SoundCraft Vi Series Manual

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
March 2007

The hardware for the Soundcraft Vi Series
consoles comprise three main sections:
The Main Console surface
with all the mix controls and faders and
Vistonics™ II screens.
The Local Rack
which is located near the console, and
contains the DSP processing engine as
well as some I/O.
The Stage Box
which is used for all main analogue
(and digital where fitted) I/O, and will be
located at the stage or point where most
signals originate.
This document outlines the main
functionality of the Local Rack and
Stagebox, and shows the full I/O
connectivity and interconnections of the
Soundcraft Vi Series console system.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
MARCH 2007

64 Analogue
Mic/Line Inputs
(48 on Soundcraft Vi4)
Optional 4 pairs of
AES/EBU inputs card
RS2446
(replaces 8 Mic/Line
inputs)
35 Analogue
Line Outputs
(27 on Soundcraft Vi4)
Optional 4 pairs
AES/EBU outputs card
RS2447
(replaces 8 Line
outputs)
16 Analogue Line
Inputs
16 Analogue Line
Outputs
8 pairs of AES/EBU
inputs
8 pairs of AES/EBU
outputs
8 GPIO Contact
Closures
Cat5 Data Link
3 (LCR) local
monitor A Analogue
Line outputs
2 (LR) local
monitor B Analogue
Line outputs
Talkback Line Output
64 Channel MADI I/O Redundant
64 Channel MADI I/O
connection
16 GPIO Contact
Closures
Stage Box
Local Rack
Console Surface Phones & TB Audio
System Hardware Diagram

The Local Rack is located near the main
Console surface, and links to the surface
are via a simple Cat5 data link cable, plus
three audio connections for headphones,
left/right and Talkback microphone.
The Local Rack houses the SCore Live, the
DSP engine that runs all the processing
for the system.
In addition to receiving the 64 (or 48)
Inputs and returning the 32 (or 27)
outputs to the stagebox, the local rack has
additional I/O.
There are 16 Analogue line inputs and 16
analogue line outputs available on the
local rack, plus as standard 8 pairs of
AES/EBU inputs and outputs. This means
that there are in total 96 potential input
connections, 64 of which may be mixed
simultaneously.
Local Rack
There is also an optical MADI I/O card
which provides an additional 64 channels
of input and output for applications such
as hard disk recording or broadcast feeds.
This can feed a ProTools™ system if a 3rd
party interface is used.
Rack hardware
The Local Rack is housed in a flight-cased
rack, the total capacity it occupies is 10U
(10 rack units) including the fan and filter
units (these are not shown above).
The Local Rack is normally supplied in a
flightcase, but can also be mounted in an
installation rack, along with the fan and
filter unit.

Stage Box
The Stage box contains the main Input
connections for all microphones and
line level sources, and also acts as the
distribution point for the 32 (or 24) line
outputs. Analogue inputs and outputs are
all on XLR-type connectors.
Standard connection to the Local Rack is
via a Cat5 or Cat7 cable, using Ethercon
connectors. (A breakout panel converting
to Amphenol RJF connectors is supplied).
The Stagebox to Local Rack link cables
use Amphenol RJF connectors, and can
be up to 80m of approved cable (Neutrik
Etherflex) or 130m of Cat 7 Installation
cable (AMP Netconnect PiMF). A second
cable offers redundancy in the event of
cable failure.
If required, the Stagebox can be supplied
with a fibre-optic redundant connection to
the Local Rack.
Optional AES/EBU inputs and outputs
Each analogue input card contains 8
inputs. This can be replaced by an
optional AES/EBU input card which holds
4 pairs of AES/EBU inputs, with built-in
Sample Rate Convertors.
Similarly, each analogue output card con-
tains 8 outputs. This can be replaced by
an optional AES/EBU output card which
holds 4 pairs of AES/EBU outputs.
GPIO
There are 8 sets of GPIO (general
purpose input/output) contact closures,
for use with triggering external equipment
or receiving switch commands.
Rack hardware
The stagebox is housed in a flight-cased
rack, the total capacity it occupies is 8U
(8 rack units) including the fan and filter
units.
The Stagebox is normally supplied in a
flightcase, but can also be mounted in an
installation rack, along with the fan and
filter units.
MADI HD
(option) (option)

INPUTS INPUT CHANNELS / MATRIX / CASCADE MASTER / MIX / MONITORING OUTPUTS
PHASE
TRIM GATE/Dees EQUALIZER
4 band param
DYNAMIC
Limiter
Compressor
FADER PAN
MASTER R
MIX 1
MASTER C
MIX 32
SOLO L
SOLO R
0.2 18.05.04 HB
Regensdorf
Switzerland
DL 5
Audio Block Diagram
PHONES LEFT
MON_A LEFT
MONO INPUT
CHANNEL 1 to 64
D
DSFC
AES MODULE (IN)
AES MODULE (OUT)
d
d
GPIN
GPIO
16
A
D
MIC/LINE STAGE BOX
a
MASTER L
LINE OUT MODULE
a
a
D
A
a
a
D
A
a
a
D
A
a
a
D
A
syn
syn
OSCILLATOR
MASTER LEFT
MASTER MIX SOLO
INS SEND
GUI OUT Meter
GPOUT
16
GPIN
GPIO
16
GPOUT
16
DYN
MATRIX
MIX 2
MTX 1
MTX 32
MTX 1
MTX 32
1 16
BUS FEED 1
MADI (IN) optional
D
D
64
d
64
d
MADI (OUT) optional
D
D
64 d
d64
Alt
Alt
MIX 1
I
N
S
MATRIX
Control
PATCH PATCH
DIR OUT 64
TB to BUS / MTX / EXT
MIX 32
DIR OUT
ON
AF
PF
SOLO R
Follow/
Bundle
P SOLO
to MTX
MASTER L
MASTER R
WHITE NOISE
SINUS
PINK NOISE
OSC
sync
CLOCK
44k1
48k
96k
9..16
MIX
9..16
MIX
17..24
MIX
25..32
DELAY
PP
AF
PF
PP
AF
PF
PP
GRM
LEVEL
PROCESSING
SC/ES
SOLO
OSC to TB
OSC
TB
3
SEL
A
TB from ext
Delay
MASTER L
MASTER R
MASTER C
INP 1
INS RET
KEY
OUT
MIDI
IN
THRU
SOLO
EQUALIZER
4 band
DYNAMIC
Limiter
Compressor
I
N
S
FADER DELAY
I
N
S
ON
PF
AF
AON
PF
AON
GUI IN Meter
MIX
1..8
1..8 17..24 25..32
33..40 41..48 49..57 58..64
MON_A CENTER
MON_A RIGHT
PHONES RIGHT
Delay
Delay
Delay
Delay
MON Delay
0..500 mS
SOLO TRIM
BUS 1 BUS 32IN
MON_B LEFT
Delay
MON_B RIGHT
Delay
IN/OUT
SOLO
Enable
+
+
+
+
+
+
BLEND
SEL
B
SEL
HP
+
Left
Right
Center
Left
Center
Right
MON_A_Source
+
MON_HP_Source
MON_B_Source
MON_A_Source
MON_B_Source
MON_HP_Source
3
3
3
3
3
SEL
MTX
1
SEL
MTX
16
32
MTX 1_SRC
32
32
32
MASTER CENTRE
TB
DIM
TB
DIM
+
+
TB from ext
ST
LINK
MIX BUS 1
BUS
MTX
MIX BUS 32
BUS
MTX
1
16
Left
Center
Right
+
+
MTX 16_SRC
ON
ON
ON
ON
37
CASCADE_IN 37
LINK (ST)
to CH Dyn
of same
Bay A/B
INP 2
OSC
S
E
L
I
N
S
OSC
SEL
TB
TB_SRC
TB_MIC
LR/
RR/
LL
LR/
RR/
LL
LR/
RR/
LL ON
ON
[+/- 10 dB]
[-inf..- 10 dB]
MON FADER
MONITOR_A
MONITOR_B
MONITOR_HP
ON
MNTR B
TIE LINE 24
TIE LINE
24
IN/OUT
SOLO
Enable
IN/OUT
SOLO
Enable
TB SEND
TB to EXT
if Centre
24
MIX BUS 1
16
37 CASCADE_OUT
CAS
IN
CAS
OUT
TB MIC
A
D
to
LINE
a
HP OUT
from
LINE
a
a
37
p
p
GATE
GUI
INS SEND
INS SEND
LEVEL
TB RET
+
+
+
+
TB EXT
+
+
+
+
-15
sidetone
to MTX
to MTX
GRM
TB
DIM
TB
DIM
TB
DIM
TB
DIM
MASTER L
MASTER R
MASTER C
SOLO L
TRIM
TRIM
BUS
FEED
31
BUS FEED 32
MIX BUS 32 MASTER L
MASTER R
MASTER C
BUS
FEED
31
Logic
A or B
SOLO pre TRIM
Source pre BLEND
ENAB A/B
PAD
D
PAD
D
PAD
D
PAD
A
D
aPAD
D
PAD
D
PAD
D
PAD
A
A
A
A
A
A
a
a
a
a
a
a
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
DSFC
D
D
D
D
D
D
d
d
d
d
d
d
D
D
SFC
d
D
D
SFC
d
D
D
SFC
d
D
D
SFC
d
D
D
SFC
d
D
D
SFC
d
DD
SFC
d
D
D
SFC
d
a
a
D
A
DA
a
DA
a
DA
a
DA
a
DA
a
DA
a
DA
a
DA
a
LINE OUT STAGE BOX
A
D
LINE IN MODULE
A
D
A
D
A
D
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
0.7 04.07.05 HB
LOW
&
HI
CUT
AFL
PFL
LOW-
CUT
I
N
S
Dees
To MTX
to MTX
SOLO
EQUALIZER
4 band
DYNAMIC
Limiter
Compressor
I
N
S
FADER DELAY
I
N
S
ON
PF
AF
AON
PF
AON
ST
LINK
INS SEND
LEVEL
GRM
TRIM
LOW-
CUT
I
N
S
MASTER RIGHT
to MTX
SOLO
EQUALIZER
4 band
DYNAMIC
Limiter
Compressor
I
N
S
FADER DELAY
I
N
S
ON
PF
AF
AON
PF
AONINS SEND
LEVEL
GRM
TRIM
LOW-
CUT
I
N
S
MASTER C
MIX 1
SOLO
EQUALIZER
4 band
DYNAMIC
Limiter
Compressor
I
N
S
FADER DELAY
I
N
S
ON
PF
AF
AON
PF
AON
ST
LINK
INS SEND
LEVEL
GRM
TRIM
LOW-
CUT
I
N
S
MIX 32
SOLO
EQUALIZER
4 band
DYNAMIC
Limiter
Compressor
I
N
S
FADER DELAY
I
N
S
ON
PF
AF
AON
PF
AONINS SEND
LEVEL
GRM
TRIM
LOW-
CUT
I
N
S
0.7
25 29.08.05 HB 0.7
26 30.08.05 HB
0.7
27 13.09.05 HB

INPUTS INPUT CHANNELS / MATRIX / CASCADE MASTER / MIX / MONITORING OUTPUTS
PHASE
TRIM GATE/Dees EQUALIZER
4 band param
DYNAMIC
Limiter
Compressor
FADER PAN
MASTER R
MIX 1
MASTER C
MIX 32
SOLO L
SOLO R
0.2 18.05.04 HB
Regensdorf
Switzerland
DL 5
Audio Block Diagram
PHONES LEFT
MON_A LEFT
MONO INPUT
CHANNEL 1 to 64
D
DSFC
AES MODULE (IN)
AES MODULE (OUT)
d
d
GPIN
GPIO
16
A
D
MIC/LINE STAGE BOX
a
MASTER L
LINE OUT MODULE
a
a
D
A
a
a
D
A
a
a
D
A
a
a
D
A
syn
syn
OSCILLATOR
MASTER LEFT
MASTER MIX SOLO
INS SEND
GUI OUT Meter
GPOUT
16
GPIN
GPIO
16
GPOUT
16
DYN
MATRIX
MIX 2
MTX 1
MTX 32
MTX 1
MTX 32
1 16
BUS FEED 1
MADI (IN) optional
D
D
64
d
64
d
MADI (OUT) optional
D
D
64 d
d64
Alt
Alt
MIX 1
I
N
S
MATRIX
Control
PATCH PATCH
DIR OUT 64
TB to BUS / MTX / EXT
MIX 32
DIR OUT
ON
AF
PF
SOLO R
Follow/
Bundle
P SOLO
to MTX
MASTER L
MASTER R
WHITE NOISE
SINUS
PINK NOISE
OSC
sync
CLOCK
44k1
48k
96k
9..16
MIX
9..16
MIX
17..24
MIX
25..32
DELAY
PP
AF
PF
PP
AF
PF
PP
GRM
LEVEL
PROCESSING
SC/ES
SOLO
OSC to TB
OSC
TB
3
SEL
A
TB from ext
Delay
MASTER L
MASTER R
MASTER C
INP 1
INS RET
KEY
OUT
MIDI
IN
THRU
SOLO
EQUALIZER
4 band
DYNAMIC
Limiter
Compressor
I
N
S
FADER DELAY
I
N
S
ON
PF
AF
AON
PF
AON
GUI IN Meter
MIX
1..8
1..8 17..24 25..32
33..40 41..48 49..57 58..64
MON_A CENTER
MON_A RIGHT
PHONES RIGHT
Delay
Delay
Delay
Delay
MON Delay
0..500 mS
SOLO TRIM
BUS 1 BUS 32IN
MON_B LEFT
Delay
MON_B RIGHT
Delay
IN/OUT
SOLO
Enable
+
+
+
+
+
+
BLEND
SEL
B
SEL
HP
+
Left
Right
Center
Left
Center
Right
MON_A_Source
+
MON_HP_Source
MON_B_Source
MON_A_Source
MON_B_Source
MON_HP_Source
3
3
3
3
3
SEL
MTX
1
SEL
MTX
16
32
MTX 1_SRC
32
32
32
MASTER CENTRE
TB
DIM
TB
DIM
+
+
TB from ext
ST
LINK
MIX BUS 1
BUS
MTX
MIX BUS 32
BUS
MTX
1
16
Left
Center
Right
+
+
MTX 16_SRC
ON
ON
ON
ON
37
CASCADE_IN 37
LINK (ST)
to CH Dyn
of same
Bay A/B
INP 2
OSC
S
E
L
I
N
S
OSC
SEL
TB
TB_SRC
TB_MIC
LR/
RR/
LL
LR/
RR/
LL
LR/
RR/
LL ON
ON
[+/- 10 dB]
[-inf..- 10 dB]
MON FADER
MONITOR_A
MONITOR_B
MONITOR_HP
ON
MNTR B
TIE LINE 24
TIE LINE
24
IN/OUT
SOLO
Enable
IN/OUT
SOLO
Enable
TB SEND
TB to EXT
if Centre
24
MIX BUS 1
16
37 CASCADE_OUT
CAS
IN
CAS
OUT
TB MIC
A
D
to
LINE
a
HP OUT
from
LINE
a
a
37
p
p
GATE
GUI
INS SEND
INS SEND
LEVEL
TB RET
+
+
+
+
TB EXT
+
+
+
+
-15
sidetone
to MTX
to MTX
GRM
TB
DIM
TB
DIM
TB
DIM
TB
DIM
MASTER L
MASTER R
MASTER C
SOLO L
TRIM
TRIM
BUS
FEED
31
BUS FEED 32
MIX BUS 32 MASTER L
MASTER R
MASTER C
BUS
FEED
31
Logic
A or B
SOLO pre TRIM
Source pre BLEND
ENAB A/B
PAD
D
PAD
D
PAD
D
PAD
A
D
aPAD
D
PAD
D
PAD
D
PAD
A
A
A
A
A
A
a
a
a
a
a
a
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
DSFC
D
D
D
D
D
D
d
d
d
d
d
d
D
D
SFC
d
D
D
SFC
d
D
D
SFC
d
D
D
SFC
d
D
D
SFC
d
D
D
SFC
d
DD
SFC
d
D
D
SFC
d
a
a
D
A
DA
a
DA
a
DA
a
DA
a
DA
a
DA
a
DA
a
DA
a
LINE OUT STAGE BOX
A
D
LINE IN MODULE
A
D
A
D
A
D
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
0.7 04.07.05 HB
LOW
&
HI
CUT
AFL
PFL
LOW-
CUT
I
N
S
Dees
To MTX
to MTX
SOLO
EQUALIZER
4 band
DYNAMIC
Limiter
Compressor
I
N
S
FADER DELAY
I
N
S
ON
PF
AF
AON
PF
AON
ST
LINK
INS SEND
LEVEL
GRM
TRIM
LOW-
CUT
I
N
S
MASTER RIGHT
to MTX
SOLO
EQUALIZER
4 band
DYNAMIC
Limiter
Compressor
I
N
S
FADER DELAY
I
N
S
ON
PF
AF
AON
PF
AONINS SEND
LEVEL
GRM
TRIM
LOW-
CUT
I
N
S
MASTER C
MIX 1
SOLO
EQUALIZER
4 band
DYNAMIC
Limiter
Compressor
I
N
S
FADER DELAY
I
N
S
ON
PF
AF
AON
PF
AON
ST
LINK
INS SEND
LEVEL
GRM
TRIM
LOW-
CUT
I
N
S
MIX 32
SOLO
EQUALIZER
4 band
DYNAMIC
Limiter
Compressor
I
N
S
FADER DELAY
I
N
S
ON
PF
AF
AON
PF
AONINS SEND
LEVEL
GRM
TRIM
LOW-
CUT
I
N
S
0.7
25 29.08.05 HB 0.7
26 30.08.05 HB
0.7
27 13.09.05 HB
Block Diagram
(showing Soundcraft Vi6)

Cable Specifications
Option Cards and Interfaces
The Processor Card (fitted as stand-
ard unless otherwise requested) adds
8 channels of high-performance Lexi-
con® Effects and 35 (or 27) 30-band
BSS Audio™ graphic equalisers to the
Soundcraft Vi6™ (or Soundcraft Vi4™).
The CobraNet™ card allows up to 32
channels of input or output signals (or
a combination of both) to be received
by or sent from the console onto a
CobraNet™ network. The card must be
used as the Conductor for the network.
By default, the card is configured for
32 outputs.
The Soundcraft A-NET 16V card allows
a direct digital connection to the
Aviom® A-NET® Pro16™ Personal
Monitor System. The card includes a
switchable test tone and stereo pair
linking via DIP switches.
Cat 5e:
Maximum 80m (260 feet) using
Neutrik Etherflex Cat 5e cable
(ZNK CT2672601), terminated with
Amphenol RJF connectors.
Suitable 80m cable mounted on a
lightweight drum is available from
Soundcraft, part number RZ2713.
These cables are not included with the
standard console and must be ordered
separately.
Two 5m patch cables are supplied with
each console as standard.
Cat 7:
Maximum 130m (422 feet) using AMP
Netconnect 57893 PiMF cable.
Note: this cable is solid core and
only suitable for fixed installations,
not for touring use.
Not available from Soundcraft.
Optical Multimode Fibre:
Maximum distance 1500m (4875
feet) using continuous run of 50/125
multimode fibre, terminated with
Fibrecast™ expanded beam
connectors.
Optical Multimode Fibre (cntd..)
Suitable cable is available from
Soundcraft on a lightweight drum in
the following lengths:
50m RZ2714
150m RZ2702
200m RZ2701
Note: One of the above cables
must be ordered if the optical
stagebox link is requested.
Single Mode Fibre:
Maximum distance 10km
Note: Special Optical MADI card is
required, please contact Soundcraft
for delivery time.

Rack Dimensions, Uncased
Stagebox SCore DSP & Local I/O
Dimensions include the additional 4U fan unit as shown.
Height..........................................................10U/445mm/17.5”
Width.......................................................................483mm/19”
Depth......................................................................380mm/15”
max, chassis size, no cables or connectors included
When mounting the DSP core and stagebox and fans in a non-
Soundcraft flightcase or rack, allow for cabling and connector
space behind unit. Do not install without supplied fans. The DSP
Core requires an additional 4U XLR breakout box to be mounted
behind the rack (not shown).
Dimensions include the additional 1U fan and 1U Deflector unit
as shown.
Height............................................................8U/ 356mm / 14”
Width.....................................................................483mm / 19”
Depth....................................................................380mm / 15”
max, chassis size, no cables or connectors included

Dimensions, Flightcased (Deluxe)
Soundcraft Vi6 shown.
For Soundcraft Vi4, deduct 310mm
1200mm
960mm
735mm
1840mm 565mm
Soundcraft Vi6™ Deluxe Control Surface Flightcase - Dimensions
This case is available with or without the integral stand.
Soundcraft Part Nos:
With Stand: PL1318
Without Stand: PL1319
Dimensions when cased
including wheels: Height Length Width Weight Part No.
Control Surface, Soundcraft Vi6 960mm 1840mm 565mm 130kg PL1318/1319
Control Surface, Soundcraft Vi4 960mm 1840mm 565mm 120kg PL1322
Local Rack 810mm 940mm 580mm 50kg PL1320
Stagebox 810mm 940mm 580mm 40kg PL1320
This case is available with or without
the integral stand (Soundcraft Vi6
only).
Soundcraft Part Nos:
With Stand: PL1318
Without Stand: PL1319
Soundcraft Vi6 1840mm
Soundcraft Vi4 1530mm