Several of the UK’s leading sound rental companies have been quick to add Soundcraft’s new Vi1 digital console — the latest, and smallest addition to its successful Vi family — to their own touring inventories.
Soundcraft have taken the popular platform to another, more affordable level with the release of the Vi1, which inherits many of the key features of its larger siblings, including Soundcraft FaderGlow™, four stereo Lexicon effects engines, BSS Audio graphic EQs on all output busses, and integral dynamics on all channels. The desk is also compatible with Vi2, Vi4 and Vi6 show files.
The Vi1 is Soundcraft’s response to market demand for a lower-priced desk with these facilities — but still built around the acclaimed Vistonics™ easy-to-navigate interface.
“It’s a small-format desk with big format functionality,” summarises Eddie Thomas of ETASound, currently in the midst of a major inventory overhaul. “A desk that gives a Vi6 performance in a chassis half the size certainly fills a gap in the market.
“For us it will be equally at home on bigger acts as with smaller club shows so it gives us more flexibility. Aside from the price, for the immediate functionality it ticks all the boxes — and since it’s in the same format as the other Vi series desks anyone can walk onto it.”
ETA have purchased two systems, complete with the optical fibre MADI cards. “This means we can run our existing Vi6 fibre multi to the Vi6 stage box to expand the Vi1's channel count from the 32 on-board to 64.” he said.
SSE Audio Group director John Penn was equally unequivocal about his company’s purchasing decision, taking advantage of the console’s high quality audio in a small footprint — with the ability to have a large input count.
“The key attributes are the sound quality, data compatibility with the Vi6 — and a proven interface that's user friendly,” he said.
SSE believe the Vi1 to be a valid option where space is an issue “for example where the desk is riding on the band bus. Currently in this sector users feel they have to compromise on audio quality and facilities.”
SSE Audio Group have a series of training days planned at their West Midlands facilities, with 25 people already confirmed for the first event on 14 July 2010.
Another front-line production company, Adlib Audio, has likewise extended its long relationship with the Harman Pro product portfolio. Said director, Dave Kay: “We love the sound quality and ease of use of the Vi products — and it’s great to have something with the same heritage and feature set available to users on a tighter budget.
“Shows can be easily transferred around the Vi range of consoles and we think this will become a widely accepted console in a multitude of applications — from music venues, both large and small, to theatres, conference centres, churches and local venues.”
He added, “We love the visual feedback from the Vi consoles — it’s such an easy desk to use and you can see all of your input and output metering. The preamp sounds great, and the analogue style metering and floating point architecture all make it a great sounding, easy to use desk.”
From a practical point of view he cites its expandability — there are 32 mic amps on board, but the addition of a remote stage box gives it 64-channel capability.
“There’s no local rack - everything is in one box which makes it very lightweight. On top of that, all features developed for the larger consoles will automatically go onto the Vi1 as they run the same software platform.”
Adlib Audio have already placed an initial order for two Vi1’s, with a loan Vi1 having already seen real-world action at Glastonbury. Dave Kay himself continues to assist Soundcraft and Sound Technology at Vi training events with a Vi1 training/demo day at Adlib’s HQ in Liverpool to be announced shortly. Check their website for dates (www.adlibsolutions.co.uk) — under ‘Training’)
Meanwhile, sales company AC Entertainment Technologies are another early adopter — taking the opportunity to become one of a limited number of UK re-sellers of the Vi1.
Said sales manager, Peter Butler, “I think the Vi1 is set to become a big seller; it's already stimulated a lot of interest in the market and with its feature set and price point it will prove very popular for venues and rental companies alike.”
They too are setting up a training day — on August 11th at their premises in Leeds.
Says Sound Technology Marketing Director, Ian Cullen 'The Vi1 is undoubtedly a very special product. Soundcraft have taken everything the Vi Series has become renowned for in terms of user interface and sound quality and put it in a perfectly-sized package at the right price. It's one of those rare products that ticks all the boxes for a lot of people and the take-up has been phenomenal.'
For more information please contact UK distributor Sound Technology Ltd on 01462 480000 or visit www.soundtech.co.uk/soundcraft
Click here to download the Soundcraft Vi1 Brochure.
