Avid S1 Control Surface Audio Basic Tech/Pro Audio Gear

Avid S1 EUCON DAW Control Surface – 8 Motorized Faders for Professional Mixing

Bring the speed and hands-on feel of a professional mixing console to your DAW.

The Avid S1 is a compact, professional 8-fader DAW control surface designed for recording engineers, producers, mixers, post-production professionals and studios that want tactile control over their software without relying entirely on a mouse and keyboard.

Featuring eight touch-sensitive motorized faders, eight touch-sensitive rotary encoders, high-resolution OLED displays, programmable controls and Avid EUCON integration, the S1 puts essential mixing functions directly beneath your hands.

Use it to control levels, panning, plugins, automation, sends, track selection, monitoring and other compatible DAW functions from a streamlined hardware surface.

For professionals who spend hours mixing every day, S1 is designed around one thing:

A faster, more intuitive mixing workflow.

How Does the Avid S1 Work?

The Avid S1 is a DAW control surface.

Instead of audio passing through the S1, the surface communicates with compatible recording and editing software using Avid's high-speed EUCON Ethernet control protocol.

Move a fader on the S1 and the corresponding compatible software fader responds.

Change a parameter in your session and the motorized fader can automatically move to reflect its current position.

Turn an encoder to adjust a pan, plugin or other assigned parameter.

Press Solo, Mute, Record or Select and the command is sent directly to the software.

The result is a much more tactile relationship with your mix.

Eight 100mm Motorized Touch-Sensitive Faders

At the center of the S1 are eight 100mm motorized, touch-sensitive faders.

Motorization allows the faders to automatically reflect levels and automation stored in your session.

Switch to another group of tracks and the faders reposition themselves.

Open an existing mix and they move to the appropriate settings.

During automation, their touch-sensitive design allows the system to recognize when you're physically interacting with a fader.

For engineers accustomed to mixing consoles, this creates a much more natural workflow than adjusting every level with a mouse.

Eight Touch-Sensitive Rotary Encoders

Each channel also provides a touch-sensitive rotary encoder.

Depending on your software and selected mode, these encoders can provide hands-on control over parameters such as:

• Pan

• Sends

• EQ

• Dynamics

• Plugin parameters

• Other compatible channel functions

The encoders feature push-top operation and work alongside the S1's displays and channel controls to provide rapid access to important mix parameters.

High-Resolution OLED Displays

Eight integrated OLED displays provide visual feedback directly above the channels.

View important information such as track names, parameter values and other session data without constantly moving your attention between the control surface and computer display.

This combination of tactile and visual feedback helps make the S1 feel less like a generic controller and more like an integrated mixing environment.

Powered by EUCON

Avid S1 uses EUCON, Avid's high-speed Ethernet control protocol.

EUCON enables deeper hardware/software communication than a conventional MIDI-based control surface and gives S1 access to a broad range of compatible software functions.

S1 provides especially deep integration with Avid Pro Tools and Media Composer, while EUCON also supports compatible third-party applications such as Logic Pro, Cubase, Nuendo and other supported creative software.

This makes S1 useful in music production as well as professional audio and video post-production environments.

Integrate the Avid Control App

Add a compatible tablet running the Avid Control app to expand the S1 experience with touchscreen visual feedback and additional control.

The integrated tablet stand positions the device directly above the physical controls.

Depending on the application and configuration, Avid Control can provide expanded views for:

• Track information

• Metering

• Channel processing

• EQ

• Dynamics

• Automation

• Monitoring

• Soft Keys

• Session navigation

Tablet sold separately.

The combination of physical faders and touchscreen control gives engineers both tactile precision and detailed visual information.

Control Plugins, EQ & Dynamics

S1 isn't limited to volume and panning.

Its encoders, displays and EUCON integration allow compatible plugin and processing parameters to be brought onto the control surface.

Instead of opening a plugin and adjusting every control with a mouse, engineers can access supported parameters through physical controls.

For long mixing sessions, this can create a faster and more fluid workflow.

Professional Automation Control

Automation is an essential part of modern mixing, and S1 is designed to put it directly beneath your hands.

The touch-sensitive motorized faders make it possible to perform automation moves physically while dedicated controls and status indicators provide feedback about compatible automation functions.

Ride a vocal.

Shape a dialogue track.

Create dynamic music balances.

Automate effects.

Rather than drawing every movement into a DAW, S1 allows automation to become a physical performance.

Dedicated Channel Controls

Each S1 channel provides quick access to frequently used functions including:

Solo — Isolate tracks while working.

Mute — Remove tracks from the active mix.

Select — Choose the channel you want to work with.

Record/Automation Controls — Access recording and automation-related functions.

Additional navigation and mode controls make it easier to move through larger sessions without depending entirely on a keyboard and mouse.

Expand Up to 32 Faders

Need more physical channels?

The S1 platform is expandable.

Connect up to four Avid S1 control surfaces to create a system with as many as 32 physical faders.

An Avid Dock can also be incorporated into a compatible system for additional transport, editing and workflow control.

This scalability makes the S1 attractive to smaller studios that want to start with eight faders while maintaining a path toward a larger professional control surface.

Compact Professional Studio Design

Despite its extensive capabilities, the S1 has a relatively compact footprint.

This makes it particularly useful for:

• Recording studios

• Production suites

• Home studios

• Editing rooms

• Audio post-production suites

• Educational facilities

• Mobile production environments

Its low-profile design can fit between a computer keyboard and display, giving engineers tactile mixing control without requiring space for a traditional large-format console.

Key Features & Specifications

Type: Professional DAW / EUCON control surface
Faders: 8 motorized, touch-sensitive 100mm faders
Rotary Encoders: 8 push-top, touch-sensitive encoders
Displays: 8 high-resolution OLED displays
Channel Controls: Mute, Solo, Select, Record/Automation and additional functions
Control Protocol: Avid EUCON
Computer Communication: Gigabit Ethernet
Tablet Integration: Supports Avid Control with compatible tablet
Tablet Included: No
Expansion: Up to 4 S1 surfaces for 32 physical faders
Avid Dock Integration: Yes, in compatible configurations
Footswitch Connection: Yes
Tablet Charging: USB connection provided for tablet charging
Approx. Width: 12.4"
Approx. Depth: 14.9"
Approx. Height: 1.1" front / 4.1" rear
Approx. Weight: 4.17 lb.
Primary Applications: Music production, recording, mixing, audio post-production, video post-production and education

Who Is the Avid S1 For?

Mixing Engineers — Get physical control over faders, automation, plugins, sends and other important mix parameters.

Pro Tools Studios — Add deep hands-on EUCON control to a professional Pro Tools workflow.

Music Producers — Spend less time manipulating a mouse and more time physically interacting with a session.

Recording Studios — Add console-style control without the footprint of a large-format mixing desk.

Post-Production Professionals — Control complex audio sessions for film, television, streaming and other media workflows.

Home & Project Studios — Bring professional motorized-fader control into a compact production environment.

Educational Facilities — Introduce students to tactile mixing and professional EUCON-based production workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Avid S1 do?
The S1 is a hardware control surface that provides tactile control over compatible DAW and media software. Its motorized faders, encoders, buttons and displays allow you to control mixing and editing functions without relying entirely on a mouse.

Is the Avid S1 an audio interface?
No. The S1 is a control surface, not an audio interface. It controls compatible software but does not replace the audio interface or converter used to get audio into and out of your recording system.

Does audio pass through the Avid S1?
No. S1 communicates control information with compatible software. Your audio continues to pass through your audio interface, converters and other audio equipment.

Does Avid S1 have motorized faders?
Yes. It features eight touch-sensitive, motorized 100mm faders.

Does the Avid S1 work with Pro Tools?
Yes. S1 is designed for deep integration with Pro Tools using Avid's EUCON protocol.

Does Avid S1 only work with Pro Tools?
No. EUCON supports multiple compatible professional applications, including select third-party DAWs and media applications. Always verify current software and operating-system compatibility for your specific system.

Does the Avid S1 include a tablet?
No. The integrated stand is designed to accommodate a compatible tablet running Avid Control, but the tablet is sold separately.

Can I use multiple Avid S1 control surfaces together?
Yes. Up to four S1 surfaces can be combined in a compatible configuration, providing as many as 32 physical faders.

Can the S1 control plugins?
Yes. With compatible EUCON-enabled software, S1 can provide hands-on access to supported plugin and processing parameters.

Is the Avid S1 good for a home studio?
Yes. Its compact footprint makes it particularly attractive for serious home and project studios that want professional tactile mixing control without installing a large console.

Move Beyond Mixing With a Mouse

The Avid S1 combines eight motorized touch-sensitive faders, eight rotary encoders, OLED displays, EUCON integration, tablet-based visual feedback and expandable control in a compact professional surface.

Whether you're mixing music, automating vocals, editing dialogue or working through a complex post-production session, S1 gives you a more immediate connection to your work.

Instead of pointing and clicking your way through every mix decision:

Reach for the fader. Turn the control. Shape the mix.

Need help building a complete professional mixing setup?
Backline Music Gear can help identify compatible audio interfaces, studio monitors, control surfaces, cabling, workstations and studio equipment based on your recording or post-production workflow.

Avid, Avid S1, EUCON, Pro Tools, Media Composer and related names are trademarks of their respective owners. Product and trademark names are used solely for accurate product identification. Software compatibility, system requirements and product specifications are subject to change; verify current manufacturer requirements before purchase.