AMSTERDAM – The Melkweg music and arts center has purchased a Soundcraft Vi4 from Dutch distributors Audio XL. The technology company's live sound manager, Jeroen van Keeken, said head technician Richard Balk chose the console for the venue's 700-capacity Oude Zaal (Old Room) following extensive evaluation.
"The Melkweg caters for many disciplines, including music, theatre, dance, cinema – and other media. So they needed a versatile desk," Van Keeken said.
He added that the investment forms the latest phase in an extensive upgrade of the venue, which will see an increase in capacity. "Richard and his team of house engineers looked at all the leading consoles, and visited other venues. But in many cases these desks were too complicated," he said.
No stranger to Soundcraft gear, Balk was said to favor the console's Vistonics II interface, 48-channel input capacity (on 24 faders) and compact footprint, free from the need for external outboard racks. Balk was also said to be impressed with the library of Lexicon effects and BSS EQs and with the overall sound quality and level of support from van Keeken's team at Audio XL.
In preparation for a further technical upgrade to their increased 1,500-person capacity main room ("The Max"), Balk has also asked for CAT5 cables to be laid so that once the next phase is complete, they can patch between the two rooms.
Van Keeken noted that the DSP expansion card on the Vi4 will give the venue access up to 72 channels via the outputs on the local rack. "Another nice touch," he said, "is because Dutch sound engineers are so tall, we are having special brackets made to elevate the desk, which will travel up and down over a distance of 20cm. This will ensure that their hands will always be at the right angle to the desk for maximum comfort."
Soundcraft is a unit of Harman International Industries, Inc.
For more information, please visit www.harman.com
