v1.3
In a previous video from RSPE, Hollywood Mixer Gary Lux and Avid’s own Richard McKernan showed how to create, edit and delete custom Layouts on the Avid Pro Tools | S6. This time they demonstrate the new and improved layout recall on the Avid Pro Tools | S6. The new feature, recently added on Pro Tools | S6 software v1.3, allows you to access your saved layouts quickly and without having to change what’s visible on the master module’s touch screen. Check it out, and stay tuned for more video tutorials.
To learn more about the Pro Tools | S6, visit our dedicated Avid Pro Tools | S6 blog.
Avid S6 Video Tutorial From RSPE Audio - Expand Mode
RSPE Audio once again enlisted the help of Hollywood Mixer Gary Lux and Avid’s own Richard McKernan for their next S6 video tutorial. The video shows how Expand Mode on the Avid S6 allows you to easily view and edit all of the parameters of an EQ, Dynamic, or Insert with simply one button. Check it out, and stay tuned for more video tutorials.
To learn more about the S6, visit our blog dedicated to Avid’s S6.
Avid S6 Video Tutorial From RSPE Audio - VCA Spill
Our friends at RSPE Audio enlisted the help of Hollywood Mixer Gary Lux and Avid’s own Richard McKernan for a new S6 video tutorial. The video shows how VCA spill on the Avid S6 allows you to easily control a large number of channels with a smaller control surface. Check it out, and stay tuned for more video tutorials.
To learn more about the S6, visit our blog dedicated to Avid’s S6.
Video Introduction To The Avid S6 Control Surface
Our friends at HHB have made this video introduction to the Avid S6 control surface.
The first S6 video in the series can be viewed on the HHB’s YouTube Channel you can watch the Avid S6 video introduction here. HHB’s Devin Workman provides an in-depth tutorial with the 24-fader M40 S6 installed at HHB’s Soho demo facility Scrub.
The first video introduces the component parts of the S6 and how they can be combined to provide deep integrated control of Pro Tools and other DAWs.
There are more videos to follow going further in-depth on how the S6’s innovative Master Touch and Automation Modules provide unparalleled DAW control from the listening position, and the S6’s Soft key control of menu, editing and automation functions.
Hollywood Mix Engineer Gary Lux Using VCA Groups On The Avid S6
Longtime Hollywood Mixer Gary Lux sat with RSPE Audio to show how using VCA groups on the Avid S6 Control Surface helps him stay organized and improve his workflow and efficiency.
Gary recently celebrated his 20th anniversary mixing and recording the music for the the Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG) Awards. Although he mixed it on his Avid ICON D-Control, he wanted to see what he would do differently (or the same) on the Avid S6.
Make sure to watch the end for an outtake!
Check out our exclusive Avid S6 microsite in association with our friends at RSPE Audio.
Time Lapse Video Installing An Avid S6 Into "This Is Sound Design"
Our friends at RSPE have produced this time lapse video showing the installation of an Avid S6 control surface into “This Is Sound Design” As soon as it was finished Nathan Ruyle started mixing two independent films.
This Is Sound Design Chooses Avid's S6 As Their New Control Surface
This is Sound Design have placed an order for a new
. This is Sound Design have been waiting for a control surface that offers the customization, programmable software integration and forward thinking modular design and feel that the Avid S6 is that console.
According to Nathan Ruyle, the choice of the
revolved around his style of working “Having developed a design-centered approach to feature film sound post, we needed a console that adapts to our custom workflows and the specific needs of each project, allowing a fluid relationship between our design concepts through the final mix. In the past we have often had to make the choice between limiting projects to working within our mix templates or holding off the mix phase as long as possible, spending hours reorganizing sessions to be mixable on the Icon control surface. We are excited that the S6 can evolve creatively with us and bring the design process into the mix stage. We are looking forward to finally putting down the mouse and getting into the mix!”
Nathan has been working with the Avid D-Control and D-Command over the last 5 years or so and the transition to the new surface was in many ways logical but more importantly, in Nathan’s words “the S6 feels like the first console made for me and the way that I want to work”.
This is Sound Design is a boutique sound design and post-production studio, with facilities in Los Angeles and New York, founded by Nathan Ruyle in 2008. TiSD has a reputation for unique technical and aesthetic approaches to sound, working with filmmakers, digital media creators, and artists. Past projects include the critically acclaimed Sundance feature films This is Martin Bonner and It Felt Like Love, online campaigns for ELLE Magazine, Banana Republic, and Benefit Cosmetics, and the multimedia spectacle ABACUS. Listen for sound by TiSD in 2014 at Sundance, the Bam Next Wave Festival and the Whitney Biennial.
For a short video with Nathan Ruyle of This is Sound Design, and more detailed information about the Avid S6, visit the
Digital Jungle, Hollywood Chooses Avid S6 for Their Audio Post Facility
The Digital Jungle is a self described “Oasis of Tranquility” located in the heart of Hollywood, California.
There are 2 things that are evident when you arrive at this post production facility: One, you have definitely arrived at an oasis of tranquility and, Two, there is A LOT of activity!
Besides the services offered in audio post production, Dennis Ho and company offer all important phases of post including audio post, voice over, color correction, screening, 3D stereoscopic services, editorial, graphics, conversions, image restoration and production offices.
A lot of thought has gone into the overhaul of their audio post room with the help of long time studio builder, Grant Headley and studio equipment provider, RSPE Audio Solutions (Universal City, Ca.) including new JBL 7.1 monitoring, acoustics, furniture, layout and gear. The gear is where it gets exciting!
After comprehensive discussions and a variety of renderings to consider operator placement and workflow, Digital Jungle has settled on the configuration illustrated below that will allow 2 operators to control their new Avid HDX systems.
The design was created to allow for easy “1 man operator” scenarios but would also allow a second operator to sit comfortably and concentrate on dialog and effects when required.
Room completion and delivery of their new S6 is scheduled for late December, stay tuned for photos as soon as the room is complete and the S6 is delivered!
For detailed information about the
, visit
created by our friends at RSPE.
Avid Pro Mixing Webinar: S6
Avid have another webinar coming up, this time for the new S6. They write;
The growing size and complexity of mixes shows no sign of slowing down—making ergonomics more important than ever. S6 combines the best of proven tactile interfaces with next-generation touchscreen technology and deep visual feedback for the most intuitive, high-efficiency operation.
Mix faster and easier with proven and trusted tactile controls and next-generation touchscreen technology
Access, control, manipulate, and navigate multiple aspects of your mix through the ‘heads-up display’ master touchscreen
Work quickly using intelligently designed controls and an intuitive layout
Register for the webinar now to learn how S6 can increase your productivity.
Exclusive Video: First Impressions Of The New Avid S6 Console From Top Engineers And Producers
We’ve teamed up with our friends at RSPE to bring you this exclusive video of first impressions of the new Avid S6 console from some top engineers and producers including Grammy winning mixer Mick Guzuaski.
For more info and expert advice on the new S6 console in the USA contact RSPE here
Want To See A Monster Avid S6 Console?
We are going to partnering with our friends at RSPE to bring up to date information about the Avid S6 console. They will be bringing news and their specialist team will be helping us to answer questions that the community may have. So if you have questions then send them in or leave them in the comments.
If you missed the S6 at AES then Don Polus was on the spot as the new Avid S6 was debuted at AES NY. He says “For the first 2 days, you had to push past the pack of people that crowded around the S6. The oLED knobs combined with the touch panels on the center section will revolutionize the mixing interface”.
Even some of the die-hard ICON owner-operators were truly impressed once they were walked through the features. The S6 area of the booth was as busy as any Avid booth has ever been. We spotted both home and commercial studio clients as well as a couple of universities frothing over the blazing lights that lit the Avid booth up like a small city.
When speaking to a group of faculty from one West Coast University, it was evident that one of them had lost control of the motor functions in their lower jaw, probably due to the excitement generated from the S6 (also known as the ‘gone gaga’ effect).
In the meantime, check out the rendering of the actual configuration at the top (click on the image to enlarge) of a pre-ordered for Lotus Post in Santa Monica, Ca. A lot of consideration had gone into the S6 that is destined to land at Lotus, we measure 20 feet wide! Their workflow has been an ongoing evolution for years (and over 100 projects). This is the brainchild spawned by Lotus partners Michael Perricone, David Marcus and Avid/Euphonix guru, Richard McKernan.
If you live in LA then give them a call to get an early peek at the Avid System 6. Call Sonya or Thomas at RSPE Audio to book your preview. You can get an in depth ‘walk through’ in early November right here in Los Angeles! Call 855-832-1032 to reserve your spot, space is VERY limited.
If you are in the UK and Europe then contact our friends at HHB Scrub or Medispec.
New Avid S6 Console Pricing
An update from Avid with pricing for the new Avid S6 consoles.
Avid S6 will be available at Avid resellers worldwide in Q4 2013. As a modular system, S6 is available at a variety of prices, with M10 configurations starting at $21,995 and M40 configurations starting at $43,480.
Discuss.
Avid Announce New S6 Modular Mixing Console
Perhaps best described as the ‘mother of all control surfaces’ Avid announce the S6 modular mixing console, which although available in pre-configured options, has almost limitless configurations. In their own words Avid have ‘leveraged the best of the ICON and System 5 product families in a revolutionary new modular design’.
The new Avid S6 is built around 2 core frames, the S6 M40 allowing for up to 41 modules and the smaller S6 M10 allowing for up to 9 modules. The larger S6 M40 is aimed at high-end professionals and facilities that need great scalability and customization with the smaller S6 M10 aimed at smaller- to mid-size facilities, such as producers.
Having read through the concept and specs in detail and seeing the almost limitless potential of the modular design, this is kind of ‘build-a-bear’ for the audio professional, although granted it may not be as cute and somewhat more costly, the S6 is far more sexy and impressive.
Master modules are the central hubs of your S6 surface. All surfaces must include a main engine, which provides touchscreen access and control; you have a choice between two—S6 M40 or S6 M10. The S6 Automation Module complements both, providing controls for transport, automation, and more. Here’s a closer look at these modules. Both feature a tilting 12.1-inch multipoint touchscreen, eight adjacent rotary encoders, and dedicated knobs and keys for monitoring and global control, enabling you to view, access, and edit different aspects of your mix—such as tracks, processing, and metering—without mousing through menus.
Compatibility
S6 works with the following EUCON-enabled applications and can also work with them simultaneously, enabling control of DAWs like Pro Tools, Cubase and Logic in a single session.
Avid Pro Tools HD 9/10
Avid Studio Monitor Pro and Express
Avid XMON
Adobe Audition
Apogee Maestro 1.9
Apple Final Cut Pro 7
Apple Logic Pro 9 and Express 9 and higher
Apple SoundTrack Pro 3
Cakewalk Sonar X1 Producer
MAGIX Sequoia 11 or higher
Merging Pyramix 8
Metric Halo MIO Console
MOTU Digital Performer 7
Steinberg Cubase 6.5
Steinberg Nuendo 5.5
Configurations
The following pre-configured S6 surfaces are available to handle most music and post workflows. You can customize any S6 by adding a Producer’s Desk, or customize the surface further with different channel module combinations by choosing an M40 configuration.
M40-based S6 configurations
With 16 faders, 5 knobs per channel, and TFT displays (S6 M40-16-5-D)
With 24 faders, 5 knobs per channel, and TFT displays (S6 M40-24-5-D)
With 32 faders, 5 knobs per channel, and TFT displays (S6 M40-32-5-D)
With 16 faders, 9 knobs per channel, and TFT displays (S6 M40-16-9-D)
With 24 faders, 9 knobs per channel, and TFT displays (S6 M40-24-9-D)
With 32 faders, 9 knobs per channel, and TFT displays (S6 M40-32-9-D)
M10-based S6 configurations
With 8 faders, 5 knobs per channel (S6 M10-8-5)
With 16 faders, 5 knobs per channel (S6 M10-16-5)
With 24 faders, 5 knobs per channel (S6 M10-24-5)