GEAR HEADS
ALLEN & HEATH AVANTIS Allen & Heath’s R&D Director Andy Bell and Head of Product Nic Beretta discuss the company’s latest audio console, the Avantis.
What were the initial goals for Avantis? Andy Bell: The goal for Avantis is to bring a next-generation, 96kHz console to a middle segment of the live sound market where most of the mixers currently on offer are 48kHz, DSP-based desks that are getting a bit long in the tooth.
expanders, you can even use those with the new console. Customers will also have the option of upgrading their console with the Avantis dPack, which is an awesome package of dLive processing, including Dyn8, DEEP Compressors, and the Dual Stage Valve Preamp. What sets it apart from the other two consoles? NB: Channel and bus count is the most obvious differentiator between the three series. At 64 inputs and 42 mixes, Avantis fits neatly between the 48 input, 36 bus SQ and the 128 input, 64 mix dLive. Avantis is designed as an all-in-one console, with the ‘brain’ in the console, whereas dLive is a mixand-match solution with the processing in the MixRack, capable of scaling from a fly-in rig to a vast installed system with 800 total system inputs and 96 remote controllers.
When did this development begin? AB: We devoted a large R&D team to the Avantis project, so we’ve been able to deliver it in around two years from first concept to completion, which is a pretty impressive timeframe for digital console development. The new release is the third instalment of the 96kHz Mixer Trilogy. What features from both the dLive and the SQ have been brought in? Nic Beretta: Avantis and SQ are both adapted from the XCVI FPGA core that we first developed for our flagship dLive series. One of the big advantages of the system is that it comes with a ready-made ecosystem of audio networking cards, personal mixers and our Everything I/O family of 96kHz DX and DT expanders – and if you’ve already got our 48kHz AR and AB
What markets within the events industry do you foresee the Avantis thriving in? NB: Avantis is made for Allen & Heath’s heartland of live venues, rental and AV companies and houses of worship. 86
