[Al M]

Quote

I much prefer it over an LS9 , and would definately recomend this desk as one of the better smaller "all-in-one" digital desks.

We had one of these on loan a few months ago to compare it to an LS9, and although it won on a few fronts, the LS9 feature set still put it ahead.


The Si was much more intuitive and easier to use, and not running out of GEQs was a definite plus point. We didn't do a direct comparison, but I don't doubt that the Si pres sound nicer too.
However, I wasn't a fan of how the 'groups' work, I,e, there aren't any. Whereas with the Vi series and the LS9 you can choose for a bus to be a group or an aux, the Si only has pre and post fade auxes. You can use this as a kind of group by using pre-fade mode and creating an aux mix where all the faders are at zero, but this feels like a bodge. Also only having 4 matrix buses would be an issue for us.


A USB record would have been nice on a desk like this as well, as it is a feature of the LS9 we use a lot. This, plus things already mentioned such as lack of a use defined fader page, not having fully parametric EQ meant that I can;t see it taking the LS9's crown.

[cedd]

Agreed AI M, I got to play with one at Plasa Focus (however not on a real gig). First impressions didn't win me over. Let's face it, they've pitched it against the LS9. However I think they've come to the game too late. The market is now flooded with really quite cheap new and used LS9's that are tried and tested, have a far more flexible desk layout, yes don't look as pretty, but are at least reasonably rider-friendly.

There are some key features completely missing from the compact. No sub groups is a deal breaker on it's own for me. I can't think of many situations where you might not need individual mics alongside sub groups/DCA's/Whatever on the same page. Mix a rock and roll gig without being able to have the drum kit within easy access whilst keeping your finger on that over enthusiastic singer. Mix a theatre show without the orchestra and stage mics available alongside your principle's radio mic. It just doesn't work. Changing layers mid show is a recipe for getting lost and not being able to keep your hands on the channels that matter.

I also felt the case seemed a little flimsy. Press the facia between the faders half way across the desk. It moves!

What's with having your last 2 channels on the next layer? I can see why it might have been done in the 19" model to get all the channels in, but once you're up to 24 and 32 frame sizes, what's the point? 2 more faders!

Also, with whisperings (albeit self generated) from behringer about the x-32 being a "game changer", I wonder if a lot of people are going to wait and see. Part of me really wants it all to be true, mainly because it's all I can afford! If you want a cheap desk, get the x-32. If you want something a bit better, get the LS9. Where's the gap for the SI compact?

I won't make comments on the sound quality, because I haven't heard the desk. I'm sure it does sound great, and this is somewhere where the LS9 can let itself down I agree.

[Begenius]

 cedd, on 13 June 2011 - 07:32 AM, said:

Agreed AI M, I got to play with one at Plasa Focus (however not on a real gig). First impressions didn't win me over. Let's face it, they've pitched it against the LS9. However I think they've come to the game too late. The market is now flooded with really quite cheap new and used LS9's that are tried and tested, have a far more flexible desk layout, yes don't look as pretty, but are at least reasonably rider-friendly.

There are some key features completely missing from the compact. No sub groups is a deal breaker on it's own for me. I can't think of many situations where you might not need individual mics alongside sub groups/DCA's/Whatever on the same page. Mix a rock and roll gig without being able to have the drum kit within easy access whilst keeping your finger on that over enthusiastic singer. Mix a theatre show without the orchestra and stage mics available alongside your principle's radio mic. It just doesn't work. Changing layers mid show is a recipe for getting lost and not being able to keep your hands on the channels that matter.

I also felt the case seemed a little flimsy. Press the facia between the faders half way across the desk. It moves!

What's with having your last 2 channels on the next layer? I can see why it might have been done in the 19" model to get all the channels in, but once you're up to 24 and 32 frame sizes, what's the point? 2 more faders!

Also, with whisperings (albeit self generated) from behringer about the x-32 being a "game changer", I wonder if a lot of people are going to wait and see. Part of me really wants it all to be true, mainly because it's all I can afford! If you want a cheap desk, get the x-32. If you want something a bit better, get the LS9. Where's the gap for the SI compact?

I won't make comments on the sound quality, because I haven't heard the desk. I'm sure it does sound great, and this is somewhere where the LS9 can let itself down I agree.

Hi there to all of you !
I am a seasson audio engineer -plus managing the pro audio dpt at the Hellas rep of Harman Pro Group .I test the first Si Compact 32 on the first desk that I sold to to a pro audio rental company in Athens the last May .I work on the desk in a few gigs one with live orchestra PA with 18 condeser mics plus some dynamic mics and a couple of DI,s.Plus some mainstream rock bands on a small festival with JBL VRX speakers.
My main impressions on the desk are very nice.
The desk is very friendly to operate for all newcomers to digital desks .As I come from analogue world of audio found the Si really easy to archive a first decent audio quality without any hassle.
My main concern is on a weird placepent/patching of the digital fx returns.
The strange thing about the behavior of the FX returns is that when you place your monitor mix logically as a pre fader mix of your inputs,all ok by that ,place your prefered Lexicon Reverb on your Mix,ok you hear the balance of the dry/wet signal ok on your mix,you send the FX return on your for example no1 aux ,the singer at the stage hears the reverb and he is very happy,the gig start UNTILL you decide to lower a bit that vocal mic a little,,,,,,Suddenly the FX from your vocal monitor....is fading along!!.(that is not going to happen normally when you have placed a mic signal -pre fader on an aux monitor line,and your post fader FX send at the FX processor,then the FX return at your desk send again pre fader on the aux monitor.When you lowering a fader on the LR mix YOU WANT the FX MIX at the aux/stage monitors TO BE CONSTANT)
At Compact SI that didnt happen as you normally wait for.Instead when you lower the input fader ....your FX mix at your stage monitors sudenlly Lost!
The only signal you hear is the Dry signal (this happen gradually when you fade out say a 12 db range the fx strangelly goes out from your stage monitor mix!
I will ask for technical advice at Soundcrafts Technical dpt at this week ,so stay tuned ...

overall my opinion for the sound is very impesive sound better than Yamaha LS9 (because of better pre amps).As for Behringer.....dont expect to be amazed !
as I explore the Compact Si I found out that in that price range (about 5.500 euros the 32 version) is a real bargain
with all the option card from Studer D21m familly
the desk is really fun to play with

Eugene

This post has been edited by Begenius: 27 September 2011 - 09:08 PM

[stevey-b]

http://www.soundtech...er-25-promotion

Get a bargain. . .

[jordanashley]

Please forgive me if this has already been mentioned but Soundcraft have just released the iPad app for the SI Compact series which allows for remote control of the desk through Wifi. Our company was involved with the beta testing and it works very well!

Cheers,
Jordan
DGS

[stevey-b]

Just got my new Si Compact 32, with stage-box.

Had it since yesterday morning, it sounds beautiful!
Can't wait to gig it!

You can do groups, on post fade bus outputs:

"OK, this is how you do it:
Select a post fade bus.
On the ACS (assignable channel strip) select LR patching in the OUT section.
On the channels you want for that group push the faders up to 0.
Press the post fade bus button again to get back to the input channel fader layer and select the first channel you want sent to the group.
On the ACS strip deselect LR routing.
Repeat for the rest of the Group channels.
Your group should now be set up to route to the LR mix.
The other channels should still route to LR."

This post has been edited by stevey-b: 07 August 2012 - 04:37 PM