iPad Live Production Steps Up from Companion to Control Room
iPad live production with Mavis Studio is an approach where a single tablet handles multi‑camera switching, graphics, audio mixing, recording and streaming, giving mobile crews and fixed venues a compact alternative to traditional hardware‑based control rooms and desktop software. Mavis Studio’s latest update, announced at InfoComm 2026, turns the iPad from a handy backup into a realistic main production hub. The app already combines media playback, graphics and an integrated audio desk in one touch‑driven interface. Now, new features such as NDI Preview on iPad, PTZ camera control, USB audio interface support and expanded 3D layouts push it further into professional territory. For AV teams, educators, houses of worship and content creators planning portable video production, the question shifts from whether an iPad can handle a show to which shows can now be run on an iPad instead of a desktop.
NDI Preview Turns the iPad into a Networked Video Test Bench
Networked video has become central to many professional AV setups, and the new NDI Preview on iPad cements Mavis Studio’s place in that world. The app already supports NDI input and output, so operators can pull in networked cameras and computer sources, then send a program feed back onto the network. The update adds a five‑minute NDI Preview window that grants full access to NDI features, including tally and PTZ camera control, before any subscription is activated. For teams exploring IP‑based, portable video production, this trial‑style preview helps them confirm bandwidth, discover compatible devices and see how iPad live production fits alongside existing switchers or media servers. According to Mavis, this is about letting AV teams test network performance and workflow fit without committing to a new system up front.
PTZ Camera Control: Remote Operation from a Single Tablet
Built‑in PTZ camera control may be the most visible example of how new Mavis Studio features close the gap with desktop systems. The update allows operators to pan, tilt, zoom and focus compatible NDI PTZ cameras from inside the app. A redesigned control wheel changes its role based on context, switching between PTZ control, media transport and 3D layout adjustments depending on the selected source. Customisable buttons give quick access to presets and common actions, reducing the need for separate hardware controllers. This is significant for compact, multi‑camera productions in spaces where budgets, staff numbers or desk real estate are limited. Instead of a separate PTZ joystick and a dedicated switcher, one iPad can sit at front‑of‑house or in the gallery and handle camera moves, switching and graphics, making portable video production more practical for smaller teams.
USB Audio and 3D Layouts Bring Desktop‑Level Polish to Mobile
On the audio side, Mavis Studio now supports USB audio interfaces, feeding up to four channels into its integrated audio desk while using the same interface for headphone monitoring. This means mixers, microphones and wireless receivers that were once tied to desktop rigs can plug straight into an iPad live production setup. Video presentation gains a boost too. Expanded 3D layouts let operators position and angle layers in 3D space, opening up more dynamic compositions for interviews, events, presentations and branded content. Instead of relying on a separate graphics system, producers can build over‑the‑shoulder looks, picture‑in‑picture arrangements and multi‑guest views directly on the tablet. Together, USB audio and 3D layouts move Mavis Studio beyond simple switching, into a space where a tablet‑based system can match much of the polish of conventional live production software.
From Niche Tool to Viable Desktop Alternative
Taken together, the new Mavis Studio features signal a broader shift: the iPad is no longer only a field companion but a viable hub for professional iPad live production. Multi‑camera switching, NDI Preview on iPad, PTZ camera control, USB audio support and advanced 3D layouts all live in a single, touch‑driven app. “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. The app is a free download, with watermark removal available for USD 24.99 (approx. RM115) per month or USD 79.99 (approx. RM365) per year, while removing the watermark and activating NDI costs USD 39.99 (approx. RM185) per month or USD 129.99 (approx. RM595) per year. For AV teams building mobile and remote workflows, the balance between desktop and tablet is starting to change.
