Description
Technical
Specifications
Inputs / Outputs
| Total inputs | 128 |
|---|---|
| Mic inputs | 96 |
| Expansion cards | Proprietary digital snake; MADI and ADAT available via optional cards |
Processing
| Mix buses | 24 |
|---|---|
| DSP engine | FOH Rack with expandable DSP mix engine (3 to 5 DSP Mix Engine cards + ECx Ethernet card), TDM plug-ins |
| Max sample rate | 48 kHz |
| Bit depth | 24 bits |
| Processing resolution | 48 bits |
| Architecture | Modular system: D-Show surface + FOH Rack (engine) + Stage Rack (recallable preamps) linked by a digital snake |
| Channel processing | Internal processing up to 48-bit fixed point, 288 dB internal dynamic range; processing delay < 2.8 ms |
| Channels | 48 mic inputs standard, expandable to 96; up to 128 channels feeding 24 buses |
| DSP engine — details | EQ + dynamics per channel, 24 assignable graphic EQs, TDM/AAX plug-ins identical to Pro Tools · FOH Rack fitted with 3 to 5 Mix Engine cards (mix + plug-in DSP) |
Surface
| Physical faders | 56 |
|---|---|
| Motorized faders | Yes |
| Fader layers | 4 |
| Screens | 1 |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Control surface | 8-strip Main Unit + up to 3 sixteen-strip Sidecars (max 56 touch-sensitive faders) |
| Faders | 100 mm motorized touch-sensitive faders, +12 to -144 dB resolution (1024 steps) |
| Monitoring and talkback | Personal Q option: up to 8 artist-controlled stereo monitor mixes; when PQ is unused, an extra 12 x 16 matrix mixer |
Recording
| Onboard recording | Optional |
|---|---|
| Recording type | Pro Tools via optional cards: FWx (FireWire, LE, 18 tracks) or HDx (Pro Tools|HD, 96 tracks) |
Networking
| Networking & protocols | MADI / ADAT / Network |
|---|---|
| Redundant PSU | Optional |
| Redundant networking | Optional |
| Stage boxes | 19-inch Stage Rack: up to 48 remote-controlled mic/line preamps and 48 outputs; a second Stage Rack takes the system to 96 inputs/outputs |
| Sync | 48 kHz sample rate, 24-bit (source: Digidesign brochure) |
Physical
| Width | 1,313 mm |
|---|---|
| Depth | 895 mm |
| Height | 347 mm |
| Weight | 54.9 kg |
| Dimensions | Main Unit 1313 x 895 x 347 mm (54.9 kg); Main+Sidecar 1988 x 895 x 347 mm (88 kg) — Digidesign spec sheet |
Power
| Power draw | 160 W |
|---|
Other
| Broadcast features | Pro Tools coupling: multitrack recording and Virtual Soundcheck |
|---|
Strip & details
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Software
- Pro ToolsAvid digital audio workstation coupled with the VENUE system for multitrack recording and Virtual Soundcheck.Download
VENUE Standalone Software
Other screenshots
Accessories
Stagebox / rack
- Stage Rack
Remote stage rack holding the recallable mic preamps, linked to the surface by digital snake.
Other
- FOH Rack
Front-of-house rack housing the mix engine (3 to 5 Mix Engine cards).
Fader extension
- Sidecar D-Show
16-strip fader expansion; up to three per surface (56 faders total).
Documents
Editorial & artists
Our take
History & design
The Digidesign VENUE D-Show is the flagship live mixing system launched by Digidesign (now Avid) in February 2005. Rather than a one-piece console, VENUE is a modular environment: the D-Show control surface (Main module and Sidecars), the FOH Rack housing the DSP mix engine, and the Stage Rack for I/O, linked by a digital snake.
The surface carries 24 bankable input channel strips, each with a touch-sensitive fader and two assignable encoders; adding Sidecars takes it up to 56 faders. The highly expandable architecture reaches 96 mic inputs, 16 stereo effects returns and 24 buses (16 auxes, 8 mono or stereo groups), with matrices fed by 12 sources. Each Stage Rack holds up to 48 mic/line inputs and 48 outputs on 8-channel cards, with remote-controlled preamps; a second Stage Rack takes the system to 96 inputs. Each channel offers a 4-band parametric EQ with separate HPF, a compressor/limiter, an expander/gate and four plug-in inserts.
VENUE's decisive advantage is its link with Pro Tools: the system runs the same TDM plug-ins as the studio workstation and integrates directly with Pro Tools for multitrack recording and playback with no extra audio interface, through the optional FWx (Pro Tools LE over FireWire) and HDx (Pro Tools|HD, up to 96 tracks) cards. The Personal Q option also lets the artist control their own monitor mix. Built for touring, the D-Show equipped concerts, festivals, theatres, houses of worship and broadcast events.
Notable users
Links
- Manufacturer Avid VENUE avid.com
- Press article Digidesign VENUE / D-Show (Mix, PLASA) mixonline.com
- Press article Mix — Digidesign VENUE mixonline.com
- Press article AudioTechnology — Review: Digidesign D-Show audiotechnology.com
- Press article ProSoundWeb — Andy Meyer / Guns N' Roses on VENUE D-Show prosoundweb.com
- Archive Wikipedia — Venue (sound system) en.wikipedia.org
Related consoles
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Documents are archived locally for preservation. Source credited. Takedown requests: [email protected]