With full DSP functionality built-in to a small-footprint chassis, the Si Compact provides up to 40 inputs to mix in three frame sizes, the smallest of which is also rack-mountable. Motorized faders with Soundcraft FaderGlow operate on two layers, but the main difference from similarly priced mixers is the provision of a full encoder set for all the functions on a channel, from input gain through EQ and dynamics to bus controls, says the company.
Drawing on its bigger brothers; Soundcraft's Si Series, the new Si Compact packs "powerful digital mixing facilities" along with Lexicon effects into a trio of small footprint consoles available in 16, 24 or 32 mic/line input formats, with four stereo returns, the first, the Si Compact 24 is on show at PLASA, with pricing expected to be around £6000 UK list.
Speaking of the launch, Andy Trott, Harman's vice president and general manager for mixing, microphones & headphones said, "Whilst over the past two years we've expanded our digital range with high- and mid-range extensions to the Vista, OnAir, Vi and Si Series', we've been determined to drive our product portfolio down into the sub $10,000 price points
"Our strategy has always been to integrate no-compromise audio quality together with innovative, feature-rich specifications and an easy-to-use-and-learn, highly intuitive user interface. Si Compact is the result of 18 months extremely focused and creative development and is particularly exciting as it's so unique; it brings together so many professional features and technologies from across Harman Professional brands into a highly specified but yet super compact mixing platform at an unbelievably low price point."
Trott adds, "I'm confident that the user community will be delighted with the Si Compact and the wide choice we now provide with Soundcraft and Studer mixing consoles. We've now got the widest price-range of digital consoles in our history - that's got to be good for engineers and audio companies."
(Jim Evans)
