With a crowd of 75,000 followers, Pope Benedict XVI’s voice during mass at the Bellahouston Park in Glasgow, Scotland was entrusted with SSE Audio Group’s deployment of two Soundcraft Vi6 digital consoles.
With a 35-piece orchestra, 800-piece choir and pre and post-show concerts, the religious event required reliable and vast amounts of digital channels to ensure no note or prayer was unheard.
With years of personal use and high-quality results with Soundcraft consoles, SSE Project Manager, Dan Bennett is well-acquainted with the Vi6 digital consoles. “Soundcraft is personally becoming a favorite of mine for specs,” he said.
“The amount of channels available with the Vi6s were perfect for this type of event and the surface features ensured the utmost quality for the performance.”
Under tremendous pressure dealing with inclement weather, narrow deadlines and organizing a concert-style sound system for the Pope, SSE utilized one Vi6 for the monitors and another Vi6 plus a Vi1 console for the FOH management.
It was vital to the organizers that the seating area sounded perfect for the Pope’s service.
“We were able to keep the large stage and all of the entertainment under control with the Vi6s as if it were a large concert, while still offering a peaceful worship service environment for the Papal mass itself,” said Bennett.
“Everything was absolutely perfect and we couldn’t have asked for a better job all around from the team or the Vi6s.”
The Soundcraft Vi6 digital console uses a derivation of the Studer Vistonics touch screen user interface to allow engineers to operate the desk intuitively. With 96 mono inputs and 35 outputs, the console is one of the most comprehensive and detailed, yet simple-to-use boards in the industry.
SSE purchased the Vi6 consoles through Sound Technology, Soundcraft’s UK distributor.
