Introducing Avid S1 and S4 Control Surfaces

: Mihai Boloni; Industry News

Summer NAMM 2019 is in full swing as Avid introduces the new S1 and S4 EUCON control surfaces. These next-gen desktop units give you unprecedented control of your favorite app's as well as integrating with tablet devices.

Avid brings many of the features of it's professional S6 console to your desktop with the introduction on the S1 and S4 control surfaces. With features including motorized faders, touch-sensitive encoders, OLED display, and modular scalability, these units bring an unprecedented level of control to your fingertips.

Avid S1

The Avid S1 is the replacement for the older Artist Mix series, improving upon the decade old design with new features, upgraded mechanics, and tablet integration.

Along with OLED displays, the S1 works with the Pro Tools | Control iPad app, allowing your to integrate the touch-screen functionality of the app with the hands-on control of the surface. You can even link up to 4 units together, along with the Pro Tools Dock, creating a large, fully integrated environment. Since the unit is EUCON enabled, it supports multi-application control and switching. Use your S1 to control your favorite applications for audio and video, all over high-speed ethernet control. The S1 can also be controlled with Mackie/HUI applications.

Supported EUCON Applications:

Avid Pro Tools
Avid Media Composer
Apple Logic Pro
Adobe Premiere
Adobe Audition
MOTU Digital Performer
Steinberg Cubase
Steinberg Nuendo
many more...

Supported Mackie Control/HUI applications

Ableton Live
Cockos Reaper
Propellerhead Reason

The S1 will be able to run either iPad or Android devices, and will be available by the end of the year. Pricing has not been finalized yet, but expect the price to be similar to the older Artist Mix.

Avid S4

For those of you needing more hands-on control, but not wanting to spend $100K on the S6, Avid introduces the new S4. A smaller, more affordable solution to the larger S6, the S4 offers the same streamlined workflows, Pro Tools intelligent control, and modular scalability to the budget-conscious production professional.

Regardless of what type of creative work you're doing, Music Production or Post Production, Stereo, Surround, or Immersive Audio, the S4 can be configured around your specific needs while not breaking the bank. Specifically aimed at smaller, budget minded, production studios in music and post, the S4 allows for modular growth as your client needs grow.

Available in either a 3-foot 8-fader system, a 4-foot 16-fader system, or a 5-foot 16/24-fader base system, the units support the addition of Display Modules, Joystick Surround Modules, as well as the Post Module aimed at Post-Production facilities. Starting at around $24K these units are much more affordable than the larger S6 which can easily be above 100-grand.