Blackmagic Design are best known for their high-end video hardware and DaVinci Resolve editing software, but the latter comes kitted out with Fairlight, a dedicated post-production audio suite that essentially acts as an integrated DAW. Now, the company have announced the public beta of Fairlight Live, a new software mixer that’s aimed at broadcast and high-end live audio duties.
Revealed at NAB 2026, the new arrival is capable of handling thousands of audio channels, and will work with either standard computer audio or USB audio from Blackmagic Design’s range of ATEM video switchers. It offers a wealth of configurability options, is capable of handling everything from stereo to complex immersive audio formats, and offers support for SMPTE-2110 broadcast workflows.
Built-in EQ and dynamics options are available on every input channel, while format-based panning tools offer 1D, 2D and 3D options along with a spherical panner for Ambisonics and immersive audio formats. The onboard processor collection also includes de-essers, reverbs, delays and more. Third-party plug-ins are supported, too, with each channel capable of hosting up to 24 VST and AU processors. The software offers comprehensive and flexible routing options, and provides up to eight independent output mixes that can be used to set up dedicated mixes for different destinations quickly and easily.
Fairlight Live also features a built-in cue player that provides 16 audio cues for jingles, carts and stingers, and 16 MIDI cues for controlling hardware such as lighting and smoke machines. Each cue can be triggered via a user defined keyboard shortcut, a cue button on a Fairlight Live console or from an external MIDI controller, allowing for precise timing during live productions.
Key Features
- Fully featured software based broadcast mixer for high end live audio.
- Supports hundreds of channels with wide formats and complex mixes.
- Supports mono, stereo, LCR, 5.1 surround, immersive and ASAF.
- Optimised low-latency operation on both macOS and Windows.
- Flexible redundancy with user configurable multiple fail-safe levels.
- Direct ATEM connectivity via USB with automatic template support.
- Supports standalone use, Fairlight Live panels or MCU consoles.
- Compatible with Core Audio, ASIO and 2110 interfaces.
- Native support for surround, immersive and spatial audio workflows.
- Snapshots save mixer state for recall during live performances.
- Virtual Sound Check ISO recording for rehearsal and calibration.
- Dedicated Cue Player for sound effects and stingers.
- Dedicated Cue Player for MIDI cues to external hardware.
- Extensive integration for Native, AU and VST plug-ins.
- Dedicated support for remote iOS and Android tablet controllers.
“Fairlight Live is the world’s most powerful live audio mixer. Being software-based means it is free from the limitations of traditional hardware systems, the only limitation is the power of your computer. Whether you are a podcaster using a professional audio mixer for the first time or a sound engineer used to working with hundreds of channels, Fairlight Live has everything you need. You can even add a professional Fairlight Live Audio Panel. It’s going to be crazy seeing how customers use the power of Fairlight Live!” - Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design
Pricing & Availability
Fairlight Live is available as a public beta, and is free of charge. More information can be found on the Blackmagic Design website.
