What's New in Avid S4/S6
What's New in Avid S4/S6
What's New in Avid S4/S6
Version 19.9
Legal Notices
© 2019 Avid Technology, Inc., (“Avid”), all rights reserved. This guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Avid.
Bonjour, the Bonjour logo, and the Bonjour symbol are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
Thunderbolt and the Thunderbolt logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
This product may be protected by one or more U.S. and non-U.S. patents. Details are available at www.avid.com/patents.
Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice.
Chapter 1. Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
System Requirements and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Product Activation and Software License Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
About This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
How to Use this PDF Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
This document describes the New and Improved Features in v19.9 for Avid S4 and S6 systems.
Throughout this and other documentation, S4 and S6 systems are referred to as “S4/S6.” S4/S6 system software is named
“Master Module software.” All features are available on both systems unless otherwise noted.
For a list of supported applications, system requirements, and other compatibility information, visit:
http://www.avid.com/products/pro-tools-s6/specifications
https://www.avid.com/products/avid-s4/compatible-software
DAW Compatibility S4/S6 Software v19.9 is compatible with the following (or later versions):
• Avid Pro Tools and Pro Tools | Ultimate 2019.5 or later (2019.6 required for some fixes)
Because of the major changes in S6 19.5 for attention and plug-in window workflows, there may be undesirable behavior with ear-
lier versions of Pro Tools. If using Pro Tools 2018.12 or earlier, consider disabling the new attention and plug-in window settings
described later in this guide.
WSControl Application Compatibility macOS 10.12 or higher (including macOS 10.12/”Sierra”, 10.13/“High Sierra”, 10.14/”Mo-
jave”), and 10.15/”Catalina”, and Windows 10 or higher. For the latest compatibility information, see Avid S6 Compatibility.
On macOS 10.14/”Mojave” (only) you may be prompted to add applications such as Pro Tools to the Privacy list in System Pref-
erences. If so, follow the on-screen instructions.
Pro Tools | Control At the time of this writing the Control app is not compatible with iOS 13.
Important!
The EUCON performance improvements introduced in v3.5 make it and all later versions (including v19.9) incompatible with
v3.4.x and previous versions of EUCON and EuControl. As a result, version 19.9 and future versions must not be run on the same
network (subnet) as any 3.4.x or previous EUCON Surface software.
• To get the latest version of EuControl software for S3, Dock, and Artist Series, download them from your Avid Account or
visit: http://www.avid.com/en/products/artist-control/learn-and-support.
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
Product Activation and Software License Activation
Activate your S4/S6 system software on-line as instructed later in this guide. You must use the System ID on the included
S4/S6 System Software Activation Card to activate and download all S4/S6 system software and documentation. You will also need
to activate your software license after installing the software.
If you are upgrading a system, check your Avid account for the latest S4/S6 system software.
In versions of S6 software prior to v3.5, a new license was required for each major release. All customers with current Support Con-
tracts who are upgrading from v2.2.1 or earlier must activate the new version by registering your System ID in order to transition
to the new yearly license system and download the latest software.
To receive your Activation ID, go to https://my.avid.com/products/Hardware/console and log into your Avid Account (or cre-
ate one). Follow the instructions on-screen to enter your System ID. For information about locating your System ID, see this article
on our Knowledge Base:
http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/faq/How-to-find-S6-System-ID
Once the new version is activated, you will not need to activate a new license for any software updates that are released for the du-
ration of your current Support Contract. After you activate your license your Avid Account will be updated with the new S6 soft-
ware for you to download, and will also show your Support Contract dates.
Convention Action
Control+N Hold down the Control key and press the N key
Control-click Hold down the Control key and click the mouse button
The names of Commands, Options, and Settings that appear on-screen are in a different font.
The names of switches and keys on the control surface are shown in bold (such as Select). In addition, the Shift switch on the
Master, Fader, or Joystick Module is always shown in bold to distinguish it from the Shift switch on the computer keyboard.
User Tips are helpful hints for getting the most from your system.
Important Notices include information that could affect your data or the performance of your system.
Cross References point to related sections in this guide and other Avid guides.
Chapter 1: Introduction 2
How to Use this PDF Guide
These are some useful features of this PDF:
• The Bookmarks on the left serve as a continuously visible table of contents. Click on a subject heading to jump to that page.
• Click a + symbol to expand that heading to show subheadings. Click the – symbol to collapse a subheading.
• The Table of Contents provides active links to their pages. Select the hand cursor, allow it to hover over the heading until it turns
into a finger, then click to locate to that subject and page.
• All cross references in blue are active links. Click to follow the reference.
• Select Find from the Edit menu to search for a subject.
Resources
The Avid website (www.avid.com) is your best online source for information to help you get the most out of your Avid system.
The following are just a few of the services and features available.
Videos on YouTube
Check out the new Avid Pro Tools | S6 Workflows and original Get Started Fast with S6 video tutorials, available on YouTube.
Most of the videos are relevant to S4 as well as S6.
Chapter 1: Introduction 3
Part I: New Features
Chapter 2: New and Improved Features in v19.9
Master Module Software v19.9 for S4 and S6 provides new and changed features in the following areas:
• Avid S4 Support
• Auto Expand Inserts Selection
• Increased Atmos Monitoring Sources, Folddowns, and Speakers
S6 v19.9 may require a new software license. For instructions, see Updating System and Workstation Software.
Important!
The EUCON performance improvements introduced in v3.5 make it and all later versions (including v19.9) incompatible with
v3.4.x and previous versions of EUCON and EuControl. As a result, version 19.9 and future versions must not be run on the same
network (subnet) as v3.4.x or any previous EUCON surface software.
• To get the latest EuControl software for S3 or Dock, download it from your Avid Account–or for Artist Series controllers visit:
http://www.avid.com/products/artist-control/learn-and-support
Avid S4 Support
EUCON software v19.9 includes support for the new Avid S4.
Avid S4 16_3 D
The same Master Module software 19.9 or later runs both S6 and S4 systems. Sessions, Titles, Soft Keys, user preferences and other
data is transferable between systems. Throughout this and other documentation, S4 and S6 systems are referred to as “S4/S6.”
S4/S6 system software is named “Master Module software.” All features are available on both systems unless otherwise noted.
Enable this setting to have any insert Auto Expand when selected from the top level knob set on S6 Knob Modules or from the S4
upper Knob section.
With the ability to trigger Auto Expand from Inserts Selection, you have more flexibility for when Expand mode is automatically
enabled. For example, by leaving the Auto Expand > EQ setting off, you can use the EQ switch to display a track’s EQ plug-ins
without immediately entering Expand mode for the first, last edited, or designated cycle slot. With Inserts Selection enabled, you
can then directly expand the EQ plug-in you want. By comparison, when Auto Expand > Inserts is enabled pressing the Ins switch
causes other strips to darken.
To create logs:
1 Choose Collect Support Files from the WSControl menu.
Windows Right-click on the EuControl or WSControl icon in the System Tray at the bottom of the screen.
2 In the Save dialog that appears, choose or make note of the destination for the saved files, then click Save Support Files. Or
click Cancel to cancel without saving support files.
A .zip file is created containing all log files and crash reports that might be requested by Avid Customer Support.
S6 19.7
The following features were provided in S6 software 19.7.
The Display Knobs From Most Recently Clicked DAW Area setting lets you specify where you want clicked DAW controls to
appear on S6 (such as only on the Master Module, on an Expand Knob Module, or on both the Master and Expand Fader).
Beginning S6 19.7, Expand Fader Modules use the Primary and Backup Functions when clicked DAW controls do not have a cor-
responding knob type (such as clicking on Track Name or in the timeline). In addition to extending the usefulness of the Primary
and Backup Function settings, this also prevents Attention Expand Zones from going blank in certain attention-via-click scenarios.
Auto-Launch MTRX
MTRX has been added to the Auto-Launch choices in WSControl. When enabled, this will auto-launch DADman software (if pres-
ent) for Pro Tools | MTRX.
S6 19.5.1
The following features were provided in S6 19.5.1.
Display of track name and values can be configured using the Show Timed Fader Values and Fader Value Timeout settings. In
EUCON 19.5.1 these settings have been improved to provide more options to optimize name/value display. These settings are lo-
cated in the Strips section of the User > Settings page.
To improve Momentary Fader Value display, the following new options have been added:
Settings for Momentary Fader Value
Setting Description
Off Displays always show track name (ignore Fader Value Timeout)
While Fader is Touched Shows value when fader is touched and reverts to track name when released
Shows value on touch, reverts to track name when the timer expires
Timed at Fader Touch,
• If the fader is released before the timer expires, the display reverts to name
Off at Release
• If the Fader Value Timer slider is set to Off (full left), then values are not shown
Shows value on touch, reverts to track name when the timer expires
• If the fader is released before the Fader Value Timer setting expires, the display stays on value until the
Timed at Fader Touch
timer expires then reverts to name
• If the Fader Value Timer slider is set to Off (full left), then values are not shown
Shows the value while touched and continues to show value on release until the timer expires
Timed at Fader Release
• If the timer is set to OFF, shows value when fader is touched and reverts to track name when released
(default)
(equivalent to ‘While Fader is Touched” option)
The process for updating S4/S6 Master Module software and activating the required software license involves these steps:
• S4/S6 Software Activation
• Logging in as Administrator and Updating Master Module Software
• Activating Your Software License
• Installing Supporting Software
These instructions apply to customers with support contracts who are entitled to the latest software release. If you are configuring
a new system for the first time, refer to the S4/S6 Guide.pdf for complete network and configuration instructions.
Your System ID can be found on the S4/S6 System Software Activation Card included in
the front pouch of the S4/S6 Installation Guide. Activating deposits your software Acti-
vation ID number into your account, which you will use later to acquire your software li-
cense, as well as software downloads and documentation.
Avid ® S4/S6
2 (Required) Acquire your Software License. SYST E M I D CA R D
• Make sure you are still logged into your Avid Master Account at
https://my.avid.com.
For instructions, visit www.avid.com/activationcard
• Retrieve your Activation ID number (My Products and Subscriptions > Avid S6 Please enter this code exactly as written
(letters are case-sensitive)
M40/M10 Software and Support or Avid S4 Software and Support). Printed in USA 7020-71508-00_A
• You will use this number later to activate your new software license.
• Navigate to the My Products and Subscriptions page where software updates, Workstation software, documentation, and
other resources are available. Download the latest versions of the S4/S6 Master Module Software, Workstation software (Mac
or Windows), and documentation from your Avid account to your computer.
• Insert a USB flash drive into an available USB port on your computer.
Do not use the System Restore USB drive! Use a separate USB flash drive.
• If necessary, extract (decompress) the .ZIP file containing the Master Module software to unzip it.
• Copy the resulting file (.exe) to the top (root) level of your USB drive, then remove (eject) the USB drive.
Offline activation requires a separate computer and USB flash drive. You can use the same USB flash drive on which you copied
the S6MasterModuleInstall software.
Do not use the System Restore USB drive! Use a separate USB flash drive.
About Online Activation Online Activation should only be performed while in direct contact with Avid Customer Support.
Offline Activation
Make sure you have the System ID number and software Activation ID, and also make sure you have installed the new software
and restarted your system.
2 Make sure Offline is selected for the Activation Type. If not, tap the selector and choose Offline.
4 Enter the following information, making sure to enter all characters and numbers correctly (fields are not case-sensitive):
• Enter your Activation ID into the Activation ID field. Once entered, a System ID field appears. Press Tab to go to the next
field.
• Enter your System ID into the System ID field. Press Tab to go to the next field.
• Enter your Device ID (shown on the S6 Software License Activation screen) into the Device ID field.
When a valid ID number is entered into each field, a green check mark appears. If any characters are incorrect, and until the cor-
rect number of characters has been entered, an error message appears.
• (Optional) Enter the email address associated with your Avid account to receive an email with a copy of your license file.
5 Click Submit, then follow the instructions on-screen to do the following:
• Download the license file (.bin) to your computer, then transfer the license file to a USB flash drive.
Do not use the System Restore drive. Use a separate USB flash drive (not included), formatted as FAT or FAT32.
• Remove the USB drive from your computer, then insert it into one of the USB ports on the back of the Master Module.
6 On the Master Module touchscreen, tap Activate. A standard Windows Open dialog appears.
7 Navigate the dialog to the USB drive, select the downloaded license file (“S6xxx.bin”) and tap Open.
After a few moments your software will be activated.
8 After activating your software, if you are prompted to update module firmware after the system restarts do the following:
• Navigate to the Settings > Surface page and press Update.
If no Update option is displayed either the system hasn't completely booted yet, or a module is selected on that screen. Wait for
the system to finish starting up, and be sure no module is selected on-screen (indicated by a lit rectangle surrounding that module).
• When prompted, confirm the update and then wait until all modules have updated (which can take several minutes). Do not
turn off any modules during this process. The screen displays a message confirming that the update has completed.
9 Proceed to Installing Supporting Software.
EUCON installs into a default directory for all EUCON devices (including the Control app, Dock, S3, and S6). This lets you co-in-
stall all software for these devices.
You can download these components directly to the workstation(s) you plan to use with S4, or to a USB flash drive.
2 If necessary, insert the USB drive containing the downloaded EUCON_WorkstationUnifiedInstall into a USB port on your
workstation.
Do not use the included System Restore USB drive! Use a separate USB flash drive.
• If you will be using S4/S6 and the Control app simultaneously, select both S3/Dock/Artist/Control and S4/S6 Workstation.
(Other combinations are allowed (such as S4/S6 Workstation and EUCON Workstation software) but once installed cannot
be run simultaneously.)
5 After installation is complete you can configure Workstation Control (aka WSControl) software to auto-launch by clicking the
WSControl icon in the Tool bar (Mac) or system tray (Windows) and selecting WSControl from the Auto Launch sub-menu).
To uninstall items:
1 Launch the installer.
Items that are currently installed are selected (checked) and indicated as Installed.
2 Do the following:
• To uninstall a specific component, make sure it is not selected (no check mark).
• To uninstall all EUCON applications, select Uninstall all applications.
• To uninstall all User Preferences, select Uninstall User Preferences (your appsets will not be removed).
3 Click Continue (Mac) or Next (Windows).
Always shut down the Master Module before powering down the system!
2 Power off the S4, or turn off power at the source device supplying power to S6 Power Strip (UPS, power conditioner or other
source).
Restoring the System If you ever need to perform a System Restore, be sure to power cycle the entire system after the System Re-
store is completed.
Layouts
• Layouts and User settings could fail to store or load from sessions (GWSW-11603)
• It was possible for the Layout option Save to Current Slot to invalidate the last recalled layout in the title (GWSW-11589)
Display Modules
• Master Display Meter Modules: Waveform data could fail to re-appear when switching between different numbers of rows
(GWSW-11628)
Monitoring
• If the monitor section was locked on one DAW (such as XMON or DADman) connecting another workstation could unlock it
and lock it to the newly focused monitoring application (GWSW-11620)
• The monitor section could remain locked after its associated WSControl application was disconnected (GWSW-11645)
• Quitting and restarting XMON on Mac could cause XMON settings to be reset to default (GWSW-11631)
Known Issues
The following are known issues you may encounter using S6, along with workarounds if they exist.
• Downgrading from 3.6 to 3.5 (GWSW-10593)
If you uninstall S6 v3.6 and then install v3.5, startup can hang at “Loading Surface Preferences.”
Workaround: Delete, rename or move the S6 Monitor Settings file, located at C:\ProgramData\Avid\S6\MonitorSettings. (By
default, ProgramData is a hidden directory. To access it, open the View tab and enable Hidden items from the View tab.)
• Workstation Sleep causes problems with connectivity and performance
If workstations enter Sleep mode, communication and performance can be problematic until S6 and all workstations are
power-cycled.
Workaround: Set all connected workstations to never sleep.
Layouts
3rd Party EUCON applications only: Newly added Tracks can be lost from Layouts after disconnecting a workstation or
changing the designated Layout Store workstation before closing a session (GWSW-9334)
This component of GWSW-9334 affects 3rd party (non-Pro Tools) EUCON applications only. If you add one or more tracks to a
Layout and then disconnect the designated workstation before saving the session/project, those recently added tracks may not be
recalled when the workstation is reconnected and that session/project is reopened.
Workaround: Close and save the session before either disconnecting its workstation, or designating a different Layout Store
workstation. If you do disconnect while a session is open, don’t save it until after you have reconnected the workstation to S6.
After using Import Session Data (Pro Tools), S6 Layouts fail to recall stored knob assignments (GWSW-9285)
Monitoring
The S6 Monitoring page does not show sources unless the monitoring application (such as XMON EUCON) is focused on the
workstation, even if the S6 Monitoring section is locked to the monitoring application.
XMON: Audio passes through even when no sources are selected on first launch after installation (GWSW-7169)
Workaround: Select your Source from the XMON application, quit and relaunch.
DADMan: Source selection Sum and Intercancel mode setting conflicts with S6 Monitoring mode setting (GWSW-9640)
The S6 Monitoring local options page lets you configure Source selection for Sum or Intercancel mode, and this setting can conflict
with the same settings available in DADMan preferences.
When using the Master Joystick Module to pan a stereo track with Stereo Link enabled, touching both joysticks
simultaneously can lock up the pan position of one side of the stereo signal when only one joystick is released
(GWSW-9080)
Workaround: Let go of both joysticks then touch or move either to re-establish stereo linked panning.