Soundcraft SI Series Used one?

Posted by Yuka as AV

I think the Si is a very good sounding desk.It is easy for people unfamiliar with to figure out in 10 minutes max.This summer I spent several weeks with one of the Si3’s had to mix very different styles it worked very well. We also had a lot of guys thrown on it with little or no notice out of 16 one could not work around it not being a digi design he mixed more with his eyes than ears.Even though as of now it is not plug in friendly the comps are DBX , the Gates and EQ’s are BSS and the effects are Lexicon In my opinion that is a better start point than any other desk at the same cost point. The desk is well finished runs cool also very easy to get around on I have spec’d one for our fourth theater on campus they also just added a Si1 to the list

Used one for 2 months this summer and had a lot of engineers on it from the ” IF IT’S NOT PURPLE I DON’T LIKE IT” ( he changed his mind and for the money was impressed liked the sound )to the ” I only work digital ” and all except one opening act engineer really were impressed. They often had 24 hours warning at most in 10 minutes they were 90% there only a few odd things with the desk as with all digital desks ( encoder / fader swap things like that and I don’t like the online editor for the Si) hope they get that straight .If anyone is saying that any digital desk does not have a few odd functions to get used to they are being less than truthful. Everyone has farorite desks , some just follow fashion . But the Si is a very nice desk for the dollar well built by a company that did not just jump into the game! I do not have to speak poorly of any desk to build up my choices .Yes some digital desks are wanting in headroom or just how the plug ins sound and re-act dynamically. Yamaha desks to me are scotch tape good basic tools but I think more use them because they know them. They have got a method that works , but Yamaha is not known for the very thing digital is about the assignable processors ! None of us ask for a Yamaha graphic’s or comp’s or gate’s and few only want Yamaha effects. If the selling point of digital desks is the processing available then lets use desks that use products that were engineered by processing companies.Digi Design and Soundcraft have each chosen an approach that does this.

Heat is not good for electronics if your power supply is in your board leave enough room to let it run cool! We will not know for many years what boards will remain in service for enough years to justify the investment, not die in the middle of shows.We know that about certain analog desks we will find out with the digital ones!I rode submarines I like well thought out no nonsense equipment Quality of switches how connectors are mounted ect… many that put down gear never even look at these things or repeat what they have heard from somebody cool. I just think get your hands on gear with no pre-judged position and lets agree to disagree it’s sound! what you like I might not but well built is all ways good.

Point by Ketch