AVID, AVID PALM23, Live Mixing Console, Mixing Console, VENUE Systems Digital Mixer – Avid VENUE | S6L The next stage in live sound VENUE has long been one of the most requested live mixing systems in the world. And now the legacy continues with VENUE | S6L System. When it comes to live sound mixing, Avid VENUE | S6L stands out as a top contender, trusted by touring professionals and accessible for newcomers alike. Since its debut over a decade ago, the Avid VENUE platform has been a staple in the world of live sound, powering tours, festivals, and concert venues with the trusted Profile, SC48, and D-Show consoles. The console raises the bar with a next-generation, modular live sound system that blends familiar workflows with cutting-edge performance. Designed to meet the demands of today’s most complex touring productions, the S6L features a powerful three-part architecture, high channel counts, and advanced plug-in capabilities, all while staying true to the VENUE legacy. But how does it stack up in the field? In this hands-on review, we explore whether the S6L lives up to its promise as the most powerful and flexible live mixing console Avid has ever built. Do more with a single solution When it comes to mixing live sound, efficiency, sound clarity, and reliability are of critical importance. Avid VENUE | S6L is the industry’s only unified live sound platfom that offers 100% software, hardware, and show file compatibility and interoperability across the entire line. It’s also the only system that offers direct Waves and AAX plug-in control from the console to elevate mixes, and 128 tracks of built-in Pro Tools recording/playback with Virtual Soundcheck, saving hours of prep time. Plus, you get three years of 24×7 priority support to ensure the show always goes on. Seamless Compatibility with Legacy VENUE Show Files One of the most powerful features of the Avid VENUE S6L is its full compatibility with legacy VENUE show files, a true game-changer for touring professionals and engineers with years of experience on previous VENUE systems. Whether you’ve worked on a D-Show, Profile, or SC48, your existing show files are not only recognized by the S6L, they’re recreated with exceptional accuracy. From head amp settings, EQ configurations, and aux sends, to snapshots, VCA groups, and output routing, the S6L faithfully loads your previous setups, allowing for instant recall and further customization on the new control surface. This level of backward compatibility speaks volumes about Avid’s commitment to long-term users and ensures a smooth transition for engineers upgrading to the S6L platform without losing their valuable workflow history. Meet any live sound challenge S6L delivers unrelenting performance and reliability through its advanced engine design and intelligent workflows to handle any live production. Its modularity and unmatched flexibility make it easy to scale a system with your choice of five control surfaces, three engines, and four I/O racks, plus the networking options you need—including Ethernet AVB, Dante, and MADI—to meet the demands of any live sound application, on almost any budget. You can even share I/O across multiple networked systems, providing more workflow possibilities while cutting costs. Mix and record high-quality audio With its premium-grade architecture, audio engine, and high-performance preamps, S6L delivers incredible clarity, warmth, and presence throughout the signal path. It also provides the most integrated and cost-effective Pro Tools recording workflow, eliminating the need for expensive audio interfaces. And it supports the same audio plug-ins and emulations of prized outboard gear used in countless recordings, so you can easily re-create the sound of the studio—live. Pump up performances with massive power From large concert tours and Broadway shows, to smaller club and corporate events, today’s stage productions are bigger and more complex than ever. That’s why Avid designed a groundbreaking engine for S6L—the VENUE | E6L—which combines two powerhouse technologies that work in concert together. With a state-of-the-art real-time processing engine and dedicated DSP plug-in processing, you get unrivaled processing capabilities to handle an extraordinary number of channels—without the complication or stress.