You can replace your older AudioBox™es with SM-Designer software

SM-Designer: Free Windows Theatre Sound Design & Show Control GUI for SoundMan-Server

"We have been using AudioBoxes in our theatres for many years and now the reduced cost of SM-Designer allows us to run sound in the rehearsal studios exactly like it has been onstage. We are now very excited to have this new software which is even more flexible and powerful!"
- Vidar F Eggen, Head of Sound, Det Norske Teatret, Norway

"SM-Designer FINALLY puts the power of an AudioBox into the hands of organizations both large and small in an affordable, scalable package!"
- Carl Underwood, Lighting and Sound Designer

"Using off-the-shelf hardware, SM-Designer is an affordable, scaleable, easily upgradeable entry to the possibilities of Virtual Sound System software."
- Bruce Ellman, Sound Designer and adjunct faculty member of the New York City College of Technology

You can program and control audio and show control in extremely powerful and flexible ways. Offline programming is easy with SM-Designer, and is very similar to our industry standard ABEdit software for the AudioBox.

SM-Designer allows you to create an unlimited number of shows and cues (comprised of MIDI sequences, which can also be captured in real time and saved). It includes SM-Assistant, which is a MIDI sequencer and show controller with up to 127 cue lists, of which as many as 32 lists can be open simultaneously, plus a time code generator.

It is fully programmable and controls SoundMan-Server, which plays backs any number of audio selections. Without a license dongle, SoundMan-Server runs in free/demo/offline mode.

Demo mode provides up to four fully functional audio playback tracks and a 4 x 2 matrix. It also has two live input channels with programmable processing facilities feeding a programmable 2 x 2 matrix that feeds two live programmable output channels with full processing facilities. At the same time, all other channels are in an emulation mode which accurately emulates a full size licensed system but outputs no audio.

The licensed version plays back on up to 16 fully functional audio tracks and has 16 live input channels and 16 live outputs and a full 16x16 matrix.

The programmable processing facilities in each live input and output channel include:

• programmable level control with automatic fades (AutoPan™), also at each crosspoint
• up to 12 bands of parametric EQ
• up to 5.2 seconds of audio delay, also available at each crosspoint
• mute
• solo

SM-Designer supports the CMLabs MotorMan/MotorMix moving fader HUI physical control panel. As well, it can be easily controlled with simple contact closures such as switches, relays and PLC outputs using a standard contact-to-MIDI interface. Also, the built in hotkeys can be programmed and assigned to any kind of incoming MIDI command.

The following links concerning the programming and use of ABEdit apply similarly to SM-Designer:

Richard Ingraham's "Helper" articles

David Hudgins' helpful FAQ page

Carl Underwood's "Making waves with Light and Sound" blog