Console designer and manufacturer Audient is proud to announce the launch of Zen at this year’s Pro Light & Sound exhibition. A compact, classic recording and mixing console, Zen combines analogue mixing technology with flexible DAW integration, seamlessly blending the two formats, making the ideal mixing desk for the modern studio environment.
Dual inputs provide the mic/line input stage and the DAW return path, offering a flexible system for connecting to a DAW or stand alone recorder. With individual DAW record outputs, mono and stereo buses, auxes, a sophisticated monitor section and an optional digital output interface, Zen allows simple audio connection to the rest of the production set-up.
Moving fader automation allows for integration with DAW software, providing precise, fully-featured automation of moving faders, mutes and transport control. Drawing on David Dearden’s wealth of experience, Zen takes advantage of the computer’s power for recording and processing whilst enjoying the sonic benefits and superior workflow of the analogue domain.
Luke Baldry, Sales & Marketing Director says, “The flexibility to enjoy the benefits of traditional analogue circuitry alongside the latest advancements in DAW technology is of paramount importance to today’s engineers. With Zen we hope to have achieved the ultimate: a compact desk bridging the gap between digital and analogue, which doesn’t compromise on sound and features.”
Key features of the mixing console include: 16 or 32 inputs, 2 inputs per channel, DAW record output on each channel, 2 stereo buses, 2 mono buses, 4 auxiliaries/2 cue sends, insert on each channel, stereo bus compressor, stereo digital out option, moving fader automation and DAW transport control.
Audient’s Zen is a mid-priced console. “We want to bring the professional might of the large format console to the modern production room, without breaking the bank” concludes Baldry.
Shipping date for the first Zen is expected to be July 2009.