The new Soundcraft Vi1 is a stand-alone console package with 32 channels of analog input to 27 analog outputs, plus 6 digital inputs, 4 stereo FX returns and 6 digital outputs, all in one chassis.
As standard, input to mix capacity is 46 channels, but by adding a stagebox (compatible with the existing Vi racks), simultaneous channel count increases to 64. Channels are routable to 24 multifunction buses, plus LR and mono mix buses.
Up to 8 of the buses can be configured as matrix mixes, each with up to 16 sources.
The surface is just over 1 meter (3 feet) wide, and includes 16 motorized channel faders with fixed and user-definable layers, 8 output/VCA faders and 2 master faders.
The Vi1 also incorporates a widescreen Vistonics interface, which will be instantly familiar to anyone who’s worked with a Vi6 or Vi4.
This new development displays all parameters for 16 channels side by side, on a single 22-inch Vistonics touch screen. The upper half of the screen handles the output section control as well as cue list or menu displays.
Parameter control is via two rows of 16 rotary encoders. Exactly the same channel functionality as the Vi6 and Vi4 is available here, along with all the same core snapshot, talkback and monitoring facilities.
The Vi1 also inherits many of the facilities of its larger siblings, including Soundcraft FaderGlow, 4 stereo Lexicon effects engines, BSS Audio graphic EQ on all output buses, and integral dynamics on all channels.
The desk is compatible with Vi4 and Vi6 show files through the Virtual Vi offline editor, which is available as a free download from www.soundcraft.com.
The price of the Vi1 starts at about around $22,750 (£15,000 UK) list.
