Polaris enables fully personalised mixing platform

Consisting of three main components, a control surface, multi-user audio processor, and touchscreen, Salzbrenner Stagetec has unveiled the Polaris evolution in its attempt to raise the bar in the digital mixing market. Other announcements from the manufacturer include INSPIration, a stage management desk, a new Nexus audio router, and its latest broadcasting solution, On Air Flex.

Comprised of ‘access’, ‘scala’, and ‘view’, each of the Polaris evoltution’s individual components can be combined within an IP network, irrespective of physical location, and simultaneously in parallel for different mixing projects. A single ‘access’ has 16 faders and 16 dual-rotary encoders, 48 buttons and a display screen to provide remote control of the ‘scala’ audio processor – an 19-inch unit comprising 256 audio inputs and 256 busses that can also be cascaded to achieve a higher channel count when required. The evolution view module enables touch control of parameters, alongside a completely personalised user interface.

When a Polaris module is plugged into a network it is registered automatically.
According to the manufacturer, it doesn't matter how many evolution modules are deployed, you can connect them at any point in the network and use them individually or collectively as desired.

Just like the Polaris evolution, Stagetec’s On Air Flex broadcast mixing console consists of a similar three-part structure, with each component capable of functioning individually, or together as a whole. Processing power for the system is provided courtesy of Nexus XCMC board, providing up to 40 input channels when configured with eight groups, sums, auxes, and mix-minus channels. Input and output connections are available through the Nexus network providing scalability from a locally installed base device to a campus-wide audio network.

With the aid of the manufacturer’s MapCfg software, the entire control surface can be redefined depending on workflow and application. Alternatively remote control can be achieved via the virtual user interface that transforms a web browser into the control surface via a custom web server.

For users seeking substantial increases in the I/O channel count a Nexus card has been released promising to deliver up to 8,0000 channels of audio on a single card – vastly more than the previous 256 channel limit.

Named the Nexus XRT, it is equipped with 12 fibre-optic ports, which are then divided up into six high-capacity ports providing 2,048 channels per fibre-optic cable, and six standard ports cable of handling 512 channels each.  Because of the high degree of connectivity it is now possible to create complex Nexus networks utilising ring or mixed topologies in addition the star format commonly in use. The board is described as a ‘versatile giant’ compatible with any 3U sized Nexus base device.

Moving away from Nexus, a stage management desk called INSPIration has been debuted by the German manufacturer. Based on the MediaControl and Delec Oratis product lines it provides control over back-stage theatre processors, and together with the NAM Dante network interface, to deliver calls and announcements.

Interaction between multiple stages can represent a major challenge at larger venues. The product reportedly provides all of the tools necessary to consolidate control in one place.

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Web: www.stagetec.com