Has anyone had an opportunity to mix or see a Soundcraft SI Compact digital mixer of any frame size? If so, what's your thoughts?
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
Any Soundcraft SI Compact Users?
- Thread starter Marc Hayes
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Re: Any Soundcraft SI Compact Users?
I haven't used it live, but did spend a few minutes with the 24ch version last week. Any specific questions?
Overall, I like the interface better than the LS9. There are real knobs for most functions (EQ, comp, gate, pre). I didn't like how it has sends on faders only, not sends on rotaries. The sends on faders is a bit better than the LS9, as the aux and matrix buttons aren't shared. The fader glow feature may be simple, but I like it - if a fader isn't an input, it glows to tell you what it is.
The weaknesses - the EQ is not fully parametric, doesn't have sends on rotaries, no de-esser, and the 24ch is only 24, no expansion. The optional IO slot is 64x64, which is much better than the little 16x16 Yamaha slots.
Overall - if only semi-PEQ for highs and lows is OK, if lack of de-esser is OK, then I would strongly look at it instead of the LS9. It's not a 'real' mixer to compete with iLive (T), Avid, anything over the M7CL, etc.
I haven't used it live, but did spend a few minutes with the 24ch version last week. Any specific questions?
Overall, I like the interface better than the LS9. There are real knobs for most functions (EQ, comp, gate, pre). I didn't like how it has sends on faders only, not sends on rotaries. The sends on faders is a bit better than the LS9, as the aux and matrix buttons aren't shared. The fader glow feature may be simple, but I like it - if a fader isn't an input, it glows to tell you what it is.
The weaknesses - the EQ is not fully parametric, doesn't have sends on rotaries, no de-esser, and the 24ch is only 24, no expansion. The optional IO slot is 64x64, which is much better than the little 16x16 Yamaha slots.
Overall - if only semi-PEQ for highs and lows is OK, if lack of de-esser is OK, then I would strongly look at it instead of the LS9. It's not a 'real' mixer to compete with iLive (T), Avid, anything over the M7CL, etc.
Re: Any Soundcraft SI Compact Users?
Thanks for the thoughts. Definitely some good notes to consider there.
What makes it not compare to the iLive T series and similar, besides the things you already mentioned.
Also, I know you said you hadn't used it live, but any capability to comment on sound quality and ease of navigation?
Thanks!
Thanks for the thoughts. Definitely some good notes to consider there.
What makes it not compare to the iLive T series and similar, besides the things you already mentioned.
Also, I know you said you hadn't used it live, but any capability to comment on sound quality and ease of navigation?
Thanks!
Re: Any Soundcraft SI Compact Users?
Heres my gripe, 2 less faders than the 'frame' size. The 24 has 22 faders plus 2 (masters) for 24 across the surface. You have to go to the next bank to get to the last 2 channels ....
Heres my gripe, 2 less faders than the 'frame' size. The 24 has 22 faders plus 2 (masters) for 24 across the surface. You have to go to the next bank to get to the last 2 channels ....
Re: Any Soundcraft SI Compact Users?
I started a thread about the SI a few weeks ago.For some reason it was moved to the Jr Varsity.If you go there ( page 2 ),you will find several responses to your question.Most of the replys were not favorable.
I started a thread about the SI a few weeks ago.For some reason it was moved to the Jr Varsity.If you go there ( page 2 ),you will find several responses to your question.Most of the replys were not favorable.
Re: Any Soundcraft SI Compact Users?
I thought the fewer faders are due to stereo channels.
I thought the fewer faders are due to stereo channels.
Re: Any Soundcraft SI Compact Users?
The 16 Channel is the same way; 14 faders on the first bank and two plus two stereo on the second bank.
We had a 16 Channel in our shop last week. Overall I liked the console. Caleb pretty much nailed it on the head. I would like to see some sort of channel labeling for each fader, but at the price point I still think it is nicely featured. I'd like to hear one in action as all of the other Soundcraft digitals seem to shine when it comes to sound quality. It seems really simple to navigate, although I didn't use it live.
The 16 Channel is the same way; 14 faders on the first bank and two plus two stereo on the second bank.
We had a 16 Channel in our shop last week. Overall I liked the console. Caleb pretty much nailed it on the head. I would like to see some sort of channel labeling for each fader, but at the price point I still think it is nicely featured. I'd like to hear one in action as all of the other Soundcraft digitals seem to shine when it comes to sound quality. It seems really simple to navigate, although I didn't use it live.
Re: Any Soundcraft SI Compact Users?
The second layer holds the last 2 mono input channels, plus the stereo faders (which can only route stereo inputs/fx)
The third layer holds the buss masters
The second layer holds the last 2 mono input channels, plus the stereo faders (which can only route stereo inputs/fx)
The third layer holds the buss masters
Re: Any Soundcraft SI Compact Users?
I had seen your review of the SI series, but I am asking for thoughts on the SI Compact series....a completely different animal. In fact, it was your thread that steered me away from the SI's!
Thanks!
I had seen your review of the SI series, but I am asking for thoughts on the SI Compact series....a completely different animal. In fact, it was your thread that steered me away from the SI's!
Thanks!
Re: Any Soundcraft SI Compact Users?
How big of a step up would you say it is from an 01V96 with 2 external pre's (it would be replacing this in our lineup)? The built in GEQ's are a HUGE plus for us, but what other pluses would you guys see?
Anyone know how it compares sound quality wise to the Soundcraft analogue consoles? I've never been a huge fan of the 01v's sound in comparison to our Soundcraft analogues but for the price/feature set I've got no complaints. Obviously though for this more expensive console we'd be looking for more in those terms.
Thanks!
How big of a step up would you say it is from an 01V96 with 2 external pre's (it would be replacing this in our lineup)? The built in GEQ's are a HUGE plus for us, but what other pluses would you guys see?
Anyone know how it compares sound quality wise to the Soundcraft analogue consoles? I've never been a huge fan of the 01v's sound in comparison to our Soundcraft analogues but for the price/feature set I've got no complaints. Obviously though for this more expensive console we'd be looking for more in those terms.
Thanks!
Re: Any Soundcraft SI Compact Users?
GEQ's are cool, but even on the 32ch model, they don't utilize all the faders for the frequency bands.
As to how large a step up from 01V96? I'd rate it a small step up from the LS9 overall, if that helps any.
GEQ's are cool, but even on the 32ch model, they don't utilize all the faders for the frequency bands.
As to how large a step up from 01V96? I'd rate it a small step up from the LS9 overall, if that helps any.
Re: Any Soundcraft SI Compact Users?
I like the next generation of DSP based consoles, SI Compact included. I have used most of the systems on the market and know most of the teams behind them on a personal basis. I think the SC is late to this market, but they have a distinct advantage of not having to relearn every lesson. You get a much more complete solution needing a lot less "Patches" going forward. Its interafce is well thought out and pretty easy top pick up. Neveretheless, all these platforms provide one common theme that gets lost in these endless conversations about features and blinky lights: Less time to set up and much more reliable performance....Once you and/or your crew gets there head around them. I own dozens. What used to take a couple hours now takes a single hour. What meant getting behind the console to patch Eq's, Gates and Compressors are now the push of a couple buttons. What you do with the rest of the time you save, will make a bigger difference than any one feature set. (recall what we do is a service, not a product...) Do you or your team have the discipline to put this found time to work for your clients, or will you use it as an excuse to load in an hour later?
Ken
I like the next generation of DSP based consoles, SI Compact included. I have used most of the systems on the market and know most of the teams behind them on a personal basis. I think the SC is late to this market, but they have a distinct advantage of not having to relearn every lesson. You get a much more complete solution needing a lot less "Patches" going forward. Its interafce is well thought out and pretty easy top pick up. Neveretheless, all these platforms provide one common theme that gets lost in these endless conversations about features and blinky lights: Less time to set up and much more reliable performance....Once you and/or your crew gets there head around them. I own dozens. What used to take a couple hours now takes a single hour. What meant getting behind the console to patch Eq's, Gates and Compressors are now the push of a couple buttons. What you do with the rest of the time you save, will make a bigger difference than any one feature set. (recall what we do is a service, not a product...) Do you or your team have the discipline to put this found time to work for your clients, or will you use it as an excuse to load in an hour later?
Ken
Re: Any Soundcraft SI Compact Users?
We have an Compact Si 24 ch and have som mixed feelings about it:
1. Why is there not a user configurable layer?
2. We have also bought a 32 channel stagebox, I still dont know if I could use channel 25-32, if so, instead of a channel 1-24?
3. No libraries whats so ever! Not eq, comp, gate or FX!
Does anybody know any solution to our problem? Any coming update, things they would like to implement?
Micke
We have an Compact Si 24 ch and have som mixed feelings about it:
1. Why is there not a user configurable layer?
2. We have also bought a 32 channel stagebox, I still dont know if I could use channel 25-32, if so, instead of a channel 1-24?
3. No libraries whats so ever! Not eq, comp, gate or FX!
Does anybody know any solution to our problem? Any coming update, things they would like to implement?
Micke