Soundcraft Unveils MH4 Triple-mode Console for Live Performance

Classic UK console manufacturer Soundcraft unveiled its latest live performance mixer, the MH4, at this year's Winter NAMM Show. The new design marks Soundcraft's entry into the multipurpose live performance console market, as its design topology permits easy configuration for front-of-house, stage monitor or mixed FOH/monitor duties. This desk is ideally suited for touring applications, such as concerts or corporate events, as well as fixed installations like theatres, churches and performance venues.

"We looked closely at how best to implement a multipurpose console control surface to ensure that the critical area of auxiliary bus structure was as transparent in operation as possible," states 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."

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. This console really offers an impressive lineup of features for a console in its price range and is sure to find favor with national and regional touring companies as well as theatres and corporate production companies. The multipurpose topology allows companies to maximize inventory investment by using one type of console in several roles. In some cases, one MH4 console may need to fulfill both FOH and monitor duties, and does so with ease.

The MH4 is also remarkable in that it is probably the only totally modular console among its contemporaries, with frame sizes of 24, 32, 40 and 48 inputs -- all with four stereo inputs as standard. Additional stereo input modules may be added anywhere in the input section (by removing mono modules) as each input module has its own integral connector panel.

The auxiliary busses are switched into the two modes of operation by a set of 'global mode' switches on the group-aux output masters. In FOH mode, there are twelve mono auxes and eight group busses with pan controls across each pair of group busses. In monitor mode, there are eight mono sends and four stereo sends, which are most commonly used for in-ear monitoring feeds. On the outputs, the stereo sends have four-band semi-parametric EQ.

The integral matrix has eight outputs, with input feeds coming from the aux busses, LCR mix output and group bus inject inputs. The four-band stereo EQ on the aux outputs can also be switched into the group inject paths. Engineers who require sophisticated matrixing on theatre and corporate events for distributed sound will welcome such a flexible architecture.

On the electronics design side, Soundcraft founder Graham Blyth has been very active with a new high-headroom mic preamp circuit that boasts an impressive CMRR in excess of 85dB and a totally new EQ design that offers smooth control yet can focus tightly on individual instruments and frequencies. Each mono input module features four-band EQ with two parametric mid sections and swept high and low sections. Needless to say, the rest of the console performs to the exacting specifications that Soundcraft has been renowned for over the last 29 years.

Also unusual at this price level is the provision of such sophisticated VCA and mute grouping capabilities. There are eight VCA groups and eight mute groups available, the settings of which may be memorized and recalled through the console's own snapshot automation system, or via external MIDI program changes through a show-controller. Each MUTE button can also act as a trigger by sending a unique MIDI note number to fire external events such as sound effects.

There are intercom capabilities using standard headphones and microphone connectors, together with an integral Clearcom compatible interface using these standard components. This can remove the need for expensive belt-packs, which may only duplicate the phones/mic already in use.

All in all, the MH4 is a welcome addition to the Soundcraft range and offers live performance engineers of all levels the chance to enjoy the benefits of a Soundcraft console without overstretching the budgets. Its multipurpose architecture ensures that it is equally at home in any stage position.

Preliminary US retail pricing on the MH4 is as follows:

• 24 mono + 4 stereo channels $23,995.00
• 32 mono + 4 stereo channels $28,495.00
• 40 mono + 4 stereo channels $32,995.00
• 48 mono + 4 stereo channels $37,295.00