Pro Tools | S3 Guide

and EuControl 18.3.0

Legal Notices
© 2018 Avid Technology, Inc., (“Avid”), all rights reserved. This guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Avid.

003, 192 Digital I/O, 192 I/O, 96 I/O, 96i I/O, Adrenaline, AirSpeed, ALEX, Alienbrain, AME, AniMatte, Archive, Archive II, Assistant Station, AudioPages,
AudioStation, AutoLoop, AutoSync, Avid, Avid Active, Avid Advanced Response, Avid DNA, Avid DNxcel, Avid DNxHD, Avid DS Assist Station, Avid Ignite,
Avid Liquid, Avid Media Engine, Avid Media Processor, Avid MEDIArray, Avid Mojo, Avid Remote Response, Avid Unity, Avid Unity ISIS, Avid VideoRAID,
AvidRAID, AvidShare, AVIDstripe, AVX, Beat Detective, Beauty Without The Bandwidth, Beyond Reality, BF Essentials, Bomb Factory, Bruno, C|24,
CaptureManager, ChromaCurve, ChromaWheel, Cineractive Engine, Cineractive Player, Cineractive Viewer, Color Conductor, Command|8, Control|24,
Cosmonaut Voice, CountDown, d2, d3, DAE, D-Command, D-Control, Deko, DekoCast, D-Fi, D-fx, Digi 002, Digi 003, DigiBase, Digidesign,
Digidesign Audio Engine, Digidesign Development Partners, Digidesign Intelligent Noise Reduction, Digidesign TDM Bus, DigiLink, DigiMeter, DigiPanner,
DigiProNet, DigiRack, DigiSerial, DigiSnake, DigiSystem, Digital Choreography, Digital Nonlinear Accelerator, DigiTest, DigiTranslator, DigiWear, DINR, DNxchange,
Do More, DPP-1, D-Show, DSP Manager, DS-StorageCalc, DV Toolkit, DVD Complete, D-Verb, Eleven, EM, Euphonix, EUCON, EveryPhase, Expander,
ExpertRender, Fairchild, FastBreak, Fast Track, Film Cutter, FilmScribe, Flexevent, FluidMotion, Frame Chase, FXDeko, HD Core, HD Process, HDpack,
Home-to-Hollywood, HyperSPACE, HyperSPACE HDCAM, iKnowledge, Impact, Improv, iNEWS, iNEWS Assign, iNEWS ControlAir, InGame, Instantwrite, Instinct,
Intelligent Content Management, Intelligent Digital Actor Technology, IntelliRender, Intelli-Sat, Intelli-Sat Broadcasting Recording Manager, InterFX, Interplay,
inTONE, Intraframe, iS Expander, iS9, iS18, iS23, iS36, ISIS, IsoSync, LaunchPad, LeaderPlus, LFX, Lightning, Link & Sync, ListSync, LKT-200, Lo-Fi,
MachineControl, Magic Mask, Make Anything Hollywood, make manage move|media, Marquee, MassivePack, MassivePack Pro, Maxim, Mbox, Media Composer,
MediaFlow, MediaLog, MediaMix, Media Reader, Media Recorder, MEDIArray, MediaServer, MediaShare, MetaFuze, MetaSync, MIDI I/O, Mix Rack, Moviestar,
MultiShell, NaturalMatch, NewsCutter, NewsView, NewsVision, Nitris, NL3D, NLP, NSDOS, NSWIN, OMF, OMF Interchange, OMM, OnDVD,
Open Media Framework, Open Media Management, Painterly Effects, Palladium, Personal Q, PET, Podcast Factory, PowerSwap, PRE, ProControl, ProEncode,
Profiler, Pro Tools, Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE, Pro Tools M-Powered, Pro Transfer, QuickPunch, QuietDrive, Realtime Motion Synthesis, Recti-Fi,
Reel Tape Delay, Reel Tape Flanger, Reel Tape Saturation, Reprise, Res Rocket Surfer, Reso, RetroLoop, Reverb One, ReVibe, Revolution, rS9, rS18, RTAS,
Salesview, Sci-Fi, Scorch, ScriptSync, SecureProductionEnvironment, Shape-to-Shape, ShuttleCase, Sibelius, SimulPlay, SimulRecord, Slightly Rude Compressor,
Smack!, Soft SampleCell, Soft-Clip Limiter, SoundReplacer, SPACE, SPACEShift, SpectraGraph, SpectraMatte, SteadyGlide, Streamfactory, Streamgenie,
StreamRAID, SubCap, Sundance, Sundance Digital, SurroundScope, Symphony, SYNC HD, SYNC I/O, Synchronic, SynchroScope, Syntax, TDM FlexCable,
TechFlix, Tel-Ray, Thunder, TimeLiner, Titansync, Titan, TL Aggro, TL AutoPan, TL Drum Rehab, TL Everyphase, TL Fauxlder, TL In Tune, TL MasterMeter,
TL Metro, TL Space, TL Utilities, tools for storytellers, Transit, TransJammer, Trillium Lane Labs, TruTouch, UnityRAID, Vari-Fi, Video the Web Way, VideoRAID,
VideoSPACE, VTEM, Work-N-Play, Xdeck, X-Form, and XMON are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the United States and/or
other countries.

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.

Guide Part Number 9329-65933-00 REV A 03/18

Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
What’s Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Optional Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
System Requirements and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
About This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Conventions Used in This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Hardware Switches on S3 Control Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
How to Use this PDF Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Installation and Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Connecting S3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Installing EuControl Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Updating S3 Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Enabling EUCON in Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Confirming EUCON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Powering-On Your System After Initial Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Connecting a Second Workstation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Connecting a Footswitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Installing Appsets for EuControl Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

S3 Surface Controls Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Channel Strips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Channel Strip Displays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Assignable Channel Encoders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Channel Encoder Assignment Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Fader Banking Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Left Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Channel Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
View and Arrow Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Application/Workstation Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Solo Clear and Mix to Monitors Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Right Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Surface SHIFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Modifier Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Touchstrip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Pro Tools | S3 Guide iii

 Using S3 with Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Track Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Banking Tracks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Storing and Recalling Custom Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Working with Track Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Working with VCAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Working with Plug-Ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Working with Sends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Working with Automation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

S3 Audio I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Enabling S3 Audio on the Workstation Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Direct Out Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
S3 Audio Connections Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Accessing Audio Control on the S3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Connecting and Adjusting Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Connecting and Adjusting Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Connecting Hardware Inserts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Connecting and Adjusting Headphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Saving S3 Monitor Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Soft Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Viewing Soft Key Assignments in the Soft Key Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Using the Soft Key Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

EuControl Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Accessing EuControl Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Workstations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Preferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Assign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Soft Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Restart EUCON Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
S3 Control Surface Audio Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
S3 Control Surface Mechanical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Appendix A. Compliance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Environmental Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
EMC (Electromagnetic Compliance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Safety Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Pro Tools | S3 Guide iv

Introduction

Welcome to the Pro Tools® | S3 studio controller and Ethernet AVB 4 in/6 out audio interface from Avid®. The S3 uses Avid’s
high-speed EUCONTM (Extended User Control) control protocol to enable fully integrated control of Pro Tools and other
EUCON-compatible audio and video applications via a 100 MB/s Ethernet connection. The same Ethernet connection also pro-
vides Ethernet AVB audio connections between the on-board audio I/O on the S3 and the workstation computer.

The S3, when connected to an E3 engine and up to four Stage 16 remote stage boxes, is also the central controller for the
VENUE | S3L-X live digital mixing system.

See the VENUE | S3L-X System Guide for more information.

EuControl Software
EuControl lets your workstation computer find, link, and communicate with the S3 via the EUCON protocol. EuControl also lets
you set preferences for and customize the controls on your S3. EuControl software must be installed on the workstation computer
before you can use the S3 with your application. You can also control applications on a secondary workstation computer by install-
ing the separate EUCON Workstation software.

Ethernet AVB Audio

(AVB-compatible Mac Running OS X 10.9.x and Higher Required)

Ethernet AVB audio is a high-fidelity, low-latency Ethernet audio protocol used to connect the on-board audio I/O on S3 to your
Core Audio- and AVB-compatible workstation computer. AVB audio must be enabled on the workstation computer before you can
use the I/O on the S3 with your applications. See S3 Audio I/O for more information.

Introduction 1
What’s Included
• S3 control surface
• Power supply with IEC cable
• Cat5e (350 MHz) Ethernet crossover cable
• Documentation pack, which includes the EuControl software Activation Card, S3 Welcome Letter, Health and Safety Guide and
a warranty card

If you bought the S3 as part of a VENUE | S3L-X system, see the VENUE | S3L-X System Guide for information on what is included.

Optional Equipment
• A standard Ethernet router or switch (for control surface functionality only)
• A qualified AVB-compatible Ethernet switch (for audio I/O and control surface functionality)

System Requirements and Compatibility

One S3 control surface can be used with EuControl Software at a time. One S3 can be used in conjunction with the
Pro Tools | Control app for iPad (not included) and one Pro Tools | Dock. When no Pro Tools | Dock is present, S3 can be used with
one Artist Transport at a time.

Avid can only assure compatibility and provide support for hardware and software it has tested and approved. For compatibility in-
formation and other resources, visit:
www.avid.com/S3-Surface-Support

Registration
Review the enclosed Registration Information Card and follow the instructions on it to quickly register your purchase online.
By registering, you become eligible to receive the following:
• Technical support information
• Software update and upgrade notices
• Hardware warranty information

About This Guide

This guide covers using the S3 control surface with Pro Tools and other EUCON-compatible applications.

Introduction 2
Conventions Used in This Guide
All of our guides use the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key commands:

Convention Action

File > Save Choose Save from the File menu

Control+N Hold down the Control key and press the N key

Control-click Hold down the Control key and click the mouse button

Right-click Click with the right mouse button

The names of Commands, Options, and Settings that appear on-screen are in a different font.

The following symbols are used to highlight important information:

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.

Shortcuts show you useful keyboard or mouse shortcuts.

Cross References point to related sections in this guide and other Avid guides.

Hardware Switches on S3 Control Surface

The names of switches on the S3 control surface are in bold, such as Sel. The two Surface SHIFT switches on the S3 are indicated
by bold text, in all-caps to distinguish it from references to the Multi Select/SHIFT Global Modifier switch and the Shift key on
your computer keyboard.

Surface SHIFT switch (left) and the Multi Select/SHIFT switch (right)

Accessing Secondary Functions Using Surface SHIFT

The Surface SHIFT switches on the S3 are used in conjunction with other switches to access a secondary layer of functions. The
secondary functions of some switches are highlighted in gray above the primary function (such as < Bank/Home, where Home
is the secondary function). Other switches have secondary functions that are not labeled on the surface. Read this guide to learn how
to access all secondary functions.

The following terminology is used to describe Surface SHIFT functions.:

Example:
• “Press and hold the Surface SHIFT switch then press the Bank/Home switch”

is written as
• “Press Surface SHIFT + Bank/Home”

Introduction 3
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 a + symbol to expand that heading to show
subheadings. Click the – symbol to collapse a subheading. Click on a subject heading to jump to that page.
• 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.
• Any text entry in blue is an active link. Click on the link to go to that section.
• 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.

Account Activation and Product Registration

Activate your product to access downloads in your Avid account (or quickly create an account if you don’t have one). Register your
purchase online, download software, updates, documentation, and other resources.
https://www.avid.com/account

Support and Downloads

Contact Avid Customer Success (technical support); download software updates and the latest online manuals; browse the Com-
patibility documents for system requirements; search the online Knowledge Base or join the worldwide Avid user community on
the User Conference.
https://www.avid.com/products/pro-tools-s3/learn-and-support
http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/faq/S3-Surface-Support-FAQ

Products and Developers

Learn about Avid products; download demo software or learn about our Development Partners and their plug-ins, applications, and
hardware.
https://www.avid.com/Products/index.html

Get Started Fast Video Tutorials

Watch video tutorials for Dock, S3, and other EuControl products on YouTube:
Get Started Fast with Pro Tools | S3 and Dock

Introduction 4
Installation and Setup

This chapter shows how to get your S3 set up as a studio controller, and consists of the following steps:

• Connecting S3
• Installing EuControl Software
• Installing Appsets for EuControl Products
• Enabling EUCON in Pro Tools
• Confirming EUCON

Connecting S3
First, connect your S3 directly to your workstation computer (the computer running Pro Tools or other DAW), or connect to a
router that is then connected to your workstation computer, then power on S3.

Standard routers and switches can be used if you are using the S3 only as a control surface. However, to use the built-in AVB
audio I/O on the S3, the S3 must be connected directly to the computer or to an AVB-compatible Ethernet switch. Visit
www.avid.com/compatibility for information on compatible peripherals.

To connect your S3 to your workstation computer:

1 Connect the female end of the AC power cord into the power adapter and the male end into a power outlet. Make sure the AC
power cord is pushed all the way into the adapter.

Connecting the AC power cable to the power adapter

2 Connect the DC output cable from the power adapter to the DC In jack on the back panel.

Connecting the DC power output cable to the DC In jack

Installation and Setup 5

3 Connect one end of an Ethernet Crossover cable into Network port A on the back panel of the S3.

Network port A on the back panel of the S3

If your system includes a Dock and an S3 you can connect the Dock to Network port B on the S3, and connect S3 network port A
to your workstation.

4 Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to an available Ethernet port on your computer, or to the computer’s Thunderbolt
port using an Ethernet-to-Thunderbolt adapter.

An Ethernet-to-USB adapter may also be used, but audio I/O to and from the S3 is not supported.

S3 cannot connect to your workstation computer using a wireless connection. A hard-wired network connection is required.

5 If you want to connect the S3 to a local area network, or to connect an Artist Transport, connect the Ethernet cable to an Ethernet
router or switch, and make sure the router or switch is powered on before powering on the S3.
6 If you are connecting to a Mac with two Ethernet ports, we recommend you use Ethernet 1 rather than Ethernet 2. However, if
you want to use Ethernet 2, do the following on your computer:
• On the workstation computer, go to System Preferences > EUCON.
• Click the Network Interface pop-up menu and choose Ethernet 2.
7 Press the power switch on the back of the S3 to the “on” position. The faders jump and the LEDs blink during initialization.

12V DC

8 When the S3 is finished initializing, confirm that the S3 is in Studio Mode, indicated by Studio Mode appearing in the 15th
top-row encoder display.

Studio Mode

Top-row encoders showing Studio Mode enabled

If the S3’s current mode does not appear in the two encoder displays after the S3 is powered on, the firmware on your S3 must be
updated via VENUE Software 4.5 or higher. Connecting the S3 to an E3 engine with VENUE 4.5 or higher installed and powering
on both devices automatically updates the firmware on the S3. See the What’s New in VENUE 4.5 Guide for more information.

9 Do one of the following depending on the S3’s current mode:

• If the S3 is in Studio Mode, proceed to Installing EuControl Software.
• If Live Mode is shown in the display instead of Studio Mode, proceed to Toggling Studio and Live Modes.

Installation and Setup 6

Toggling Studio and Live Modes
The S3 operates in one of the two following modes:

Studio Mode Lets you use the S3 with your workstation computer after EuControl software has been installed. If the S3 is in Stu-
dio Mode and is connected to an E3 engine (for use in an S3L live mixing system), the S3 will not be recognized by any E3 engines
in the network.

Live Mode Lets you use the S3 with an E3 engine as part of an S3L live mixing system. If the S3 is in Live Mode and is connected
to a workstation computer with EuControl software installed, the S3 will not be recognized by EuControl on the workstation com-
puter.

You can toggle the S3 between modes using the Application/Workstation switch.

To toggle between Live and Studio modes:

1 Power off your S3.
2 Press and hold the Application/Workstation switch, then press the power switch on the back of the S3 to the “on” position.

12V DC

Press and hold the Application/Workstation switch... ...then press the S3 power switch to “On”

3 Keep holding the Application/Workstation switch until the two rightmost top row encoder displays (encoders 15 and 16)
show Live Mode/Studio and OK, respectively.

Live Mode OK
Studio
Top Config
Back

Sel Sel
Expnd Page
Page

In In

Top-row encoder displays showing mode toggle controls

4 Press the encoder under the display showing Live Mode/Studio once, so that the desired mode appears above and in larger text
than the other mode in the display.

Studio Mode
Live

Encoder display showing Studio Mode enabled

5 Press the encoder under the display showing OK. The S3 restarts automatically in the selected mode.

Installation and Setup 7

Installing EuControl Software
Next, install EuControl software on your workstation computer. An Internet connection is required to download EuControl.

To install EuControl software:

1 Visit www.avid.com/account and log into your Avid account (or create an account if you don’t already have one) to download
the EUCON_WorkstationUnifiedInstall installer for your workstation computer’s platform (Mac or Windows). If you do not see
EuControl software in your account go to avid.com/activationcard and click on EuControl.
2 When download is complete, locate the EUCON_WorkstationUnifiedInstall on your computer and double-click it to mount it
(DMG on Mac) or uncompress it (ZIP for Windows), then launch the installer.
3 For a description of each option, select it (Mac) or hover the mouse over it (Windows only).
4 Follow the instructions on-screen (select each option you want to install):
• To only install EuControl, select S3 / Dock / Artist / PT | Control.
• If you have already installed EuControl on your primary workstation and
now want to install onto an additional, external workstation, select EU-
CON Workstation. (See also Connecting a Second Workstation).
• If you will be using S6 and Pro Tools | Control app simultaneously, select
both S3/Dock/Artist/PT | Control and S6 Workstation. Other combina-
tions can be installed (such as S6 Workstation and EUCON Workstation
software) but once installed cannot be run simultaneously. For more in-
formation, see the most recent S6 Guide.pdf.
5 When installation is complete, click Quit (Mac) or Finish (Windows). Eu-
Control software on your computer launches automatically and is running
when its icon (which is unlit until the Control app is connected) appears in
Installing EUCON Workstation software
the Menu bar (Mac) or the System tray (Windows).

Unlit EuControl icons on Mac (left) and Windows (right)

6 If the lit EuControl icon does not appear, do any of the following:
• See Add to add S3 manually.
• Click the EuControl icon in the menu bar (Mac) or right-click the choose Restart EUCON Applications (see Restart EUCON
Applications for more information).
• Shut down S3 and your computer, then turn them on (S3 first, then the workstation computer).
• See www.avid.com/S3-Surface-Support for the most current troubleshooting information.
7 Proceed to Updating S3 Firmware.

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 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).

Installation and Setup 8

AutoLaunch Settings
You can enable or disable auto-launch for EuControl, WSControl, and/or XMON using the new AutoLaunch selector.

To configure AutoLaunch on Mac:

1 Make sure EuControl or S6 WSControl is installed, then do the following:

Mac Click on the EuControl or WSControl icon in the menu bar.

EuControl Auto-launch Apps selector (Mac)

Windows Right-click on the EuControl or WSControl icon in the System Tray at the bottom of the screen.

Auto-launch Apps selector (Windows)

2 From the Auto-launch Apps sub-menu, choose any of the following (you can enable more than one):
• EuControl (for S3, Dock, Pro Tools | Control, and Artist Series)
• WSControl (for S6)
• XMON

Installation and Setup 9

Updating S3 Firmware
After installing EuControl, make sure your S3 is running the latest firmware. The firmware is provided within EuControl, so an In-
ternet connection is not required.

To update S3 firmware:
1 Click (Mac) or double-click (Windows) the EuControl icon and select EuControl Settings.
2 If necessary, click Surfaces to display the Surfaces tab.

Surfaces tab

3 Click Avid S3 in the My Surfaces list so it is highlighted.

If S3 does not appear in the My Surfaces list, add it manually. See Add.

4 Click Update Firmware. If the Update Firmware dialog shows a message that the surface is up to date, no further action is nec-
essary.
5 If the firmware needs to be updated, follow the instructions in the Update Firmware dialog box to proceed, and make sure to ob-
serve the following guidelines when updating firmware:
• Ensure that S3 is connected to a trustworthy power source.
• Do not power off the S3 during the update or attempt to interrupt the update.
The status of the firmware update is shown on the S3 displays as well as in the EuControl dialog.
6 Click Done when the firmware update is complete, then proceed to Enabling EUCON in Pro Tools.

Installation and Setup 10

Enabling EUCON in Pro Tools
When you first connect your S3, you must enable EUCON in Pro Tools, EUCON subsequently remains enabled in Pro Tools unless
you disable it. To enable EUCON in other DAWs, see the documentation provided by the manufacturer.

To enable EuControl in Pro Tools:

1 Launch Pro Tools. If the Quick Start dialog appears, close it.
2 Choose Setup > Peripherals, and click the Ethernet Controllers tab.
3 Select Enable EUCON.

Enable EUCON check box

4 Click OK. You do not need to configure any other Ethernet Controllers settings. These settings do not apply to EUCON.
Pro Tools scans your system until it identifies attached EUCON-compatible hardware. When Pro Tools finishes scanning your
system, your controllers are ready to use with Pro Tools.
5 Proceed to Confirming EUCON.

If you have recently updated from an earlier version of Pro Tools, go to Installing Appsets for EuControl Products.

Installation and Setup 11

Confirming EUCON
To confirm installation and communication:
1 Make sure you have enabled EUCON.
2 Open a session if one is not already open.
3 Verify that the channel strip displays above the bottom row of 16 encoders (the Channel Encoders) on the S3 show the track
names for the first 16 tracks in the Pro Tools session.

Kick 1 Snare 2 Hats 3 Rack 1 4 Rack 2 5 Floor 6 Bass DI 7 Bass Mic 8

Pan Pan Pan Pan Pan Pan Pan Pan

rw rw rw

Channel Encoder displays showing track names (first eight tracks shown)

4 In the Pro Tools Mix window, verify that the names of the tracks currently banked to the channel strips on S3 are highlighted
with blue-green borders.

Pro Tools Mix window showing tracks currently banked to the S3 channel strips

5 Proceed to any of the following:

• For instructions on using your S3 after initial installation, see Powering-On Your System After Initial Setup.
• To connect a second workstation computer, go to Connecting a Second Workstation.
• To connect a footswitch, go to Connecting a Footswitch.

Powering-On Your System After Initial Setup

After the initial installation and setup, your system must be powered on in a specific order, as follows:
1 If connecting to a router, connect S3 to the router, connect the router to the workstation computer, and power on the router.
2 If connecting directly, connect S3 to the workstation computer.
3 Power on the S3.
4 Confirm that S3 is in Studio Mode. Enable Studio Mode if Studio Mode is not enabled (see Toggling Studio and Live Modes).
5 Once S3 is finished initializing, power on the workstation computer.

If the S3 is not recognized by EuControl on your workstation computer (for example, because you powered S3 on after pow-
ering on the workstation computer), click the unlit EuControl icon in the menu bar (Mac) or System tray (Win) and choose
Restart EUCON Applications...to relaunch EuControl and re-initiate the connection.

Installation and Setup 12

Connecting a Second Workstation
The S3 can control applications running on a second computer that is connected to the same network as the primary network, re-
ferred to in this guide as a workstation. If EuControl is running on the same workstation as all your audio/video applications you
can skip these instructions.

To be able to control a second workstation:

1 Quit (Mac) or Exit (Windows) Pro Tools and any other EUCON applications running on any of your workstations.
2 Transfer the EUCON_WorkstationUnifiedInstall onto the second computer. After downloading, make sure the installer is
mounted (DMG on Mac) or uncompressed (ZIP for Windows).
3 Double-click the Install EUCON Workstation Unified installer, then select the EUCON Workstation option and click Next.

EUCON Workstation selected in EUCON Combined Installer

4 Follow the instructions on-screen to complete the installation.

5 When installation has finished, go to Spotlight (Mac) or Search (Windows), and type “MC Client” to locate the application, then
launch MC Client.
6 On the primary workstation, do each of the following:
• Open EuControl Settings, go to the Workstations tab, and click to enable Enable External Workstations. Follow the prompt
and wait until EUCON applications restart. You must also manually relaunch your DAW.
• Go to System Preferences > EUCON (Mac) or Control Panel > EUCON (Windows).
• Click the Network Interface selector and choose the port used for your EUCON network connection (such as Ethernet 1).
7 On the secondary workstation, do each of the following:
• Go to System Preferences > EUCON (Mac) or Control Panel > EUCON (Windows).
• Make sure the Network Interface selector shows the correct network port for your EUCON connection.
• If it is not already enabled, click to enable Enable as External Workstation. Follow the prompt and wait until EUCON ap-
plications restart. You must also manually relaunch your DAW.

EUCON Control Panel, Enable as External Workstation

Installation and Setup 13

8 Open the EuControl Settings window by doing either of the following:
• On Mac, click the EuControl icon on the taskbar and select EuControl Settings.
• On Windows, double-click the EuControl icon in the system tray and select EuControl Settings. If you don't see the EuCo-
ntrol icon, it could be automatically hidden by Windows. Click on the small white arrow to show hidden icons, then dou-
ble-click the EuControl icon.
9 In EuControl Settings, go to the Workstations tab.
10 Select your secondary workstation in the All Workstations list, then click Add to add it to the My Workstations list.

You can now switch between workstations by doing either of the following:
• On the Dock, S3, or other Artist Series media controller, press the Workstation switch. For example, on the S3 press
SHIFT+Application/Workstation.
• In the Workstations tab of EuControl Settings, select the desired workstation in the My Workstations list and click Attach. If
you are using the Control app without any other Artist Series controllers, you must use this method to switch workstations.

See Workstations for information on attaching and detaching workstations.

Connecting a Footswitch
The S3 has a 1/4-inch footswitch input on the back panel, which can be used to punch in and out of recording in your DAW, or for
engaging talkback. See Footswitch for more information on configuring the footswitch.

Footswitch input on the back of S3

Installation and Setup 14

Installing Appsets for EuControl Products
Avid provides a set of pre-configured Soft Key commands (Appset) for Pro Tools | Dock, Pro Tools | Control, Pro Tools | S3, and
Artist series control surfaces. Perform the tasks in this section to make sure you get the latest Appset functionality when using your
controller(s) with Pro Tools and other EUCON™-aware applications.

To download the latest Appset:

1 Visit www.avid.com/account, log into your Avid account and download the “EuControl Appsets vX.X.zip” to your computer.
Note: To access this file you must first register using the Control app, or using the EuControl Software Activation Card included
with the Dock.
• As an alternative, visit EuControl Appsets and download the “EuControl Appsets vX.X.zip” from our Knowledge Base.
2 When download is complete, locate the downloaded “EuControl Appsets vX.X.zip” on your computer and double-click it to ex-
pand it (Mac) or uncompress it (Windows).

To install the latest Appset:

1 On your computer, go to the following locations:
• On Mac, go to: /Library/Application Support/Euphonix/UserSets/MC2User/MC_USER_SET_Root
• On Windows, make sure “Show hidden files and folders” is enabled, and go to:
C:\Users\<enter your username here>\AppData\Roaming\Euphonix\UserSets\MC2User\MC_USER_SET_Root\

2 If an XML file is located in this folder, move the file to a different location and take note of that location as you might want to
use it in the future.
3 In the “EuControl Appsets vX.X” folder you downloaded and expanded, locate the appset files for your DAWs.
For example, for Pro Tools 12, locate the files called Pro Tools 12Mac.xml or Pro Tools 12Win.xml. If you are running
Pro Tools 11 instead of Pro Tools 12, locate the file Pro Tools 11Mac.xml or Pro Tools 11Win.xml.
4 Move the desired .xml file into the MC_USER_SET_Root folder.
5 Restart all EUCON applications by doing the following:
• On Mac, click the EuControl icon on the taskbar and select Restart EUCON Applications, then click Yes.
• On Windows, click the EuControl icon in the Task or System tray (Windows) and select Restart EUCON Applications, then
click Yes. Unused icons will be shown in the Hidden icons view.
6 Your EuControl surface will now recognize the new Appset.

Installation and Setup 15

S3 Surface Controls Overview

This section provides an overview of the surface controls on the S3 when using S3 with EUCON-compatible applications. For spe-
cific S3 workflows, see Using S3 with Pro Tools.

2
5
3

4 8

1 9

6 10

11
12 13 14 12

S3 top panel

1 – Channel Strips 8 – View and Arrow Switches

2 – Channel Strip Displays 9 – Application/Workstation Switch

3 – Assignable Channel Encoders 10 – Right Control

4 – Channel Encoder Assignment Switches 11 – Solo Clear and Mix to Monitors Switches

5 – Fader Banking Controls 12 – Surface SHIFT

6 – Left Control 13 – Modifier Switches

7 – Channel Control 14 – Touchstrip

S3 Surface Controls Overview 16

Channel Strips
S3 provides 16 channel strips, each with a display, an Assignable Channel Encoder (each with its own encoder
Sel and In switches), a Solo switch, a Mute switch, a 100mm motorized touch-sensitive fader, a channel select
(Sel) switch, a record engage (Rec)/Automation Mode (A) switch, and a level meter.

Channel Strip Display

See Channel Strip Displays.

Assignable Channel Encoder

See Assignable Channel Encoders.

Solo
The Solo switch lights yellow when that track is soloed.

Mute
The track is muted (off) when the strip Mute switch is lit, and is on (unmuted) when not lit.

Fader
The fader controls the level for the track assigned to the channel strip, or the parameter assigned to the Channel
Encoder if Flip to Faders is engaged. It is motorized so it reflects changes made in the application, such as au-
tomation. It is also touch sensitive, which some applications use for automation.
 When the Select by Touch General preference is selected in the EuControl Settings application (see Select
by Touch), touching a fader selects that track in the application and attentions it on that strip. This is the same
as pressing the fader Sel switch.
 Holding down the Default/ALT switch and touching a fader sets it to unity gain.

Channel Sel and Rec Switches

Each channel strip features a channel Sel, a channel Rec switch, and an automation mode switch (A), which operate as follows:

Sel Selects that track in the application, and attentions it for editing in the Channel Encoders when Channel Mode is enabled (see
Channel Encoder Modes), and in Channel Control (see Channel Control). A line under the track name in a channel strip display
indicates the track is attentioned.
.

In Pro Tools and other applications, multiple tracks can be selected, but only one channel can be attentioned. In this case, the at-
tentioned track is the last one selected.

Rec Record-enables a track in the application.

• In Pro Tools, the Rec switch flashes red to indicate that track is enabled (armed) for recording, and is lit solid when recording
is in progress.
• Pressing a lit Rec switch disables that track for recording.

A (Surface SHIFT + Rec) Changes the automation mode for a track.The desired automation mode appears in the bottom
right-hand corner of the channel strip display or on-screen.
.

You can swap the primary and SHIFT functions of the REC/A switch in the General tab of EuControl Settings. For more infor-
mation, see General. You can also use the Function (F1–F16) switches to change track automation modes. See Working with
Automation.

S3 Surface Controls Overview 17

Channel Strip Displays
At the top of each channel strip is an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display. When S3 is first powered on, the Channel En-
coders are in Normal Mode (see Channel Encoder Modes), and each display shows track information as follows:

1 Kick 2 1 3 Snare 2
7
Pan 4 Pan
5 rw 6
Channel strip display in Normal Mode

1 – Meter Shows clip, peak, and normal values. It can show mono, stereo, or surround tracks.

2 – Track Name Shows the track name as it appears in the application. When a fader is touched, it shows the value of the fader. Af-
ter releasing the fader it reverts to showing the track name.

3 – Track Number Shows the track number relative to its position in the application.

4 – Parameter Name Shows the name of the parameter currently assigned to the corresponding Channel Encoder. When an en-
coder is touched, it shows the value of the parameter. After releasing the encoder it reverts to showing the parameter name.

5 – Encoder Position Shows the relative setting of the control for the currently assigned parameter.

6 – Automation Mode Shows the track’s current automation mode setting, as follows:
Automation Modes and Displayed Indication

Mode Display

Off (blank)

Read r

Touch t

Latch l

Touch-Latch tl

Write 2

Trim <mode>

For more information on working with automation on the S3, see Working with Automation.

7 – Attention Indicator Indicates that the corresponding track is the attentioned track. Any parameters adjusted using the Channel
Encoders in Channel Mode (see Channel Encoder Modes) and using Channel Control apply to the attentioned track (see Channel
Control).

Display Sleep

To preserve display life, the channel displays enter sleep mode when not in use.

S3 Surface Controls Overview 18

Assignable Channel Encoders
Each channel strip has one touch-sensitive, continuously rotating encoder for adjusting parameters as assigned by the Channel En-
coder Assignment switches (see Channel Encoder Assignment Switches). Each encoder can also be pressed, which is typically
used to access sub-menus. Each encoder also has corresponding Sel and In switches.
• A Channel Encoder Sel switch assigns a secondary function of the displayed parameter to the corresponding Channel En-
coder. For example, engaging the Sel switch for an encoder controlling EQ frequency assigns Q (bandwidth) to that encoder.
• A Channel Encoder In switch toggles two-state parameters, such as turning an individual EQ Band on/off.

Channel Encoder Modes

The Channel Encoders operate in either Normal Mode or Channel Mode. The channel displays shows the current channel mode.

Normal Mode

In Normal Mode, each Channel Encoder controls the same parameter for every track on the channel strips. A line appears under the
attentioned track’s name in the display.

Kick 1 Snare 2 Hats 3

Pan Pan Pan
rw

Channel displays in Normal Mode, showing “Snare” as the attentioned track

Channel Mode

In Channel Mode, the 16 Channel Encoders control up to 16 different parameters for the attentioned track. In Channel Mode pa-
rameter names and value are highlight in each channel display. For the attentioned track, track name as well as parameter and value
are highlighted.

Kick 1 Snare 2 Hats 3

LF Q LF Gain
L

Channel displays in Channel Mode, showing “Snare” as the attentioned track

Channel Mode is useful for editing EQs and plug-ins that have many parameters.

Basic Channel Encoder Use

When S3 is first powered on, the Channel Encoders are in Normal Mode and Pan is assigned to the Channel Encoders by default.
Each Channel Encoder controls pan for its corresponding track on the strip.

To quickly access pan control on the Channel Encoders in Normal Mode:

 Press the Pan Channel Encoder Assignment switch.

To enable Channel Mode:

1 Press a Channel Sel switch to attention that track, then press SHIFT + Flip.
2 Press the desired channel Encoder Assignment switch
3 To exit Channel Mode, press Shift + Flip again.

Pressing the EQ Channel Encoder Assign Switch automatically enables Channel Mode as well.

S3 Surface Controls Overview 19

Channel Encoder Assignment Switches
The Channel Encoder Assignment switches assign sets of adjustable parameters, called Knob Sets, to the Channel Encoders. A
Knob Set is an array of controls used by EuControl-compatible applications to control plug-ins, EQs, dynamics, aux sends, and
other processing functions using the controls on the S3. Some of these Knob Sets also have sub-menus.

One of the switches is always selected, and the associated parameters are assigned to the Channel Encoders until another Channel
Encoder Assignment switch is pressed. When S3 is first powered on, Pan is selected by default.

Input Gain HPF EQ

Dyn Mix
Comp Pan
Insert Pan

Group Channel
Aux Flip
Aux Flip

Channel Encoder Assign switches

The labels next to each Channel Encoder Assignment switch indicate the parameters that can be assigned to the Channel Encoders.
The text in white represents a switch’s primary function, and the text in black represents a switch’s secondary function. Secondary
functions are accessed by pressing and holding the Surface SHIFT switch (see Surface SHIFT) then pressing the desired Channel
Navigation switch.

Dyn
Comp
Insert

Primary function (Insert) and the secondary function (Dyn)

The text on the switch itself indicates the parameter that can be assigned to the Channel Encoders when using S3 as part on
an S3L live system.

The following switches are provided:

Input Assigns hardware input parameters such as input routing, mic gains, phantom power, and other application-specific param-
eters to the Channel Encoders.

Use the Audio Control Encoders to control the S3’s built-in I/O. See S3 Audio I/O for more information.

Insert Assigns the top-level Insert Knob Set to the Channel Encoders. When Insert is pressed, in each channel display for all cur-
rently banked tracks the first insert slot (a) is shown, or a plug-in is shown if one is inserted. Pressing a Channel Encoder under the
display showing the plug-in you want to adjust enables Channel Mode on the Channel Encoders, and the Knob Set for the selected
plug-in is assigned to the 16 Channel Encoders for editing.

In the Insert Knob Set, parameters are mapped to the Channel Encoders according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Pa-
rameter mapping can vary between plug-ins, even of the same type.

 Press the Page > Channel Encoder Navigation switch to access the next plug-in.
 Press the Back Channel Encoder Navigation Switch to return to the Channel Encoders to the top-level Inserts Knob Set. Or, you

can simply press another Channel Encoder Assignment switch to navigate directly to another Knob Set.

Dyn Assigns the top-level Dynamics Knob Set to the Channel Encoders. Operation is similar to the Inserts Knob Set, except only
the first inserted Dynamics plug-in on the channel is displayed and accessed.

In the Dyn Knob Set, parameter mappings to the Channel Encoders are standardized across dynamics plug-ins. For example,
the threshold controls for two compressor plug-ins from different manufacturers appear on the same encoder.

S3 Surface Controls Overview 20

Aux Assigns sends on the Channel Encoders.

 In Normal Mode, the first send is displayed, and pressing the Page > Channel Encoder Navigation switch assigns the next set
of sends to the encoders.
 In Channel Mode, up to 16 sends for the currently selected channel can be accessed at once.

Group Displays the Group Knob Set to configure group or control group (VCA) membership.

 In Normal Mode, the first group is displayed, and pressing the Page > Channel Encoder Navigation switch displays the next
group if applicable.
 In Channel Mode, up to 16 groups for the currently selected channel can be accessed at once.

EQ Assigns the top-level EQ Knob Set to the Channel Encoders. Operation is similar to the Inserts Knob Set, except only the first
inserted EQ plug-in on the channel is displayed and accessed.

In the EQ Knob Set, parameter mappings to the Channel Encoders are standardized across EQ plug-ins. For example, high
band gain controls for two EQ plug-ins from different manufacturers appear on the same encoder.

Pan Displays the Pan Knob Set to configure stereo or surround panning. Pan controls are not available for tracks with mono or no
output path assignments.

Mix (Surface SHIFT + Pan/Mix) Displays the Mix Knob Set to configure track output routing.

Flip Toggles what is currently assigned to the knobs (such as pan or send parameters) to the faders. A vertical double arrow appears
in the channel strip display when the faders and knobs are flipped. Press Flip again to toggle the faders and knobs back to normal.
You can use Flip mode with Aux sends, for example, to quickly set up headphone mixes using the faders.

Pan 1

Kick
rw
Flip indicator in OLED display

Channel (Surface SHIFT + Flip/Channel) Toggles the Channel Encoders between Normal Mode (unlit Channel switch) and
Channel Mode (lit Channel switch). In Normal Mode, the attentioned track name is underlined to show which track’s parameters
will be expanded in Channel Mode.

Channel Encoder Navigation Switches

Since a Knob Set may have more parameters than encoders, use these switches to navigate through available parameters.

Top Source
Back

Page Page

Channel Navigation Switches

Back Returns to the previous Knob Set. Press Back repeatedly to back out of all sub-menus and display the top of the current Knob
Set.

Source Shows the input sources for the currently banked channels in the channel strip displays.

< Page, Page > Assigns the previous or next set of parameters to the Channel Encoders. The switches light when there is a previ-
ous or next set to go to. For example, if Send A is assigned to the Channel Encoders, pressing Page > assigns Send B to the Channel
Encoders.

S3 Surface Controls Overview 21

Fader Banking Controls
Bank tracks to the channel strips using the Bank and Nudge switches. Home and End are shortcuts to the first and last banks, re-
spectively.

Mixer Close
Nudge Nudge

Home End
Bank Bank

Fader Navigation controls

Bank and Nudge

The Bank and Nudge switches change which tracks are assigned to the channel strips, as follows:

< Nudge Banks tracks one track to the left. If tracks 2–17 were banked to channel strips 1–16, pressing < Nudge once banks tracks
1–16 to strips 1–16. Pressing < Nudge again banks tracks 1–15 to strips 2–16.

Nudge > Banks tracks one track to the right. If tracks 1–16 were banked to channel strips 1–16, tracks 2–17 are now banked to strips
1–16.

< Bank Banks 16 tracks to the left. If tracks 17–32 were banked to strips 1–16, pressing < Bank banks tracks 1–16 to strips 1–16.
Pressing the switch again does nothing because the first bank is already shown.

Bank > Banks 16 tracks to the right. If tracks 1–16 were banked to strips 1–16, tracks 17–32 are now banked to strips 1–16.

Mixer and Close

Not all applications support these switches.

Mixer (Surface SHIFT+ < Nudge/Mixer) Toggles Mix and Edit windows in Pro Tools.

Close (SHIFT + Nudge >/Close) Closes any open window in the application.

Home and End

Home (Surface SHIFT + < Bank/Home) Banks tracks 1–16 to the channel strips.

End (Surface SHIFT + Bank >/End) Banks the last set of tracks to the strips.

S3 Surface Controls Overview 22

Left Control

A E

B F

C Multi
Assign

D OK

User Cancel

Left Control

Switches A–F
By default, these switches let you recall custom fader banks and layouts, as created and stored using the Layouts and Assign tabs
of the EuControl Settings application. You can recall up to 12 custom fader layouts using switches A–F. A–F recall mixer layouts
1–6. The Shift layer (Surface SHIFT + Bank A–F) recalls layouts 7–12. See Storing and Recalling Custom Layouts for more
information.

You can also customize these switches in EuControl. See Soft Keys for more information.

OK and Cancel Switches

Multi Assign Performs the Do to Selected command. For example, use this to create a send or insert a plug-in on all selected tracks.
See Assigning Sends for an example.

Pressing and holding Surface SHIFT + Multi Assign performs the Do to All command. Use this to create a send or insert a
plug-in on all tracks in the session.

OK Confirms and closes dialogs, and is the equivalent of pressing the Enter key on a computer keyboard.

Cancel Closes dialogs without making any changes, and is the equivalent of pressing the Escape key on a computer keyboard.

User Saves the current session.

To save the current session:

1 Press User.
2 Press User again to confirm, or press Cancel to not save.

S3 Surface Controls Overview 23

Channel Control
The top row of 16 encoders and associated navigation switches is called Channel Control. Channel Control lets you adjust a variety
of parameters for the currently attentioned track. Channel Control and the bottom-row Channel Encoders operate independently,
so you can adjust two sets of parameters for a single channel. You can also access controls for the S3’s built-in I/O using Channel
Control (see S3 Audio I/O for more information).

Each Channel Control Encoder features a corresponding display, a select (Sel) switch, an In switch, and a color-by-function LED.
Four Channel Control Navigation switches are provided for navigating through parameters.

Kick 1

Inserts Input Dyn EQ Sends Pan Groups Mix

Top Config
Back

Expnd Page
Page

Channel Control showing the top-level Channel Control Knob Set (I/O controls are hidden)

Channel Control Navigation Switches (Left)

These switches let you navigate through the available pages of Channel Control parameters. An In (enable/bypass) switch is also
provided.

Top In
Back

Page Expnd
Page

Channel Control Navigation switches

The following switches are provided:

Back/Top Backs out of the currently assigned Knob Set.

Surface SHIFT + Back/Top returns Channel Control to the top-level Channel Control Knob Set.

In Toggles in/out whatever is assigned to the Channel Control Encoders, such as sends and plug-ins. A lit switch indicates that the
send or plug-in is in.

< Page, Page > Assigns the previous or next page of parameters. These switches light when there is a previous or next set to go to.

S3 Surface Controls Overview 24

Channel Control Navigation Switches (Right)
These switches provide access to Config mode and the controls for the built-in I/O in Channel Control.

Top Config
Back

Expnd Page
Page

Config switch and I/O Controls

Config Enables Config mode on the Channel Control Encoders, letting you assign plug-ins to tracks, and assign track and send in-
put and output paths. See Routing Track Input/Output and Assigning Plug-Ins for more information.

< Page, Page > Lets you show/hide the Audio Control (controls for the built-in I/O) on the Channel Control Encoders when
pressed simultaneously. I/O controls are hidden by default. See Accessing Audio Control on the S3 for more information.

Basic Channel Control Use

When S3 is first connected to a session in your DAW, the top-level Knob Set for the currently selected channel is shown in the
Channel Control displays. The types of parameters that can be spilled to the Channel Control Encoders vary depending on the type
of channel selected (audio track, instrument track, etc.).

To adjust parameters using Channel Control:

1 Select a track. If multiple channels are selected, the last selected track is the attentioned track, and is the targeted channel for any
changes made in Channel Control. The name of the attentioned track and its track number is shown in the leftmost Channel Con-
trol display.

Attentioned track

Kick 1

Inserts Input Dyn EQ Sends Pan Groups Mix

Channel Control top-level Knob Set, showing the attentioned track in the leftmost display

2 Press a Channel Control Encoder under the display showing the parameters you want to adjust. For example, to adjust an EQ
plug-in inserted on the currently selected channel, press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing EQ.
The parameters are spilled across the top 16 encoders, and the LEDs light to reflect the currently assigned function.
3 To go to a different Knob Set, press the Back Channel Control Navigation switch to return to the top-level Knob Set, then press
another Channel Control Encoder.

Channel Control LED Color-Coding

Channel Control LEDs are color-coded by function, as follows:
Channel Control Functions and Corresponding LED Colors
Function Color Function Color

Insert Turquoise (blue/green) Sends Yellow

Input Red Pan Blue

Dyn Green Groups Orange

EQ Purple Mix Amber

S3 Surface Controls Overview 25

View and Arrow Switches
By default, these switches provide recall of Memory Locations, and zoom controls. You can also customize these switches in Eu-
Control. See Soft Keys for more information.

View 1 View 2

Window Navigation controls

View 1 and View 2 Recall Memory Locations 1 and 2 respectively. If no Memory Locations exist, these switches do nothing.

▲ ▼ Adjust vertical zoom (track height) of all tracks in the Timeline display of the Edit window.

◄ ► Adjust horizontal zoom (zoom in/out) of all tracks in the Timeline display of the Edit window.

Application/Workstation Switch
This switch lets you cycle through the available applications and workstations.

Application/Workstation switch

Application Toggles between the two most recently used open applications. Hold down Application and press Bank > to cycle
through all open applications. Hold down the Application key and press < Bank to cycle through applications in the opposite di-
rection.

Workstation (Surface SHIFT + Application/Workstation) Attaches the S3 to another workstation, where applicable. S3 can con-
trol applications running on a second computer, referred to in this guide as a workstation. You must first use EuControl to create
a list of workstations that this key switches between. See Workstations for more information.

Solo Clear and Mix to Monitors Switches

Solo Mix to
Clear Mons

Solo Clear and Mix to Monitors switches

These switches provide the following functions:

Solo Clear Clears any currently soloed channels.

Mix to Mons Is not currently implemented for DAW use.

S3 Surface Controls Overview 26

Right Control
By default, switches F1–F8 (F9–F16) provide control over the automation mode for one or more selected tracks in two banks of
switches. For more information on working with automation on the S3, see Working with Automation.

You can also customize these switches in EuControl. See Soft Keys for more information.

1 2
9 10

3 4
11 12

5 6
13 14

7 8
15 16

9-16

Automation Controls

The following table shows the default function of each switch in this section.

Switch Automation Function Switch Automation Function

F1 Write F2 Read

F3 Touch F4 Automation Off

F5 Latch F6 Automation Match

F7 Trim F8 Automation Window

F9 Preview F10 Write to All/Selected

F11 Punch Preview F12 Write to Start

F13 Capture F14 Write to End

F15 Punch Capture F16 Write to Next

Toggles switches between banks Show Me Opens EuControl Settings > Soft Keys >
9–16
F1-F8 and F9-F16 (Eye Icon) Right Control section

To set the automation mode on a single track:

 Press and hold the Function switch for the desired Automation Mode, then select a channel.

To set the automation mode on multiple tracks:

1 Select multiple channels.
2 Press and hold Multi-Select/SHIFT+ ALT, then press the switch for the desired Automation Mode.

The Function Switch LED lights whenever its respective automation mode is selected. In certain automation modes such as Write,
the LED flashes.

S3 Surface Controls Overview 27

Surface SHIFT
Some switches have secondary functions, highlighted in gray above the primary function (such as < Bank/Home, where Home
is the secondary function). To access these secondary functions, use either of the two Surface SHIFT switches located at the
lower-left and lower-right sides of the console surface. SHIFT can be engaged momentarily or latched on.

SHIFT

Surface SHIFT switch

To engage Surface SHIFT momentarily:

 Press and hold the Surface SHIFT switch.

To latch SHIFT on:

 Press and release either Surface SHIFT switch. Surface SHIFT is lit when engaged; press either Surface SHIFT switch to un-

latch.

Modifier Switches
The Modifier switches provide frequently used shortcuts that can be applied to console actions and software screen interactions. In
Pro Tools, these switches duplicate the function of the Pro Tools computer keyboard modifiers.

Multi Select Default Fine

Command
SHIFT ALT CTRL

Global Modifier switches

Multi Select/SHIFT Duplicates the function of the Shift key on the computer keyboard.

Default/ALT Duplicates the function or the Option key (Mac) or the Alt key (Windows) on the computer keyboard.

Fine/CTRL Duplicates the function of the Control key (Mac) or the Windows key (or Start) on the computer keyboard.

Command Duplicates the function of the Command key (Mac) or the Control key (Windows) on the computer keyboard.

Touchstrip
By default, the four Touch strip Zones provide transport controls. You can also customize these switches in EuControl. See
Soft Keys for more information.

1 2 3 4

Transport controls

To use the Transport:

1 Press and hold Surface SHIFT.
2 Press the following Zones for the various transport functions:

1 (Rewind) Rewinds until released.

2 (Fast Forward) Fast forwards until released.

3 (Play/Stop) Engages play when the transport is stopped; stops the transport when play is engaged.

4 (Record Arm) Arms the transport for recording.

S3 Surface Controls Overview 28

 Using S3 with Pro Tools

This section provides information on the latest Appset functionality when using S3 with the latest version of Pro Tools. If you have
updated from a previous version of Pro Tools, see Installing Appsets for EuControl Products.

You can also watch video tutorials for Dock, S3, and other EuControl products on YouTube:
Get Started Fast with Pro Tools | S3 and Dock

Track Basics
This section shows how to select, attention, and route tracks to outputs.

Selecting and Attentioning Tracks

You can select and attention tracks using channel Sel switches. You can use the Modifier switches to select multiple channels.
When multiple channels are selected, the last selected track is the attentioned track.

To select a track:

 Press any channel Sel switch. The track is selected in Pro Tools, and that track is attentioned on the S3.

Solo

Mute

12

Sel
6
Kick 1 Snare 2
0

A
5
Pan Pan
Rec

10
rw
20

+20/Clip 30
+15
+9
+3
40
0
-3 60
-9
-15
-21
-30

Channel Sel switch (left) and a channel display showing that the corresponding track is attentioned (right)

To select all tracks:

 Hold the Default/ALT Modifier switch and press any unlit channel Sel switch.

To deselect a track:

 Hold Command and press a lit channel Sel switch.

To deselect all selected tracks:

 Hold Default/ALT switch and press any lit channel Sel switch.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 29

To select a range of tracks (multi-select):

1 Press the first track’s channel Sel switch (usually the leftmost track you want to include in the selection).
2 Hold Multi Select/SHIFT and press Sel on the last (right-most) track. All tracks between the two are selected.

To select non-adjacent tracks (add to a selection):

1 Press the channel Sel switch to select any track.
2 Hold Command and press an unlit channel Sel switch.

Multi Select Default Fine

Command
SHIFT ALT CTRL

Modifier switches

Adjusting Track Volume and Pan

v

To adjust track volume:

 Adjust the fader for that track.

To adjust track pan:

1 If unlit, press Pan so that it stays lit.

Input Gain HPF EQ

Dyn Mix
Comp Pan
Insert Pan

Group Channel
Aux Flip
Aux Flip

2 Rotate the encoder below the name of the track you want to pan. Stereo tracks default to left pan.
3 To adjust right side pan on stereo tracks, press the lit Page > Channel Encoder Navigation switch and rotate the encoder for the
desired track. The display shows R Pan above stereo tracks and the < Page key lights.
4 To return to left side pan, press the lit < Page switch.

Top Source
Back

Page Page

To reset pan to 0 (center):

1 If unlit, press Pan so that it stays lit.

2 Press the Channel Encoder below the name of the track you want to reset to center.

The standard Pro Tools modifier for parameter reset by holding Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows) can also be used to reset con-
trols. For example, holding Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows) and touching a fader resets the fader to 0/unity.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 30

Surround Panning on S3

Use the Channel Encoders or Channel Control to control multichannel pan parameters.

To pan in surround using the Channel Encoders:

1 Select a track assigned to a multichannel output path (such as a 5.1 or 7.1 output path).
2 Press Pan. The first Multichannel pan parameters such as Front Left/Right (for 5.1 outputs) appear on the Channel Encoders.
3 Press the lit Page > switch to show other available pan parameters.
4 Rotate an Encoder to adjust the selected parameter.
5 To reset a parameter to its default setting, press the Encoder for that parameter.

To pan in surround using Channel Control:

1 Select a track assigned to a multichannel output path (such as a 5.1 or 7.1 output path).
2 Press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing Pan. Multichannel pan parameters appear across
Channel Control.

Pan Knob Mapping for Surround

(Requires Pro Tools 12.7.1 or higher)

Pan knob mapping has been improved to make the location of parameters more intuitive.
• Rear position is now available from the same knob as Front (see L/R Rear via L/R Front + Sel).
• You can now link the Front and Rear positions (see Link F/R).

L/R Rear via L/R Front + Sel

When the L or R Front parameter is mapped to a knob, press that knob’s Sel switch to reassign the knob to the corresponding chan-
nel’s Rear parameter. For example, when L Front is displayed on an encoder pressing that encoder’s Sel switch maps L Rear to that
encoder. Press the lit Sel switch again (it becomes unlit) to return the encoder to L Front.

Link F/R

You can link the Front and Rear pan positions.

• When linked, Rear position follows Front position; if you pan that channel front-to-back while linked, it pans vertically. Au-
tomation is written to both front and rear L and R knobs.
• When unlinked, panning the same channel front-to-back will follow the trajectory between the current front position
(left-to-right) and the current rear position (left-to-right).

To link Front and Rear:

1 Attention a mono or stereo track assigned to a multichannel output, and make sure Pan is assigned to an encoder for the atten-
tioned track. If you are using the Control app, tap to go to Channel View and then select Pan from the Function selector.
2 Press the In switch next to the encoder assigned to Front or Rear (if the track is mono) or L (or R) Front or Rear if stereo.
3 When linked (In switch lit), adjusting the F/R (front/rear) parameter pans the channel front-to-back vertically. Any offset be-
tween front and rear is ignored.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 31

Record Enabling Tracks
This section explains how to use track and deck record enable commands.

To record enable a track:

 Press the channel Rec switch. The switch flashes red.

You can swap the primary and SHIFT functions of the Rec/A switch in the General tab of EuControl Settings.

To record enable additional tracks:

 Hold SHIFT/Multi Select and press additional channel Rec switches.

You can set Pro Tools Preferences for latching record enable, so you don’t have to hold the Shift key to record enable additional
tracks. For more information, see the Pro Tools Reference Guide.

To record enable all tracks:

 Hold Alt then press a channel Rec switch.

To use the Touchstrip to control the transport for recording:

1 Press Surface SHIFT + Touch Strip Zone 4 to arm the transport. The Record icon in Pro Tools flashes red.
2 Press Surface SHIFT + Touch Strip Zone 3 to commence recording.
3 To stop recording, press Surface SHIFT + Touch Strip Zone 3 again.
4 To disarm the transport, press Surface SHIFT + Touch Strip Zone 4.

Flipping Encoder Parameters to Faders

S3 lets you “flip” parameters mapped to the Channel Encoders to the faders and the track level control to the Channel Encoder. The
following example shows how to flip pan to faders. Flip also works with sends and plug-ins.

To flip pan to faders:

1 Select a track.
2 Press Pan.
3 Press Flip.
4 Adjust a fader to adjust pan for the corresponding track. Adjust the Channel Encoder to adjust track level.
5 Press Flip again to flip parameters back to the Channel Encoders.

If your system also includes a Dock, note that the Dock fader does not flip.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 32

Routing Track Input/Output
You can route track I/O using the Channel Encoders or Channel Control.

Using the Channel Encoders

To route track input or output using the Channel Encoders:

1 Select a track. If several tracks are selected, make sure the track you want to adjust is attentioned.
2 Do either of the following:
• To assign track input, press Input.
• To assign track output, press Surface SHIFT + Pan/Mix.

Input EQ Input Gain HPF EQ

Gain HPF

Dyn Mix Dyn Mix

Insert
Comp Pan
Pan SHIFT + Insert
Comp Pan
Pan

Group Channel Group Channel

Aux Flip Aux Flip
Aux Flip Aux Flip

Input Switch Press Surface SHIFT (left) plus Pan/Mix (right)

The channel displays show the current input or output assignments for the banked tracks.

Kick 1 Snare 2 Hats 3

Kick 1 Snare 2 Hats 3
no input no input no input no out no out no out

Current input assignments (left) and output assignments (right) in the channel displays

3 Press the Channel Encoder for the track you want to assign. Channel Mode is enabled, and the leftmost channel displays show
the available types of input sources (interface, bus, or plug-ins) or output destinations (output or bus) for the selected track.

Kick 1 Snare 2 Hats 3 Kick 1 Snare 2 Hats 3

interface plug-ins
p output

Input types for the selected track in the channel displays Output types for the selected track in the channel displays

4 Under the display showing the desired input or output type, rotate the corresponding Channel Encoder until the desired input or
output appears in the display.
5 Press the corresponding Channel Encoder In switch to assign the selected input or output. A lit Channel Encoder In switch in-
dicates assignment.
6 To reassign, rotate the Channel Encoder until the desired input or output appears and press the Channel Encoder In switch.
7 To exit assign mode, press Surface SHIFT + Flip/Channel.

A track can be assigned to multiple outputs. See Multiple Output Path Assignments.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 33

Using Channel Control

To route track input or track output using Channel Control:

1 Select a track. If several tracks are selected, make sure the track you want to adjust is attentioned.
2 Make sure the top-level Channel Control Knob Set is displayed. Press the Back Channel Control Navigation switch until it is
displayed.

Kick 1

Inserts Input Dyn EQ Sends Pan Groups Mix

Channel Control top-level Knob Set

3 Do either of the following:

• To assign track input, press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing Input.
• To assign track output, press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing Mix.

A Channel Control display shows the current input or output assignment for the selected track.

Kick 1

no input

Channel Control display showing current input assignment (no input) for the attentioned track

4 Press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing the current assignment. The leftmost Channel Control displays
show the available types of input sources (interface, bus, or plug-ins) or output destinations (output or bus) for the selected
track.

Kick 1

interface nobus
input plug-in

Channel Controls displays showing available input types

5 Rotate the Channel Control Encoder under the display until the desired input or output appears in the display.
6 Press the corresponding Channel Control Encoder In switch to assign the selected input or output. A lit Channel Encoder In
switch indicates assignment.
7 To reassign, rotate the Channel Control Encoder until the desired input or output appears and press the Channel Encoder In
switch.
8 To exit assign mode, press Surface SHIFT + Flip/Channel.

To assign a track to multiple outputs, see Multiple Output Path Assignments.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 34

Multiple Output Path Assignments

You can assign a Pro Tools track to multiple output paths.

To assign another track output:

1 Repeat the previous instructions to assign a track output using the Channel Encoders or Channel Control.
2 Rotate the encoder to select the desired output type.
3 Press the corresponding Channel Encoder Sel switch to assign the selected output. The new assignment is added to the current
assignments, and is indicated by a lit Channel Encoder Sel switch. When a track has multiple output assignments, a plus (+) sign
appears next to the current track output assignment in the channel display (after exiting the Input Knob Set) and on-screen.

Kick 1

+Out 1-2

Channel display showing a track with multiple output assignments

4 To clear all other assignments and assign the currently selected output, rotate the encoder to the desired output and press the en-
coder In switch.

Banking Tracks
Bank tracks to the channel strips using the Bank, Nudge, Home, and End switches. You can also bank tracks to channel strips
using the Bank A–F switches by creating custom Layouts.

To bank tracks to fader strips:

1 Press the Bank > switch to bank the next set of 16 tracks. If tracks 1–16 were assigned to fader strips 1–16, tracks 17–24 are now
assigned to the 16 fader strips.
2 Press the Nudge > switch to bank tracks one channel to the right. If tracks 1–16 were assigned to fader strips 1–16, tracks 2–17
are now assigned to the 16 fader strips.
• Banking either to the left or right stops at track 1 on strip 1, or last track on last strip. For example, banking all the way to the
left stops at track 1 on strip 1.
• Nudging lets you move beyond the first or last track. For example, nudging repeatedly to the left lets you move track 1 onto
strip 8, with blank strips on faders 1–7.

Mixer Close
Nudge Nudge

Home End
Sel Bank Bank

Nudge and Bank switches

3 Press Home (Surface SHIFT + < Bank) to restore tracks 1–16 to the channel strips.
4 Press End (SHIFT + Bank >) to bank the last set of tracks to the channel strips.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 35

Storing and Recalling Custom Layouts
Layouts let you assign specific tracks to specific channel strips on the S3, and have those channel strips ignore banking and nudging
(ensuring that the specific tracks remain available for as long as the Layout is active). You can store Layouts using the Assign and
Layouts tabs of the EuControl Settings application. Once stored, you can then recall Layouts using the Bank switches A–F. Bank
switches A–F correspond to Layouts 1–6 respectively. Shift + A–F correspond to Layouts 7–12 respectively. Layouts are saved
with your Pro Tools session.

Creating a Default Layout

Before creating a custom Layout, we recommend saving one default “home” Layout so you can quickly return fader strips to stan-
dard banking.

To create a “home” Layout and save it to Bank switch A:

1 Launch Pro Tools (or another application) and open your session.
2 Click the EuControl icon on the taskbar (Mac) or the System tray (Windows), and select EuControl Settings to open the
EuControl Settings application.
3 Click the Assign tab and make sure Pro Tools (or your other targeted application) appears next to Application. The 16 S3 chan-
nel strips appear in the Strip column, and tracks assigned to each channel strip appear in the Assigned To column.

You can also press Surface SHIFT + a channel Sel switch to automatically open the Assign tab of EuControl Settings.

4 Make sure all strips say <auto assigned> in the Assigned To column. If any are not, click the displayed name in the Assigned
To column and choose <auto assigned>.

Assign tab sowing all Strips are auto-assigned

5 Click the Layouts tab, double-click the first layout in the list, type in a name, then press Enter.

Enter a name for a Layout

6 Making sure row 1 is still highlighted, click Store. You can recall your “home” Layout by pressing Bank switch A.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 36

Creating a Custom Layout
To create a custom Layout on Bank switch B:

1 Click the Layouts tab, double-click row 2, type in a name, and press Enter.
2 Be sure the Layout you have named is highlighted, then click the Assign tab.
3 Click in the Assigned To column and select a track from the pop-up to assign (lock) that track to the corresponding channel strip.
Repeat for each available strip.

Assigning a track to a channel strip

4 Return to the Layouts tab and click Store. The Layout is saved with your Pro Tools session.
5 On the S3, press Bank switch B to recall the first custom Layout.

Layouts and Banking/Nudging

Once you recall a Layout, banking or nudging only moves focus by the number of available (<auto assigned>) channel strips. For
example, if a Layout includes three tracks assigned to strips 1–12, pressing Bank > only banks four strips at a time (since only four
faders, 13–16, are <auto assigned> or “not locked” to a specific track). Note also that it is possible to end up with one track appear-
ing on and being controllable by more than one strip. In this case, changes made to one strip are reflected in the other.

Layouts and VCA Spill

By default, if you spill a VCA while a Layout is recalled, the spilled VCA member tracks overwrite tracks from the Layout. Un-
spilling the VCA returns fader strips to their previous assignments from the Layout.

You can defeat this default behavior in the Preferences tab of EuControl Settings. When the VCA Spill Overrides Layouts setting
is disabled, member tracks of a spilled VCA can only spill to any <auto assigned> strips in the current Layout. If the current Lay-
out has explicitly assigned to all 16 S3 fader strips, no member tracks will be visible.

For more information, see VCA Spill and Layouts.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 37

Working with Track Groups
You can add and remove tracks to Pro Tools track Groups, and suspend or enable Groups using the Channel Encoders or Channel
Control on S3. Groups must be created in Pro Tools before they can be accessed and modified on the S3.

Using the Channel Encoders

To add or remove tracks from a Group using the Channel Encoders:
1 Press Surface SHIFT + Aux/Group.

Input Gain HPF EQ

SHIFT + Dyn
Comp Pan
Mix
Insert Pan

Group Channel
Aux Flip
Aux Flip

The display shows <All> above each encoder (or the letter designation of the last edited group). All tracks are members of the <All>
group by default.

Kick 1 Snare 2 Hats 3

!: <All> !: <All> !: <All>

2 Press the lit Page > Channel Encoder Navigation switch to show other available Groups across the display. As you navigate to
other Groups, Channel Encoder In switches light to indicate track membership in the currently displayed Group.
3 To add a track to the currently displayed Group, press the Channel Encoder under the displayed Group name. The corresponding
Channel Encoder In switch lights green showing that track is now a member of the currently displayed Group.
4 To remove a track from a Group, press the Channel Encoder again so that the Channel Encoder In switch is unlit.

To enable or suspend a track Group:

1 Press Surface SHIFT + Aux/Group. The display shows <All> in every fader display (or, the letter designation of the last edited
group).
2 Press the lit Page > switches to show other available Groups across the display. As you navigate to other Groups, the Channel
Encoder Sel switches (in the encoder row) light to indicate an active (enabled) Group.
3 To enable a Group, press any unlit Channel Encoder Sel switch so it is lit.
4 To suspend a Group, press any lit Channel Encoder Sel switch so it is unlit.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 38

Using Channel Control
To work with track Groups using Channel Control:

1 Select a track, and make sure it is attentioned.

2 From the Channel Control top-level Knob Set, press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing Groups. The
Channel Control displays show the available Groups.

If the top-level Channel Control Knob Set is not shown, press the Back Channel Control Navigation switch until it is shown.

Kick 1

Inserts Input Dyn EQ Sends Pan Groups Mix

3 To add the track to a Group, press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing the desired Group so the correspond-
ing Encoder In switch is lit.
• To remove the track, press the Channel Control Encoder so the In switch is unlit.
4 To enable a Group, press any unlit Channel Control Encoder Sel switch so that it is lit.
• To suspend a Group, press any lit Channel Encoder Sel switch.
5 To edit another track’s Group properties without returning to the top-level Channel Control Knob Set, just select the channel.

Working with VCAs

VCA Spill lets the you quickly access (spill) only those channels assigned to the selected VCA Master track to the S3 channel strips.
S3 provides two VCA Spill modes, Single-Master mode and Multi-Master mode.

Mix groups are assigned to VCA Master tracks in Pro Tools. See Pro Tools Help for instructions on creating VCA Masters.

Spilling VCAs in Single-Master Mode

In Single-Master mode, spilling a VCA Master spills the VCA’s member tracks and the VCA Master track to the channel strips.

To spill a VCA Master track in Single-Master mode:

1 Bank a VCA Master to the channel strips.
2 Double-press the Sel switch on a VCA Master track.
VCA members 1–15 are spilled to channels 1-15 on the control surface, and channel LEDs light solid dark green.
The VCA Master is assigned to channel 16 on the control surface, and the corresponding channel LED lights solid dark green.
The VCA Master remains on that channel strip while VCA Spill is active.

If your system include a Pro Tools | Dock, the VCA Master can also be assigned to the Dock fader strip. For more information
see S3 VCA Spill.

3 If the VCA has more than 15 members, do either of the followings:

• Press Bank > or < Bank to access the next or previous bank of channels.
• Press Nudge > or < Nudge to advance or return one track at a time.
4 To exit VCA Spill, double-press the Sel switch on VCA Master track (channel 16). The previous track assignments are restored
to the channel strips.
– or –
• Press a switch, such as a Bank A–F switch, that is assigned to recall a custom Layout.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 39

Spilling VCAs in Multi-Master Mode
In Multi-Master mode, 8 or 12 VCA member tracks can be spilled to the surface while 8 or 4 VCA Masters are assigned to their
own “spill zone.” This lets you have access to multiple VCA Masters and a selected VCA’s member tracks simultaneously. Once
spilled, members and masters can be banked within their zones independently.

EuControl provides a preference setting that lets you set the number of channel strips VCA member tracks are spilled to in
Multi-Master mode.

To set the size of the Multi-Master mode VCA Spill Zone:

1 Click the EuControl icon on the taskbar (Mac) or the System tray (Windows), and select EuControl Settings to open the
EuControl Settings application.
2 Click Preferences, and under Multi-Master Mode in the S3 VCA Spill section, select one of the following:

Assign VCA Masters to Channel Strips 9–16 When selected, up to eight VCA Masters are assigned to S3 channel strips 9–16.
Members of the selected VCA Master are spilled to channel strips 1–8 in banks of eight channels.

Assign VCA Masters to Channel Strips 13–16 When selected, up to four VCA Masters are assigned to S3 channel strips 13–16
(you can nudge to bring VCA Masters 5–8, if present, to channel strips 13–16). Members of the selected VCA Master are spilled
to channel strips 1–12 in banks of 12 channels.

To spill a VCA Master track in Multi-Master mode:

1 Press the < Bank and Bank > switches simultaneously.
Bank switch LEDs light green to indicate Multi-Mode is active.
Channel strips 1–8 or 1–12 show the first eight or twelve tracks of the current session, depending on the S3 VCA
Spill/Multi-Master Mode preference setting.
Channel strips 9–16 or 13–16 show VCA Masters, depending on the S3 VCA Spill/Multi-Master Mode preference setting, and
their channel strip LEDs light solid green.
2 To spill, double-press a VCA Master Sel switch.
VCA Members 1–8 or 1–12 are spilled to channels strips 1–8 or 1–12.
VCA Masters are assigned to channel strips 9–16 or 13–16, and the spilled VCA Master channel LED flash green.
3 To bank to the next or previous bank of the currently spilled VCA members, press Bank > or < Bank.
4 To access additional VCA Masters, press Nudge > or < Nudge.
5 To exit Multi-Master mode, press the < Bank and Bank > switches simultaneously. The previous track assignments are restored
to the channel strips.
– or –
• Press a switch, such as a Bank A–F switch, that is assigned to recall a custom Layout.

Recalling the Last Spilled VCA

You can quickly recall the last spilled VCA without having to bank through channels to find it.

To recall the last spilled VCA:

1 Press < Nudge and Nudge > simultaneously.
The last-spilled VCA and its member tracks are spilled to the S3 channels strips.
2 To exit VCA Spill, press < Nudge and Nudge > simultaneously. The previous track assignments are restored to the channel
strips.
– or –
• Double-press the Sel switch on the VCA Master track (channel 16).

VCA Spill and Layouts

By default, VCA Spill overrides Layouts. For more information, see VCA Spill Overrides Layout.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 40

Working with Plug-Ins
You can assign plug-ins to tracks using Channel Control, and adjust them using the Channel Encoders or Channel Control.

Assigning Plug-Ins
Assign plug-ins to tracks using Channel Control and the Config switch. You can also Auto-Insert Default EQ/Dyn plug-ins.

To assign a plug-in to a track using Channel Control:

1 Select a track, and make sure it is attentioned.
2 From the Channel Control top-level Knob Set, press the Inserts Channel Control Encoder.

Kick 1

Inserts Input Dyn EQ Sends Pan Groups Mix

The Channel Control displays now show the available Inserts slots. If no plug-in is inserted in a slot, the slot letter appears in
lower-case (a, b, c, and so on) in the corresponding display. If a plug-in is inserted in a slot, the name of the plug-in is shown in
the corresponding display. Plug-in names are abbreviated as necessary.

If the top-level Channel Control Knob Set is not shown, press the Back Channel Control Navigation switch until it is shown.

3 Press the Config switch so it is lit. CFG appears in each Channel Control display.

Kick 1

EQ37-Bnd
CFG
Dyn3CmpL
CFG
c
CFG

Insert slots a–c (left-to-right) in Config mode in Channel Control

4 Press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing the Inserts slot you want to populate.
5 Press the Encoder under the display showing Plug-In.
6 Press the Encoder under the display showing the plug-in type you want to insert, such as EQ, Dynamics, or Reverb.

Choices shown on your system will vary depending on which plug-ins you have installed, and the Pro Tools setting that or-
ganizes plug-ins by Category or Manufacturer.

7 Press the Encoder under the display showing the desired plug-in to assign the plug-in.

Auto-Insert Default EQ/Dyn

You can configure Pro Tools to automatically insert a default EQ or Dynamics plug-in.

To configure these settings in Pro Tools:

1 Choose Setup > Preferences and click to go to the Mixing tab.
2 In the Setup section, enable Auto Insert Default Plug-Ins from EUCON Surfaces, then choose default plug-ins from the Default
EQ and Default Dynamics selectors.

3 If desired, Specify the Slot to Auto Insert Plug-Ins

Using S3 with Pro Tools 41

To use Auto Insert Default Plug-Ins:
1 Select a track, and make sure it is attentioned.
2 From the Channel Control top-level Knob Set, press the Dyn or EQ Channel Control Encoder.
3 Press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing Add Dyn? or Add EQ?.
The corresponding default plug-in is automatically inserted into the first available slot, or the slot specified for auto-insert.

Specify the Slot to Auto Insert Plug-Ins

(Pro Tools 2018.1 or Higher)

You can designate a specific slot for Pro Tools to use when automatically inserting plug-ins using the Insert Slot selectors.

To designate the Insert Slot for auto-inserted EQ or Dynamics plug-ins:

1 In Pro Tools choose Setup > Preferences, then click the Mixing tab.
2 Make sure Auto Insert Default Plug-Ins from EUCON Surfaces is enabled.
3 Choose a default EQ and/or Dynamics plug-in from their selectors.
4 Use the Insert Slot selector to designate the slot (a–j) where you want the default plug-ins to be inserted when the EQ or Dyn
switch is pressed on a strip. If a plug-in is already inserted into the designated slot, Pro Tools uses the next available slot. Choose
<none> to have Pro Tools insert the default plug-in into the first available slot.

3
2

Pro Tools Preferences (Setup > Preferences), Mixing tab

5 Click OK to close Preferences.

The related setting in the Controllers section EUCON Surfaces EQ Dyn cycling Starting at Insert is currently for S6 only.

Adjusting Plug-Ins
Plug-Ins can be accessed and adjusting using the Channel Encoders and Channel Control. You can also access only EQ plug-ins
or only dynamics plug-ins. Plug-in parameter mapping to the Channel Encoders and the Channel Control Encoders depends on the
selected Knob Set, as follows:

Inserts Knob Set In the Inserts Knob Set, parameters are mapped according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Parameter map-
ping can vary between plug-ins, even of the same type.

EQ and Dyn Knob Sets In the EQ and Dyn Knob Sets, parameter mappings are standardized across types of plug-ins. For exam-
ple, the threshold controls for two compressor plug-ins from different manufacturers appear on the same encoder.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 42

Adjusting Plug-Ins Using the Channel Encoders

To adjust plug-ins on the Channel Encoders using the Inserts Knob Set:

1 Press Insert. Plug-ins assigned to first Inserts slots (a) for the currently banked channels are shown in the channel displays. If
no plug-in is inserted in that slot for the corresponding track, the Inserts slot letter is shown.

Input Gain HPF EQ

Kick 1 Snare 2 Hats 3

EQ3-7Bnd Dyn3CmpL a
Dyn Mix
Comp Pan
Insert Pan

Group Channel
Aux Flip
Aux Flip

Insert switch (left); Channel displays showing the first Inserts slots for tracks 1–3

2 Press the Channel Encoder under the display showing the plug-in you want to access. Channel mode is enabled on the Channel
Encoders, and the parameters for the selected plug-in on the attentioned track are spilled across the 16 Channel Encoders.

Kick 1 Snare 2 Hats 3

LF Q LF Gain
L

Channel displays in Channel Mode showing EQ parameters, with the attentioned track at the left (“Kick”)

3 Do any of the following to adjust parameters:

• Rotate the Channel Encoder below the desired parameter to adjust its value. To access Q (width) for an EQ band in EQ3, press
the encoder Sel switch below the desired Frequency, then rotate the encoder. Press Sel again to return to Frequency.
• Press the Channel Encoder In switch to toggle the corresponding parameter on/off, where applicable. For example, to switch
an EQ3 band between filter types (such as Peak and Shelf) press the In switch next to the encoder for the desired band Fre-
quency. To toggle an EQ band in/out, press the In switch next to the encoder for the desired band Gain.
• Press the Channel Encoder Sel switch to toggle a secondary parameter on the Channel Encoder, where applicable.
Additional parameters might be available with other plug-ins, so check with the manufacturer for more information.
4 Press the lit < Page > Channel Encoder Navigation switches to access more parameters.
5 Press the Back Channel Encoder Navigation switch to exit that plug-in and Channel mode.
6 Press the lit Page > Channel Encoder Navigation switch to access the next Inserts slots.

To adjust an EQ plug-in on the Channel Encoders using the EQ Knob Set:

1 Select a track, and make sure it is attentioned.
2 Press EQ. Channel mode is enabled on the Channel Encoders, and the parameters for the first EQ plug-in on the attentioned track
are spilled across the 16 Channel Encoders.
3 Press Pan to exit the plug-in and Channel mode.

To adjust a Dynamics plug-in on the Channel Encoders using the Dyn Knob Set:
1 Select a track, and make sure it is attentioned.
2 Press SHIFT + Inserts/Dyn. Channel mode is enabled on the Channel Encoders, and the parameters for the first dynamics
plug-in on the attentioned track are spilled across the 16 Channel Encoders.
3 Press Pan to exit the plug-in and Channel mode.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 43

Adjusting Plug-Ins Using Channel Control

To adjust plug-ins in Channel Control using the Inserts Knob Set:

1 Select a track and make sure it is attentioned.

2 Press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing Inserts. The Channel Control displays show the plug-ins that are
inserted on the attentioned track. If no plug-in is inserted in that slot, the Inserts slot letter is shown.

If the top-level Channel Control Knob Set is not shown, press the Back Channel Control Navigation switch until it is shown.

3 Press the Channel Encoder under the display showing the plug-in you want to access. The parameters for that plug-in are spilled
across the entire top row of 16 Channel Control Encoders.
4 Do any of the following to adjust parameters:
• Rotate the Channel Control Encoder below the desired parameter to adjust its value.
• Press the Channel Control Encoder In switch to toggle the corresponding parameter on/off, where applicable.
• Press the Channel Control Encoder Sel switch to toggle a secondary parameter on the Channel Encoder, where applicable.
• Press the In Channel Control Navigation switch to bypass the entire plug-in.
5 Press the lit < Page > Channel Control Encoder Navigation switches to access more parameters.
6 Press the Back Channel Control Encoder Navigation switch to exit that plug-in and return to the previous menu, or press
SHIFT + Back/Top to return to the top-level Channel Control Knob Set.

To adjust an EQ plug-in using the Channel Control EQ Knob Set:

1 Press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing EQ. The parameters for the first EQ plug-in are spilled across the
entire top row of 16 Channel Control Encoders.
2 Press the lit < Page > Channel Control Encoder Navigation switches to access more parameters.
3 Press the Back Channel Control Encoder Navigation switch to exit that plug-in and return to the previous menu, or press
SHIFT + Back/Top to return to the top-level Channel Control Knob Set.

To adjust a dynamics plug-in using the Channel Control Dyn Knob Set:
1 Press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing Dyn. The parameters for the first dynamics plug-in are spilled
across the entire top row of 16 Channel Control Encoders.
2 Press the lit < Page > Channel Control Encoder Navigation switches to access more parameters.
3 Press the Back Channel Control Encoder Navigation switch to exit that plug-in and return to the previous menu, or press
SHIFT + Back/Top to return to the top-level Channel Control Knob Set.

To bypass all plug-ins on a track:

1 Select a track.
2 Press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing Inserts.
3 Press the In Channel Control Navigation switch so it is unlit to bypass all the plug-ins for the selected track.

Top In
Kick 1
Back
EQ3-7Bnd Dyn3CmpL PrExpndr
Page Expnd
Page

Channel Control Navigation In switch

Using S3 with Pro Tools 44

Working with Sends
This section shows how you can assign and adjust Pro Tools sends.

Assigning Sends
Use Channel Control to assign sends. You can assign a send to multiple tracks at once using the Multi Assign switch (Do to Se-
lected and Do to All).

To assign sends using Channel Control:

1 Select one or more tracks.
2 From the Channel Control top-level Knob Set, press the Sends Channel Control Encoder.

Kick 1

Inserts Input Dyn EQ Sends Pan Groups Mix

The Channel Control displays now show available Sends slots a–j.

If the top-level Channel Control Knob Set is not shown, press the Back Channel Control Navigation switch until it is shown.

3 Press Config so it is lit. CFG appears in the Channel Control displays.

Kick 1

a
CFG
b
CFG
c
CFG

Sends top-level Knob Set in Config mode

4 Press a Channel Control Encoder under the display showing the send you want to assign. The leftmost Channel Control Encod-
ers now display the available send types (output or bus).

Kick 1

output
CFG
bus
CFG CFG

Available send types in Channel Control

5 Under the display showing the type of send you want to assign, rotate the Channel Control Encoder until the desired send ap-
pears in the display (such as Bus1-2).
6 To assign the same send to multiple selected tracks (Do to Selected), press Multi Assign so it is lit.
7 To assign the same send to all tracks in the session (Do to All), press and hold Surface SHIFT + Multi Assign.
8 Press the corresponding Channel Control Encoder In switch so it is lit to assign the send to the selected track(s).
9 Press Config so it is unlit to exit Config mode.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 45

Adjusting Sends
You can access and adjust sends using the Channel Encoders or Channel Control.

To access a send using the Channel Encoders:

1 Bank to the desired track.
2 Press the Aux Channel Encoder Assign switch. Send assignments in slot a are displayed in the Channel Encoder displays for the
currently banked channels.
3 To view other sends, press Page > until the desired sends are displayed (such as Bus 1–2).

To access sends using Channel Control:

1 Select a track.
2 From the top-level Channel Control Knob Set, press the Channel Control Encoder under the display showing Sends. The Chan-
nel Control displays show the send assignments for the send slots on that channel. If a send is not assigned in that slot for the
selected track, the Sends slot letter is shown.

To adjust send level:

 Rotate the encoder under the display showing the send you want to adjust.

To mute the send:

 Press the encoder In switch under the display showing the send you want to mute. When muted, the In switch is unlit; when the
send is on, the In switch is lit.

To mute all sends on a track:

 From the top-level Channel Control Knob Set, press the In switch under the displays showing Sends.
 Or, with Sends spilled to the Channel Control Encoders, press the Channel Control Navigation In switch.

To toggle the send between pre- and post-fader:

 Press the encoder Sel switch under the display showing the send you want to adjust. When the send is post-fader, the Sel switch
is unlit. When the send is pre-fader, the Sel switch is lit. Sends are post-fader by default.

To adjust send pan:

1 Press the encoder under the display showing the send you want to adjust. If the send is stereo, a single encoder will be mapped
to send pan (usually encoder eight). If the send is three or more channels (such as LCR, or a 5.1 send), additional send pan pa-
rameters become available in the encoders (such as divergence, center percentage, and other multichannel pan parameters).
2 Rotate the appropriate encoder.

Muting/Unmuting Sends

You can mute/unmute individual sends using the Channel Encoders and Channel Control.

To mute/unmute a send:
1 Bank to the desired track.
2 Using the Channel Encoders, do the following:
• Press Aux.
• Use the < Page and Page > keys to navigate the displays until the desired send is shown.
3 Using Channel Control, do the following:
• Select a track and make sure it is attentioned.
• Press the Sends Channel Control encoder.
4 Hold the Command + Control Modifier switches and press the encoder Sel switch for the desired send.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 46

Working with Automation
This section shows many of the ways you can control automation settings using the S3.

Selecting Track Automation Modes

You can select track Automation Modes using the channel strip REC/A (Auto) switches and the Function switches. The current Au-
tomation Mode is shown in the corresponding channel display on the S3, and on-screen.

You can swap the primary and SHIFT functions of the Rec/A switch in the General tab of EuControl Settings.

Using the REC/A Switches

REC/A (Surface SHIFT + Rec) lets you cycle through the following automation modes:

To select the automation mode using the REC/A switches:

1 Hold Surface SHIFT + REC/A on a track.
2 Press Surface SHIFT + REC/A again to cycle through the following automation modes
Automation Modes and Displayed Indication

Mode Display

Off (blank)

Read r

Touch t

Latch l

Touch-Latch tl

Write 2

Trim <mode>

3 To change the automation mode on all tracks, hold Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows) while pressing SHIFT + REC/A.
4 To change the automation mode on all selected tracks, hold Option + Shift (Mac) or Alt + Shift (Windows) while pressing
SHIFT+REC/A.

Rec Switch LED Automation Mode Indication

EuControl can be configured to use the Rec key (Rec/A on some units, and Rec/Auto on others) for Automation mode selection
as follows:
• In EuControl Settings > General, by enabling the Rec/Audo switch press changes automation modes... setting.
• Or when this setting is not enabled, by holding SHIFT and pressing the Rec/Auto switch.

When the Rec/Auto switch press changes automation modes.....setting is enabled, the Rec key controls track automation mode.
The Rec key LEDs are off when in Read or Off, light red when a track is in any Write mode, and flashes while writing automation.

When not enabled and using SHIFT+Rec/A, the Rec key LEDs also indicate automation mode but only for as long as SHIFT is
held down.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 47

Using the Function Switches

The following table shows the available automation modes on the Function switches.

Switch Automation Function Switch Automation Function

F1 Write F2 Read

F3 Touch F4 Automation Off

F5 Latch F6 Automation Match

F7 Trim F8 Automation Window

F9 Preview F10 Write to All/Selected

F11 Punch Preview F12 Write to Start

F13 Capture F14 Write to End

F15 Punch Capture F16 Write to Next

Toggles switches between banks Show Me Opens EuControl Settings > Soft Keys >
9–16
F1-F8 and F9-F16 (Eye Icon) Right Control section

To select the Automation Mode using the Function switches:

 Press and hold the Function switch for the desired Automation Mode, then select a channel.

To select the automation mode on multiple tracks using the Function switches:
1 Select multiple channels.
2 Press and hold Multi-Select/SHIFT+ ALT, then press the switch for the desired Automation Mode.

The Function Switch LED lights whenever its respective automation mode is enabled. In certain automation modes (such as Write)
the LED flashes.

Shortcuts to Display Automation Playlists

The following shortcuts let you quickly display the breakpoint automation playlist for a control by clicking it in combination with
modifier keys on your computer keyboard.

Waveform View

To show the waveform for a track in the Edit window:

 Hold Control + Command (Mac) or Control + Start (Windows) and press the channel Sel switch.

Track Volume View

To show volume automation for a track in the Edit window:

 Hold Command + Control (Mac) or Control + Start (Windows) and touch the track fader.

Track Pan View

To show track pan automation in the Edit window:

1 Press PAN to assign pan to the Channel Encoders.

2 Hold Control + Command (Mac) or Ctrl + Start (Windows) and touch the Pan encoder on a track.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 48

Send Level View

To show Send level automation in the Edit window:

1 Press AUX to assign sends to the Channel Encoders.

2 If necessary, press the Page > Channel Encoder Navigation switch until the desired Sends slot is displayed.
3 Hold Control + Command (Mac) or Ctrl + Start (Windows) and touch the Send encoder in the desired track.

Send Pan View

To show Send pan automation in the Edit window:

1 Press AUX to assign sends to the Channel Encoders.

2 If necessary, press the Page > Channel Encoder Navigation switch until the desired Sends slot is displayed.
3 Press the encoder for the desired send.
4 Hold Control + Command (Mac) or Ctrl + Start (Windows) and touch the Send pan encoder on a track.

Plug-In Automation
Plug-In Parameters can be enabled for automation from the S3.

Pro Tools provides a preference setting for newly inserted plug-ins to default to all parameters enabled for automation. Go to
Pro Tools > Preferences > Mixing, and under Automation, select Plug-In Controls Default to Auto-Enabled.

Enabling All Plug-in Parameters for Automation

To enable all plug-in controls for automation on Artist Mix:

1 Press INSERT.
2 If necessary, press the Page > Channel Encoder Navigation switch until the desired Inserts slot is displayed.
3 Hold Control + Command + Option (Mac) or Control + Start + Alt (Windows) and press the Channel Encoder In switch under
the display showing the plug-in for which you want to enable automation.

Enabling an Individual Plug-In Parameter for Automation

To enable automation for a plug-in parameter:

1 Press INSERT.
2 If necessary, press the Page > Channel Encoder Navigation switch until the desired Inserts slot is displayed, and press the Chan-
nel Encoder under the display showing the plug-in you want to access.
3 If necessary, press the Page > Channel Encoder Navigation switch until the desired parameter is displayed.
4 Hold Control + Command + Option (Mac) or Control + Start + Alt (Windows) and do one of the following:
• For a continuous plug-in parameter such as a level control, touch the encoder for the desired parameter.
– or –
• For a switch-type parameter such as an In/Out switch, press the Channel Encoder In switch for the desired parameter.

Suspending the Faders

You can suspend the faders so they do not follow any underlying automation for quieter operation during editing or mixdown. This
does not affect automation, it merely parks the faders so they do not move during playback. To access the Suspend Faders feature,
use the Soft Keys Editor to define a Soft Key for Faders Off (in the Global menu of EUCON commands for Pro Tools).

Previously, Suspend Faders was available by holding surface Shift and pressing Solo on S3 fader strip 1. This was removed to pre-
vent it from restricting other actions while Shift was latched on.

Using S3 with Pro Tools 49

S3 Audio I/O

This chapter shows how to use the built-in audio I/O on the S3, including:

• Enabling S3 Audio on the Workstation Computer • Connecting and Adjusting Outputs

• Direct Out Mode • Connecting Hardware Inserts
• S3 Audio Connections Overview • Connecting and Adjusting Headphones
• Accessing Audio Control on the S3 • Saving S3 Monitor Settings
• Connecting and Adjusting Inputs

Enabling S3 Audio on the Workstation Computer

To use the audio I/O on your S3 with your workstation computer, you must first enable the audio connection on the workstation
computer. This connection only needs to be enabled the first time you connect the S3 to a particular computer.

At the time of this writing, using S3 as an AVB audio interface is only supported on Mac.

To enable S3 audio on your workstation computer:

1 Connect S3 to your workstation computer.

2 Power on S3, and make sure the S3 is in Studio mode (see Toggling Studio and Live Modes for more information).
3 Power on your workstation computer.
4 On your computer, go to Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup and from the Window menu, choose Show Network De-
vice Browser.

5 Click the checkbox next to Avid S3. If more than one device appears and both are checked, deselect the other device. Once
checked, the S3 appears in the list of available audio devices in the Audio Devices Window of the Audio MIDI Setup.

S3 Surface shown in the Network Device Browser (left) and the Audio Devices Window (right) of the Audio MIDI Setup

6 Launch Pro Tools, and from the Setup menu choose Playback Engine.

For other DAWs, see the documentation for the application to configure its I/O settings.

7 From the Playback Engine pop-up, choose Avid S3:AVB.

Choosing the S3 as the Playback Engine for Pro Tools

8 Choose Setup > IO Setup. Click Default on both the Input and Output tabs, then click OK to close IO Setup.

S3 Audio I/O 50
Direct Out Mode
S3 Audio Control provides Direct Out mode on a per input basis. This lets you use the S3 in the following ways:

Standalone Mixer You can send any S3 audio input to any S3 audio output, letting you use S3 as a 4-in/6-out mixer.

Zero-Latency Monitoring While recording through S3, use Direct Out mode to route S3 input(s) to your main monitor outputs. In
Pro Tools, mute the track you are recording to. Use the S3 encoder for Direct Out Level as a mix knob to balance input level with
your main mix. This is similar to the Mix Knob on Mbox and other similar audio interfaces.

Note: Low-Latency Monitoring in Pro Tool is not supported with S3.

Talkback Any input can be set to be the S3 Talkback input. Talkback can be engaged (momentary or latched) using the Mix to
Mons switch, or the User switch and/or a footswitch. For more information, see Using Talkback.

Direct Out Mixer QuickStart

1 Make sure the S3 is in Studio mode (see Toggling Studio and Live Modes for more information).
2 Simultaneously press the right-side < Page and Page > Channel Control Navigation switches to access Audio Control.
3 Hold the Surface SHIFT switch then press the encoder for any Audio Control input.
Direct Out controls for that input channel are shown in its encoder display.

ALL DirOut
Talkback 10dB

Encoder display for an S3 audio input showing Direct Out Mode

4 To assign the input to an available S3 audio output, press the encoder Sel switch.
Each press cycles the assignment to the next available output (such as All, Out 1–2, Out 1, Out 2, or None). Any stereo or mono
output can be chosen.
5 Rotate the encoder to set the Direct Out level.
6 Press the encoder to mute the Direct Out signal.

Avoiding Double-Monitoring

If you do not plan on using Direct Out mode for zero-latency monitoring or for talkback, but are planning on using S3 Audio Con-
trol for DAW/AVB monitoring, do the following to ensure that no audio is routed twice to your monitoring outputs:
1 Make sure to assign None as the output for all S3 audio inputs.
2 Save the Audio Control settings (see Saving S3 Monitor Settings).

S3 Audio I/O 51
S3 Audio Connections Overview
S3 provides four channels of analog inputs to Pro Tools or other Core Audio-compatible applications that support sample rates of
48 kHz, and four channels of analog outputs for connecting monitors and other outboard audio devices.

4 3 2 1

S3 control surface back panel audio connections

1 – Inputs 1–2 (2 x XLR)

Inputs 1–2 are balanced microphone inputs, and are adjusted using the In 1 and In 2 Channel Control Encoders. Phantom power (48
Volts) and a 20 dB pad are provided on each input. Inputs 1–2 can be linked. See Connecting and Adjusting Inputs for more in-
formation.

48V and the 20 dB pad can only be changed for inputs 1–2 when the Monitor Source is set to AVB 1–2 or In 3–4. For more in-
formation, see Changing the Monitor Source.

2 – Inputs 3–4 (2 x 1/4-inch TRS)

Inputs 3–4 are line-level inputs that accept balanced TRS and unbalanced TS connections. Inputs 3–4 operate at a nominal level of
+4 dBu, and are adjusted using the Line 3 and Line 4 Global Control Encoders. A 20 dB pad is provided on each input. Inputs 3–4
can be linked.

3 – Outputs 1–2 (2 x XLR)

MAIN

Outputs 1–2 are the main monitoring output pair for your audio/video application, and operate at a nominal level of +4 dBu. Con-
trols for Outputs 1–2 are linked and are adjusted using the Main Channel Control Encoder. By default the monitor source for Out-
puts 1–2 are Out 1–2 from Pro Tools or other DAWs. Outputs 1–2 are active when Select is highlighted in the MAIN Channel Con-
trol Encoder display. See Connecting and Adjusting Outputs for more information.

The monitor source for the MAIN and ALT outputs can be changed using the Mon Prefs encoder. See Changing the Monitor
Source for more information.

4 – Outputs 3–4 (2 x 1/4-inch TRS)

ALT

Outputs 3–4 are an alternate monitoring output pair and operate at a nominal level of +4 dBu. Outputs 3–4 accept balanced TRS
and unbalanced TS connections. Outputs 3–4 are linked and are adjusted using the ALT Global Control Encoder. By default the
monitor source for Outputs 1–2 are Out 1–2 from Pro Tools or other DAWs. Outputs 3–4 are active when Select is highlighted in
the Alt Channel Control Encoder display. Track outputs can also be routed to Outputs 3–4 independently in Pro Tools.

5 – Headphone Output (1 x 1/4-inch Stereo TRS)

Headphone volume is adjusted using the volume wheel along the front edge of the S3. When the Mon to HP monitor preference is
enabled, the headphone output mirrors Outputs 1–4 on the S3. Track outputs can also be routed to the Headphone output inde-
pendently, and correspond to Out 5–6 in Pro Tools. See Connecting and Adjusting Headphones for more information

S3 Audio I/O 52
Accessing Audio Control on the S3
Audio Control–the S3’s built-in I/O controls–are adjusted using Channel Control Encoders 9–16. Audio Control is hidden by de-
fault.

To access Audio Control:

 Simultaneously press the right-side < Page and Page > Channel Control Navigation switches.

Top Config
Back

Sel
Expnd Page
Page

In

Right-side < Page > switches

Controls for the built-in I/O are assigned to Channel Control Encoders 9–16.

Pad In 1 Pad In 2 Pad In 3 Pad In 4 AVB 1-2 MON Select MAIN Select ALT
48v 10dB 48v 10dB 48v 10dB 48v 10dB TB Engage= MON to HP Prefs Cut -65dB Cut -65dB
Mix to Mon

I/O controls in Channel Control

Single Display Mode

Single Display mode lets Audio Control be focused on one single encoder (Channel Control encoder 16) instead of across eight en-
coders.

To enable Single Display Mode:

1 Hold Surface SHIFT switch and press <Page + Page> switches simultaneously to toggle between Single Display Mode and
Full Display Mode.
2 While in Single Display Mode, use the <Page and Page> switches to bank through each Audio Control page.

Connecting and Adjusting Inputs

You can adjust inputs using the Channel Control Encoders. You can also link Inputs 1–2 and 3–4 and control each pair using a sin-
gle Encoder and associated switches.

To connect and route a mic or line input:

1 Connect a microphone to Inputs 1–2; connect a line-level device to Inputs 1–4.

2 In your audio/video application, assign S3 hardware inputs to the desired track(s). In Pro Tools, inputs on the S3 are called In
1–4 in the Input Path selector.

Choosing an S3 Input in Pro Tools

S3 Audio I/O 53
To adjust inputs:
1 If necessary, access Audio Control by simultaneously pressing the < Page and Page > Channel Control Navigation switches.
2 Do any of the following under the display showing the input you want to adjust:
• To adjust input gain, rotate the encoder.
• To engage the 20 dB pad, press the encoder Sel switch so its LED is lit green and Pad is highlighted in the display.
• To engage 48v (phantom power) on Mic/Line Inputs 1–2, press the encoder In switch so its LED is lit red and 48v is high-
lighted in the corresponding display.

Inputs 1–2 and Monitor Source

When Inputs 1–2 are designated as the Monitor Source, the 20 dB pad is automatically engaged and 48V disengaged. These settings
can only be changed when the Monitor Source is set to either AVB or to Inputs 3–4. For more information, see Changing the Mon-
itor Source.

To link and unlink input pairs:

1 To link input pairs 1–2 or 3–4, press and hold Multi-Select/SHIFT, then press the Encoder under the display showing In 1 or
In 2 to link 1–2, or In 3 or In 4 to link 3–4.

Pad In 1-2 Pad In 3-4

48v 10dB 48v 10dB

Encoder displays showing linked Input controls

2 To unlink an input pair, press Multi-Select/SHIFT + the encoder under the display showing In 1-2 or In 3-4.

Using Talkback
Any input can be assigned as the Talkback input. Talkback can be engaged (momentary or latched) via the Mix to Mons switch,
User switch and/or a footswitch.

To assign the Talkback input source:

1 Access Direct Out mode by holding SHIFT and pressing the encoder for the S3 input you want to assign as Talkback input.
2 Press the encoder In switch to assign that input as the Talkback input (Talkback becomes lit).

ALL DirOut
Talkback 10dB

Encoder display for an S3 audio input showing it assigned as the Talkback input source

Example Talkback setup:

1 Connect your Talkback mic to S3 Input 1.
2 Hold surface SHIFT and press the encoder for S3 input 1, then in the Direct Out settings for Input 1, enable Talkback.
3 Press the encoder Sel switch to cycle through and assign Input 1 (talkback) to an S3 audio output.
4 If using a secondary audio interface such as an HD OMNI, you can connect the assigned S3 talkback output to an HD OMNI
input. In Pro Tools, route that input to a desired Cue send output.

You could also route that HD OMNI input to an audio track and record it to use it as a Slate input.

To configure Talkback preferences:

1 Define how you want Talkback activated by rotating the encoder under TBEngage= and choosing one of the following:

S3 Audio I/O 54
 • Mix to Mons
• User (Engaging User for Talkback makes the User switch inaccessible to EuControl as a Soft Key)
• Footswitch (Engaging footswitch for Talkback makes the footswitch inaccessible to EuControl for record/play operations)
• User/Footswitch

To set polarity for footswitch Talkback engage:

1 Configure Talkback Engage for Footswitch or User/Footswitch.

2 Press the In switch below the TBEngage encoder to show polarity options.
3 Rotate the encoder to choose between normally open or normally closed to match your footswitch type.
4 Press Sel to save Talkback settings.

Connecting and Adjusting Outputs

You can toggle the monitor source between Outputs 1–2 (MAIN) and Outputs 3–4 (ALT), adjust the monitor level, and dim and
mute (Cut) the outputs using the Channel Control Encoders. The default source for S3 Outputs 1–4 (and the Headphone output if
MON to HP is selected) is Out 1–2. However, you can also assign tracks to S3 outputs independently.

You can also sum an output pair to mono and change the monitor source for the outputs.

To connect and route and outputs

1 Connect an audio destination such as audio monitors to Outputs 1–2 (Main) or Outputs 3–4 (Alt).
2 In your audio/video application, assign track outputs to the desired S3 hardware output(s). In the Pro Tools Output Path selector,
Out 1–2 corresponds to S3 Outputs 1–2 (MAIN), Out 3-4 corresponds to S3 Outputs 3–4 (ALT), and Outs 5–6 correspond to
the S3 Headphone output.

Choosing S3 Outputs in Pro Tools

To adjust outputs:

1 If necessary, access Audio Control by simultaneously pressing the < Page and Page > Channel Control Navigation switches.
2 To adjust an output pair, do any of the following under the display showing the output you want to adjust:
• To make an output pair (Main or Alt) active, press the corresponding encoder Sel button so it is lit. Select is highlighted in
the corresponding display, and the LED above the display is lit green for the currently selected output pair.
• To toggle an output pair on/off, press the corresponding encoder In switch. The output pair is off (Cut) when the button is lit.
Cut is highlighted in the corresponding display, and the LED above the display is flashes red.
• To adjust the output level, rotate the encoder. The relative level in dB is indicated in the display.
• To dim the output, press the encoder. Dim is shown in the display, and the LED above the display is lit orange.

To make both output pairs active, press Multi Select/SHIFT + Encoder Sel of the unselected pair. To make only one output pair
active, press the desired output pair's Sel switch.

To sum an output to mono:

1 Press and hold Multi-Select/SHIFT.

S3 Audio I/O 55
2 Press the Encoder for the output pair you want to sum to mono. Mono appears in the corresponding display. Mono signals are
sent equally to each physical output in the pair.
3 Repeat to return to stereo operation.

Changing the Monitor Source

You can change the monitor source for the outputs on the S3 using the Monitor Preferences (Mon Prefs) encoder.

To change the monitor source:

1 If necessary, access Audio Control.
2 Under the display showing Mon Prefs, press the encoder Sel switch to select an available monitor source as follows:

AVB 1–2 When AVB 1–2 is selected and appears in the display, Out 1-2 from Pro Tools and Core Audio are routed to Outputs 1–4
on the S3 (and the Headphone output if MON to HP is selected). This is the default monitor source setting for the S3.

In 1–2 When In 1–2 is selected and appears in the display, Inputs 1–2 on the S3 are routed to Outputs 1–4 on the S3 (and the Head-
phone output if MON to HP is selected). Use this to monitor an external source such as an audio interface or other playback device.

When Inputs 1–2 are designated as the Monitor Source, the 20 dB pad is automatically engaged and 48V disengaged. These settings
can only be changed when the Monitor Source is set to either AVB 1–2 or to In 3–4. For more information, see Changing the Mon-
itor Source.

In 3–4 When In 3–4 is selected and appears in the display, Inputs 3–4 on the S3 are routed to Outputs 1–4 on the S3 (and the Head-
phone output if MON to HP is selected). Use this to monitor an external source such as an audio interface or other playback device.

AVB 1-2 MON

MON to HP Prefs

Mon Prefs encoder and display

Connecting Hardware Inserts

Inputs 3–4 and Outputs 3–4 can be used to insert external hardware on tracks in your application. When inserting hardware, be sure
to connect the device to matching inputs and outputs on S3. For example, to insert a mono device, connect the input of the device
to Output 3 on S3, then connect the output of the device to Input 3 on S3.

In Pro Tools, inserts are defined in the IO Setup. Go to Setup > IO..., then click the Insert tab to define the session insert paths.
See the Pro Tools Reference Guide for more information.

Connecting and Adjusting Headphones

Use the front panel Headphone volume control to control overall Headphone volume. By default the stereo Headphone output mir-
rors the other outputs on the S3, but this can be disabled.

To toggle Headphone output mirroring:

1 If necessary, assign I/O controls to Channel Control.
2 Under the display showing Mon Prefs, press the corresponding encoder In switch. When Mon to HP is unlit, the Headphone out-
put no longer mirrors Outputs 1–4.

S3 Audio I/O 56
Saving S3 Monitor Settings
You can save the current monitor settings on your S3, including monitor preference settings, and MAIN (Outputs 1–2) and ALT
(Outputs 1–2) settings.

To save the current monitor settings:

1 Make any desired adjustments to the monitor settings on the S3.
The 13th Channel Control display (TBEngage) displays Save. If you have engaged Single Display Mode, use the < Page and
Page > switches to navigate the single Channel Control display (16) to TBEngage/Save.

2 Press the lit Encoder Sel switch.

Pad In 4 Save AVB 1-2 MON

48v 10dB TB Engage= MON to HP Prefs
Mix to Mon

Audio Control display showing Save

Saving Settings...appears in the display until saving is complete. Settings are saved until the next time you save.

S3 Audio I/O 57
Soft Keys

When using Pro Tools | S3 with Pro Tools and other selected DAWs, an Appset is installed providing default functionality for S3
surface controls. You can customize select switches on S3 using the Soft Key Editor provided in EuControl software.

Overview
You can customize the functions of the switches in the following sections on the S3:
1 – Left Control 3 – View and Arrow Switches

2 – Right Control 4 – Touchstrip

Top In Top Config

Back Back

Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel
Page Expnd Expnd Page
Page Page

In In In In In In In In In In In In In In In In

Top Mixer Close

Source Nudge Nudge
Back

Page Page Home End

Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Bank Bank

In In In In In In In In In In In In In In In In

Input Gain HPF EQ View 1 View 2

Solo Solo Solo Solo Solo Solo Solo Solo Solo Solo Solo Solo Solo Solo Solo Solo

Dyn
Insert
Comp Pan
Mix
Pan
Mute Mute Mute Mute Mute Mute Mute Mute Mute Mute Mute Mute Mute Mute Mute Mute
3
Group Channel
Aux Flip
Aux Flip

Workstation
12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 Application

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

A E 1 2
Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel Sel 9 10
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
B F Rec 5 Rec 5 Rec 5 Rec 5 Rec 5 Rec 5 Rec 5 Rec 5 Rec 5 Rec 5 Rec 5 Rec 5 Rec 5 Rec 5 Rec 5 Rec 5 3 4
11 12

1
10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

2
C Multi 5 6
Assign 13 14
20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

D OK 7 8
+20/Clip 30 +20/Clip 30 +20/Clip 30 +20/Clip 30 +20/Clip 30 +20/Clip 30 +20/Clip 30 +20/Clip 30 +20/Clip 30 +20/Clip 30 +20/Clip 30 +20/Clip 30 +20/Clip 30 +20/Clip 30 +20/Clip 30 +20/Clip 30 15 16
+15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +15
+9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +9
+3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3
40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40
User Cancel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9-16
-3 60 -3 60 -3 60 -3 60 -3 60 -3 60 -3 60 -3 60 -3 60 -3 60 -3 60 -3 60 -3 60 -3 60 -3 60 -3 60
-9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9
-15 -15 -15 -15 -15 -15 -15 -15 -15 -15 -15 -15 -15 -15 -15 -15
-21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21
-30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30

Solo Mix to
Clear Mons

Multi Select Default Fine

SHIFT Command 1 2 3 4 SHIFT

4
SHIFT ALT CTRL

S3 top panel

Soft Keys 58
Viewing Soft Key Assignments in the Soft Key Editor
To view assignments in the Soft Key Editor:
1 Launch Pro Tools and confirm that EuControl is connected to the S3, indicated by a lit EuControl icon in the Menu Bar (Mac)
or the System Tray (Windows).
2 On S3, press the Show Me switch. The Soft Keys currently assigned to the Right Control switches are shown on-screen.

1 2
9 10

3 4
11 12

5 6
13 14

7 8
15 16

9-16

Show Me switch Right Control Soft Key assignments

3 To view the second page of switches for the Right Control section, click the Page selector and choose Page 2 from the pop-up
menu.
4 To view assignments for the other sections of switches, click the Section selector and choose one of the following:
• Left Control
• Views/Arrows
• Touchstrip

Other options such as Surface and Touchscreen are not applicable to S3.

Section selector pop-up menu

5 To view switches assigned to the Shift layer (functions accessed by pressing the Surface SHIFT switch plus the relevant switch)
of the Left Control, Views/Arrow, or Touchstrip sections, click to enable the Shift checkbox.

Soft Keys 59
Using the Soft Key Editor
The Soft Key Editor lets you reassign a switch from its default Soft Key assignment (if applicable), add a new command to an un-
assigned switch, revert (undo) all recent assignment, and restore to factory default assignments. You can also add a key command
to a switch to invoke a keyboard shortcut.

To reassign a Soft Key for Pro Tools:

1 Launch Pro Tools and confirm that EuControl is connected to the S3, indicated by a lit EuControl icon in the Menu Bar (Mac)
or the System Tray (Windows).
2 Press the Show Me switch.
3 Click the Section selector and choose the section of switches containing the switch you want to reassign.
4 On-screen double-click the switch you want to reassign. The Soft Key Command Editor window opens, showing the switch’s
current assignment.

Soft Key Command Editor

5 To reassign the currently selected switch, click a different command. For example, click Off in the third (right-most) list in the
Details area. You can also click to make a new selection in the first (left-most) or middle Details list (such as File Menu, Edit
Menu, and so on) to access other choices, as available.

A new assignment shown in the Command Editor

6 Close the Soft Key Command Editor and return to the EuControl Settings window.
7 If desired, click the Save button in the Soft Keys tab to save the assignments. The next time you launch EuControl, your custom
assignments are recalled.

If you do not save assignments, EuControl software retains your assignments until you Quit (Mac) or Exit (Windows) the EuControl ap-
plication. EuControl then recalls the default Appset the next time you launch EuControl.

Soft Keys 60
To add a new assignment:
1 Launch Pro Tools and confirm the EuControl is connected to the S3, indicated by a lit EuControl icon in the Menu Bar (Mac)
or the System Tray (Windows).
2 Press the Show Me switch.
3 Click the Section selector and choose the section of switches containing the switch you want to assign.
4 On-screen. double-click the switch you want to assign. The Soft Key Command Editor window opens.
5 In the Command area, click Add and choose EUCON.

Adding a new EUCON command

After you add a EUCON command, choices appear in the Details area.

The Details area showing commands

6 Click an item in the left-most list (level 1) within the Details area to reveal associated commands in the middle column.

An item selected in Level 1 (the first column) of the Details area

7 Click a command to assign a command, or click an item with an arrow to reveal more commands in the third column and assign
as necessary.
8 Close the Soft Key Command Editor and return to the EuControl Settings window.
9 If desired, click the Save button in the Soft Keys tab to save the assignments.

Soft Keys 61
To revert (undo) all assignments since the last time you saved changes:

 Click the Revert button in the Soft Keys tab.

To restore assignments to their factory defaults:

 Click the Restore button in the Soft Keys tab.

Adding a Custom Key Command

You can invoke a keyboard shortcut that has no predefined function in EuControl using the Soft Key Editor. The following work-
flow shows how to assign the Pro Tools shortcut for halving the length of an Edit selection (Command + Control + Option + Shift
+ L on Mac, and Ctrl + Alt + Start + Shift + L on Windows) to a switch on the S3.

You can use the Pro Tools Shortcut Guide to find the relevant Pro Tools shortcuts for your operating system.

To assign a custom key command:

1 Launch Pro Tools and confirm EuControl is connected to the S3, indicated by a lit EuControl icon in the Menu Bar (Mac) or the
System Tray (Windows).
2 Press the Show Me switch on S3.
3 Click the Section selector and choose the section of switches containing the switch you want to assign.
4 On-screen, double-click the switch you want to assign. The Soft Key Command Editor window opens.
5 In the Soft Key Editor, do the following:
• If the switch already has an assignment, select the assignment in the Command list then press Delete.
• Click Add and choose Key.
.

Choosing Key from the Add pop-up menu

6 In the Details area, select Control, Shift, Alt/Opt, and Win/Cmd, then enter “L” in the field below.
.

Details area of the Soft Key Command Editor

To insert special keyboard characters in the field such as a Function key or an arrow key, use the Insert Special menu.

7 Close the Soft Key Command Editor and return to the EuControl Settings window. Now, pressing the assigned switch halves the
length of the current Edit selection in the Pro Tools Edit window.
8 If desired, do any of the following:
• Click in the Soft Key Label field and enter a name for the Soft Key assignment.
• Click the Save button in the Soft Keys tab to save the assignment.

Soft Keys 62
Multiple EUCON Commands in Soft Keys
Soft Key assignments can include multiple EUCON commands, one of which can have Command Feedback Active enabled.

To add a Soft Key assignment:

1 Navigate EuControl to the Soft Keys tab.
2 Click the Section selector and choose the section of switches containing the switch you want to assign.
3 On-screen. double-click the switch you want to assign. The Soft Key Command Editor window opens.
4 In the Command area, click Add and choose EUCON.
After you add a EUCON command, choices appear in the Details area.
5 Click an item in the left-most list (level 1) within the Details area to reveal associated commands in the middle column.
6 Click a command to assign it, or click an item with an arrow to reveal more commands in the third column and assign as nec-
essary.
7 Repeat the previous steps to add additional EUCON commands to the Soft Key assignment.

Command Feedback Active

When Soft Key assignments include multiple EUCON commands, you can specify which command should be indicated on the Soft
Key and/or controller LED by enabling the Command Feedback Active option for that command. When enabled, your controller
displays status indication of the corresponding EUCON command. This option, located in the Details area of the Soft Key Editor,
can only be enabled for a single EUCON command in each Soft Key definition.

Command Feedback Active option enabled in the Soft Key Editor

Availability and status of this option varies depending on the associated command.

Soft Keys 63
EuControl Software

EuControl is launched automatically upon starting your computer and runs in the background. EuControl is responsible for finding,
linking, and communicating with all Avid media controllers on the network.

Accessing EuControl Settings

To open the EuControl Settings window, do one of the following:
• On Mac, click the EuControl icon on the taskbar and select EuControl Settings.
• On Windows, double-click the EuControl icon in the system tray and select EuControl Settings. If you don't see the EuCo-
ntrol icon, it could be automatically hidden by Windows. Click on the small white arrow to show hidden icons, then dou-
ble-click the EuControl icon.

Only one instance of EuControl can run on a workstation. However, multiple workstations on a single network can each run Eu-
Control. Each EuControl-equipped workstation can connect one S3 on the network.

In this chapter, the tabs in the EuControl software are discussed in the order (left to right) as they appear at the top of the EuControl
Settings dialog.

Surfaces
The Surfaces tab shows all EUCON controllers on your network and those connected to your instance of EuControl.

Surfaces tab

All Surfaces
All Surfaces shows all Avid media controllers on the network. A device shown in light gray is already connected either to your own
or another instance of EuControl running on a different workstation. In both cases, it is not selectable.

EuControl Software 64
My Surfaces
My Surfaces shows the media controllers connected to your instance of EuControl.

The top-to-bottom order corresponds to the left-to-right order of the surfaces, respectively. The leftmost surface is assigned to fader
strip 1. Use the + and – buttons to reorder the list.

Each media controller can be renamed by double-clicking the existing name and typing a new name.

If you changed the name of the S3 in VENUE software, that name will appear in the My Surfaces list. Likewise, if you changed
the name in the My Surfaces list, it will appear as such in VENUE software.

Add
Click Add to add the selected All Surfaces entry to My Surfaces. This connects the selected Avid media controller to your instance
of EuControl. You can also click and drag an Avid media controller from All Surfaces to My Surfaces.

Add is disabled if all media controllers in All Surfaces are connected to any instance of EuControl.

One S3 and one Artist Transport can be added to My Surfaces and used simultaneously with Pro Tools or other EUCON-
enabled DAWs.

Remove
Click Remove to remove the selected surface from My Surfaces and make it available to other instances of EuControl.
Remove is disabled if no surface is selected.

Automatically Add
The Automatically Add menu has two settings that control what happens to stored Surfaces between shutdown and startup.

All Surfaces (Default)

This setting is best used when you are the only person running EuControl in your home or studio. It provides an easy plug-and-play
experience by automatically adding your All Surfaces list to your My Surfaces list so you never have to manually edit the My Sur-
faces list.

My Surfaces Only

This setting is useful in facilities where other EuControl users are on your network. When EuControl starts, only the surfaces from
your My Surfaces list are added. Because a surface can only be claimed by one user at a time, this avoids claiming another user’s
surfaces.

Update Firmware
Each time a new version of EuControl is installed, it checks each media controller in your system to determine if any firmware up-
dates are required. The firmware is embedded in EuControl so an Internet connection is not required.

Select each media controller in the My Surfaces list. Click Update Firmware to update their firmware. If a dialog displays a mes-
sage that the firmware is up to date, no further action is necessary.

Follow the instructions in the EuControl dialog box.

• The media controllers must be plugged into a working power source.
• Do not power off any media controllers during the update or attempt to interrupt the update.
• The status for each media controller being updated is displayed on that device as well as in the EuControl dialog.

Show Info
Select a media controller and click Show Info to display the name of the unit, and hardware and software information.

EuControl Software 65
Workstations
A media controller can control applications running on a second computer, referred to in this guide as a workstation. The Work-
stations tab establishes the list of workstations that the Workstation switch cycles through. Any workstation running EuControl
software can be in this list.

Workstations tab

Enable External Workstations

Enables communication with other workstations (other than the one currently running EuControl). Before enabling an additional
workstation, make sure you have installed EuControl or EUCON Workstation software on your secondary workstation and con-
figured your systems as explained in Connecting a Second Workstation.

When the Enable External Workstation setting is enabled, the Workstation tab also provides the Redirect Keyboard and Mouse
Control to Attached External Workstation setting.

All Workstations
All Workstations lists all EUCON-enabled workstations on the network. If the workstation is already in the My Workstations list,
it is shown in gray and cannot be selected.

My Workstations
My Workstations lists the workstations that can be attached to by pressing the Workstation switch (Surface SHIFT + Applica-
tion/Workstation).

It is possible to put a workstation in the My Workstations list that is already attached to another instance of EuControl running on
another computer. It cannot be attached here until it is unattached from the other instance of EuControl. This allows multiple users
to share workstations without having to frequently edit their My Workstation list.

Add
Click Add to add the selected workstation from the All Workstations list to the My Workstations list. If the workstation is already
in the My Workstations list, it is grayed out and cannot be selected.

EuControl Software 66
Remove
Click Remove to remove the selected workstation from the My Workstations list.

Attach/Detach
Select a workstation in the My Workstations list and click Attach. A check mark appears in the Attach column next to that work-
station. This workstation is now communicating with the media controller(s) connected to your instance of EuControl.

If the selected workstation is already attached, the button displays Detach. Click it to detach the workstation.

Redirect Keyboard and Mouse Control to Attached External Workstation

Your computer keyboard and mouse can control a second external workstation, if desired. Select this option to redirect keyboard
and mouse control to the attached workstation. Note that the keyboard and mouse will no longer control your primary computer.

You can manually toggle control back and forth between your primary workstation and the attached external workstation by press-
ing Control+Option+Command+Esc (Mac), or Control+Alt+Win+Esc (Windows), or by pressing the App/Workstation switch
on the Dock, S3, or other supported controller.

The Redirect Keyboard and Mouse Control to Attached External Workstation option must be checked before adding the workstation
to the My Workstations list. If it is toggled ON after adding the workstation it will have no affect. Only workstations added with
the option checked will respond.

EuControl Software 67
General
The General tab lets you control how the S3 and application software work together.

General tab

Workstation Tracks Knob Set Changes

This command lets supported workstations follow selection of knob sets on S3.

Open Plug-ins on Workstation When Editing

This command lets supported workstations open plug-in windows on-screen when a plug-in is selected for editing on S3.

Close Plug-ins on Workstation When Exiting

This command lets supported workstations close plug-in windows on-screen when you press BACK or exit Inserts mode on an S3.

Select by Touch
This command lets supported workstations attention (focus) tracks on-screen when their fader is touched on the S3.

Auto-bank to Selected Track

When this is selected, S3 banks to tracks when the tracks are selected on-screen. The surface will auto-bank such that the selected
track appears on the leftmost fader of the surface as long as the selected track is not currently visible on the surface.

Display Track Numbers on Surface

When this is selected, S3 shows track numbers as assigned by the current workstation (if supported) in the channel displays.

Rec/Auto Switch Press

The Rec/Auto switch press changes automation modes setting toggles the default function of the Rec/A switch (on S3 and
Dock) and the Rec/Auto switch (Artist Mix and Artist Control).
• When enabled, pressing the Rec/Auto switch changes the track automation mode. SHIFT+Rec/Auto enables track record.
• When disabled, the Rec/Auto switch operates in its default configuration.
EuControl Software 68
Dock Automation Mode Buttons Follow Attentioned Channel
(Pro Tools | Dock Only)

This setting lets you optimize how the Automation mode switches in the Left Control section select and indicate Automation
modes. By default, this setting is off (not enabled).
• When not enabled (its default setting), you can set track Automation mode for the currently attentioned track by holding one
of the dedicated Automation mode switches on the Dock, then pressing the Sel switch to the left of the Dock fader. The Au-
tomation mode switch LEDs light to indicate all automation modes currently enabled on any tracks in the session. When ap-
plying an automation mode change to a selection of tracks or all tracks, simply press the Do to Sel (Selected) or Do to All
switches, then press the desired Automation mode switch. There is no need to press the Sel switch.
• When enabled, you can set track Automation mode for the currently attentioned track directly using the mode switches in the
Left Control section (you do not need to hold an Automation mode switch and press Sel). The Automation mode switch LEDs
light to indicate automation status only of the currently attentioned track.

At the time of this writing, this feature is fully supported only in Pro Tools. See the EuControl Read Me for more information.

Reverse Inserts and Dynamics on S3 and Mix

You can reverse the order of plug-in parameters by enabling these options in the General tab of EuControl Settings. These settings
are useful when using certain manufacturer’s plug-ins that spill parameters differently than others.
• When not enabled (default setting), parameters are displayed across S3 (upper knobs) and Mix in their default order.
• When either setting is enabled, parameters are spilled in reverse order.

Solo Mode
These settings let you configure the following Solo modes as (if) available in the current workstation:
• Solo-in-Place
• After-Fader Listen (AFL)
• Pre-Fader Listen (PFL)

See the documentation for your specific workstation for details on Solo modes.

Wheel Sensitivity
(Pro Tools | Dock, Artist Control, and Artist Transport Only)

The sensitivity of the Jog Wheel and Shuttle Ring can be precisely adjusted using the Wheel Sensitivity sliders. The top two sliders
pertain to the Pro Tools | Dock and Artist Transport, the bottom is the Jog Wheel for the Artist Control.

The center position is the default for each control. Click and drag a slider to move it right for faster response or left for a slower,
more controlled movement. Click the Reset button to restore the center position.

The name of the currently focused application is shown above the sliders (the application that will be affected by adjusting Wheel
Sensitivity). If the controls have been locked to a specific application, the display will list it and identify it as the application being
adjusted. For more information on locking, see Lock to Application.

Global or Application Specific

Click to enable the Global option to maintain a single set of your Wheel Sensitivity settings to be available regardless of the current
application.

Click to enable the Application Specific option to be able to have unique Wheel Sensitivity settings in each application you use. To
store settings, switch to your other application, open EuControl Settings > General, and adjust the Wheel Sensitivity sliders for that
environment.

EuControl Software 69
Preferences

Preferences tab

OLED Dim Time

This setting lets you set the amount of idle time before displays on units are dimmed.

Footswitch
(Pro Tools | Dock, Pro Tools | S3, Artist Mix and Artist Control Only)

You can connect a footswitch for hands-free punch in/out. Connect a footswtich to the 1/4-inch footswitch input on the back panel.

To configure the Footswitch in EuControl:

 In the Footswitch section of the Preferences tab, click to select the desired Punch In and Punch Out assignments:

Record | Record

When the application is rolling, pressing the footswitch once punches into recording on record enabled tracks. Pressing the
footswitch again takes the track(s) out of record but does not stop the transport.

Record | Play

Pressing the footswitch once punches into recording on record enabled tracks. Pressing the footswitch again stops the record pass
(your DAW may or may not automatically take the track out of record on stop; see the documentation for your application).

Status

Shows whether the footswitch state is currently on or off.

The S3 also lets you assign its footswitch to engage Talkback. For more information, see Using Talkback.

EuControl Software 70
S3 VCA Spill
(Pro Tools | S3 Only)

Single-Master Mode (S3 + Dock)

These settings let you specify where VCA Masters appear when spilled on systems that include an S3 and a Dock:

Assign VCA Master to Dock Spilling a VCA Master assigns the spilled master to the fader strip on Pro Tools | Dock.

Assign VCA Master to S3 Spilling a VCA Master assigns the spilled master only to S3, not to the Dock.

Multi-Master Mode

These options determine VCA Spill behavior in Multi-Master Mode, as follows:

Assign VCA Masters to Channel Strips 9–16 When selected, up to eight VCA Masters are assigned to S3 channel strips 9–16.
Members of the selected VCA Master are spilled to channel strips 1–8 in banks of eight channels.

Assign VCA Masters to Channel Strips 13–16 When selected, up to four VCA Masters are assigned to S3 channel strips 13–16.
Members of the selected VCA Master are spilled to channel strips 1–12 in banks of 12 channels.

VCA Spill Overrides Layout

By default, if you spill a VCA while a Layout is recalled, the spilled VCA member tracks replace all tracks from the Layout. Un-
spilling the VCA returns fader strips to their previous assignments from the Layout.

You can defeat this behavior in the Preferences tab of EuControl Settings. When the VCA Spill Overrides Layout setting is dis-
abled, member tracks of a spilled VCA only spill to any <auto assigned> strips in the current Layout. If the current Layout has
explicitly assigned tracks to all 16 S3 fader strips, no member tracks will be visible.

Auto Spill VCA from Control App Attention

When enabled, attentioning a VCA in the Pro Tools | Control app spills that VCA across S3, Artist Mix, or Artist Control. When
a Dock is present, spill and Master follow current S3 VCA Spill settings.

Surface Brightness Control

The settings in this section let you control brightness for Artist Control LCD screens and for the Pro Tools | Dock switch LEDs.

Artist Control LCD Screen:

Adjusts the brightness of the LCD screen on Artist Control (only). To increase brightness, adjust the slider to the right. To decrease,
adjust to the left.

Pro Tools | Dock:

Adjusts the brightness of the switch LEDs on Pro Tools | Dock (only). To increase brightness, adjust the slider to the right. To de-
crease, adjust to the left. Setting the slider to the far left turns all switch LEDs off.

Miscellaneous
Shift + Fader Sets Level to 0dB

When enabled, holding SHIFT and touching a fader sets the fader to 0dB. Surface SHIFT-lock does not apply (Surface SHIFT
must be pressed).

EuControl Software 71
Assign
The Assign tab manages how tracks are assigned to S3 channel strips. By default, tracks are automatically assigned in banks of 16.

Assign tab

Display Application’s Track Numbers

Enabling this option lets EuControl display track numbers as assigned by the currently selected (in focus) application (if that ap-
plication supports track numbers).

Clear All Assignments

Clears all currently displayed assignments.

Lock to Application
This feature does not apply to S3.

On supported media controllers, this feature lets the transport and monitor controls, and/or the entire surface, stay locked to the ap-
plication listed at the top-left of the dialog, even when that application is not focused. The locked-to application also is the only ap-
plication that will be affected by adjusting the EuControl Wheel Sensitivity settings.

Entire Surface Select this checkbox to lock the entire surface, including those of all linked Artist media controllers, to the listed
application.

Transport Select this checkbox to lock the transport controls of Artist Transport and Artist Control to the listed application. All
transport controls, including jog/shuttle wheels, are locked when selected.

Monitor and Control Room Locks the Monitor and Control Room controls to the listed application.

EuControl Software 72
Layouts
Use the Layouts tab to store and recall custom fader layouts. For example, you can use the Assign tab to assign tracks to specific
S3 channel strips. You can then save those assignments as part of a fader layout on the Layouts tab, which you can then recall using
the Bank A–F switches. See Storing and Recalling Custom Layouts.

Layouts tab

Layouts are created and temporarily stored in EuControl as long as the current session or project is open. To be able to re-
call your layouts, be sure to save your session or project in your workstation application.

Soft Keys
This tab controls assignments and programming for the switches in the Left Control, Right Control, Views/Arrows, and Touchstrip
sections. See Soft Keys for more information.

Restart EUCON Applications

If you are having trouble connecting your surface to your DAW, use the Restart EUCON Applications command.

To restart all EUCON applications (including EuControl software):

 On Mac, click the EuControl icon on the taskbar and select Restart EUCON Applications, then click Yes.
 On Windows, click the EuControl icon in the Task or System tray (Windows) and select Restart EUCON Applications, then
click Yes. Unused icons will be shown in the Hidden icons view.

All EUCON applications are restarted, including EuControl.

EuControl Software 73
Specifications

All specifications subject to change.

S3 Control Surface Audio Specifications

S3 Analog Mic Inputs, Pad Disabled
Value
Parameter Conditions Units
Min. Typ. Max.
Phantom Power 48 Volts

Input Sensitivity @ 997 Hz, Gain = 10 dB (min.) +7.979 dBu

Equivalent Input Noise (EIN) Gain = 60 dB, 150  source impedance -126.1 dB

Frequency Response VINPUT = -12.035 dBu, 20 Hz – 20 kHz relative to -0.021 0 -0.236 dB

1 kHz, Gain = 10 dB (min.)

Dynamic Range Unweighted 150  source impedance, Gain = 10 dB (min.) -111.2 dB

Dynamic Range A weighted 150 source impedance, Gain = 10 dB (min.) -113.8 dB

THD+N Amp @ 997Hz, Gain = 40 dB 0.0014 %

THD+N Freq measured at -25.242 dBu, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, 0.0007 0.0014 0.0045 %

Gain = 40 dB

Common Mode Rejection VINPUT = -21.560 dBu, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, -71.7 -80.8 -81.4 dB
Ratio Gain = 10 dB (min.)

Inter-channel Crosstalk VINPUT = -12.150 dBu, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, -120.4 -109.6 -99.2 dB

Gain = 10 dB (min)

Input Impedance @1 kHz 3.5K ohms

Specifications 74
S3 Analog Mic Inputs, Pad Enabled
Value
Parameter Conditions Units
Min. Typ. Max.
Phantom Power 48 Volts

Input Sensitivity @ 997Hz, Gain = 10 dB (min.) +28.322 dBu

Frequency Response VINPUT =+8.225 dBu, 20 Hz – 20 kHz relative to -0.016 0 -0.235 dB

1 kHz, Gain = 10 dB (min.)
Dynamic Range Unweighted 150  source impedance, Gain = 10 dB (min.) -111.2 dB

Dynamic Range A Weighted 150  source impedance, Gain = 10 dB (min.) -113.9 dB

THD+N Amp @ 997 Hz, Gain =40 dB 0.0018 %

THD+N Freq measured at -3.808 dBu, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, 0.0012 0.0018 0.0064 %

Gain = 40 dB
Common Mode Rejection Ratio VINPUT = -1.276 dBu, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, -59.3 -63.8 -63.9 dB
Gain = 20 dB
Inter-Channel Crosstalk VINPUT = +8.233 dBu, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, -122.1 -109.1 -98.2 dB
Gain = 10 dB (min.)
Input Impedance @1 kHz 3.7k ohms

S3 Analog Line Inputs

Value
Parameter Conditions Units
Min. Typ. Max.
Input Sensitivity @ 997Hz, Gain = 10 dB (min.) +18.471 dBu

Equivalent Input Noise (EIN) Gain = 18 dB, 150source impedance -93.9 dB

Frequency Response VINPUT =-1.520 dBu, 20 Hz – 20 kHz relative to -0.018 0 -0.233 dB

1 kHz, Gain = 10 dB (min.)
Dynamic Range Unweighted 150  source impedance, Gain = 10 dB (min.) -110.4 dB

Dynamic Range A weighted 150  source impedance, Gain = 10 dB (min.) -113 dB

THD+N Amp @ 997Hz, Gain =40 dB 0.0010 %

THD+N Freq measured at +12.193 dBu, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, 0.0005 0.0010 0.0016 %

Gain = 40 dB
Common Mode Rejection Ratio VINPUT = -1.523 dBu, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, -64.4 -66.8 -67.0 dB
Gain = 0 dB
Inter-Channel Crosstalk VINPUT = -1.520 dBu, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, -117.8 -110.1 -98.3 dB
Gain = 0 dB (min.)
Input Impedance @1 kHz 5.1k ohms

Specifications 75
S3 Analog Outputs
Value
Parameter Conditions Min. Typ. Max. Units

Output Sensitivity @ 997 Hz +24.201 dBu

Output Impedance @1 kHz 103.5 ohms

Residual Output Noise 20 Hz – 20 kHz -88 dBu

Round Trip Latency Console input to Console output 3.2 ms

S3 Headphone Output

Value
Parameter Conditions Min. Typ. Max. Units

Output Impedance @1 kHz 1 ohms

Output Sensitivity 32 load @ 997 Hz, max output +17.932 dBV

Max RMS Power Output +20.157 dBu 32 ohm headphones 1.940 mW

+19 dBu 600 ohm headphones 163.1

S3 Control Surface Mechanical Specifications

Parameter Specification

Height (front) 1.3 inches (32.0 mm)

Height (back) 2.8 inches (71.7 mm)

Maximum Width 28 inches (711.11 mm)

Maximum Depth 14.3 inches (363.11 mm)

Weight 13.8 lbs (6.2 kg)

Power Requirements 100–240 V, 50–60 Hz, 200 W

Power Connectors External PSU AC Input: IEC, 3-pin North American standard
External PSU DC Output: Kycon KPPX–4P; 12V, 7.5A max current

Audio Connectors (x8) XLR3–M balanced (x2), XLR3–F balanced (x2),

1/4-inch TRS balanced (x4)

Headphone Connector 1/4-inch TRS unbalanced

Network Connectors (x2) RJ-45 Neutrik etherCON

USB Ports (x2) USB 2.0 (for connecting mouse and keyboard only)

Footswitch Connector 1/4-inch TRS

Light Connectors (x2) XLR3–F, LED console light required

Specifications 76
Dimensions

2.2 in
(57.3 mm)
28 in
(711.1 mm) 1.8 in
(45.2 mm)

.6 in
(14.4 mm)

14.3 in
(363.1 mm)

2.85 in 1 in
(71.7 mm) (25.4 mm)

1.3 in
(32 mm)

Specifications 77
Appendix A: Compliance Information

Environmental Compliance
Disposal of Waste Equipment by Users in the European Union

This symbol on the product or its packaging indicates that this product must not be disposed of with other waste. Instead, it is your responsibility to dispose of your waste
equipment by handing it over to a designated collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The separate collection and recycling of your waste
equipment at the time of disposal will help conserve natural resources and ensure that it is recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment. For more
information about where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local city recycling office or the dealer from whom you purchased the
product.

Proposition 65 Warning

This product contains chemicals, including

lead, known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other re-
productive harm. Wash hands after handling.

Perchlorate Notice
This product may contain a lithium coin battery. The State of California requires the following disclosure statement:
“Perchlorate Material – special handling may apply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.”

Recycling Notice

EMC (Electromagnetic Compliance)

This model Pro Tools | S3 complies with the following standards regulating interference and EMC:
• FCC Part 15 Class B
• EN 55022 Class B
• EN 55024 Class B
• AS/NZS CISPR 22 Class B
• CISPR 22 Class B

Appendix A: Compliance Information 78

FCC Compliance for United States

Radio and Television Interference

Communication Statement
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there
is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio
or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try and correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from
that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Any modifications to the unit, unless expressly approved by Avid,
could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

Australian Compliance

Canadian Compliance
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.

CE Compliance
(EMC, Safety, and ROHS)

Avid is authorized to apply the CE (Conformite Europenne) mark on this compliant equipment thereby declaring conformity to EMC Directive 2004/108/EC, Low Voltage
Directive 2006/95/EC and RoHS Directive 2011/65/EC..

Korean EMC Compliance

이 기기는 가정용 (B 급 ) 전자파적합기기로서 주

로 가정에서 사용하는 것을 목적으로 하며 , 모
든 지역에서 사용할 수 있습니다 .

Appendix A: Compliance Information 79

Safety Compliance
Safety Statement
This equipment has been tested to comply with USA and Canadian safety certifications in accordance with the specifications of UL Standards: UL60950-1:2007, 2nd Edition
and canadian CAN/CSA C22.2 60950-1-07, 2nd Edition. Avid Inc. has been authorized to apply the appropriate UL and CUL mark on its compliant equipment.

Warning

Important Safety Instructions

1) Read these instructions.

2) Keep these instructions.

3) Heed all warnings.

4) Follow all instructions.

5) Do not use this equipment near water.

6) Clean only with dry cloth.

7) Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8) Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other equipment (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

9) Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two
blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10) Protect power cords from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the equipment.

11) Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

12) For products that are not rack-mountable: Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the equipment. When a cart is
used, use caution when moving the cart/equipment combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

13) Unplug this equipment during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

14) Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the equipment has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged,
liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the equipment, the equipment has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

15) For products that are a Mains powered device:

The equipment shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and no objects filled with liquids (such as vases) shall be placed on the equipment.

Warning! To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture.

16) For products containing a lithium battery:

CAUTION! Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type.

17) For products with a power switch:

The main power switch is located on the back panel of S3. It should remain accessible after installation.

18) The equipment shall be used at a maximum ambient temperature of 40° C.

Appendix A: Compliance Information 80

Technical Support (USA) Product Information
Visit the Online Support Center For company and product information,
at www.avid.com/support visit us on the web at www.avid.com