User manual SOUNDCRAFT FOUR BROCHURE

[. . . ] Small footprint. Series FOUR is a compact live sound mixer for front-of-house applications. Its high feature count combined with small footprint makes it ideal for budget-conscious touring applications, where the familiar control layout found on its big brother, the Series FIVE, will be highly appreciated. Partnered with the SM20 monitor console, the Series FOUR also provides a flexible audio mixing solution for live sound venues. The Series FOUR is available in four frame sizes providing 24, 32, 40 and 48 mono inputs into 8 group busses, 10 auxiliary busses and stereo and mono main mix busses. [. . . ] This output is controlled by a pair of 60mm faders and can be switched to a mono sum if necessary. In this case you then have two additional fader-controlled mono outputs. This pair of outputs is invaluable for providing a last-minute stereo feed for broadcast or recording, or supplying a stereo or mono mix to an additional flown system. TALKBACK AND OSCILLATOR SECTION The talkback and oscillator signals can access any of the console busses, including matrix outputs, by means of the local TB/OSC buttons on each output section. The talkback section has front and rear panel XLRs for mic or line level signals, with phantom power capability. The mic signal can be routed either to selected internal busses, by pressing the Talk to Outputs button, or sent to a ClearComTM-compatible intercom system using the EXT button. An incoming CALL signal from a remote station will cause the console LittlitesTM to flash, alerting the engineer. MONITOR SECTION Separate level controls and outputs are provided for engineer's monitor speakers and headphones. Both these outputs normally receive either the main stereo bus signal, mono bus signal, Aux return (2TK) or nothing, depending on the Monitor Source selection switch settings, but this is automatically overridden by any input or output solo signal. A high-power headphone amp drives two parallel-connected headphone sockets, one recessed into the fader panel area below Aux 9/10 master faders, the other on the rear panel. Master Section A Soundcraft proprietary intercom output (compatible with SM monitor consoles or another FOUR) is also available. Return talkback from the ClearCom system is switched onto the headphones, by pressing the EXT button in response to a CALL signal, where it dims the programme signal. The oscillator generates either tone from 63Hz -10kHz or pink noise, and has its own independent balanced XLR output on the rear panel. MUTE MASTER BUTTONS These large illuminated buttons allow activation of the 8 mute groups. Mute groups can be activated in any combination, and operate separately from the internal snapshot automation. MUTE CONTROL/MIDI SECTION The FOUR incorporates a mute snapshot system built into the console as standard. This allows the creation of up to 126 snapshots of the console's mute and VCA Assignment status, as well as the generation and reception of MIDI program change messages, allowing the console to remotely control patch changes on an FX rack. Additionally, pressing any mute button on the console will send out a MIDI note command, which can be used to trigger sound effect generation from samplers. AUX RETURN An additional stereo return is fitted to the master module, with bypassable 2-band shelving EQ at 60Hz and 12KHz, and is routed to either the stereo or mono mix busses, or both. The Mute button is controlled by the Mute Scene system and has a recessed `safe' switch, to protect it from muting during solo-in-place conditions. The Solo button provides mono PFL, stereo AFL or Solo-In-Place, depending on the mode selected at the master section. A rotary fader controls the level of the return, and the return can be selected for monitoring on phones even if it is muted. 7-SEGMENT DISPLAY AND UP/DOWN BUTTONS These allow the selection and display of the current snapshot number. The display flashes if the selected number does not match the currently active snapshot. STORE BUTTON Pressing this button stores the current mute settings to the snapshot number shown in the display. A confirm yes/no message is given. LEFT AND RIGHT LED METERS A pair of 16-segment LED peak meters are fitted at the top of the master module. These provide accurate metering of main mix outputs and soloed signals, even if the VU meterbridge is not fitted. RECALL BUTTON Pressing this button recalls the mute snapshot selected in the display. INPUT ASSIGN MODE BUTTONS Located on the Mute Master module, these two adjacent buttons are used in conjunction with the bi-colour illuminated assign switches next to the input faders, to display and set up VCA and Mute group assignments. The two buttons form a toggle switch, so that one is always active: Pressing the VCA button puts all the input VCA/Mute assign switches into VCA assign mode. The input assign switches illuminate in green when pressed, to show these assignments. Pressing the MUTE button puts all the input VCA/Mute assign switches into Mute group assign mode. [. . . ] The console will have an overbridge as standard, with 3 large VU meters to monitor Left Mix, Right Mix and mono (centre) Mix; it will also have 10 smaller VU meters to monitor Group / Aux / Matrix Outputs, as selected by a 3-position meter source switch bank. The left and right meters shall automatically switch to read an AFL or PFL solo, whenever one is activated. The console shall be provided with 8 VCA master faders with associated Mute switches, for control of the input channels. The MIDI Scene Set section shall be capable of storing up to 126 snapshots comprising mono and stereo input mutes and group, aux, matrix output mutes and input VCA Assignments (if enabled). [. . . ]