ATEM Constellation HD AUX Audio Feature Request

One particular feature of interest was the number of auxiliary outputs available across the ATEM Constellation range which could route the HD-SDI Input Sources to the Auxiliary HD-SDI outputs. All good for monitoring input audio sources as well as Preview and Program outputs using one or more Blackmagic Audio Monitor 12G's. Further, also using those Auxiliary outputs to ISO Record the camera feeds with their associated embedded audio channels (1-16) to HyperDecks or Decklink enabled computers.

After reviewing the User Manual and also viewing several YouTube demonstrations, a warning was given to all viewers that the Auxiliary Outputs only contain Stereo Program sound, no matter which source was selected.

In other words, the HD-SDI Input Source has all embedded audio channels (1-16) striped from the signal and replaced with embedded Stereo Program sound at the Auxiliary Outputs. The signal path though allows embedded audio channels 1-2 to be presented to the ATEM/Fairlight inbuilt audio mixer.

The question remains, what purpose is served by not having the option to route HD-SDI input source embedded audio to 6-12-24 auxiliary output destinations?

A solution in the short term could be to provide a setup menu option to either select Stereo Program sound (default) or use the Input Source Audio Channels (1-16) from each of the ATEM Constellation HD-SDI Inputs for the Auxiliary Outputs of various models.

If you wish this request to go forward, please post a Plus One (+1), or add your comments.

An example Setup menu (ATEM 2 M/E Constellation HD, 20 HD-SDI Inputs) is illustrated below:

+1000

It was discussed here .. But BMD have not feedback on it ..

+1000

BTW: Nice Photoshop work.
Wish, that BM hear it and update it.

+1000 from me too!
We really need this feature, as everything else the Constellation does fits our requirements. We have a 1 M/E version and used it to test viability for a new project, but the lack of being able to route the audio embedded on a source input to the aux outputs has stopped us from purchasing the 4 M/E version.

I'm also 100% for this feature.

But is this even really possible from a hardware/technical point of view ? Does a firmware update can really add this long awaited feature ? Or is this impossible from the start (due to hardware limitation) ?
Don't get me wrong, this feature would be awsome but was just wondering...

I think hardware limitation is not in play here.. It's more IF they want to spend time and money to develop this feature. Because BMD always show that new features only come in new hardware. To sell you again a new Atem

But then again YES i really really hope they finally step up there game to do this.. Because Ross switchers have internal audio busses, Can route audio from every source to every aux. Even have 12 separate audio mix buses where you can make different mixes..

Lets not ask too many extreme things. But at least some audio routing and being able to route and address audio tracks 3-14 for the PGM bus would be very very welcome.

Thanks Daniel for your answer. Really appreciate all of your very insightful contributions.

Somehow, I was expecting a hardware limitation to prove me wrong from my usual cynical marketing point of view. Well...

10000 thumbs up!
Agree, this feature, being able to rouser the source audio in the AUX out is a dealbreaker for us to be able to use the switchers audio features. In some of our use cases-in eg sport events with multiple apparatuses like gymnastics, we are streaming or recording ISO´s in parallell to the main production stream. Just having the program audio to all outputs forces us to grab audio externally (or de-embed) and make a separate audio mix in x32 rack -> Dante - sub streaming computer(s) running multiple instances of OBS.
Of course producing all audio externally makes more sense in a large production, but in a smaller fly kit, it would be a great feature. The constellations are really lacking in the audio capabilities compared to all video Swiss army knife features.

Opening up a simple routing like "use source audio" instead of program audio on all sources would really be a high value but in the same time a minor software/fw update effort.

//Jon in Sweden

And finally it´s here Thank you Bklackmagic for bringing more value to the Constellation HD lineup! https://x.com/Blackmagic_News/status/18 ... 0724781078

Push the update out BMD!!


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Daniel, did you actually observe BMD demonstrating the new 9.6.2 software at IBC, or are they just pulling our leg with vaporware?

Lol Roger good point. We’ll believe it when we see it BMD!


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Daniel, did you actually observe BMD demonstrating the new 9.6.2 software at IBC, or are they just pulling our leg with vaporware?

Actually i have not been at the Atems at IBC even..

Been so busy with discussion in the 2110 part, About cloudStore, and replay that i have not even looked at the Atems.. Since i have these features already in the 8K.. So i know how they work..

That said.. I Really REALLY wish the full audio engine would be exposed inside the Atem software..
Instead of just PGM audio assign..

A matrix like manager to assign each available audio input channel to Any of all AUX outputs, Madi out, etc.. Exporting XML, changing XML ( Trough a tool build by a user) and then loading the XML live ( while we are running show ) is a bit tricky.
Assigning them to the Atem software control makes just so much more sense then loading up an XML.
In the end the XML loads trough the Atem software control and sends out control info to the Atem to change it's audio..

So why not build that into the software in the first place.. Anyway hope we might see that soon. As my Atem SDK skills are non exisiting.. So building it myself will be a problem.

A matrix like manager to assign each available audio input channel to Any of all AUX outputs, Madi out, etc..

Something like this you mean?



Still a work in progress, waiting for the new Atem software to come out so I can finish it with my Constellation HD rather than the limited time I've had access to an 8K for testing with.

Daniel, did you actually observe BMD demonstrating the new 9.6.2 software at IBC, or are they just pulling our leg with vaporware?

Actually i have not been at the Atems at IBC even..

Been so busy with discussion in the 2110 part, About cloudStore, and replay that i have not even looked at the Atems.. Since i have these features already in the 8K.. So i know how they work..

That said.. I Really REALLY wish the full audio engine would be exposed inside the Atem software..
Instead of just PGM audio assign..

A matrix like manager to assign each available audio input channel to Any of all AUX outputs, Madi out, etc.. Exporting XML, changing XML ( Trough a tool build by a user) and then loading the XML live ( while we are running show ) is a bit tricky.
Assigning them to the Atem software control makes just so much more sense then loading up an XML.
In the end the XML loads trough the Atem software control and sends out control info to the Atem to change it's audio..

So why not build that into the software in the first place.. Anyway hope we might see that soon. As my Atem SDK skills are non exisiting.. So building it myself will be a problem.

Ha ha - just been involved in a discussion elsewhere about how unintuitive Dante's X/Y matrix layout is!

Far more intuitive for sources to be on the left and destinations to be at the bottom (at least if you're a reader of left-to-right and top-to-bottom script) - though both layouts are better than a list of destinations and then drop-down source lists for each one.

@codeDeltaJames, Is this some render you or somebody made? Or is this a work in progress trough the SDK or something? Since it also has the IP address at the top.. Something most people wont put in a render But pretty interesting. Just found the small line below the images. Damn very interesting.!!
I can run tests on our 4K OBV if you want? Have 2 Constellations 8K in our truck.

@Steven, Yes i agree the Sources should be left. Top or bottom then rather give me Top with locked top plane like you do in Excel. Lock it in place and scroll trough the inputs. On the other hand i get why they put outputs on the left in Dante.. As you can only assign 1 input to an output.
Anyway since the list of input sources is pretty long at the atem.. While the output list is 24x 16 channels + Madi.. So not sure what would be the best setup. But i everything beats drop down menus and everything beats down and uploading XML data all the time to change something.


Did a quick dive into the Atem SDK this morning to find out that they finally have some CSharp examples.. Tried a few and this is what i kind of understand. Did a quick run trough of seeing if i see anything that might be able to do audio assigning / routing but so far no good..
Fingers crossed for the SDK that comes with the new FW update ..

[Gary Adams]

I will offer a couple of notes. Yes there will be a software release soon. That is public knowledge. And yes with the SDK, it is possible to access the full audio routing in supported ATEMs. You can possibly figure it out through the header file. While it may be under consideration some of the routing is not in the software UI. I hope this helps.

I edited and added using the SDK which I forgot to type before. As I have stated in much earlier posts, the Save and Restore XML could be made to make switching as well as editing macro XMLs.

Gary

I have ATEM TVS 4k8 at home now .. And i was found that my XML editor not works with it .. They have different AUX signing with space in name .. So im working to support all atems .. But not much time now .. I was added cross point editor there :

Screenshot 2024-09-20 at 16.05.15.png (393.46 KiB) Viewed 3026 times

Thanks Gary - all ribbing aside, this is a GREAT development. We're just super eager to get the update put into production.

I will offer a couple of notes. Yes there will be a software release soon. That is public knowledge. And yes with the SDK, it is possible to access the full audio routing in supported ATEMs. You can possibly figure it out through the header file. While it may be under consideration some of the routing is not in the software UI. I hope this helps.

I edited and added using the SDK which I forgot to type before. As I have stated in much earlier posts, the Save and Restore XML could be made to make switching as well as editing macro XMLs.

Gary

Let’s get the software version out there Gary! We want the super source borders! Thank you for listening to the community. Now the only thing Connie hd owners want is to control the usb connection as an individual aux output similar to the ATEM minis.


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