Soundcraft VI1 Digico SD9

G

Gary J Green

Freshman
Apr 23, 2012
11
0
0
I have read all there is to read in this forum and that other forum, but because I will be ordering one of these 2 desks on Friday I was hoping to get any last minute insights and pros and cons. After spending about 4 hours on the SD9 I became pretty fond of it. Midweek I will play a little with the VI1. I've narrow it down to these two because that is where the budget is, I will be the one using it most of the time and my old brain favors the touch screen ( sorry Pro2 , SC48).
Thanks in advance.
GG
 
Re: Soundcraft VI1 Digico SD9

Having used both extensively, here would be my impressions:

First off, its worth saying that both the soundcraft Vi and Digico SD range sound excellent, so no worries there. You are looking at 2 products that are up with the best of them in terms of audio quality.

I would suggest that the vi1 is a quicker 'walk up' board than an SD9
That said, the SD range is more flexible in general, in terms of processing and layout.
On the IO front, I would give a big +1 to digico. As standard you have 3 madi ports that can handle 56x56 IO each, so you have lots of stagebox/recording flexibility. On the vi1 you only have 1 expansion port, so less flexible by far.
Not sure whether you care or not, but a nice-to-have feature with the digico is that you can install a waves card in an SD9, and do internal waves plugins with the addition of a soundgrid server.
 
Re: Soundcraft VI1 Digico SD9

Seriously ? 1/2 the price of a SD9? There is a special on the SD9 currently also TP with 2 D Racks..
 
Re: Soundcraft VI1 Digico SD9

I thought the VI was the easier of the 2 boards to walk up to as well, sound wise both seem excellent, yes there is the ability to add more processing to the SD but in reality I doubt if that would be the deal maker. A VI is cheaper does most of what the SD does, the extra MADI connections need expensive addons be useful and if you're going there then a SD8 or VI4/6 would make more sense.
 
Re: Soundcraft VI1 Digico SD9

already mentioned here: both are nice professional tools that require some time to learn in order to really "use" them
some of my pros/cons:

I love the flexibility of the user interface of the Digicos (stereo channels on one fader, easy and totally free fader assign, ...)
the built-in multiband compressors and dynamic EQs are great tools
the FPGA technology seems more future proof, the snapshot system is very powerful
besides that the Soundcraft seems much slower in booting up and switching layers or flipping faders

what I like about the Vi is the visual feedback on the surface (gain reduction, fader glow)
the reverb quality of the Soundcraft is better
there are more options of IO cards for the Vi
the offline editor still is "offline", remote control only via extra apple stuff

and to be honest: I have seen both of them die or hang up :)
 
Re: Soundcraft VI1 Digico SD9

You can't use the SD in bright sunlight. The VI is difficult to see, but not impossible like the SD.

Not sure how much it matters to you, but the few times I've worked with the SD outdoors (under a tent mind you) it was very difficult. Other than that I love the desk.

I would prefer the VI if guest engineers are going to be using it.
I would prefer the SD if I'm using it solo or touring it.
 
Re: Soundcraft VI1 Digico SD9

I've toured with both Vi and SD desks and would say that both are difficult to see given the right angle of sunlight.

Tim Weaver said:
You can't use the SD in bright sunlight. The VI is difficult to see, but not impossible like the SD.

Not sure how much it matters to you, but the few times I've worked with the SD outdoors (under a tent mind you) it was very difficult. Other than that I love the desk.

I would prefer the VI if guest engineers are going to be using it.
I would prefer the SD if I'm using it solo or touring it.
Click to expand...
 
Re: Soundcraft VI1 Digico SD9

Adam Robinson said:
I've toured with both Vi and SD desks and would say that both are difficult to see given the right angle of sunlight.
Click to expand...

What everyone is trying to say is that digital consoles shouldn't be reliant on screen visibility for operation. I especially hate touchscreens for repeatable muscle-memory adjustments.
 
Re: Soundcraft VI1 Digico SD9

Jason Misterka said:
Pretty sure Gary works in the darkest theater in town :)
Click to expand...
Is my Vitamin D deficiency showing Jason? Chandeliers and gold leaf don't make up for real sun. I may regret not taking you up on your offer of coming over and playing with your assortment of Pro2 s before narrowing it down- shoulda coulda , but regrettably didn't .
This is locked in place at mix position in a dark theater except when other tour desks are brought in. No worries with screen visibility here.
 
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