Archive notice: This article was originally published on February 3, 2010. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Thanks to cooperation with world-leading audio-system manufacturers such as Clair Global, Sound Image, Firehouse Productions, Solotech, Spectrum Sound, Sweetwater Sound Productions and Clark Pro Media, VENUE systems have proved extremely successful and are used by internationally known artists. The systems are used not only on major tours, at festivals and for television broadcasts, but also in well-known clubs and at church events. Last year, for example, the systems were used at performances by U2, Paul McCartney, No Doubt, Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Dave Matthews Band, Fleetwood Mac and Nickelback, as well as at the Bridge School Benefit, Outside Lands, Rock in Japan, Knitting Factory and Saddleback Church events.
John Cooper, FOH engineer for Bruce Springsteen’s band, says of his work with VENUE systems: “The VENUE consoles have fundamentally changed my approach to mixing. I can control the workflow better and mix much more precisely than was possible just a few years ago. With the help of the plug-in architecture and virtual soundcheck, I can work offline, decide which plug-ins are best suited to the respective mixing environment and then make the corresponding presets. In addition, the ability to record directly into Pro Tools has streamlined the overall workflow. From the beginning, I could count on Avid’s full support when using Digidesign.”
Avid’s live-sound system delivers studio-quality sound and enables the processing of Pro Tools plug-in effects. It can also establish a direct connection to standard Pro Tools recording and playback systems. Since entering the market, Avid has striven to take live-sound mixing to a new level, particularly through the following innovations:
• Expansion of the VENUE product line to support numerous live-sound applications and environments: the VENUE product line now includes the VENUE D-Show system, VENUE ProfileTM system, VENUE Mix Rack system and VENUE SC48.
• Use of the common VENUE D-Show software platform: this allows users to become familiar with the system and use their show files and expertise on any other VENUE system.
• Development of virtual soundcheck: to fine-tune the mix, users do not use live input, but tracks recorded at previous shows or rehearsals.
• Support for the AVnu Alliance: the objective is to develop universal standards for AVB (audio/video bridging) networks that enable seamless integration of audio and video material, thereby creating a perfect live experience.
