Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, Goes Digital with Soundcraft Vi6 Digital Consoles

As the owner and operator of Bass Performance Hall, Performing Arts Fort Worth (a not-for-profit organization) in Texas has upgraded the venue's sound system with two Harman Soundcraft Vi6 digital consoles. For shows that utilize house consoles, including concerts, family programs, and other performances during the season, the company now has one Vi6 at the front-of-house position inside Bass Performance Hall and the other for monitoring, while also being able to transport the desks to two satellite performance spaces within the complex.

Looking to revamp the hall's system from analog to digital to keep its reputation intact, Doug Kirk, technical director of audio and acoustics systems, tested the Vi6 in early 2011 and mixed four shows on it in a month's span. "The sound quality was great right out of the box, and that is our number-one concern with our performances," Kirk says.

After a month with the Vi6, Kirk ordered two Vi6 consoles for the Hall. "Out of all our research and demos, the Soundcraft Vi6 was head and shoulders above every other digital console," Kirk continues. "Its ease of operation is fantastic and its Vistonics interface is completely intuitive. It feels like you're working on an analog board, not a computer, which makes our in-house engineers and visiting FOH mixers happy."

Installing the desk was no challenge to Kirk as the console was up and running in mere hours. With a capacity of 2,056, Performing Arts Fort Worth plans on expanding seating arrangements in Bass Performance Hall, as the footprint of the console space has dramatically been reduced. From the original 12 x 12' space where the analog console used to sit, the front-of-house space with the Vi6 is now 8 x 6'.

"We now have a greater selling point to bring big acts to Bass Hall when we say Soundcraft is our front-of-house console," Kirk concludes. "We're staying state-of-the-art and on top of the industry trends. Not only do the larger-name bands and Broadway tours enjoy the console, but members of our local engineering union are extremely excited to get their hands on it and offer the community great sound."