Blackmagic Design ATEM 2 M/E Advanced Panel 30

Blackmagic Design ATEM 2 M/E Advanced Panel 30

The Blackmagic Design ATEM 2 M/E Advanced Panel 30 is a mid-to-high capacity hardware control surface designed for complex live production environments. It bridges the gap between the compact "Panel 20" and the massive "Panel 40," offering 30 dedicated input buttons per row. This provides a balance of high-density source access and a footprint that fits comfortably into smaller control rooms or mobile broadcast trucks.

Core Functionality

• Dual M/E Control: Features two independent M/E rows. Each row can be bank-switched to control up to 4 M/Es in larger switchers like the ATEM Constellation 8K, allowing this panel to manage deep, multi-level broadcast productions.

• 30 Direct Inputs: With 30 buttons per row, you have immediate, non-shifted access to 30 sources. Using the shift button, this expands to 60 total sources per bank.

• Independent System Control: Each M/E row is paired with 3 independent system control LCDs (a total of 6 screens). These displays allow you to adjust keyers, transitions, DVE settings, and media players simultaneously without menu diving.

• Dynamic Labeling: High-resolution "scribble strip" LCDs are located under every button, showing source names and custom colors that update automatically from the switcher.

Key Hardware Features

• Dual T-Bar Faders: Features two independent, weighted faders for manual control of transitions across different M/E banks.

• 3-Axis Joystick: Professional-grade joystick used for real-time DVE positioning, sizing PIPs (Picture-in-Pictures), and controlling PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras.

• Dedicated Macro Buttons: With 30 dedicated buttons per row, you can trigger complex pre-recorded sequences—like opening animations or multi-box setups—with a single tactile press.

• Networking and Loop-Through: Includes 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports. This allows you to "daisy chain" multiple panels (like a Camera Control Panel) together without needing an external network switch at the desk.

Technical Specifications

Operational Insight

In a 2026 production workflow, the Panel 30 is often considered the "sweet spot" for professional studios. It is wide enough to accommodate 30 sources—common in modern 12G-SDI environments—but narrow enough (approx. 36 inches) to leave room for a laptop or script on a standard production desk.

Setup Tip: Because this panel features dual redundant power supplies, it is standard practice in mission-critical environments to plug the two power cables into separate power sources (e.g., one to a UPS and one to mains) to prevent a total shutdown if one power circuit fails.