Soundcraft Expression, or Si Compact for live theater?

Re: Soundcraft Expression, or Si Compact for live theater?

Steve Payne said:
Does one really need 8 mute goups, 8 vcas, LCD channel labels, full parametric eq, etc. on a 16 channel mixer?
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These may not be needed on a 16 channel mixer.... But don't forget that the performer/expression 1 are not exactly just 16 channel mixers.


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Re: Soundcraft Expression, or Si Compact for live theater?

Steve Payne said:
Steve,
I agree that the Performer is a great value at the new price points. BUT, new MAP pricing still puts it at roughly TWICE the price of the Expression. This is enough to clearly differintiate between the two. Does one really need 8 mute goups, 8 vcas, LCD channel labels, full parametric eq, etc. on a 16 channel mixer? Maybe. I think the Expression remains a great choice for the more novice user in a less demanding environment. ( I own both find them both to be excellent, cost effective tools...in different environments.)
Click to expand...

MAP pricing? What the heck does that have to do with anything? LOL!
I got quotes on both expression 1 and performer 1 and the difference was less than $1100

The Expression is a useful board. I really like 4 band parametric. The other stuff isn't as necessary for bands mixing themselves.

(Oh, w/digital snakes, the expression will do 64 channels and the Performer 80, so they're not really 16 channel boards.
 
Re: Soundcraft Expression, or Si Compact for live theater?

David Sturzenbecher said:
These may not be needed on a 16 channel mixer.... But don't forget that the performer/expression 1 are not exactly just 16 channel mixers.


Sent from my iPhone
Click to expand...

If you plan to use a stage box with 24 or more channels the Expression would become unwieldy very quickly. Used as a standalone with it's 16 on board preamps I think the feature set is very appropriate.
 
Re: Soundcraft Expression, or Si Compact for live theater?

I used to mix 24 - 30 channels on my LS9-16 regularly. Couple pieces of board tape and it was no big deal
You do have to pay attention to what layer you're on though!
 
Re: Soundcraft Expression, or Si Compact for live theater?

Steve Hurt said:
MAP pricing? What the heck does that have to do with anything? LOL!
I got quotes on both expression 1 and performer 1 and the difference was less than $1100

The Expression is a useful board. I really like 4 band parametric. The other stuff isn't as necessary for bands mixing themselves.

(Oh, w/digital snakes, the expression will do 64 channels and the Performer 80, so they're not really 16 channel boards.
Click to expand...

$1100 difference sounds about right in the real world. If the rack mount versions are going to be used with remote stage boxes and hence more channels, then the added features of the Performer become valuable (essential even?) quickly. If the plan is to use it stand alone as a 16 channel board, then practically speaking, one is paying $1100. to move from 2 bands of parametric to 4 bands of parametric on the inputs. That's about what it comes down to and if it is worth the money to a particular buyer/user, I totally get it. Either way, I think the Soundcraft Si's are strong contenders at this point in the market.
 
Re: Soundcraft Expression, or Si Compact for live theater?

I think right now I am leaning towards the expression 3 for a few reasons. First of which is I know that virtually all of the creature comforts that we enjoy that the performer offers will either create confusion or go unused in this particular install. Overall cost of the project was a factor as well.

That being said, how has the reliability of the expression series been? I know the venue is particularly leery of making the switch to digital for many of the same reasons many of us originally had, so I know it would completely put them off to ever using a digital board again if it died mid-show.
 
Re: Soundcraft Expression, or Si Compact for live theater?

We have had an Expression 3 in our church since April 2, 2013. That being said we had one of the few of the first manufacturing run that had issues. Since the issues have been fixed in firmware, the console is awesome. The move from analog to digital has been very easy. Watch all of the videos on the Soundcraft YouTube channel for some tips and tricks. Also read through the knowledge base articles on the Soundcraft website and make sure that the console is on the latest firmware. You are making a great choice!

Sent from my SCH-I605
 
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