The Stagetec Auratus is a cost-effective digital audio mixing console offering a fixed configuration in a compact sized surface (only 530 mm depth without the armrest). Based on the Aurus console, the Auratus is available in a choice of smaller frame sizes, making it ideal for installation in OB vehicles.
The Auratus DSP “engine” is a dedicated card housed in a rack of the Nexus routing system, and the console surface determines DSP functionality as well as I/O source and destination selection. The cost benefit of the Auratus has been achieved partly by fixing the console configuration, and also by removing the necessity to invest in a Nexus Star system. All system audio inputs and outputs are connected via one or more Nexus Base Devices, which may be located anywhere in the facility, or off-site. Multiple Base Devices are linked via fibre and the connection between the Auratus surface and the Nexus network is a single CAT-5 cable. The Auratus surface itself handles no audio other than local signals for talkback, nearfield monitoring, etc. If a Nexus system is implemented as the facility’s main audio backbone router, the mixing console simply forms part of the system, and has access to any sources or destinations within the facility.
The modular design of the Nexus racks permits enormous flexibility in I/O configuration. Almost any combination of analogue and digital audio formats may be specified to suit the facility’s infrastructure; options extend to MADI, SDI and optical digital audio interfaces as well as the more common mic or line analogue, and AES3.
The Auratus may be specified with up to 24 channel strips (in blocks of 8), in various physical layouts. Primary channel parameters are adjusted through six dual concentric encoders on each channel strip; full control over all parameters is always available through the central control area. Each strip can control up to 8 different audio channels by the use of layers. Assignment of audio channels to channel strips is via the Layer panel in the console’s master section, which also controls which layer is active on a global or 8-wide channel block basis. Further, two layers are always instantly accessible on every channel strip by a local toggle button. An alphanumeric display above each fader indicates the name of the source currently active for that strip and layer. Audio channels may be freely linked to form stereo pairs or 5.1 stems as needed, and controlled by a single strip. Each channel strip has six dual-concentric, touch-sensitive rotary encoders, each with an associated LED fan display. Two of these are input and pan controls, the other four are switched between EQ (4-band parametric) and aux. send/N-1 functions with a single button press. Other channel functions, including dynamics (compression, limiting and expansion), bus routing and channel delay are controlled from the master area.
The Auratus may be configured with up to 32 mix buses, the allocation of these being determined by the system according to whether the console is configured for stereo or 5.1 operation. Console configurations may be saved as project files for immediate setup of regular tasks; configuration parameters include I/O allocation within the Nexus frames, allocation of audio channels to channel strips and layers and monitoring setup. Additionally, the console’s snapshot automation system can store up to 99 sets of control settings for subsequent recall, either internally, or on a removable SD memory card.
Large TFT displays are fitted in the meter bridge to provide clear bargraph metering of channel strip and master section signals. The channel strip displays also show EQ curve, bus routing, channel linking information and dynamics gain reduction. The master section display can meter all output bus levels simultaneously. Large clock and timer displays, and GPIO indicators are built-in.
As befits a console intended for use in the most prestigious on-air and live situations, full redundancy of power supplies for all components of the system (including Nexus) is standard. Also, modules in both the Nexus rack and the Auratus control surface are hot-swappable.