Description

Software-Based Live Audio Mixing for Podcasts, Broadcast, Sports, SMPTE ST 2110, and Immersive Production

Modern live productions demand much more than a simple stereo audio mix. Audio engineers are tasked with managing microphones, commentary, crowd noise, IFB (interruptible foldback), talkback, mix-minus feeds, multiple program outputs, remote contributors, spatial audio, and IP-based routing. All of this must be accomplished while keeping the system synchronized and protected from on-air errors.

Blackmagic Fairlight Live is a software-based professional audio mixer built to scale seamlessly from simple podcasts to large broadcast and live-event productions. Depending on your computer’s capabilities, it can manage hundreds or even thousands of audio channels. The platform supports stereo, surround, ambisonics, spatial audio, SMPTE ST 2110 workflows, redundancy, third-party plug-ins, cue playback, snapshots, talkback, and extensive routing.

Because Fairlight Live runs as software, users can tailor the mixer for each production, rather than being limited by a fixed hardware setup. The application is available as a free download, with optional Fairlight Live Audio Panels for those who prefer dedicated motorized faders and touchscreen controls.

Why Consider Fairlight Live?

Live audio requirements can vary dramatically between productions.

For example, a basic podcast might only require two microphones and simple monitoring. In contrast, a video podcast could add multiple cameras, mix-minus feeds, guest contributors, and live switching. A sports broadcast might demand commentary, crowd microphones, IFB, talkback, international mixes, remote operators, and hundreds of additional audio sources.

Fairlight Live addresses these diverse needs through a configurable software architecture. Inputs, busses, output matrices, plug-ins, control surfaces, monitoring paths, and operator roles can all be added or rearranged as the show evolves.

This flexibility makes Fairlight Live ideal for organizations seeking a single audio platform that supports everything from small productions to complex broadcast workflows.

Key Features

Scalable Software-Based Mixing

Fairlight Live can operate on a simple laptop for smaller productions, yet scale up to more powerful computer systems for demanding broadcasts.

The number of supported audio channels is determined by the host computer’s performance. The software is designed to handle hundreds or even thousands of inputs, allowing production teams to scale without needing to replace hardware mixers with limited capacity.

Customizable Mixer Layout

The mixer can be customized to meet the exact requirements of any production.

Users can:

• Add, remove, modify, or rearrange inputs
• Create and manage busses
• Show, hide, or reorder channels
• Update input assignments
• Configure stereo, surround, or immersive workflows
• Create layouts for different operators or shows

This flexibility enables the same system to be quickly reconfigured for podcasts, sports, talk shows, houses of worship, entertainment, and live events.

Complete Show Files and Templates

Each Fairlight Live production can be saved as a comprehensive show file, including:

• Mixer layout
• Routing
• Processing
• Cue-player content
• Snapshots
• Virtual soundcheck settings
• Media
• Solo and monitoring preferences

Factory templates are included for common workflows, such as layouts designed to match supported ATEM production switchers. Recurring productions can be saved as user templates, streamlining the preparation of new episodes or events using proven configurations.

Hundreds or Thousands of Input Channels

Fairlight Live supports a wide variety of audio channel formats, including:

• Mono
• Stereo
• LCR
• 5.1 surround
• Ambisonics
• Immersive audio

Each channel offers EQ, dynamics, panning, and plug-in capabilities. Format-aware panning provides 1D, 2D, 3D, and spherical positioning for spatial and ambisonic audio.

Flexible Bussing Architecture

Fairlight Live allows engineers to create custom signal paths with multiple bus types.

Main Busses

Main busses generate final program outputs for broadcast, streaming, international versions, language feeds, and loudness-controlled delivery.

Sub Busses

Sub busses group related channels, such as guest microphones, crowd microphones, or a studio band, into manageable sections.

Auxiliary Busses

Aux busses generate independent mixes for talent, headphones, in-ear monitors, effects, or other destinations without altering the main program mix.

Mix-Minus Busses

Mix-minus outputs enable commentators, remote guests, or hosts to hear the program and other participants without hearing their own delayed microphone return.

This flexible routing is especially valuable for remote production, podcasts, interviews, sports commentary, and distributed broadcast workflows.

Output Matrix for Multiple Destinations

Fairlight Live provides output matrix busses for distributing unique mixes to multiple destinations.

You can create up to eight simultaneous output mixes for applications such as:

• Broadcast program
• Streaming output
• Production truck
• Remote production team
• Stage monitors
• Translation feeds
• Recording systems

Each destination receives a tailored mix without affecting the primary program output.

VCA Master Controls

Fairlight Live supports up to 128 VCA groups.

A VCA master allows control of the relative levels of multiple channels and buses from a single fader. Nested VCAs provide broader, more detailed control, such as adjusting all commentators at once while maintaining separate management of play-by-play and analyst microphones.

Built-In Processing and Third-Party Plug-Ins

Every input and bus includes:

• Six-band EQ
• Expander/gate
• Compressor
• Limiter
• Panner

Fairlight Live also offers a library of 30 native plug-ins, including tools for de-essing, reverb, delay, and more.

Third-party AU and VST plug-ins are supported. Each channel provides four effect slots, and ChainFX can host up to six plug-ins per slot, enabling up to 24 plug-ins per channel.

Monitoring and Communication

Control Room and Studio Monitoring

Fairlight Live separates control-room monitoring from studio and talent monitoring to ensure each environment receives appropriate audio feeds.

Engineers can independently monitor inputs, outputs, speakers, headphones, and destination feeds without affecting the on-air mix. Supported monitoring formats include mono, surround, binaural, and immersive audio.

For immersive productions, Fairlight Live supports binaural head tracking with AirPods Pro, allowing real-time monitoring of ambisonic busses and evaluation of sound placement.

PFL and AFL Solo Monitoring

The software provides both:

• PFL: Pre-fader listen
• AFL: After-fader listen

PFL lets engineers check an input before fader processing, while AFL allows them to hear sources or busses after level adjustments. Solo monitoring never interrupts the main program output.

Talkback and Conference Workflows

Fairlight Live features four talkback groups, enabling clear communication with talent, commentators, production teams, and remote contributors.

Cue and conference modes work with mix-minus feeds, allowing engineers and producers to communicate privately without sending unwanted audio to the program mix.

Broadcast Production Features

SMPTE ST 2110 Audio Integration

Fairlight Live is purpose-built for SMPTE ST 2110 broadcast environments.

It supports primary audio I/O over ST 2110 networks, allowing engineers to select, route, and mix individual audio streams from IP-based sources. PTP synchronization and sample-level delay compensation ensure audio remains aligned with video and other media streams throughout the facility.

Redundant Operation

Fairlight Live supports a failsafe workflow where a secondary system continuously mirrors the primary mixer.

If the primary system fails, the secondary system takes over to maintain commentary, crowd audio, program sound, and other critical feeds.

Dual Inputs

Channels can use dual inputs for redundancy, protecting productions against audio source or connection failure.

On-Air Protection

On-Air mode locks essential functions, preventing accidental disruptions during live broadcasts.

When enabled, it can restrict changes to:

• Formats
• Channel additions or deletions
• Solo operation
• Synchronization settings
• Plug-in replacement
• Main output configuration

On-Air status can also synchronize with an ATEM switcher, ensuring the audio system accurately reflects the production’s live state.

Input Delay and Remote Gain

Each channel offers input delay for timing alignment and remote gain control for compatible microphone preamps.

These features are especially useful for synchronizing audio from cameras, remote locations, IP networks, or devices with varying latency.

Audio Follows Video and ATEM Integration

Fairlight Live integrates seamlessly with supported Blackmagic ATEM live production switchers via USB-C.

The software can exchange audio with the switcher, manage talkback, control microphone gain, and use Audio Follows Video to link camera selections with specific audio channels, busses, or VCAs.

AFV supports up to 100 cameras. Engineers can define levels, fade curves, and hold times so that switching to a camera automatically brings the appropriate microphone or audio source into the mix smoothly.

This can be especially useful for:

• Talk shows
• Panel discussions
• Video podcasts
• Houses of worship
• Legislative production
• Multi-camera interviews
• Small production teams

Fairlight Live also provides default configurations and templates for supported ATEM switchers, simplifying setup for common workflows.

Cue Playback and Show Automation

Audio and MIDI Cue Player

The built-in cue player supports:

• 16 audio cues
• 16 MIDI cues

Audio cues can trigger jingles, stingers, sound effects, and other playback elements. MIDI cues can control compatible hardware, including lighting systems, on-air indicators, and effects devices.

Cues can be activated using keyboard shortcuts, Fairlight hardware panels, or third-party MIDI controllers.

Snapshots

Snapshots capture and recall the entire mixer state for fast transitions between show segments.

They can be used to move between production segments such as:

• Commentary
• Interviews
• Commercial breaks
• Musical performances
• Halftime shows
• Worship segments

Transition controls enable smooth fades between snapshots, and selected parameters can be excluded from recall as needed.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Extensive keyboard customization lets operators quickly access cue playback, recording, routing, talkback, snapshots, Audio Follows Video, system setup, and view management.

This can reduce mouse navigation and improve response time during complex live programs. 

Recording, Testing, and Virtual Soundcheck

Record and Playback

Fairlight Live includes integrated recording and playback.

Productions and rehearsals can be captured for review, training, archiving, or later playback. 

Virtual Soundcheck

Recorded audio can be used for virtual soundcheck, allowing engineers to configure levels, EQ, dynamics, panning, effects, and routing without requiring talent or musicians to perform continuously.

This can reduce rehearsal time and help engineers refine the mix before the production goes live. 

Signal Generators

Built-in signal-generation tools include:

• Oscillator
• Test tones
• Noise
• Audio-file playback
• Slate

These sources can be routed to channels, busses, and outputs for calibration, troubleshooting, alignment, and system verification without requiring separate test hardware. 

Operation Modes

Primary Mode

Primary mode provides full control of inputs, outputs, processing, routing, monitoring, and delivery.

Failsafe Mode

Failsafe mode mirrors the primary system and is designed to take over if the main mixer fails.

Prep Mode

Prep mode allows engineers to build and test shows offline without affecting the active production system.

Remote Mode

Remote mode allows different operators to manage assigned channels or parameters from separate computers.

On-Air Mode

On-Air mode protects live output by locking functions that could disrupt the program. 

Multi-Operator and Remote Control

Fairlight Live supports two remote-control computers simultaneously, in addition to the primary and backup systems.

A lead engineer can manage the main program mix while other operators control audience microphones, stage feeds, foldbacks, or other assigned parts of the production. Each operator can have independent monitoring and solo control. 

The system also supports third-party control through:

• Mackie MCU-compatible control surfaces
• OSC-based iPad or tablet applications
• USB devices
• Thunderbolt devices
• Core Audio on macOS
• System Audio and ASIO on Windows

Third-party control can include faders, pan, mute, PFL, AFL, metering, talkback, auxiliary sends, Audio Follows Video, and control-room volume. 

Optional Fairlight Live Audio Panels

Blackmagic offers three dedicated hardware control surfaces for Fairlight Live.

Fairlight Live Audio Panel 10

A desktop control surface with:

• 10 motorized faders
• One large touchscreen
• Bus, matrix, auxiliary, VCA, sub-master, and talkback controls

Fairlight Live Audio Panel 20

A desktop panel with:

• 20 motorized faders
• Two large touchscreens
• Integrated controls for routing, busses, VCAs, talkback, and monitoring

Fairlight Live Audio Panel 40

A larger control surface with:

• 40 motorized faders
• Four large touchscreens
• Expanded hands-on operation for large broadcast and live-production workflows

The panels are designed as extensions of the software, giving operators direct physical access to mixer channels, processing, routing, and system controls. 

Applications

Fairlight Live can support:

• Audio podcasts
• Video podcasts
• Live sports
• Broadcast television
• Live streaming
• Talk shows
• Houses of worship
• Concerts
• Remote production
• Commentary workflows
• Corporate broadcasting
• Education
• Multi-camera production
• Stereo and surround mixing
• Immersive and spatial audio
• SMPTE ST 2110 facilities

How VidOvation Can Help

VidOvation sells and integrates Blackmagic Design Fairlight Live as part of complete professional audio and video production workflows.

Fairlight Live provides software based audio mixing for broadcast, live production, remote production, and SMPTE ST 2110 environments. VidOvation can help you configure Fairlight Live for applications including:

• SMPTE ST 2110 audio and video infrastructure
• Hybrid SDI and IP production
• Remote and distributed production
• Broadcast facility modernization
• Audio and video synchronization
• Commentary, IFB, and mix minus workflows
• Integration with switching, contribution, transport, and distribution systems

VidOvation provides product selection, system design, licensing, pricing, integration, training, and technical support. We can help you purchase Fairlight Live as a standalone solution or incorporate it into a complete production architecture.

Contact VidOvation to discuss pricing, system requirements, and integration for your production workflow.

This type of error should receive the highest audit priority because it directly redirects revenue away from VidOvation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Blackmagic Fairlight Live?

Fairlight Live is a software-based professional live audio mixer designed for productions ranging from podcasts to large broadcasts. It supports scalable channel counts, routing, processing, spatial audio, SMPTE ST 2110, redundancy, cue playback, talkback, snapshots, and hardware control surfaces. 

Is Fairlight Live free?

The Fairlight Live software is available for free download, according to the attached Blackmagic Design document. Optional Fairlight Live Audio Panels are sold separately. 

How many channels can Fairlight Live handle?

The software can manage hundreds or thousands of audio channels, depending on the host computer’s performance and configuration. 

Does Fairlight Live support SMPTE ST 2110?

Yes. It is designed for ST 2110 audio workflows and supports IP audio I/O, PTP synchronization, stream selection, routing, and sample-level delay compensation. 

Can Fairlight Live provide redundant operation?

Yes. Failsafe mode allows a secondary system to mirror the primary mixer and take over if the primary system fails. 

Does Fairlight Live work with ATEM switchers?

Yes. It integrates with supported ATEM live production switchers through USB-C for audio exchange, control, talkback, microphone gain, on-air status, and Audio Follows Video. 

How many cameras can be assigned to Audio Follows Video?

The attached documentation states that AFV can support up to 100 cameras across channels, busses, and VCAs. 

Does Fairlight Live support mix-minus?

Yes. Dedicated mix-minus busses can create clean feeds for commentators, remote guests, hosts, and other contributors while removing their own microphone from the return mix. 

Can it mix surround and immersive audio?

Yes. Fairlight Live supports stereo, surround, ambisonics, binaural monitoring, and immersive spatial-audio workflows. 

Does it support third-party plug-ins?

Yes. Fairlight Live supports third-party AU and VST plug-ins in addition to its built-in processing and native effects library. 

Can multiple engineers use the system at the same time?

Yes. Remote mode allows multiple operators on separate computers, with the primary operator retaining full control and remote users managing assigned channels or parameters. 

Does Fairlight Live include recording and virtual soundcheck?

Yes. The built-in recording and playback system can capture rehearsals or productions and replay them for virtual soundcheck. 

Does VidOvation sell Fairlight Live or its control panels?

Not currently. Fairlight Live and its optional hardware panels should be purchased through Blackmagic Design or an authorized Blackmagic reseller.