A focused operating mode for show-safe playback, built around two synchronized playback systems: MAIN and BACKUP. It trades open-ended routing for fast, repeatable setup and fault-tolerant audio delivery in live, theatre, broadcast and event workflows.

Key technical features

• EARS™ automatic redundancy switching: monitors a trigger signal embedded in the incoming multichannel streams and switches from MAIN to BACKUP when the primary source fails or becomes invalid.
• Four predefined source combinations: MADI–MADI, MADI–Audio Network, Audio Network–MADI and Audio Network–Audio Network (Dante or AVB/Milan, depending on the model).
• Two trigger methods: Pilot Tone or BLDS (Buffer Loop Detection System). BLDS is recommended: it detects more failure conditions, including stuck playback and buffer loops, and enables extremely fast switching.
• Force switching: manual MAIN/BACKUP control to commission and verify both playback paths before a show.
• Priority after failover: AUTO stays on the active source until it fails, while MAIN or BACKUP returns to the chosen source as soon as it becomes valid again.
• USB.MADI integration: via the MADI SFP ports, ACE serves as a high-channel-count playback interface for Mac or PC, keeping EARS™ failover.

Licensing: requires Full Routing and EARS™. With these licenses, PRODIGY mode is also available for custom routing or multiple redundancy groups.

A focused operating mode for PA tuning and fast system management, built for drive-rack workflows and reliable distribution of feeds to the PA. It prioritizes speed and operational clarity, for live sound, festivals, touring and events.

Key technical features

• Two scalable variants: PA4 offers 4 inputs and up to 4 PA feeds for typical 4-channel console layouts such as L/R/Sub/Fills or two stereo consoles. PA8 doubles it to 8 inputs and up to 8 PA feeds for multi-zone systems.
• PA-dedicated workflow: Input Managers, MatMix and Output Masters, with Setup, Overview, Input Tuning, PA Tuning and ShowTime pages following the real-world sequence of system setup and operation.
• PA-focused routing, even without Full Routing: patch each PA feed to up to 4 hardware outputs in parallel, for redundancy or distribution.
• Overview as a single pane of glass: the complete signal path, from hardware inputs through MatMix and PA feeds to hardware outputs, for fast verification and troubleshooting.
• Integrated tuning and measurement: pink noise generator and Smaart integration, with separate stimulus, reference and measurement microphone signals, without using the Output Masters reserved for the PA.
• Dedicated per-feed DSP: every Output Master includes FIR EQ, All-Pass/IIR, Dynamics, Delay and Polarity.
• Stereo, mono and multi-zone systems: MatMix shows and edits send levels from inputs to each PA feed.

Licensing: PA4 requires 1 x DSP Pack, PA8 requires 2 x DSP Packs. Full Routing is not required, but it adds unrestricted routing and enables PRODIGY mode for custom architectures.

An open operating mode for designing custom audio architectures, with full control over signal flow, processing and redundancy. It gives access to every function installed through licenses, for advanced playback, processing and conversion systems.

Key technical features

• Unrestricted routing: with Full Routing, route any input to any output and patch hardware inputs to DSP instances in a dedicated DSP Routing.
• DSP functions: Flex Channels with 4 plugin slots each (FIR EQ, IIR EQ, Dynamics, Delay) and external hardware inserts, 64 Summing Busses for fixed-level sums, and 32 Groups as control masters for level, mute, delay and FIR EQ.
• AutoMix: automated mixing of Flex Channels in up to 16 groups, with per-channel Gain, Contribution and Priority, and per-group Behavior and Hush Wizard input gate.
• MatMix 64x64: mix up to 64 sources into 64 mono or stereo busses, with 4 plugin slots per bus.
• EARS™ on every multichannel port: automatic redundancy switching on MADI, audio network and USB, with MAIN, BACKUP and DISASTER RECOVERY sources, and a nested mode combining up to four playback devices.
• Input Managers: 32 priority-based failover managers with up to 6 physical inputs each, validated by signal lock and level coherence or by silence detection, with trim and Auto Trim.
• Snapshots: Device Snapshots with Scope Sets for partial recall, and Global Snapshots that recall Device Snapshots across multiple devices.

Licensing: requires Full Routing, and the available features depend on the installed licenses. Full Routing is included with the Playback path; with the PA path, add it to unlock PRODIGY Mode.