California State University Bakersfield recently added a Harman’s Soundcraft Si Performer 3 digital console to solidify the technology supporting its growing music and theater programs.
The console is used for live mixing of shows at the 485-seat Doré Theatre, which include jazz and other music productions, theatrical productions, musicals, and opera. The board was purchased through Full Compass Systems.
To accommodate the 14 to 20 wireless microphones for the Music and Theatre Department productions, Performing Arts technician Frank Robinson chose the Soundcraft Si Performer 3 with 32 channels for sufficient capacity and room for future expansion. The sound booth that houses the console also allows for a simplified wiring network, and will permit elimination of much of the internal house wiring at a later date.
“We chose Soundcraft because we wanted a brand-new system within our budget that works consistently and reliably,” says Robinson. “From my decades of tour sound experience, I know that Soundcraft makes solid consoles, and the Si Performer is a good combination of intuitive design and great sound for the money.”
Situated in an educational environment, the theater features continental seating that is both wide and shallow, creating good acoustics for theatrical and musical applications. Robinson capitalized on these favorable acoustic conditions by specifying a console that is great not only in sound quality but also workflow.
“At our venue, not a lot of reproduction is needed, but we still wanted to get the perfect mix, and this board delivers on that,” he notes. “Since installation, events for which we used the Si Performer went smoothly, partly thanks to how quickly the students learned how to operate the board. Compared to some of the more expensive Yamaha consoles, this Soundcraft console sounds great and makes mixing easier, especially when it comes to patching.”