First anounced in April 2026 at NAB, Fairlight Live is a new audio mixer designed for broadcast and live events from Blackmagic Design. As of now, the final version of Fairlight Live is available as free software that you can download today, with links ahead. Fairlight Live can handle thousands of channels when running on modern Mac and Windows computers. Specifically, Fairlight Live requires macOS 15 Sequoia or later and an Apple Silicon (M-series) Mac… or Windows 10 Creators Update… or Windows 11. (See my recent articles about the «secret», superior Windows 11 versions.) Currently, there is no version for Linux. Fairlight Live natively supports stereo, surround, and immersive audio, with powerful features including third-party plug-in support, AFL/PFL Solo, talkback, and advanced input controls like remote gain and dual inputs. You also get a cue player, snapshots, internal matrix and more. It supports routing audio to and from ATEM Mini switchers via USB, and you can run multiple systems for simultaneous users or full redundancy.
Blackmagic also just released ATEM Switchers 10.3 which adds support for USB digital audio output for use with Fairlight Live to supported ATEM switcher models including ATEM Mini Pro, ATEM Mini Extreme, ATEM SDI Extreme, ATEM Television Studio and ATEM Constellation 4K models. This update also adds support for streaming directly from your ATEM switcher to Blackmagic Cloud Stream Router, allowing you to route your live production globally and deliver to multiple streaming platforms at the same time. ATEM Television Studio HD8 ISO and ATEM Mini Extreme ISO G2 can also receive remote sources from the Cloud Stream Router, so you can bring live feeds from anywhere in the world directly into your production.
Fairlight Live key features
- Full featured software based broadcast mixer for high end live audio.
- Supports hundreds of channels with wide format and complex mixes.
- Supports mono, stereo, LCR, 5.1 surround, immersive and ASAF.
- Optimized low latency operation on both macOS and Windows.
- Direct ATEM connectivity via USB with automatic template support.
- Supports standalone use, Fairlight Live panels, or MCU consoles.
- Compatible with Core Audio, ASIO and 2110 interfaces.
- Native support for surround, immersive and spatial audio workflows.
- Snapshots save mixer state for recall during live performances.
- Virtual Sound Check ISO recording for rehearsal and calibration.
- Dedicated Cue Player for sound effects and stingers.
- Extensive integration for Native, AU and VST plugins.
- Dedicated support for remote iOS and Android tablet controllers.
Broadcast and system features
- Optimized for live broadcast and live production reliability.
- On Air mode prevents accidental control changes during live feeds.
- Direct routing, audio I/O and AFV control to ATEM via USB.
- Audio Follow Video syncs audio fades with video switcher transitions.
- Mix Minus buses removes commentator voices from return feeds.
- Extend on talkback to maintain communication during specific cues.
- A/B input for quick selection of an alternative redundant input.
- Internal signal generator for calibration and testing.
Bus types
- Support for dozens of main output mixes.
- Sub mix groups via direct patch and post fader.
- Aux mix groups pre and post fader with level and pan controls.
- Full mix minus support for talkback groups.
Channel strip and processing
- A/B input selection, remote gain, source patching and overall levels.
- Integrated compressor, gate or expander and limiter.
- Dedicated and integrated 6 band equalization interface per channel.
- High resolution level and dynamics metering displays.
- Dedicated Fader, Pan, Select, Mute and Solo controls.
- Integrated 1D, 2D and 3D panner with immersive workflow support.
- Mono style power meters for ambisonic channel level indication.
- Support for 4 plugins, plus ChainFX for up to 24 slots per channel.
• Fader flip control to reassign fader hardware to aux, matrix or mix minus sends.
• Input management of gain and delay for lip sync.
• VCA groups for single fader control of multiple channels.
Monitoring and Solo Logic
- PFL and AFL monitoring signals before or after the fader.
- Hybrid and Backstop PFL for advanced soloing from fader positions.
- Solo Inject and Outs allow dedicated routing for engineer monitoring.
Routing and Mixing
- Auxes and subs routing for independent monitor mixes.
- Secondary dialogs for level, pan and pre and post fader switching.
- Solo and Mute immediate channel isolation or silencing.
- Camera number selection for Audio Follows Video automation.
- Studio and control room monitoring support.
- Loudness meters and system status controls.
Channel Layout and UI
- Visual channel identifiers include color, number and custom naming.
- Full channel index list for renaming, reformatting and rearranging.
- Inspector for audio parameter controls including ASAF controls.
- High visibility meter bridge overview of all signal levels.
- Signal level meters including power meters for immersive audio.
Talkback
- Extensive and versatile talkback functionality.
- Integrated talkback communication routing for talent or crew.
- Talk direct to any channel.
- Mix Minus for quick instantiation and removal of clean feed busses.
- Status indicators for four independent talkback groups.
Operational modes
- Primary mode for normal mixer operation.
Price and Availabilty
As of now, the final version of Fairlight Live is available as free software that you can download today here. The manual is available here.
(Re-)Subscribe for upcoming articles, reviews, radio shows, books and seminars/webinars
Stand by for upcoming articles, reviews, books and courses by subscribing to my bulletins.
In English:
- Email bulletins, bulletins.AllanTepper.com
- In Telegram, t.me/TecnoTurBulletins
- Twitter (bilingual), AllanLTepper
En castellano:
- Boletines por correo electrónico, boletines.AllanTepper.com
- En Telegram, t.me/boletinesdeAllan
- Twitter (bilingüe), AllanLTepper
Most of my current books are at books.AllanTepper.com, and also visit AllanTepper.com and radio.AllanTepper.com.
FTC disclosure
None of the listed individuals or companies mentioned above has paid for this article. Some of the manufacturers listed above have contracted Tépper and/or TecnoTur LLC to carry out consulting and/or translations/localizations/transcreations. So far, none of the manufacturers listed above is/are sponsors of the TecnoTur, BeyondPodcasting, CapicúaFM or TuSaludSecreta programs, although they are welcome to do so, and some are, may be (or may have been) sponsors of ProVideo Coalition magazine. Some links to third parties listed in this article and/or on this web page may indirectly benefit TecnoTur LLC via affiliate programs. Allan Tépper’s opinions are his own. Allan Tépper is not liable for misuse or misunderstanding of information he shares.