The Caplan Center For The Performing Arts In Philadelphia Opens Its Doors With Two Soundcraft Vi4™ Digital Consoles

Expanding its audio and production capabilities with the installation of two Soundcraft Vi4 digital mixing consoles, the University of the Arts recently completed a major audio installation in the Caplan Center for the Performing Arts. Both the 215-seat Recital Hall and the Studio Theater are equipped with separate Vi4 consoles, allowing University Of The Arts Sound Engineer, Scott Rosenthal, to mix with ease and confidence.

The University of the Arts was previously mixing on analog consoles and the migration to digital has seen an increase in both productivity and education value. Rosenthal’s decision to purchase the industry leading Vi4 for the Caplan Center has increased revenue for the University and has also given students added resources to enhance their post-graduate careers by recording ensembles and recitals for their portfolios.

“With multiple ensembles performing each night, all with a variety of instrumentation, the Vi4’s ‘show and cue’ feature provides a great advantage as I no longer need to incorporate copious notes and markings from the sound-checks,” said Rosenthal. “With a simple push of a button, I can recall each setting for individual performances saving me valuable time and allowing me to really concentrate on the quality of sound.”

Rosenthal maximizes the Vi4’s capabilities and utilizes the wealth of options to record performances as well as distribute the feeds to various locations in the University as well. Rosenthal comments, “Having the opportunity to work on the Vi4 has been a blessing and I can’t imagine ever going back to the limitations of analog mixing. The Vi4 has opened so many doors that I compare it to coming out of a cave and seeing light for the first time.”

The Vi4 offers countless features including access of up to 72 inputs on 24 faders, with a total of 35 output busses available for use as masters, groups, auxes or matrices. The Vi4 also provides users with two of the most popular features from the Soundcraft Vi6, such as the highly acclaimed Vistonics™ II touch-screen user interface and Soundcraft FaderGlow™ fader function display.