The experienced Leicester-based company specializes in light entertainment, including stand-up comedy, such as The League of Gentlemen, French & Saunders and Victoria Wood - as well as bands such as Jools Holland and Fairport Convention. With the reduced number of inputs required by spoken voice, the MH4 - configured as a 32-channel with four stereo inputs - will thus give them the opportunity to use the desk in mixed monitor/FOH mode.
This new facility marks Soundcraft’s entry into the multi-purpose live performance console market, as its design topology permits easy configuration for front-of-house, stage monitor or combined duties. The MH4 features 20 auxiliary busses, new mic amp and EQ designs, eight VCA and eight Mute groups with snapshot automation, true LCR panning and outputs, and an integral 20x8 matrix. In monitor mode, each input also has a passive mic split feed to connect to a FOH console.
"We looked closely at how best to implement a multi-purpose console control surface to ensure that the critical area of auxiliary bus structure was as transparent in operation as possible," stated Soundcraft product manager Andy Brown. "With the MH4, you can quickly identify what mode of operation you are in, and more importantly, how to use it."
"This is exactly what we wanted," confirmed Andy Salmon, who had no hesitation in placing the sale through Marquee Audio. One of MSL’s freelance engineers for nearly 20 years, Geoff Curtis, has already test-driven the MH4 at FOH, running a 28-input set-up with the Oyster Band recently.
(Lee Baldock)
