Blackmagicdesign Fairlight Live Audio Panel 40

Blackmagicdesign Fairlight Live Audio Panel 40

Desktop live audio control panel with 40 motorized faders and native SMPTE 2110 IP

The Blackmagicdesign Fairlight Live Audio Panel 40 is a desktop control console engineered for high-density live sound production and broadcast environments. Equipped with 40 motorized flying faders and four integrated 29.5 cm LCD touch screens displaying 1920 x 1080 resolution, this control panel provides extensive physical access across complex audio routing workflows. Sound engineers can effortlessly manage high channel counts across dynamic live performances, houses of worship, and televised broadcasts without encountering surface bottlenecks.

By integrating native SMPTE 2110 IP video and audio connectivity alongside local analog audio inputs and outputs, the surface bridges modern network infrastructure with direct hands-on control. Operators maintain direct focus over complex mixes using dedicated hardware channel controls, dual 10G Ethernet transport, and flexible software administration via USB-C or network connections.

Forty motorized flying faders streamline complex live mixes

The Blackmagicdesign Fairlight Live Audio Panel 40 features 40 motorized flying faders that provide tactile control and physical feedback during live productions. Each channel strip includes a multi-function rotary knob with an LED ring indicator, along with dedicated Select, Solo, and Mute buttons. Operators can target individual inputs and adjust mix levels without losing focus. Dedicated channel focus controls offer immediate access to processing and input parameters for any selected channel.

For massive setups, the console supports 12 layers to manage up to 120 channels per 10 faders using dedicated layer buttons and ALT modes. The surface also incorporates 40 contextual rotary knobs and 40 contextual buttons to control on-screen elements directly. The contextual knobs adjust parameters on the lower row of the focus screens, while the contextual buttons activate functions appearing on the upper row.

Fairlight Live Audio Panel 40 touchscreens display metering

Four built-in 29.5 cm 1920 x 1080 LCD touch screens provide real-time metering, channel overviews, and parameter graphics across the console bridge. Operators can utilize the dedicated Masters keypad to send master metering views directly onto the screen layout. Visual processing readouts display 6-band EQ adjustments alongside detailed dynamics parameters for the compressor, expander, gate, and limiter.

Sound engineers can visually manage 3D spatial panning parameters including left right, front back, up down, rotate, spread, divergence, and boom. For digital signal processing, each channel features four insert slots, which Chain FX expands to six effects per slot to provide up to 24 plug-ins per channel.

Dual 10G Ethernet ports route 2110 IP media — Dual 10G RJ45 Ethernet connections handle

SMPTE 2110 IP video and audio streams across your facility network infrastructure. Native NMOS routing support allows you to discover and connect endpoints across the network while managing local analog audio inputs and outputs. System management remains separate because a dedicated 1G RJ45 Ethernet port isolates control network traffic, configuration tasks, and software updates from media feeds.

Local video monitoring is handled through an HDMI Type A output that extracts feeds directly from the SMPTE 2110 IP network to local displays in HD or Ultra HD standards up to 2160p60. For host system integration, a USB Type-C port connects a host Mac or Windows computer running Fairlight Live software, offering driver support for Core Audio, ASIO, and Windows audio.

Cue Player keypad triggers sixteen simultaneous audio cues

Dedicated Player/Recorder transport controls provide locator buttons, record, play, stop, rewind, and fast forward functions to capture multitrack audio during rehearsals and performances. Engineers can utilize these controls to conduct virtual sound checks without musicians present, tuning room equalizer settings and dynamic compression before an event begins.

The integrated Cue Player acts as a cart machine that triggers up to sixteen audio cues across two banks or outputs sixteen MIDI cues to control external devices such as lighting servers. Operators can play up to sixteen sounds simultaneously to layer walk-on music, sound effect stingers, and voiceovers.

For scene management, the dedicated Snapshots keypad features preview, next, view, load, crossfade off, update, and new buttons to store and recall complete mixer configurations during transitions between broadcast segments.

Comprehensive talkback system streamlines broadcast team communication

Communication across production teams remains seamless using the console’s integrated talkback features. Operators can transmit audio using the built-in talkback microphone, a dedicated 3-pin XLR mic input, or a 5-pin XLR headset connector. The talkback keypad provides routing to four distinct talkback groups, direct channels, or an all-call destination during live productions.

Monitoring capabilities include three independent studio monitor circuits managed directly via the dedicated Control Room and Monitoring keypad. Local analog line outputs connect through two balanced 3-pin XLR connectors for external monitoring feeds. Sound engineers can also monitor audio feeds using front and rear 6.35mm headphone sockets.

To maintain operation during live broadcasts, the panel features dual IEC C14 power inputs connected to dual internal 100 to 240V AC power supplies.

Supported protocols include

SMPTE 2110, NMOS routing, Core Audio, ASIO, and Windows audio.