Allen & Heath launches Avantis
Allen & Heath launches Avantis
The third 96kHz digital mixer from Allen & Heath has been revealed as Avantis, based on the British manufacturer’s XCVI FPGA engine and featuring its next-generation technology in a 64-channel/42-configurable bus console. It also possesses twin Full HD touchscreens, an extensive range of I/O options and processing capabilities from the flagship dLive mixing system.
‘Joining dLive and SQ, Avantis completes our trilogy of next-gen 96kHz consoles,’ declared Rob Clark, Allen & Heath’s managing director. ‘Avantis takes many of the features that have made SQ and dLive so popular, putting them in a standalone 64-channel mixer that offers a new UI experience, connectivity with our Everything I/O ecosystem, and the dPack option which gives you access to our advanced dLive processing options if and when you need them. On top of that, we’ve taken a new approach with the industrial design, coming up with a full metal chassis that’s super-strong, lightweight and looks fantastic.’
The HD touchscreens take centre stage on the console surface along with corresponding rotary controls. ‘Having two touchscreens isn’t a new concept, but we realised we could use it to unlock exciting new possibilities, which led us to develop Continuity UI,’ explained Andy Bell, Allen & Heath’s R&D director. ‘Engineers are going to appreciate the seamless flow between the physical controls and the onscreen software. You can work gains and pans on the rotaries, then at the touch of a soft key switch to EQ or dynamics across the whole strip. The console also provides a highly configurable FastGrab tab on the right-hand side of each screen, offering another way to quickly and easily access control of aux sends, EQ, compressor and FX on the currently selected channel or spot channel.’
As part of Allen & Heath’s Everything I/O ecosystem, Avantis can be connected to a wide range of audio expander hardware, as well as Allen & Heath’s ME personal mixers and IP hardware remote controllers. In terms of local I/O, Avantis has 12 XLR analogue inputs, 12 XLR analogue outputs and AES (stereo in, dual stereo out). A pair of additional I/O ports allow Avantis to make use of current dLive option cards, including Dante (64x64 and 128x128), Waves, gigaACE and MADI. The console comes pre-loaded with various processing tools, including compressors, EQs and Allen & Heath’s acclaimed RackExtra FX units (12 slots).
‘In the gap between SQ and dLive, the mixer market is littered with 48kHz DSP-based “old-school” consoles,’ commented Nic Beretta, Allen & Heath’s head of product. ‘Avantis brings next-generation performance across the board. Customers in venues, houses of worship, touring and the rental market are going to be seriously impressed by how well this ticks the boxes. It’s a really exciting mixer at a compelling price.’