RPA's touring commitments today take them worldwide, and fresh back from an event in Vladivostok, RPA's MD said, "We run an inventory of industry-standard equipment, and having seen how popular the Soundcraft Vi6 is on the continent, and the large number of engineers who use it, I took the decision to invest. I have always been knocked out by the sound quality and ease of use since first coming across it on a show in Austria three years ago."
Having placed the order, Sound Technology responded by sending Sam Brandon, from its Project Team, to run through features of the desk.
"But actually there's nothing difficult to work out - everything is so obvious," stated Grove. "Much as I like the sound of my old analogue desks, the Vi6 matches it. The days of analogue are numbered and there was no point remaining in that domain."
RPA Sound expects a heavy tour of duty for the Vi6, which is presently out with the Proclaimers. "In fact, Tom Oliver [the band's manager and FOH engineer] is an analogue stalwart. We have done nine or 10 tours with them and had unsuccessfully tried to convert him to digital - and yet he has taken to the Vi6."
The console then made a successful appearance at the five-day Larmer Tree Festival near Salisbury. "We offer a choice of digital and analogue desks - and last year it would have been a 50-/50 split between sound engineers. But this year the Vi6 enjoyed an 85% success. In fact Robert Cray's engineer, Bob White - who produced the best mix of the Festival - was all set to work off the analogue board; but as soon as he saw the Vi6, he went off and came back with his USB stick."
(Jim Evans|)
