NAMM (Booth #14811), ANAHEIM, Calif—HARMAN Professional Solutions, the global leader in audio, video, lighting and control systems, including networked AV, today announced software release version 6.4 for all Soundcraft Vi -000 and -00 series consoles.
The workflow-enhancing software update is released in parallel with the launch of the company’s new Vi1000 mixing console and incorporates a number of new features benefitting users of the Vi1000 and the Vi family of consoles including the Vi2000, 3000, 5000 and 7000. In addition, users of older Vi4 and Vi6 consoles that have been upgraded to Vi400/600 spec with a CPU upgrade kit, can benefit from the functional improvements.
With this update, Vi-mixers now support Sennheiser Digital 6000 digital wireless microphones in the VM2 microphone monitoring system. This useful feature allows users to see battery, RF, audio level and Sennheiser’s Link Quality Indicator for attached wireless microphones, in real time, directly within the channel strip display. Other wireless systems already supported include AKG DMS and WMS systems, and Shure ULXD, QLXD and Axient.
The new Autocomplete patching feature allows any range of channels or busses to be sequentially patched or cleared in a single operation, using the console’s Gang facility, saving valuable time during setup.
Two new features allow users to take more control of the console’s fader layout: Strip Lock allows any fader strip to be locked in place on the surface at the touch of a button, giving permanent access to important channels, VCAs or busses. This also allows the second operator to lock a temporarily assigned block of inputs or busses in place on the console’s right-hand bay, while the main operator changes layers on the rest of the console. In addition, the console’s User-defined fader page layouts can now be stored and recalled with snapshot automation—bringing the flexibility of unlimited changes to the fader layout as the show progresses.
Finally, the Direct Output Gain Stabilization System (D.O.G.G.S) is a feature already available on the Soundcraft Si consoles and by popular demand, becomes part of the Vi feature set. This allows signals sent from the console’s direct output to maintain a constant level, even when changes are made to the input preamplifier gain, meaning that recording feeds or splits sent to other consoles are unaffected by gain changes once the show starts. A new mode on the Vi gives the option of stabilizing the whole channel level, instead of the direct output, giving the option to make emergency preamp gain adjustments during a show without having to adjust sends or fader levels.
“The V6.4 software release shows that we’re listening as hard as ever to our customers’ feedback and represents the most powerful update package that’s been released for the Vi console platform,” said Andy Brown, Soundcraft Product Manager, HARMAN Professional Solutions. “These features make a significant difference to the usability of the console, whether that’s speeding up patching tasks, managing the console’s fader layout, keeping send levels constant, or keeping an eye on Sennheiser wireless microphone parameters during a show.”
