Blackmagic Design Announced New ATEM 2M/E and 4M/E Advanced Panels

July 10^th, 20201

Blackmagic Design Announced New ATEM 2M/E and 4M/E Advanced Panels

by Jakub HanJuly 10^th, 2020

Blackmagic Design announced two new control panels for its switchers. The new ATEM 2 M/E Advanced Panel features 2 M/E rows with 20 input buttons and 2 independent system control LCDs for each row. The ATEM 4 M/E Advanced Panel features 4 M/E rows with 40 input buttons per row and 4 independent system control LCDs for each row. This large panel includes 24 LCD’s for custom labeling of every button on every row.

In April 2020, Blackmagic Design already updated its compact switcher line – the company introduced the ATEM Mini Pro. The existing ATEM Mini received a little larger and more capable colleague.

In yesterday’s live stream, Blackmagic Design introduced two new products for larger live productions. The existing ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel received two larger siblings – ATEM 2 M/E Advanced Panel and ATEM 4 M/E Advanced Panel. Let’s take a short look at the features and specs.

Blackmagic Design ATEM Advanced Panels. Source: BMD

ATEM 2M/E and 4M/E Advanced Panels

Every ATEM Advanced Panel is basically an accessory for a Blackmagic Design switcher like for example the ATEM Constellation 8K that provides a better and faster workflow. The Constellation 8K is a switcher with 40 12G-SDI inputs, two 12G-SDI outputs, and 24 12G-SDI AUX outputs. Even though the switcher can function without the advanced panel via its built-in control panel or software control panel, Blackmagic recommends getting one of their Advanced Panels for faster and easier operation. The Advanced Panels have physical broadcast quality buttons, knobs, and a t‑bar fader to access all features in the switcher, all at the same time.

The existing ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel features a single M/E row with 10 input buttons and 1 system control LCD screen. Although it’s a 1 M/E panel, users can control all M/Es in larger switchers. The input buttons feature user customizable colors and button label LCDs. There’s also a joystick for the DVE and a T-bar fader.

The new ATEM 2 M/E Advanced Panel features 2 M/E rows with 20 input buttons and 2 independent system control LCDs for each row. Plus each row can control up to 4 M/Es in larger switchers. Both rows and all input buttons include LCDs for custom labeling. Each row also includes an independent select bus. This new model replaces the older ATEM 2M/E Broadcast Panel – it offers more features while being smaller.

New ATEM 4 M/E Advanced Panel. Source: BMD

Blackmagic introduced an even larger model with the ATEM 4 M/E Advanced Panel. It features 4 M/E rows with 40 input buttons per row and 4 independent system control LCDs for each row. This large panel includes 24 LCD’s for custom labeling of every button on every row.

The Blackmagic Design live stream has been reuploaded to Youtube, so you can watch it to get a good overview of all the new features of the ATEM Advanced Panels.

The panels offer transition control, transition styles (mix, dip, wipe, DVE and more), keyer control, fader bar for manually blend transitions, built-in fade to black (FTB) button, joystick for precise control, and more. For a full overview of the functions, you can also take a look at the Blackmagic Product Website.

Price and Availability

Both new ATEM Advanced Panels are now available for pre-order. The ATEM 2 M/E Advanced Panel retails for $6,159 and the larger 4 M/E model costs $18,485. There is no info yet when these new models will ship. We will keep you informed.

Do you do live productions? Do you have experience with the ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel? Would you consider one of the larger panels? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.