Soundcraft is introducing its new V3.0 software for its Si Series consoles, offering increased DSP channels, I/O patching and improved layering of the control surface faders.
Not only does the new upgrade support I/O patching of inputs and outputs, but more DSP channels have been realised increasing the mix capacity of the Soundcraft Si1 from 48 to 72, and the Soundcraft Si2 from 64 to 80. These mix channels come from the pool of I/O formed by the local inputs, FX Returns and the option card slot.
The patching facility provides a simple way to freely route not only inputs from physical connectors to DSP channels, but also to assign the channel direct outputs and buses as desired to the MADI outputs (for example a second Si Series console to create a FOH and Monitor pair) or to a MADI-based recording system.
The unique ‘Auto Complete' feature allows ‘one-touch' patching of multiple I/O points to channels or buses to save valuable time and avoid mistakes when requiring to re-patch lots of inputs or outputs for example, when switching all input sources to the MADI card for a virtual sound check.
The optional MADI card can also be used to integrate any Si Series console with a Soundcraft Vi Series console, connecting directly into a Vi Series stagebox so the two consoles can share stage inputs.
Further increasing the power of the Soundcraft Si1 are the optional expansion cards; these are available as either 16 additional mic inputs or eight mic inputs and eight line outputs. Needless to say, these additional inputs and outputs contribute to the available pool of I/O for mixing.
To complement the patching and DSP increase, fader layers have been updated to improve the workflow and allow full ‘multi-user operation' on an Si3 as both the left and right sides of the console can now access the same channels at the same time.