Pro Tools | S3 User Guide and EuControl 3.2.
Legal Notices © 2014 Avid Technology, Inc., (“Avid”), all rights reserved. This guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Avid.
Contents Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 What’s Included. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Additional Required Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 5. S3 Audio I/O Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Enabling S3 Audio on the Workstation Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 S3 Audio Connections Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome to the Pro Tools® | S3 studio controller and Ethernet AVB 4 in/6 out audio interface from Avid®. The S3 uses Avid’s high-speed EUCONTM (Extended User Control) control protocol to enable fully integrated control of Pro Tools® | Software and other EUCON-compatible audio and video applications via a 100 MB/s Ethernet connection. The same Ethernet connection also provides Ethernet AVB audio connections between the on-board audio I/O on the S3 and the workstation computer.
What’s Included • S3 control surface • Power supply with IEC cable • Documentation pack, which includes the EuControl software Activation Card, S3 Welcome Letter, Health and Safety Guide and a warranty card If you bought the S3 as part of a VENUE | S3L-X system, see the VENUE | S3L-X System Guide for information on what’s included.
Conventions Used in This Guide All of our guides use the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key commands: Convention Action File > Save Choose Save from the File menu Control+N Hold down the Control key and press the N key Control-click Hold down the Control key and click the mouse button Right-click Click with the right mouse button The names of Commands, Options, and Settings that appear on-screen are in a different font.
How to Use this PDF Guide These are some useful features of this PDF: • The Bookmarks on the left serve as a continuously visible table of contents. Click a + symbol to expand that heading to show subheadings. Click the – symbol to collapse a subheading. Click on a subject heading to jump to that page. • The Table of Contents provides active links to their pages. Select the hand cursor, allow it to hover over the heading until it turns into a finger. Then click to locate to that subject and page.
Chapter 2: Installation and Setup This chapter shows how to get your S3 set up as a studio controller, and consists of the following steps: • Connecting S3 • Installing EuControl Software • Enabling EUCON in Pro Tools • Confirming EUCON Connecting S3 First, connect your S3 directly to your workstation computer (the computer running Pro Tools or other DAW), or connect to a router that is then connected to your workstation computer, then power on S3.
3 Connect one end of an Ethernet Crossover cable into either of the Network ports on the back panel of the S3. Network ports on the back panel of the S3 4 Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to an available Ethernet port on your computer, or to the computer’s Thunderbolt port using an Ethernet-to-Thunderbolt adapter. An Ethernet-to-USB adapter may also be used, but audio I/O to and from the S3 is not supported. S3 cannot connect to your workstation computer using a wireless connection.
Toggling Studio and Live Modes The S3 operates in one of the two following modes: Studio Mode Lets you use the S3 with your workstation computer after EuControl software has been installed. If the S3 is in Studio Mode and is connected to an E3 engine (for use in an S3L live mixing system), the S3 will not be recognized by any E3 engines in the network. Live Mode Lets you use the S3 with an E3 engine as part of an S3L live mixing system.
Installing EuControl Software Next, install EuControl software on your workstation computer. An Internet connection is required to download EuControl. To install EuControl software: 1 Visit www.avid.com/account and log into your Avid account (or create an account if you don’t already have one) to download the EuControl installer for your workstation computer’s platform (Mac or Windows).
Updating S3 Firmware After installing EuControl, make sure your S3 is running the latest firmware. The firmware is provided within EuControl, so an Internet connection is not required. To update S3 firmware: 1 Click (Mac) or double-click (Windows) the EuControl icon and select EuControl Settings. 2 If necessary, click Surfaces to display the Surfaces tab. Surfaces tab 3 Click Avid S3 in the My Surfaces list so it is highlighted. If S3 does not appear in the My Surfaces list, add it manually. See Add.
Enabling EUCON in Pro Tools When you first connect your S3, you must enable EUCON in Pro Tools, EUCON subsequently remains enabled in Pro Tools unless you disable it. To enable EUCON in other DAWs, see the documentation provided by the manufacturer. To enable EuControl in Pro Tools: 1 Launch Pro Tools. If the Quick Start dialog appears, close it. 2 Choose Setup > Peripherals, and click the Ethernet Controllers tab. 3 Select Enable EUCON. Enable EUCON check box 4 Click OK.
Confirming EUCON To confirm installation and communication: 1 Make sure you have enabled EUCON. 2 Open a session if one is not already open. 3 Verify that the channel strip displays above the bottom row of 16 encoders (the Channel Encoders) on the S3 show the track names for the first 16 tracks in the Pro Tools session.
Connecting a Second Workstation The S3 can control applications running on a second computer, referred to in this guide as a workstation. If EuControl is running on the same workstation as all your audio/video applications you can skip these instructions. To be able to control a second workstation: 1 Transfer the EuControl installer onto the second computer. After downloading, make sure the installer is mounted (DMG on Mac) or uncompressed (ZIP for Windows).
Chapter 3: S3 Surface Controls Overview This section provides an overview of the surface controls on the S3 when using S3 with EUCON-compatible applications. For specific S3 workflows, see Using S3 with Pro Tools.
Channel Strips S3 provides 16 channel strips, each with a display, an Assignable Channel Encoder (each with its own encoder Sel and In switches), a Solo switch, a Mute switch, a 100mm motorized touch-sensitive fader, a channel select (Sel) switch, a record engage (Rec)/Automation Mode (A) switch, and a level meter. Channel Strip Display See Channel Strip Displays. Assignable Channel Encoder See Assignable Channel Encoders. Solo The Solo switch lights yellow when that track is soloed.
Channel Strip Displays At the top of each channel strip is an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display. When S3 is first powered on, the Channel Encoders are in Normal Mode (see Channel Encoder Modes), and each display shows track information as follows: 1 Kick 2 Pan 1 3 4 5 rw 6 Snare 2 7 Pan Channel strip display in Normal Mode 1 – Meter Shows clip, peak, and normal values. It can show mono, stereo, or surround tracks. 2 – Track Name Shows the track name as it appears in the application.
Assignable Channel Encoders Each channel strip has one touch-sensitive, continuously rotating encoder for adjusting parameters as assigned by the Channel Encoder Assignment switches (see Channel Encoder Assignment Switches). Each encoder can also be pressed, which is typically used to access sub-menus. Each encoder also has corresponding Sel and In switches. • A Channel Encoder Sel switch assigns a secondary function of the displayed parameter to the corresponding Channel Encoder.
Channel Encoder Assignment Switches The Channel Encoder Assignment switches assign sets of adjustable parameters, called Knob Sets, to the Channel Encoders. A Knob Set is an array of controls used by EuControl-compatible applications to control plug-ins, EQs, dynamics, aux sends, and other processing functions using the controls on the S3. Some of these Knob Sets also have sub-menus.
Aux Assigns sends on the Channel Encoders. In Normal Mode, the first send is displayed, and pressing the Page > Channel Encoder Navigation switch assigns the next set of sends to the encoders. In Channel Mode, up to 16 sends for the currently selected channel can be accessed at once. Group Displays the Group Knob Set to configure group or control group (VCA) membership.
Fader Banking Controls Bank tracks to the channel strips using the Bank and Nudge switches. Home and End are shortcuts to the first and last banks, respectively. Mixer Nudge Nudge Home Bank End Bank Close Fader Navigation controls Bank and Nudge The Bank and Nudge switches change which tracks are assigned to the channel strips, as follows: < Nudge Banks tracks one track to the left. If tracks 2–17 were banked to channel strips 1–16, tracks 1–16 are now banked to strips 1–16.
Fader Layout Controls Bank Switches A–F Bank switches A–F let you recall custom fader banks and layouts, as created and stored using the Layouts and Assign tabs of the EuControl Settings application. You can recall up to 12 custom fader layouts using the Bank switches A–F. A–F recall mixer layouts 1–6. The Shift layer (Surface SHIFT + Bank A–F) recalls layouts 7–12. See Storing and Recalling Custom Layouts for more information.
Channel Control The top row of 16 encoders and associated navigation switches is called Channel Control. Channel Control lets you adjust a variety of parameters for the currently attentioned track. Channel Control and the bottom-row Channel Encoders operate independently, so you can adjust two sets of parameters for a single channel. You can also access controls for the S3’s built-in I/O using Channel Control (see S3 Audio I/O Connections for more information).
Channel Control Navigation Switches (Right) These switches provide access to Config mode and the controls for the built-in I/O in Channel Control. Top Back Config Expnd Page Page Config switch and I/O Controls Config Enables Config mode on the Channel Control Encoders, letting you assign plug-ins to tracks, and assign track and send input and output paths. See Routing Track Input/Output and Assigning Plug-Ins for more information.
Window Navigation Controls These switches provide navigation for the on-screen software pages and tabs. View 1 View 2 Window Navigation controls View 1 and View 2 Recalls Memory Locations 1 and 2 respectively. If no Memory Locations exist, these switches do nothing. Arrow Switches (▲ ▼ ◄ ►) Mirror the arrow keys on a computer keyboard. Application/Workstation Switch This switch lets you cycle through the available applications and workstations.
Automation Controls Function Switches F1–F16 Function switches F1–F8 (F9–F16) provide control over the automation mode for one or more selected tracks in two banks of switches. For more information on working with automation on the S3, see Working with Automation. 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 9-16 Automation Controls The following table shows the function of each switch in this section.
Surface SHIFT Some switches have secondary functions, highlighted in gray above the primary function (such as < Bank/Home, where Home is the secondary function). To access these secondary functions, use either of the two Surface SHIFT switches located at the lower-left and lower-right sides of the console surface. SHIFT can be engaged momentarily or latched on. SHIFT Surface SHIFT switch To engage Surface SHIFT momentarily: Press and hold the Surface SHIFT switch.
Chapter 4: Using S3 with Pro Tools Track Basics This section shows how to select, attention, and route tracks to outputs. Selecting and Attentioning Tracks You can select and attention tracks using channel Sel switches. You can use the Modifier switches to select multiple channels. When multiple channels are selected, the last selected track is the attentioned track. To select a track: Press any channel Sel switch. The track is selected in Pro Tools, and that track is attentioned on the S3.
To select non-adjacent tracks (add to a selection): 1 Press the channel Sel switch to select any track. 2 Hold Command and press an unlit channel Sel switch. Multi Select SHIFT Default ALT Fine CTRL Command Modifier switches Adjusting Track Volume and Pan v To adjust track volume: Adjust the fader for that track. To adjust track pan: 1 If unlit, press Pan so that it stays lit.
Surround Panning on S3 Use the Channel Encoders or Channel Control to control multichannel pan parameters. To pan in surround using the Channel Encoders: 1 Select a track assigned to a multichannel output path (such as a 5.1 or 7.1 output path). 2 Press Pan. The first Multichannel pan parameters such as Front Left/Right (for 5.1 outputs) appear on the Channel Encoders. 3 Press the lit Page > switch to show other available pan parameters. 4 Rotate an Encoder to adjust the selected parameter.
Routing Track Input/Output You can route track I/O using the Channel Encoders or Channel Control. Using the Channel Encoders To route track input or output using the Channel Encoders: 1 Do either of the following: • To assign track input, press Input. • To assign track output, press Surface SHIFT + Pan/Mix.
Using Channel Control To assign track input or track output using Channel Control: 1 Select a track. If several tracks are selected, make sure the track you want to adjust is attentioned. 2 Make sure the top-level Channel Control Knob Set is displayed. Press the Back Channel Control Navigation switch until it is displayed.
Multiple Output Path Assignments You can assign multiple outputs to a Pro Tools track. To assign another track output, simply repeat the previous instructions and the new assignment will be added to the current assignments. When a track has multiple output assignments, a plus (+) sign appears next to the current track output assignment in the channel display.
3 Click the Assign tab and make sure Pro Tools (or your other targeted application) appears next to Application. The 16 S3 channel strips appear in the Strip column, and tracks assigned to each channel strip appear in the Assigned To column. You can also press Surface SHIFT + a channel Sel switch to automatically open the Assign tab of EuControl Settings. 4 Make sure all strips say in the Assigned To column.
Layouts and Banking/Nudging Once you recall a Layout, banking or nudging only moves focus by the number of available () channel strips. For example, if a Layout includes three tracks assigned to strips 1–3, pressing Bank > only banks one strip at a time (since only one fader, number 4, is or “not locked” to a specific track). Note also that it is possible to end up with one track appearing on and being controllable by more than one strip.
Using Channel Control To work with track Groups using Channel Control: 1 Select a track, and make sure it is attentioned. 2 From the Channel Control top-level Knob Set, press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing Groups. The Channel Control displays show the available Groups. If the top-level Channel Control Knob Set is not shown, press the Back Channel Control Navigation switch until it is shown.
Working with Plug-Ins You can assign plug-ins to tracks using Channel Control, and adjust them using the Channel Encoders or Channel Control. Assigning Plug-Ins Assign plug-ins to tracks using Channel Control and the Config switch. To assign a plug-in to a track using Channel Control: 1 Select a track, and make sure it is attentioned. 2 From the Channel Control top-level Knob Set, press the Inserts Channel Control Encoder.
Adjusting Plug-Ins Using the Channel Encoders To adjust plug-ins on the Channel Encoders using the Inserts Knob Set: 1 Press Insert. Plug-ins assigned to first Inserts slots (a) for the currently banked channels are shown in the channel displays. If no plug-in is inserted in that slot for the corresponding track, the Inserts slot letter is shown.
Adjusting Plug-Ins Using Channel Control To adjust plug-ins in Channel Control using the Inserts Knob Set: 1 Select a track and make sure it is attentioned. 2 Press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing Inserts. The Channel Control displays show the plug-ins that are inserted on the attentioned track. If no plug-in is inserted in that slot, the Inserts slot letter is shown.
Working with Sends This section shows how you can assign and adjust Pro Tools sends. Assigning Sends Use Channel Control to assign sends. You can also assign a send to multiple tracks using the Multi Assign switch (Do to Selected). To assign a send using Channel Control: 1 Select a track, and make sure it is attentioned. 2 From the Channel Control top-level Knob Set, press the Sends Channel Control Encoder.
Assigning a Send to Multiple Tracks To assign a send-in to multiple tracks: 1 Select multiple tracks. 2 Press the Sends Channel Control Encoder. 3 Press the Config switch so it is lit. 4 Press Multi Assign so it is lit. 5 Press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing the output path type you want to assign to the send. 6 Press the encoder In switch for the send you want to assign (or press the encoder to access mono sends, then press In).
Muting/Unmuting Sends You can mute/unmute individual sends using the Channel Encoders and Channel Control. To mute/unmute a send: 1 Bank to the desired track. 2 Using the Channel Encoders, do the following: • Press Aux. • Use the < Page and Page > keys to navigate the displays until the desired send is shown. 3 Using Channel Control, do the following: • Select a track and make sure it is attentioned. • Press the Sends Channel Control encoder.
Using the Function Switches The following table shows the available automation modes on the Function switches.
Send Level View To show Send level automation in the Edit window: 1 Press AUX to assign sends to the Channel Encoders. 2 If necessary, press the Page > Channel Encoder Navigation switch until the desired Sends slot is displayed. 3 Hold Control + Command (Mac) or Ctrl + Start (Windows) and touch the Send encoder in the desired track. Send Pan View To show Send pan automation in the Edit window: 1 Press AUX to assign sends to the Channel Encoders.
Chapter 5: S3 Audio I/O Connections This chapter shows how to use the built-in audio I/O on the S3, including: • Enabling S3 Audio on the Workstation Computer • Connecting and Adjusting Outputs • S3 Audio Connections Overview • Connecting Hardware Inserts • Accessing Audio Control on the S3 • Connecting and Adjusting Headphones • Connecting and Adjusting Inputs • Saving S3 Monitor Settings Enabling S3 Audio on the Workstation Computer To use the audio I/O on your S3 with your workstation computer,
S3 Audio Connections Overview S3 provides four channels of analog inputs to Pro Tools or other Core Audio-compatible applications that support sample rates of 48 kHz, and four channels of analog outputs for connecting monitors and other outboard audio devices. 5 4 3 2 1 S3 control surface back panel audio connections 1 – Inputs 1–2 (2 x XLR) Inputs 1–2 are balanced microphone inputs, and are adjusted using the In 1 and In 2 Channel Control Encoders.
Accessing Audio Control on the S3 Audio Control–the S3’s built-in I/O controls–are adjusted using Channel Control Encoders 9–16. Audio Control is hidden by default. To access Audio Control: Simultaneously press the right-side < Page and Page > Channel Control Navigation switches. Sel Top Back Config Expnd Page Page In Right-side < Page > switches Controls for the built-in I/O are assigned to Channel Control Encoders 9–16.
To link and unlink input pairs: 1 To link input pairs 1–2 or 3–4, press and hold Multi-Select/SHIFT 2 Press the Encoder under the display showing In 1 or In 2 to link 1–2, or In 3 or In 4 to link 3–4. Pad 48v In 1-2 10dB Pad 48v In 3-4 10dB Encoder displays showing linked Input controls 3 To unlink an input pair, press Multi-Select/SHIFT + the encoder under the display showing In 1-2 or In 3-4.
To sum an output to mono: 1 Press and hold Multi-Select/SHIFT. 2 Press the Encoder for the output pair you want to sum to mono. Mono appears in the corresponding display. Mono signals are sent equally to each physical output in the pair. 3 Repeat to return to stereo operation. Changing the Monitor Source You can change the monitor source for the outputs on the S3 using the Monitor Preferences (Mon Prefs) encoder. To change the monitor source: 1 If necessary, access Audio Control.
Saving S3 Monitor Settings You can save the current monitor settings on your S3, including monitor preference settings, and MAIN (Outputs 1–2) and ALT (Outputs 1–2) settings. To save the current monitor settings: 1 Make any desired adjustments to the monitor settings on the S3. 2 Under the display showing Save (the 13th Channel Control display), press the lit Encoder Sel switch. Pad 48v In 4 10dB AVB 1-2 Save MON to HP MON Prefs Audio Control display showing Save Saving Settings...
Chapter 6: EuControl EuControl is launched automatically upon starting your computer and runs in the background. EuControl is responsible for finding, linking, and communicating with all Avid media controllers on the network. Accessing EuControl Settings To open the EuControl Settings window, do one of the following: • On Mac, click the EuControl icon on the taskbar and select EuControl Settings. • On Windows, double-click the EuControl icon in the system tray and select EuControl Settings.
My Surfaces My Surfaces shows the media controllers connected to your instance of EuControl. The top-to-bottom order corresponds to the left-to-right order of the surfaces, respectively. The leftmost surface is assigned to fader strip 1. Use the + and – buttons to reorder the list. Each media controller can be renamed by double-clicking the existing name and typing a new name. If you changed the name of the S3 in VENUE software, that name will appear in the My Surfaces list.
Workstations A media controller can control applications running on a second computer, referred to in this guide as a workstation. The Workstations tab establishes the list of workstations that the Workstation switch cycles through. Any workstation running EuControl software can be in this list, including those controlled by the System 5-MC, MC Pro, Artist Control, and S3. Workstations tab All Workstations All Workstations lists all EUCON-enabled workstations on the network.
Attach/Detach Select a workstation in the My Workstations list and click Attach. A check mark appears in the Attach column next to that workstation. This workstation is now communicating with the media controller(s) connected to your instance of EuControl. If the selected workstation is already attached, the button displays Detach. Click it to detach the workstation.
Select by Touch This command lets supported workstations attention (focus) tracks on-screen when their fader is touched on the S3. Auto-bank to Selected Track When this is selected, S3 banks to tracks when the tracks are selected on-screen. The surface will auto-bank such that the selected track appears on the leftmost fader of the surface as long as the selected track is not currently visible on the surface.
Preferences Preferences tab Footswitch You can connect a footswitch to S3 for hands-free punch in/out. Connect a footswtich to the 1/4-inch footswitch input on the back panel. To configure the Footswitch in EuControl: In the Footswitch section of the Preferences tab, click to select the desired Punch In and Punch Out assignments: Record | Record When the application is rolling, pressing the footswitch once punches into recording on record enabled tracks.
Assign The Assign tab manages how tracks are assigned to S3 channel strips. By default, tracks are automatically assigned in banks of 16. Assign tab Display Application’s Track Numbers Enabling this option lets EuControl display track numbers as assigned by the currently selected (in focus) application (if that application supports track numbers). Clear All Assignments Clears all currently displayed assignments. Lock to Application This feature does not apply to S3.
Layouts Use the Layouts tab to store and recall custom fader layouts. For example, you can use the Assign tab to assign tracks to specific S3 channel strips. You can then save those assignments as part of a fader layout on the Layouts tab, which you can then recall using the Bank A–F switches. See Storing and Recalling Custom Layouts. Layouts tab Layouts are created and temporarily stored in EuControl as long as the current session or project is open.
Appendix A: Compliance Information Environmental Compliance Disposal of Waste Equipment by Users in the European Union This symbol on the product or its packaging indicates that this product must not be disposed of with other waste. Instead, it is your responsibility to dispose of your waste equipment by handing it over to a designated collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment.
FCC Compliance for United States Radio and Television Interference Communication Statement NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
Warning Important Safety Instructions 1) Read these instructions. 2) Keep these instructions. 3) Heed all warnings. 4) Follow all instructions. 5) Do not use this equipment near water. 6) Clean only with dry cloth. 7) Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 8) Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other equipment (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
Avid Technical Support (USA) Product Information 280 N Bernardo Avenue Mountain View, CA 94043 USA Visit the Online Support Center at www.avid.com/support For company and product information, visit us on the web at www.avid.
