PRODUCTS
Polaris enables fully personalised mixing platform
CONSISTING OF three main
components, a control surface,
multi-user audio processor,
and touchscreen, Salzbrenner
Stagetec has unveiled the Polaris
evolution in its attempt to raise the
bar in the digital mixing market.
Other announcements from the
manufacturer include INSPIration,
a stage management desk, a new
Nexus audio router, and its latest
broadcasting solution, On Air Flex.
Comprised of ‘access’, ‘scala’,
and ‘view’, each of the Polaris
evolution’s individual components
can be combined within an IP
network, irrespective of physical
The Polaris access module
location, and simultaneously
in parallel for different mixing
projects. A single ‘access’ has
16 faders and 16 dual-rotary
encoders, 48 buttons and a display
screen to provide remote control
of the ‘scala’ audio processor –
an 19-inch unit comprising 256
audio inputs and 256 busses
that can also be cascaded to
achieve a higher channel count
when required. The evolution view
module enables touch control of
parameters, alongside a completely
Stagetec’s On Air Flex
personalised user interface.
When a Polaris module is plugged
into a network it is registered
mixing console consists of a similar
automatically.
three-part structure, with each
According to the manufacturer, it
component capable of functioning
doesn’t matter how many evolution individually, or together as a whole.
modules are deployed, you can
Processing power for the system
connect them at any point in the
is provided courtesy of a Nexus
network and use them individually
XCMC board, providing up to 40
or collectively as desired.
Just like the Polaris evolution,
with eight groups, sums, auxes,
Stagetec’s On Air Flex broadcast
and mix-minus channels. Input and
remote control can be ach ieved
via the virtual user interface that
transforms a web browser into the
control surface via a custom web
server.
For users seeking substantial
increases in the I/O channel count,
a Nexus card has been released
promising to deliver up to 8,000
channels of audio on a single card
– vastly more than the previous
256 channel limit.
Named the Nexus XRT, it is
which are then divided up into
six high-capacity ports providing
cable, and six standard ports
capable of handling 512 channels
each. Because of the high degree
of connectivity it is now possible
to create complex Nexus networks
utilising ring or mixed topologies in
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Web: www.stagetec.com
Nexus XRT contains 12 fibre-optic
input ports
output connections are available
through the Nexus network
providing scalability from a locally
installed base device to a campuswide audio network.
With the aid of the
manufacturer’s MapCfg software,
the entire control surface can be
and application. Alternatively
1/3 horiz
46 PRO AUDIO ASIA July–August 2014
addition the star format commonly
in use. The board is described as
a ‘versatile giant’ compatible with
any 3U Nexus base device.
Moving away from Nexus, a
stage management desk called
INSPIration has been debuted by
the German manufacturer. Based
on the MediaControl and Delec
Oratis product lines it provides
control over back-stage theatre
processors, and together with the
NAM Dante network interface, to
deliver calls and announcements.
Interaction between multiple
stages can represent a major
challenge at larger venues. The
product reportedly provides all of
the tools necessary to consolidate
control in one place.
The three modules combine to form the whole system