With the Soundcraft Vi Series winning new friends daily, it's not surprising that Soundcraft continues to develop this outstanding digital console with new features and facilities.
The main feature introduced in V4.0 is user-configurable fader layers. This allows an engineer to map out his own channels on any of 3 user layers so that a combination of different inputs can be placed on one layer, as opposed to the standard set of sequential channels on the 3 fixed layers. This allows, for example, the main vocalist mics to be programmed to appear in the same location on every layer, so they are always accessible, or bringing other essential channels closer to a central operating position. The 5 main output fader layers may also be customised in a similar way, meaning, for example, that 8 stereo aux masters can be used on one layer for instant access to multiple in-ear sends, or VCA masters assigned alongside aux masters.
Further extending the layout control is the ability to assign output busses to the channel faders for immediate control, making access to the bus masters much faster.
By touching any of the output meter windows on the master section Vistonics screen, the corresponding output channel strips are assigned to the right hand 8 channel faders, leaving the left hand side of the surface still handling input channels. This functionality adds to the much-loved ability to assign blocks of 8 input channels to the right-hand bay by touching the meter displays, which has been a feature of the Vi software from the start.
This software update also brings a number of new tools to the Vi worksurface which will find great favour with Theatre sound engineers.
For example, snapshot recalls can now use crossfades to smoothly transition from one setting to the next - indispensable in theatre. A new snapshot preview mode allows the engineer to check in advance what settings are about to be recalled, and also allows editing of other cues without affecting the audio.
The Vi Series already has 30-band BSS Audio graphic equalisers available on all outputs. A new function allows all 30 bands to be ‘condensed' onto 8 faders, to save operating space and allow access to input channels while working on output EQ. The original ‘full width' GEQ mode is still available if required. The cut or boost values of the GEQ bands are also now displayed above each fader as they are adjusted.
A number of ‘under-the-hood' optimisations have also been made to the software which speed up the operation of layer changing and other functions.
Registered Vi Series owners will be automatically notified of the software availability.