What the Mavis Studio iPad update changes for live production
The Mavis Studio iPad update is a software release that turns Apple’s tablet into a portable live production system by combining NDI preview monitoring, PTZ camera control, USB audio support and 3D layouts in a single touch interface, giving AV teams a realistic alternative to traditional control rooms for multi-camera events. Built as a live production software platform, Mavis Studio already handled switching, graphics, recording and streaming on iPad. The latest release, announced at InfoComm, focuses on making that workflow more practical on location. Networked NDI sources can be tested before subscribing, cameras can be driven remotely, external audio hardware can plug straight in and layered scenes can be arranged in 3D space. Together, these features push the iPad from a helper device into the role of primary production hub for touring crews, venues, educators and houses of worship aiming to cut down on racks of hardware.
NDI preview monitoring brings network confidence to the iPad
A central addition in the Mavis Studio iPad update is NDI preview monitoring, which gives operators five minutes of full access to NDI features before they commit to a subscription. During that window, teams can test networked cameras, check tally feedback and verify PTZ camera control from within the app. According to Mavis, this trial period is designed to expose real-world network conditions early, so AV crews can confirm that their IP video infrastructure is ready before a live day rather than during it. For production teams that want to replace or supplement a fixed switcher with an iPad, this NDI preview mode helps answer the most critical question: will the existing network reliably carry multiple camera feeds into a tablet-based control surface without adding mystery boxes or extra converters?
PTZ camera control from a touch-first control wheel
The update’s new PTZ camera control turns Mavis Studio into a practical command surface for remote cameras in conference rooms, auditoriums and touring rigs. Compatible NDI PTZ cameras can now be panned, tilted, zoomed and focused directly from the iPad using a redesigned control wheel. This wheel adapts to the selected source, switching between PTZ control, media transport and 3D layout adjustment so operators do not need separate panels or menus. Customisable buttons sit beside the wheel for fast access to commonly used moves or shots. Mavis positions this as a way to run compact multi-camera setups where there is no space or budget for dedicated PTZ joysticks. Instead of a traditional control room, a single operator on the show floor can steer cameras, cut between angles and trigger media cues from one tablet-based live production software interface.
USB audio and 3D layouts make tablet shows sound and look more professional
On the audio side, the Mavis Studio iPad update adds support for USB audio interfaces, allowing up to four channels to be routed straight into the app’s integrated audio desk. This means AV teams can plug in familiar hardware such as small USB mixers or broadcast interfaces and still monitor on headphones from the same box, without extra dongles or a separate recorder. Visually, new 3D layouts let operators angle and position layers in 3D space, building more engaging lower thirds, picture-in-picture effects and branded compositions without a standalone graphics engine. The same adaptive control wheel that drives PTZ cameras can be switched to 3D layout mode, giving a single operator fine control over depth and motion. For corporate events, houses of worship and education streams, these improvements help tablet-based productions look and sound closer to full broadcast control rooms.
iPad as control room: implications for touring and venue AV teams
Taken together, NDI preview monitoring, PTZ camera control, USB audio inputs and 3D layouts reposition the iPad from an auxiliary display to a credible control-room replacement for many live productions. AV teams can walk into a venue with a tablet, a compact USB audio interface and networked cameras, then run the entire show from a single screen. “Mavis Studio is about giving people the tools of a professional live production system in a format that is far more portable and accessible,” said Patrick Holroyd, CEO of Mavis. For touring productions and fixed venues alike, that portability removes much of the friction traditionally associated with flypacks and installed switchers. As IP-based workflows keep spreading, this Mavis Studio iPad update suggests that the future of live production software may live as comfortably on touch devices as it does in hardware racks.
