Guide to Installed Sound with Avid VENUE | S6L
An Overview of the VENUE | S6L Ecosystem
The S6L unified platform comprises separate mix surfaces, mix engines, and I/O, which combine to create systems to fit any requirement.
As examples, an ultra-compact 16-fader surface can be used in a theater without compromising on channels and processing, or multiple consoles can share stage racks to fit-out a large concert venue with monitoring and broadcast capabilities.
S6L provides a choice of 16, 24, 32, or 48 fader consoles, with a width of 1 foot per bank of 8 faders. The 32- and 48- fader surfaces are always equipped with touch display bridges including a master touch screen. The 24-fader console has two variants: the ‘C’ option has a single master touch screen, while the ‘D’ variant has two additional displays and an extra encoder bank.
Mix Engines
S6L Mix Engines provide the processing and routing power for your mix. They combine a state-of-the-art real-time processing engine and dedicated DSP plugin processing, capable of handling an extraordinary number of channels.
There are six engines to choose from with different capacities. The L-series engines come in 112, 144, and 192 channel versions, while the LX series comprises 128, 176, and 256 channel options. Your choice here depends on how many inputs you need and how many independent mix and matrix busses are required. Up to 256 inputs, 192 output busses are possible.
All LX series engines and the S6L-192 can be expanded to up to 4 HDX DSP cards for plugin processing, providing 400 plugin slots. The L-144 and L-112 can host 2 HDX cards.
I/O
A choice of five I/O chassis are available when configuring connectivity. Stage Racks come in 16, 32, 48, and 64 channel capacities, and there’s a 16-channel expander for integrating gear at the mixing positions.
The 32- and 64- channel racks can be configured with cards to provide your required complement of analog and digital I/O. Stage 32 has four slots which can be configured freely for a total of 32 channels. Stage 64 has 12 slots: 8 for inputs (64 channels) and 4 for outputs (32 channels). They also include built-in 64-channel MADI outputs for easy splitting of source signals.
Additionally, expansion modules allow you to add AVB, Milan, MADI, and Waves SoundGrid connectivity to the Mix Engine chassis, with Dante coming later in 2025.
Technologies and Integrations
Avid VENUE | S6L live systems are built around AVB network connectivity, via your choice or CAT-5 or Fiber Channel infrastructure. Ring and star network topologies are supported. Both can provide redundancy, and star networks are popular in installed sound applications as it makes repositioning consoles and racks simple.
S6L supports multiple network audio and control protocols: AVB, AVBHD, Milan, and Dante (coming in 2025).
VENUE also enjoys deep integration with industry- standard immersive audio systems from d&b audiotechnik, L-Acoustics, and Flux, with plug-ins that run natively on the S6-L mix platform.
Choosing the Perfect Live Sound System
The perfect live mixing system is defined by your unique set of creative, technical, capacity, and budgetary requirements. Let’s look at some common scenarios.
Concert Sound
From small club tours and regional shows to large concert arenas, Avid VENUE | S6L provides the sheer power, unsurpassed sound quality, and proven reliability you need, whether you’re mixing front of house or monitors. No matter the system size or configuration, you get the same sound clarity, warmth, operational familiarity, and ease for which VENUE is known.
Small to Medium Venue
Creative and Workflow Requirements
This scenario often requires a single operator to set up and recall both house and monitor mixes quickly for multiple acts. This is where Snapshots—a standard feature on all VENUE systems—and bus-to-bus routing are essential parts of your toolset.
Space
Space is likely limited here, so a 24-fader console is a good choice.
I/O & Mixing
A basic capacity of 48-64 inputs mic/line stage inputs is recommended, plus some digital outputs at the stage. Local connectivity will likely be covered by the 8 channels of analog and digital I/O onboard the console.
Example System for Small to Medium Concert Venue
Large Venue (>1000 capacity)
Creative and Workflow Requirements
Larger venues are likely to host professional touring bands, orchestras, and productions. As well as the increased channel capacity, there will be an expectation of studio-grade sound and effects, requiring adequate plugin processing power and Waves integration. A dedicated monitoring console is also a requirement here. Playback/recording capability is highly recommended. Immersive sound should also be considered.
Space
A larger concert hall can typically accommodate a generous front of house mixing station, so a 32- or 48- fader console is perfect. Also consider a 24-fader console with displays for either the FOH or monitoring positions. With the distance to the stage likely to exceed 300’, fiber channel networking is a necessity. Fiber connectivity also benefits from reduced weight and cable size, and increased durability.
I/O & Mixing
Larger halls need to accommodate significantly more inputs to handle orchestras and complex tour shows. Output capacity needs to handle many monitoring feeds and a more complex possibly immersive PA system. 96 x 64 I/O (including 8 digital outputs) is recommended.
Pro Tools playback and recording will almost certainly be needed in this environment, and there may be a requirement to route to a separate recording or broadcast room or truck. MILAN and MADI expansion options will cover these eventualities.
An E6LX-256 engine is recommended for a large concert venue to accommodate the high channel count and more complex output bussing.
Example System for Large Concert Venue
Theater
Stay on top of every performer, act, and scene with high-efficiency workflows that take the stress out of mixing live theater. Start by building a show on a larger control surface and then bring it over to a smaller surface in your theater to avoid losing potential space in your venue. Two engineers can mix on the same surface with advanced dual-operator workflows. Take advantage of over 400 processing channels and stop worrying about channel counts.
Quickly recall and change mix settings on a per-song or per-scene basis with up to 999 snapshots. And with customizable layouts, you can quickly access and control any performer on any channel , without having to bank through multiple layers to reach it. VENUE’s industry-leading Events systems means you can program and trigger complex scene changes, synchronized with Pro Tools and MIDI-based cue systems.
Small Theater
Space
With space at a premium, the S6L-16C is a perfect choice, with a console width of only 2’.
I/O & Mixing
With relatively simple connectivity requirements, a spec of 32 x 16 analog I/O should cover this scenario, paired with an E6LX-128 engine in its stock configuration.
Example System for Small Theater Venue
Large Theater
Space
Premium theatrical venues likely have more space, and may host large, complex productions with chorus lines, bands, and orchestras. A larger console is both practical and preferable. Consider a 48-fader surface when two operators are required. Fiber connectivity will facilitate the distance between components.
I/O & Mixing
Large theater productions can have the highest channel count of any live scenario. An E6LX-256 and three fully populated Stage 64 racks will allow you to handle any situation. Increased HDX plugin capacity and Waves connectivity are recommended for advanced sound design capabilities and to accommodate touring bands.
Example System for Large Theater Venue
Entertainment
Space
Entertainment venues such as theaters and experiences in cruise ships, resorts, and amusement parks tend to have limited space, making the S6L-16C a good fit.
I/O & Mixing
Input count may be higher than a typical small theaterre to accommodate mixed bills, musical theater productions, and cabaret. 48 x 24 analog I/O is a good starting point, which can easily be updated later if necessary. An E6LX-128 engine will cover mix and routing requirements, and Waves integration is an excellent addition to cover all sound design and guest band bases.
Example System for Entertainment Venue
Houses of Worship
Avid VENUE | S6L brings sonic clarity to services, ensuring that every word and note is heard. It offers intuitive workflows, snapshot automation, and fully recallable settings, enabling you to switch between sermons, choir performances, and drama presentations with speed and ease. The system also opens up new outreach opportunities, by enabling you to record services with Pro Tools® and make the audio available to the congregation through a website, YouTube, or social media. And because it runs on easy-to-use VENUE software, staff and volunteers who already know VENUE will feel right at home mixing on S6L.
Small to Medium Capacity
Space
Space can be kept to a minimum with a 16- or 24-fader console, and the ‘C’ variants are a good choice where set-ups tend to stay consistent between services.
I/O & Mixing
A single Stage Rack 48, powered by an E6LX-128 should provide plenty of connectivity and mixing power in a straightforward and compact package.
Example System for Small to Medium House of Worship
Large Capacity
Space
With larger places of worship ranging in use, and scaling up to very large capacities, choices from 24- to 48- fader consoles are all appropriate.
I/O & Mixing
It may make sense to equip larger houses of worship with a similar input and mix capacity to a concert venue so you can accommodate a variety of events and programs, with monitoring for bands.
Example System for Large House of Worship
Conference and Event Spaces
The flexibility and portability of Avid VENUE | S6L systems make them ideal for conference spaces where versatility in both usage and room layout is key. Handle presenters, panels, and Q&A with ease with AutoMix functionality. Transition the space to an entertainment venue or, award ceremony, or broadcast with your events program rehearsed and saved as snapshots.
Space
A compact console makes flexible room layouts a breeze. Consider the S6L-16C, or expand to a 24D to handle entertainment and gala events.
I/O & Mixing
A small theater-equivalent system of 32 x 16 analog I/O with the E6LX-128 will probably fit the bill here, but consider if there are digital requirements for specialist AV systems.