DiGiCo S21

The DiGiCo S21 is a compact, cost-effective digital mixing console designed for live sound applications, offering advanced features and high-quality audio processing in a user-friendly format. It is part of DiGiCo’s S-series, tailored for sound engineers who need the power and flexibility of DiGiCo’s renowned technology without the bulk or price tag of the larger Quantum or SD-series consoles. The S21 is ideal for small to mid-sized venues, touring productions, corporate events, theaters, and houses of worship, providing professional-grade performance in a highly portable package.

At the core of the DiGiCo S21 is its processing power, with 48 input channels, 16 output busses, and two master busses, making it suitable for handling medium-sized productions with ease. It is built on a FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) engine, a technology that DiGiCo is famous for, offering low-latency, high-resolution audio processing. The S21 supports up to 96kHz sample rates, ensuring pristine audio quality with detailed sound reproduction. This processing power is complemented by DiGiCo’s signature audio shaping tools, including EQs, compressors, gates, and high-pass filters, giving engineers full control over their mix. With its powerful onboard DSP, the S21 is capable of managing complex audio environments while maintaining reliability and consistency.

The user interface of the S21 is designed with simplicity and speed in mind. The console features two 10-inch multi-touch screens, providing a visual and tactile interface for navigating through settings, adjusting parameters, and controlling the mix. The touchscreens allow for intuitive pinch, drag, and swipe gestures, similar to a smartphone or tablet, making it easy to access channels, effects, and settings with minimal effort. The fader layout includes 21 motorized faders in total, providing direct control over key aspects of the mix, while the screens offer quick access to the console’s deeper functions. Additionally, the user interface is customizable, enabling engineers to configure layouts that suit their specific workflows, ensuring efficiency during live performances.

In terms of connectivity, the DiGiCo S21 is designed to integrate seamlessly into modern audio setups. It features a range of I/O options, including 24 analog inputs, 12 analog outputs, and two digital AES/EBU inputs and outputs. For larger setups or expansion, the S21 supports DiGiCo’s DMI (DiGiCo Multi-channel Interface) card slots, which allow the addition of various protocols like Dante, MADI, or Optocore, making it highly adaptable to different systems and environments. This flexibility is especially useful in situations where remote stage boxes or networking with other digital consoles is required. Furthermore, the S21 supports USB recording, making it convenient for capturing multi-track audio directly from the console for virtual sound checks or post-production.