Soundcraft Ui16

The idea behind this system is pure genius (although I'm not sure if it originated with Soundcraft; Mackie may have been first off the mark with a similar system). Build a fully featured digital mixer into a stage box, combine it with WiFi and a range of professional FX, routing, EQ and dynamics, then control it remotely from a tablet computer, laptop, IPad or mobile 'phone.

The first thing that attracted me was the xtremely small size and weight (4 rack units high, a few centimetres deep and weighing less than 4 kilos). This relatively tiny box makes the mixer, the effects rack, the multicore and an array of cables and power supplies I usually needed to transport unecessary. In my case I recon this cuts down the PA by about 30 - 40%.

I have had only one weekend to test the system out, so have not yet had time to explore the more remote areas of the software, but the answer to the question does it do the job as suggested by the Soundcraft publicity, the answer is a resounding yes! Sound quality is magnificent, this little box really is a fully featured mobile digital studio with all the routing, eq, fx and dynamics you would expect. One feature is the built in media player; tracks copied to a flash drive can be plugged into a front panel USB connector (there is another for recording; but only stereo from the main output). I tried an A/B switched comparison between a .wav file on the flash drive and the same track burned to a CD. The wave file quality and detail was very noticably superior to the CD.

One thing worried me; what happens if the battery on the controlling computer ran out during a live performance? Would the whole PA crash? The answer is no; once set up the mixer will carry on as normal even if you switch off the computer running the software, so the show will go on regardless, but you have no control over levels and such untill you re-initiate the software.

The only con so far is that the only instructions in the box are written on two postage stamp sized pieces of paper and serve only to confuse you by ignoring the many questions that arise about the means of getting the thing operational. Come on Soundcraft if you can design this brilliant piece of gear surely you find someone able to write a clear and unoquivocal getting started sheet? And no; hiding it away on a CD or download site is not the same thing as an old fashioned printed guide.

Despite the positivity of this review I do not work for, or have any connection with Soundcraft. I am merely passing on my enthusiasm for a remarkably well designed piece of equipment, which at first I thought would be well above my price range. Full marks to Soundcraft on a superb acheivment! When I consider the price as supplied by Thomann, I find the value for money remarkable.