Specifications
S3L System Guide22
E3 Engine Connections and Switches
Audio Connections
E3 engine audio I/O is assigned to VENUE system channels us-
ing the Patchbay, under the
Engine tab.
• To assign E3 engine inputs to VENUE system channels, see
“Assigning Input Sources to Channels” on page 74.
• To assign outputs, see “Assigning Busses to Hardware Out-
puts” on page 89.
1 – Analog Mic/Line Inputs 1–4
(Four XLR Connectors)
Connect microphones and/or line-level analog audio sources
such as audio playback devices to these inputs.
2 – Analog Outputs 1–4
(Four XLR Connectors)
Connect these outputs to destinations such as system proces-
sors and near field monitors.
3 – AES Digital Inputs
(Two XLR AES/EBU Connectors)
Connect digital audio sources such as effect units or playback
devices to these inputs. Four channels on two stereo connectors
are provided. 24-bit, 48 kHz digital signals are supported.
4 – AES Digital Outputs
(Two XLR AES/EBU Connectors)
Connect these outputs to digital output destinations such as
system processors and recording devices. Four channels on two
stereo connectors are provided.
5 – Network Ports A, B, and C
(Two RJ-45 Ports with etherCON Connectors)
Connect the S3 control surface and up to four Stage 16 boxes
to these ports using supported audio network cables.
Control and Power Connections
6 – USB 2.0 Ports
Connect an iLok Smart Key (for plug-in authorization).
Connect USB flash drives or other compatible USB storage
devices for data transfer, and/or for 2-track recording and play-
back.
These ports also support MIDI connections.
MIDI Connections
Each USB port provides 16 channels of MIDI input and 16 chan-
nels of MIDI output to and from the system with a compatible
MIDI interface. Connection to one MIDI interface is supported.
You can send and receive snapshot MIDI messages, receive
MIDI Time Code (MTC) from external devices, and send MTC to
external devices.
To make MIDI connections:
Connect a compatible MIDI interface to one of the USB ports
on the E3 engine. A valid MIDI connection is shown in the Ex-
ternal Devices section of the
Options > Devices tab.
7 – DVI Monitor Port
Connect a DVI monitor (not included) to view the VENUE
software screen.
8 – Word Clock I/O
(Two BNC Connectors)
These ports let you connect to the word clock ports of external
digital devices to sync all digital devices in your system.
E3 engine back panel
A B C
1-2 3-4
1-2 3-4
WORD CLOCK
AES OUTPUT
AES INPUT
INPUTOUTPUT
NETWORK
2 x IN
2 x OUT
ECx
34
2
5
7
8
11
9
1
10
6
The AES digital inputs on the E3 engine provide sample rate
conversion on input. See “About Digital Input and Sample
Rate Conversion” on page 235 for more information.
Visit our website, www.avid.com/S3Lsupport, for a list of
compatible MIDI interfaces.
For more information on using MIDI with VENUE, see
Chapter 22, “Synchronization.”
See “Synchronizing with Word Clock and Digital Audio
Input” on page 234 for more information.