What the New Mavis Studio Update Brings to iPad Live Production
Mavis Studio is an iPad live production app that combines multi‑camera switching, media playback, graphics, audio mixing, recording and streaming into a single touch interface, turning the tablet into a portable control room for AV teams and content creators. At InfoComm 2026, Mavis announced a major update aimed at narrowing the gap between mobile setups and full broadcast systems. The release keeps the same all‑in‑one approach but adds deeper network, camera and audio integration so iPad live production can plug into existing AV infrastructure instead of sitting on an island. The app still targets venues, educators, houses of worship, corporate spaces and live event producers, but now offers clearer pathways into IP‑based workflows, shared NDI networks and flexible 3D layouts. In practice, that means a single iPad can manage complex, multi‑source productions that once demanded racks of dedicated hardware.
NDI Preview Support Connects iPad Workflows to Broadcast Networks
NDI Preview support is the headline connectivity upgrade in the latest Mavis Studio update. Previously, the app already supported NDI input and output, allowing iPad live production setups to pull in networked cameras and send program feeds back onto the same IP fabric. The new NDI Preview mode goes further by giving users five minutes of full access to NDI features so they can test camera sources, tally and PTZ control before committing to a subscription. For AV teams building IP‑based workflows, this trial window is more than a demo: it lets them validate network performance, check compatibility with existing NDI cameras and encoders, and see how the iPad slots alongside fixed production systems. According to Mavis, these additions underline the growing role of networked video in AV and turn the iPad into a credible node on the same production network as traditional switchers.
PTZ Camera Control from the iPad Screen
The update’s new PTZ camera control brings broadcast‑style camera operation straight into the Mavis Studio interface. For supported NDI PTZ cameras, operators can now pan, tilt, zoom and focus directly from the iPad, reducing the need for separate hardware controllers. A redesigned control wheel sits at the heart of this workflow. It adapts to the active source, switching between PTZ control, media transport and 3D layout adjustment, while customizable buttons give quick access to frequently used moves or cues. This is particularly useful in compact, multi‑camera setups where budgets or crew sizes make dedicated PTZ panels impractical, such as small venues, classrooms or corporate studios. By centralizing camera control alongside switching and graphics, Mavis Studio tightens the operational loop: one person can run cameras, cues and layouts from a single screen without bouncing between devices or control points.
USB Audio and 3D Layouts Push Production Quality Higher
On the audio side, Mavis Studio now supports USB audio interfaces, opening the door to professional microphones, mixers and outboard gear in an iPad live production workflow. Up to four channels can be routed into the app’s built‑in audio desk, and the same interface can be used for headphone monitoring, which simplifies live sound checks and source monitoring without bolting on more hardware. Visual design also receives a significant upgrade with expanded 3D layouts. Operators can position and angle layers in 3D space, stacking cameras, graphics and media elements into more dynamic compositions for interviews, events and branded content. These layouts reduce reliance on external graphics systems and make it easier to create polished, on‑brand looks within the app. Together, USB audio and 3D layouts move Mavis Studio closer to a full studio toolkit rather than a lightweight streaming utility.
iPad Live Production as a Real Alternative to Desktop Systems
Pulling these features together, the new Mavis Studio update positions iPad live production as a realistic alternative to traditional desktop and rack‑based workflows. Networked video via NDI, integrated PTZ camera control, USB audio and 3D layouts all live in a single touch‑driven environment that can travel between rooms, campuses or venues. Patrick Holroyd, CEO of Mavis, says the goal is to give users “the tools of a professional live production system in a format that is far more portable and accessible.” For AV teams and integrators, that means one app can cover multi‑camera switching, audio mixing and streaming in environments where fixed control rooms are overkill. Because Mavis Studio is available as a free App Store download, teams can evaluate the workflow with watermarked outputs and then scale into paid tiers that remove the watermark and activate NDI when their needs grow.
