Avid has also updated Avid S4 And S6 Control Surfaces software to v2020.11 bringing new features, we have all the details in this extensive article. Alongside the new EuCon 2020.11 and Pro Tools 2020.11 releases, Avid has also updated their S4 and S6 Master Module Software to v2020.11 bringing new features including Master Post Display Modules for PEC/DIR Metering, Folder Spill, Layouts Improvements, Improved Automation Indication on Display Modules, Waveform Zoom Settings, Soft Keys Enhancements and Rename Tracks.

Master Post Display Modules for PEC/DIR Metering

Display Modules can be designated as Master Post Display Modules (referred to as MDMs) to provide dedicated PEC/DIR metering for associated Master Post Modules. Linked states for Post Modules are also shown on MDM, including Link master, master Record, and Link indicators (chain) for each linked track.

Note that as well as MDMs (Master Post Display Modules) there are also MMM (Master Meter Display Modules) and MPM (Master Post Modules).

Each Master Post Module can have its own MDM assigned to it. With an Avid S6 control surface, up to three MDMs can be used, whereas with an Avid S4 its just one MDM. When two or three MDMs are designated, both can mirror each other.

Tracks displayed on MDMs follow assignments to Post Layouts in the expanded Post Layout Assign screen. MDM views are 10 tracks in width, matching the Master Post Module, and you can choose to display up to 4 rows of 10 meters. One additional, larger view is available that provides two rows of five tracks. Each MDM strip has up to two other tracks assigned as the source for its Input (DIR) or Output (PEC) meter. The two sources are distinguished by two colours, selectable to be either blue and green (the default, shown below), or red and green.

Designating Display Modules as Master Post Display Modules

You add MDMs to your surface configuration by associating an already assigned Display Module to a specific Master Post Module. To designate an existing Display Module as a Master Post Display Module:

1. Go to Settings > Surface, press Config, then press Display.

2. In the next screen that appears, tap to select a Display Module so it becomes highlighted.

3. Touch a control on the desired MPM to assign the Display Module to it as a Master Post Display. Or touch a lit control on the Master Module or Automation Module to designate that Display Module as a Master Meter Module.

4. Repeat to add a second MDM (S6 only).

5. To unlink a module:

   • Select Clear then select a Display Module.

   • Or, select the module that the Display Module has been assigned to.

6. Press Done.

Assigning Tracks for Meter Sources to a Post Layout

Once they are associated with a Master Post Module, MDMs follow tracks assigned to Post Layouts in the expanded Post Layout Assign screen. Each MDM strip can have up to two other tracks assigned as the source for its Input (DIR) or Output (PEC) meter. You can also configure the system to auto-assign PEC sources when tracks are assigned to a Post Layout. Track assignment provides quick access to member tracks using Assign Spill.

Meter source tracks must have the same width and channel order as the primary track assignment.

Assign Spill

Assign Spill mode lets you access VCA members for VCAs assigned to MDM strips, to quickly assign their meter sources.

Folder Spill

Just as the Avid Control app, Avid S1 and S3 control Surfaces with the release of EuCon 2020.11 now support Folder Spill, with the release of Master Module Software V2020.11, the Avid S4 and S6 control surfaces now let you spill Pro Tools Folder Tracks from the fader strips. Folder Track members can be spilled to adjacent faders, to Spill Zones, and set to auto-spill on attention, just like spilling and unspilling VCAs. Indication of spill state and zone banking are identical for spilled Folder Tracks and VCAs. The Synchronize Folder State with Spill setting in the Strips section of Settings > User lets you link Pro Tools Folder Track display (open or closed) with surface spill.

Layouts Improvements

The Tracks screen shows the name of the current Title and/or Auto-Saved session (application with the blue star in Settings > Workstations), so you can confirm where Layouts and other attributes will be saved.

Improved Automation Indication on Display Modules

Display Modules now indicate automation Writing and Preview mode with red and green backgrounds, respectively.

Waveform Zoom Settings

The minimum setting for Waveform Zoom on Display Modules is 3 seconds.

Soft Keys Enhancements

Enhancements for Soft Keys include the following.

Soft Keys for Workstation and/or KVM

You can use Soft Keys to select workstation focus and/or to switch KVM sources.

S6 supports up to 8 simultaneously workstation connections and S4 up to 2. All available workstations are available in the Surfaces Soft Keys, letting you use Soft Keys to focus on any available workstation. When a supported KVM is present, it follows work- station focus. Alternatively, you can switch only the KVM source by holding down Shift in the Navigation section of the Master Module and selecting a workstation Soft Key.

Import and Export Appsets

In previous versions of S4/S6, the Soft Key Editor provided Load and Save As commands. These have been renamed Import and Export to more clearly describe their functions.

• Import lets you import an appset stored on disk, replacing all previous Soft Key assignments on your controller.

• Export saves a copy of the current appset as a new file to disk.

Pro Tools Appset Additions and Enhancements

Monitoring QuickJump In the Master Module Navigation section, hold Shift on a Fader Module then press Jog to Access MonA, MonB, MonC, MonD source, dim & cut functions on the four Soft Key panels.

Monitoring Soft Keys on the Automation Module now supports up to 22 Speakers, 24 Sources, 16 Folddowns in standard mode (Automation Module Soft Keys only), or “expanded” mode which puts monitoring commands on both the Automation and Master Module Soft Keys. These commands are also available on the Post Module Soft Keys (bank to access additional pages).

Rename Tracks

You can rename Pro Tools tracks directly from the Master Module. To rename tracks:

1. In the Home screen, double-tap the displayed name of the currently attentioned track.

2. Enter a name using the on-screen keyboard and press Return or Enter.