Tagged as the most advanced digital console in this low price category, Soundcraft launched the Soundcraft Si Expression digital console range at Winter NAMM show 2103, Anaheim. Si Expression is designed for all mixing applications ranging from gigging bands, performance venues, installations and tours, corporate AV and theatres to houses of worship and education facilities. Also launched at Winter NAMM was the new Mini Stagebox range which provides a simple solution to stage connectivity offering a lower-cost option for many systems where the modularity and configurability of the larger systems are not required. Both product lines will also be previewd at Prolight + Sound show, Frankfurt, 2013, Hall 8 F32, shipping is expected to start in June 2013.
Available in three frame sizes, Si Expression 1, 2 and 3 offering 16, 24 and 32 fader and microphone inputs respectively; all three are capable of up to 66 inputs to mix by connecting any Soundcraft stagebox including the two new Mini Stagebox 16 and 32 (16x8 and 32x16) models also launched at the show or by connecting additional inputs over MADI or AES/EBU. All external inputs are additional to the connections on the desk itself.
The mixer is loaded with industry standard processing from BSS, dbx, Lexicon and Studer and many top-end professional features like a colour touchscreen, iPad ViSi Remote control and Soundcraft FaderGlow, adopted from Soundcraft’s Vi Series large format flagship consoles. FaderGlow is a patented technology that automatically illuminates specific faders in varying colours according to their assignment enabling you to focus on the mix, not where signals might be.
A powerful DSP engine provides 4-band parametric EQ, delays, gates and compressors on every input, parametric and 30-band graphic EQ, compressors and delays on all outputs, as well as four Lexicon stereo effects devices, all capable of being utilised at the same time. Soundcraft ViSi Remote allows remote control of the console from an iPad.
Freely assignable fader layers allow for placing inputs and outputs anywhere on any layer, optimising mix control for the most important channels.
Andy Trott, Soundcraft and Studer’s Vice President and General Manager says this is one of the most exciting new developments in his 10 years running Harman’s mixer business. “A Soundcraft at this low price point is a departure from tradition for us,” he noted. “The Si Expression is based on new technology bridging the current Si Compact and Si Performer ranges and meets a totally new price point for Soundcraft making this product highly attractive to those looking for a professional console, at a budget price. Other companies will continue to produce ‘cheap’ mixers, we make professional, high-quality, easy to use mixers in the same price range—which makes the customer’s decision easier!”
The console is packed with professional features and a wide range of networking and option cards, the most recent of which is the BSS BLU Link card, also launched today enabling simple and automatic connection to the dbx PMC16 Personal Monitoring System.
The Mini Stagebox 32 (3U) provides 32 analogue inputs and 8 analogue line outputs, with 4 pairs of AES outputs, providing a total I/O capacity of 32 inputs and 16 outputs, with the Mini Stagebox 16 (2U) model providing 16 analogue inputs and 8 line outputs making a 16 x 8 matrix. They connect to any of the Soundcraft Si Expression, Si Compact, Si Performer, Si Series and Vi Series consoles via a MADI card fitted to the option card slot.
The Mini Stagebox models contain an integral PSU so are completely self-contained and sit comfortably stage-side.
The new units are part of the ViSi Connect range of interface options for all Soundcraft mixing consoles which includes the Compact and Vi Stageboxes and a range of option cards such as MADI, AES, CobraNet and AES. |
