Harman's Soundcraft Vi3000 Ushers in the Next Generation of Digital ConsolesAt InfoComm 2014 last week, Harman's Soundcraft spotlighted its new Vi3000 "all-in-one" digital live sound console, offering a host of state-of-the-art features including the internal DSP Soundcraft SpiderCore, a new industrial design, 96 channels to mix, onboard Dante compatibility as standard, and much more in a very compact footprint. "The Vi3000 joins the successful Vi1, Vi4, and Vi6 models and represents a massive leap forward in digital console design and functionality, while also keeping the best elements of its sister Vi consoles," said Andy Brown, senior product manager Vi Series. "We have a totally new internal core based on the highly successful Studer Vista 1 and a completely new, more efficiently designed surface running updated operating software. Compared to other consoles in its price range, the Vi3000 offers more input channels, more busses, more faders, and a user interface like no other. We are proud to say the Vi3000 is simply unparalleled in its category." The Vi3000 utilizes the new internal DSP SpiderCore with Soundcraft's Vi Version 4.8 operating software, offering the new 3D Vistonics user interface while adding a fourth 24-channel fader layer to improve access to the console's 96 input channels. The surface operation and layout is similar to other Vi Series consoles, providing a familiar feel while offering expanded functionality. The Vi3000 features upgraded microphone preamps and 40-bit floating point DSP processing for superlative sound quality. The Soundcraft Vi3000 features an all-new appearance with efficiency enhancements to the control surface, 36 faders, 24 mono/stereo busses, and a sweeping black screen panel with four Vistonics II touch screens with sleek, updated 3D graphics. Because the Vi3000 has four touchscreens, it's the only console in its class that can be used by two engineers simultaneously. "Visibility of parameters and easy access to them are the most important features a console can have," Brown noted. "When something unexpected happens -- as it always does in live sound -- being able to see a lot of settings quickly is a massive advantage." The Soundcraft Vi3000 offers extensive rear panel connectivity. In addition to a full complement of analog and digital inputs and outputs, the console provides MIDI, USB, Ethernet, DVI out, Dante, and MADI record feed outputs, redundant power supply, and other connections. The Vi3000 has two expansion bays that can be fitted with MADI Stagebox cards to connect multiple Soundcraft Stagebox input expander modules. The Vi3000 can also accommodate the new Soundcraft Realtime rack, designed in collaboration with plug-in manufacturer Universal Audio that provides access to 74 industry-standard UAD plug-ins. The Vi3000 is the first Soundcraft console to incorporate a built-in Dante interface as standard, for seamless digital audio networking with Dante-enabled devices. Along with its greatly expanded functionality, the Vi3000 retains all the features that have made the Soundcraft Vi Series the consoles of choice for live sound engineers worldwide, such as FaderGlow illuminated faders that display different colors according to function, the ability to store and recall snapshots and cues, compatibility with Soundcraft's ViSi app that allows remote control from an iPad, built-in Lexicon reverb/delays, dbx compression, effects, and more. 
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