Avid and their prices... Insane. Their control surfaces have no resale value whatsoever. Saw it at AES last month It's all just bells and whistles at this point.

Isn't that where the S1, S3 and Dock are for?

Does it come with a cup holder?

Agreed. It's absolutely ridiculous.

I've noticed that new age producers prefer working with a mouse over these expensive mixing consoles. not to say there isn't a market for the s4. I think smaller post production houses and educational institutes will be the main market for this product. as I said to another commenter, the college where I study have just brought a 16 fader unit with the additional screens to replace a D-Control. This cost 52k apparently. expensive I know but in comparison to the s6 or other high end desks, this was the 'cheap' option.

"you could do far more for less money with more sensible options" I don't mean to sound condescending, but for some people $25k is play money and they just want the best toys they can get for it. Those people already understand that at that level you get diminishing returns for the extra money, because they experience the same thing in every other aspect of life. You don't get a Bentley because it's a good deal or because you need it, you get it because it does everything you want it to do and you love the way it does it.

It works for EUCON-enabled DAWs. I think neither of these you mentioned are, but I've seen someone using an S3 with REAPER so I'm not sure. I recommend that you don't buy any of these unless you make sure it's 100% working with your DAW

LMFAO

A laptop and a pair of headphones is all you need

Yeah, and by the sounds of it almost 98% if the posted shit on SoundCloud was created with exactly that setup. Who the hell that has even half a clue does thier entire process using only headphones ???

Amen!

And yet they are still in business so are obviously hitting thier core target market

educational institutes. The college where I study has just brought a 16 fader unit with the additional screens to replace a D-Control. This cost 52k apparently

professional studios that work with professional artist will have something like this. for the average guy, no.

Juan Sutton I disagree. The larger studios are even downsizing. The need for big expensive gear is diminishing quickly even for “professional” artists

@@jsutton241 Problem is, professional studios need more than that.. They buy avid S6's. I can't see a market for an avid S4. Smaller studios consist of a laptop and headphones now days...

And yet they are selling plenty, my local distributor has sold 3 last 2 months with 2 more on back order

To be fair, have you ever, i do mean Literally EVER stood behind a 48+ Channel Console before ? In studio or in Live Sound ?? Technology simplifying operational process, has absolutely removed Interaction and connection with a Mix via Tactile control as was once done on channel after channel after channel on an Analogue Console, ending up in some cases over 7ft long in live sound .. and as long as the studio had budget in Recording Land.. Its now all being condensed digitally and simplified, demanding a more intelligent Human to understand the console, her multiple digital layers to operate. Its Technological Evolution on the same scale as now using a Mouse to click on Tracks in a DAW to access control over a given Track's Signal chain, unless where you used to want to go find a typically , all laid out analogue function for any given Track or Channel, you now gotta find the fader layer, level, etc !! Even now , unless you're working on a basic 16 Channel Analogue mixer, youve got a HUGE learning curve ahead of you to get that "Mixing" Feel back .. as the tools HAVE changed and now you gotta learn them to become creative again as have I have to 23yrs later earning a living in this game. Just gotta keep up , its purely Evolution, Chief ! ..