Stagetec debuts ‘all-access’ Aurus Platinum at Tonmeister 2014
Published: ASIA
WORLD: The successor to Stagetec’s flagship Aurus mixing console has been unveiled at this year’s Tonmeister. The Aurus Platinum builds on the platform’s key concept of ‘Direct-Access’ control with an all-new control structure and redesigned chassis aiming to provide even faster operation for live and production mixing.
The desk’s surface now provides users with up 96 channel strips, each of which feature 22 rotary selectors, 32 keys and an OLED display. Combined with real-time switching and display, the control surface is said to provide direct access to all channels and parameters at all times. Control over external peripherals such as a keyboard and mouse can be achieved with the integrated touchpad, allowing users to stay solely within the Aurus environment. Additional surface features include DAW control, a 32x32 matrix mixer and the ability to use meter bridge screens for external video signals in parallel. Built in de-essers and ‘noiseless’ microphone preamps also feature on all channels.
Deeper integration with the manufacturer’s existing systems has been a key focus of recent Stagetec announcements. ‘This includes backwards compatibility with the option to integrate new developments into existing systems,’ explained René Harder, a member of the Stagetec executive board. ‘The newly presented systems will also be forward compatible, since they were conceived with the basic principles of the technologies of the future in mind.’
Aurus Platinum provides deeper integration with the manufacturer’s Nexus platform by providing an expanded network view for effective large-scale network deployment. Nexus DSP modules are also embedded in the signal flow. Following the recent partnership between Stagetec and Dspecialists, the Isostem automatic upmix algorithm can be accessed via the Nexus that comes with the console.
In line with this theme of integration and compatibility, Tonmeister 2014 also saw the manufacturer introduce the Nexus Control Monitor. The tool allows operators to monitor signals in Nexus networks independently of a console.
The unit provides control over signal source selection, monitoring volume adjustment and loudspeaker selection from the large front-panel multi-touchscreen. All signals in a Nexus network can reportedly be accessed in addition to Logic Control functions integrated into Nexus.
The device connects to the network via Cat-5 to the corresponding control board in any Base Device. If the connection drops, settings are retained and monitoring of selected channels continues as all processing is performed within Nexus.