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Line 6's StageScape M20d: looks sort of like a massive handheld video game console.

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NAMM 2012: It turns out that Line 6's big reveal at NAMM doesn't concern digital amp modelling, as is often the case, but live sound. Sitting right at the heart of things is the StageScape M30d digital mixer, which gives you a touchscreen visual mixing environment and is stuffed with DSP.

Find out more in the press release below or on the Line 6 website.

Line 6 StageScape M20d press release

Line 6, Inc. (NAMM room 212A/B) introduces StageScape™ M20d, the world's first smart mixer for live sound.

Featuring a groundbreaking touchscreen visual mixing environment, StageScape M20d streamlines and accelerates the process of getting great live sound in an intuitive, complete solution that inspires great performances. Massive DSP power delivers comprehensive professional audio processing on every channel including multi-band feedback suppression. Multi-channel recording, remote control capabilities via one or more iPad® devices and pristine audio quality make the StageScape M20d an ideal mixing solution for a wide variety of live sound applications.

"For musicians who take care of their own live sound, getting great results consistently can be a time-consuming and frustrating experience – particularly when they want to be focused on performing," said Simon Jones, vice president of new market development at Line 6. "StageScape M20d answers those challenges by reinventing mixer workflow to better empower musicians to dial in a great mix with speed and ease. With a smart design to dramatically reduce setup time, intuitive touchscreen control that simplifies complex mixing tasks, and premium mic pre's and effects to ensure the best sound quality, StageScape M20d will deliver great sound in a range of situations."

A groundbreaking visual mixing system replaces the traditional mixer channel strip with intuitive touchscreen control. In Perform Mode, a graphic display of the stage setup uses icons to represent each performer or input. Colour-coded encoders provide immediate access to level control. A single touch on a performer's icon gives access to all parameters relating to that channel, from basic tweaks through deep effects editing.

The audio signal chain can be controlled via an innovative X-Y tweak pad. Drag a finger toward common sound descriptors like "bright" or "dark" and multiple parameters adjust simultaneously to achieve that sound. Deep Edit mode gives more experienced operators access to every effect parameter via a familiar plug-in style interface.

StageScape M20d streamlines setup with auto-sensing mic and line inputs and outputs that can detect when a connection is made and automatically configure the channel gain, EQ, effects and routing.

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