Soundcraft Vi Series

The latest addition to Soundcraft's Vi range of digital live consoles, the new Vi3000 brings unparalleled mixing power to the live touring, install and corporate AV markets in a single-box, cost-effective package. The new console combines the unique Vistonics-based control surface concepts of the highly successful Vi4 and Vi6 consoles, with Soundcraft® SpiderCore - a powerful integrated DSP and IO engine based on STUDER technology and compact enough to reside inside the control surface itself.

In addition to a full complement of on-board mic and line IO, configurable up to 48 mic line inputs and 16 line outputs using combinations of 16ch XLR modules in 4 rear-mounted slots, the console includes two 64ch expansion slots allowing up to two MADI-based Stageboxes to be connected, or alternatively the slots provide access to the extensive range of D21m IO option cards, addressing all industry standard audio formats. For the first time in a Soundcraft console, a built-in 64x64ch Dante interface provides direct recording/playback connection via Ethernet to any PC or Mac-based recording software, or allows the Vi3000 to integrate into an existing Dante network. The Dante interface is complimented by an additional optical MADI interface designed for either record feeds or connection of the new Soundcraft Realtime Rack plug-in processing engine, adding the power of Universal Audio UAD-Powered Plug-Ins to the Vi's pristine audio quality.

The package is completed by a brand new industrial design, with black TFT panels and new sidecheek mouldings, plus a new modernised 3D-Vistonics graphics design for the console's touchscreen GUI. Integral LED surface lighting has been retained and is augmented by twin gooseneck lamp sockets, intended for task lighting at the rear connection panels of the console.

Patented features like Faderglow, VM2 microphone monitoring and Vistonics provide a uniquely user-friendly mixing experience and superb sound quality is assured by a 40-bit floating-point DSP environment, running STUDER, BSS, Lexicon and dbx algorithms.

The result of Soundcraft's continuing commitment to developing the Vi Series in direct response to user feedback, new V4.8 operating software delivers powerful new features, particularly for the Vi6, Vi4 and Vi3000 in stage monitoring applications.

Please note that additional DSP cards may be required to benefit from all available upgrades (see table at the bottom of the page for full details).

1. All Busses To Stereo

Turn all busses to stereo without tying up two busses

The single most significant upgrade within V4.8 is the option to turn all of the busses on a Vi2, Vi4 or Vi6 console to stereo, without tying up two busses. With the stereo mix capability doubled to 32, no other console delivers greater flexibility in mixing large monitor applications (please note that the maximum capacity of mono mixes remains 32).

Compatibility:  Vi2/4/6 (YES)   Vi1 (NO)

2. Stereo Matrix Busses

Up to 16 stereo matrix busses for increased flexibility

The new stereo facility for Matrix busses makes it possible to have up to 16 Stereo Matrix busses (8 on Vi1), using the new 'All Busses to Stereo' feature. A new 'Contribution Pan' function allows each of the Matrix contribution signals - selectable from a multitude of sources including channel direct outs, bus master outs and direct IO patches - to be positioned within the matrix bus's stereo field.

Compatibility: Vi2/4/6 (YES)   Vi1 (YES)

3. Four Aux Sends Points

Tailor monitor mixes more closely to the performers' requirements

The provision of two extra send points provides monitor mix engineers with a lot more flexibility and the option to send pre-Dynamics/post-EQ, and pre-EQ and Dynamics on a per channel/ per bus basis empowers the operator to tailor monitor mixes more precisely to the performers' requirements and reduces the compromises necessitated by mixing for FOH and monitors.

Compatibility: Vi2/4/6 (YES)   Vi1 (NO)

4. Post Fade Insert Points

Enhancing integration with auto-mixing systems

Implemented primarily for use with external auto-mixing systems, this feature provides an extra access point for inserts on every channel in the form of a Post fade insert point. Fader control of the send level gives the operator some control over the main level of the component parts of the 'auto-mix', allowing manual override if a problem occurs with the auto mixer's response to the incoming audio.

 Compatibility: Vi2/4/6 (YES)   Vi1 (NO)

5. Aux VCA Mode

Choose whether to use VCA groups to control sources within monitor mixes

The Vi's Aux VCA mode is now a whole lot more powerful. VCA master faders can now control the aux sends of their member channels on a 'per mix' basis, with a new FaderGlow colour to indicate the VCA's operation. Monitor engineers can now retain control of important global elements such as ambient mics while also having a monitor mix selected and adjusting groups of sources within the current mix using the Aux-VCAs

Compatibility: Vi2/4/6 (YES)   Vi1 (YES)

6. Gate/Duck External Source

Auto-increase of ambient mic levels in monitor mixes between songs

V4.8 software brings with it the facility to externally control the Gate or Ducking processing from a bus in the console. We all know that performers using in-ear monitors want to hear the audience between songs. Now it's as easy as inserting a ducker on an ambient mic with an external source of the LR bus or a spare bus, and the audience level increases automatically when the performers stop playing.

Compatibility: Vi2/4/6 (YES)   Vi1 (YES)

7. Colour Label Displays

Clearer indication of grouping makes for more efficient workflow

A great new feature for show management and instrument grouping, the facility to choose 6 different label colours makes it easy to manage contributing channels by instrument group, key channels or any other grouping that will improve workflow.

Compatibility: Vi2/4/6 (YES)   Vi1 (YES)

DSP Requirements

Because V4.8 software delivers significant upgrades in processing options, it may be necessary to add more DSP cards to Vi2, Vi4 and Vi6 consoles to achieve maximum benefit. Please consult the table below. Please note that it is not possible to add DSP cards to the Vi1.

The result of a unique collaboration between live sound mixing experts Soundcraft and renowned plug-in manufacturer, Universal Audio, the Soundcraft Realtime Rack brings industry-standard UAD studio plug-ins to the Soundcraft platform. The Realtime Rack hardware and software delivers tight integration of Soundcraft Vi consoles and UAD Powered Plug-Ins, with (48 kHz) sub-2 millisecond latency and full snapshot store and recall with Soundcraft’s CUE/Snapshot system. Realtime Rack’s robust SHARC-based processors run audio over standard Optical MADI connections and dual-redundant internal power supplies ensure that audio signals keep running, even in the event of a power supply failure. Soundcraft Realtime Rack brings the stability of DSP and the sound quality that Soundcraft and Universal Audio are known for in a scalable, low-latency processing environment.

Key Features

Hardware

• Durable 1U Rack enclosure
• 4 SHARC DSPs on-board
• Dual-redundant internal power supplies with failover detection
• Each Realtime Rack unit processes up to 16 channels of a MADI stream (add additional units for 32, 48 or 64 channels)
• Runs a huge library of UAD Powered Plug-Ins & UAD Direct Developer Plug-Ins
• Dual-Thunderbolt host connectivity
• One set of MADI optical I/O (64 channels @ 48 kHz)
• Word Clock I/O (BNC) and Input termination
• Sample Rate support from 44.1kHz to 96kHz
• Clock Support for the following formats: Internal, MADI, Word Clock

Software

• Purpose-built Realtime Rack application for inserting UAD plug-Ins
• Networked integration with select Soundcraft Vi consoles – allows full remote snapshot triggering and storing
• Create, store and recall channel strip presets
• Create, store and recall snapshots

74 Plug-ins available

The Realtime Rack Ultimate Live includes 74 of Universal Audio’s authentic hardware emulations and award-winning UAD plug-ins.