Fairlight Live 1.0 Beta 2 Improves Patching Matrix and Multichannel Workflows

Blackmagic Design has released the second public beta for Fairlight Live 1.0, focusing on the infrastructure of live audio routing. This update addresses the technical friction often found when configuring massive audio setups for live broadcasts or studio recordings. For creators managing complex signal chains, these refinements reduce the time spent in menus and increase the reliability of the signal path.

What's new

The primary update in this beta involves the patching matrix. Users can now perform multichannel patching from a single connection, which removes the need to manually route every individual channel in a dense production environment. This is particularly useful when dealing with MADI or Dante feeds where dozens of channels enter the system simultaneously.

In addition to the routing improvements, the software now handles larger audio setups with greater stability. The interface remains responsive even as the channel count climbs, ensuring that engineers can monitor and adjust levels without lag. Blackmagic also integrated direct access to the updated manual within the help menu, allowing for quick troubleshooting during a setup or soundcheck.

How it fits your workflow

Fairlight Live serves as a bridge between traditional post-production audio and the demands of real-time broadcasting. For filmmakers who also handle live events or multi-camera studio shoots, this tool provides a familiar interface derived from the Fairlight page in DaVinci Resolve. It effectively replaces or augments hardware-heavy mixing consoles by providing a software-based solution that integrates with Blackmagic’s hardware ecosystem.

Sound engineers will find the multichannel patching update essential for reducing setup errors. In a live environment, manual routing is a common point of failure; by allowing single-connection patching for multiple channels, Fairlight Live minimizes the risk of misrouting a critical feed. This puts the software in direct competition with other digital audio workstations (DAWs) optimized for live use, such as Waves SuperRack or specialized configurations of Ableton Live, but with a specific focus on the broadcast standards found in the Blackmagic ecosystem.

Editors who are used to the Fairlight tab in DaVinci Resolve will find the transition to Fairlight Live straightforward. The logic of the mixer, EQ, and dynamics processing remains consistent, making it an ideal choice for teams that need to move between live capture and final delivery without relearning a new set of tools.

What it costs / how to try it

Fairlight Live 1.0 Public Beta 2 is a free download for existing users and those looking to test the software during its development phase. You can download the installer directly from the Blackmagic Design support page.