JACKSON, OR —Chris Franz, owner of Star Pro Audio in Nashville and FOH mixer for Flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook, got his first chance to use the Soundcraft Vi6 digital live sound console at BrittFest recently, and described the experience as “breathtaking.” This is the 47th summer season for Britt Festivals, featuring artists including Wilco, Trace Adkins, Emmylou Harris, Natalie Cole, Elvis Costello, Los Lonely Boys and The Moody Blues, with a total 37 performances planned from June 12 through September 12.
The 64-input Vi6, which is expandable up to 96, is supplied by Eugene-Oregon-based George Relles Sound. The console was waiting for Franz when he arrived that day to mix Cook’s band, after an overnight flight from the Milwaukee, Wis. area where Franz had played drums with Brenda Lee at the Wisconsin State Fair.
“I had never mixed on a Soundcraft digital console before,” Franz said, as he faced what might have been a tense situation on an unfamiliar console at a high-profile venue. But working with Relles, Franz said he was at ease with the Vi6’s operation within the first five minutes.
Once he got down to mixing Cook’s show live, he said he appreciated the Vi6’s features, including the Vistonics II user interface that allows the FOH engineer to operate the desk intuitively.
“User-friendly and phenomenal-sounding is how I would characterize the Vi6,” said Franz. “It was a dream to work on, and the board mix that I made of Jesse’s band at that show was literally the best board mix I have ever heard. From the converters to the mic pre’s, the sound of the Vi6 is amazing. And the ease of operation of the work surface really lets you concentrate on the mix and the music rather than on running the board — every control and parameter was where I needed it to be. I think anyone who mixes on it would become a fan of it. I know I did that day.”
Soundcraft and Studer are units of Harman International Industries, Inc. For more information, please visit www.harman.com.
