"It's a great honour to be recognized by your own countrymen, and this Australian Design Award is more than just another feather in our cap," said Joe Narai, Smart AV's CEO. "This recognition of the Smart Console is a testament to its groundbreaking design and the value it provides in delivering improved efficiency to engineers mixing large numbers of audio sources in high-pressure situations."
The Smart Console provides fivefold improvement in ergonomic efficiency due to a unique touch-sensitive arc that can summon any of up to 800 channels directly to the operator's fingertips, reducing the amount of physical movement needed. This new breed of mixing console control surface also provides users the choice of signal processing engine or workstation. Currently available in 48- and 96-channel configurations with a 72-channel version available soon, the Smart Console can be fitted with up to 24 physical channel strips and an optional Post Panel depending on size. Applications include music recording and mixing, broadcast, film and TV post production, and live sound.
The Smart Console was designed purely as a control surface and interfaces via an open Ethernet protocol to a growing number of signal processing and routing devices. The console works with Apple's Logic Pro 7 workstation, Merging Technology's Pyramix, and the Vadis System from Klotz Digital. Further engine solutions in the pipeline include the DME64N and DME24N from Yamaha, SADiE Series 5 engines including the PCM-H64, Steinberg's Nuendo, Mackie's HUI, and Peavey's MediaMatrix Nion.
Read more on the Smart Console in Phil Ward's Audio File, in the May issue of Lighting&Sound International magazine, out soon.
(Lee Baldock)