Soundcraft Exp1 Digital Mixer and StageBox

Hire 32 Channel Soundcraft Si Expression 1 Digital Mixer with STB16 MADI Stagebox

32 Input Professional Mixing System

The MX16D is Edwards NZ's intuitive digital mixing system for school productions, small live events, corporate presentations, and general-purpose live sound — a Soundcraft Si Expression 1 digital console and STB16 MADI HD remote stagebox connected via a single Cat5 cable. Combined the system provides 32 mic and line inputs: 16 from the console's own rear panel and 16 from the STB16 at the stage position. Hire code MX16D.

The defining characteristic of the Expression 1 is its 1 Control = 1 Function design philosophy — every parameter on the surface has its own dedicated physical control. There is no layering, no deep menu diving, and no need to remember which mode the console is in before touching a knob. Gain is always gain. The fader is always the fader. This makes the Expression 1 one of the most approachable digital consoles available for operators who are not regular digital desk users, while still delivering fully professional audio quality and processing.

FaderGlow illuminates the faders in different colours to show the current mode at a glance — green for normal channel mixing, amber for post-fade aux, blue for pre-fade aux, red for graphic EQ. If the faders are behaving unexpectedly, look at the colour first. The TOTEM function remixes any channel's contribution to any aux, FX, or matrix bus onto the main faders with a single keypress — fast and intuitive for live monitor adjustments.

Per-channel processing covers the full professional toolkit: high-pass filter, input delay, noise gate, compressor, and four-band parametric EQ. Output processing — compressor, four-band EQ, BSS graphic EQ, and delay — is available on every output bus. Four hardware Lexicon FX processors handle reverb, delay, and modulation effects with no CPU loading. The STB16 stagebox replaces the entire stage microphone snake with a single Cat5 cable, making setup faster and the cable run significantly tidier.

What is included:

• Soundcraft Si Expression 1 digital mixing console
• Soundcraft STB16 Mini Stagebox 16/8 MADI HD
• 50m Cat6a MADI cable on reel
• IEC mains cables

Specifications at a glance:

• 16 local recallable mic/line XLR inputs on console + 16 via STB16 = 32 total inputs
• 14 channel faders plus 2 master faders
• 14 aux/group mix buses plus 4 matrix, LR, and centre
• Full per-channel processing: HPF, gate, compressor, 4-band parametric EQ, delay
• Full per-bus output processing: compressor, 4-band EQ, BSS GEQ, delay
• 4 hardware Lexicon stereo FX processors
• FaderGlow colour-coded faders
• TOTEM one-touch aux mixing
• 4 mute groups
• iPad remote control via ViSi app over Wi-Fi
• STB16: 16 XLR inputs, 8 XLR outputs, Cat5/Cat6 connected, self-powered
• 50m Cat6a MADI cable on reel included

Ideal for: School productions and drama performances, assemblies and school concerts, small corporate events and presentations, functions with up to 32 sources, general-purpose live sound where operator simplicity and professional results are both required. The most approachable digital desk in the Edwards fleet for less experienced operators.

Available for self-collection or delivery and setup by an Edwards technician.

Frequently Asked Questions — Soundcraft Si Expression 1 + STB16 Hire

What makes this console easier to operate than other digital desks?

The Expression 1 is built around a 1 Control = 1 Function design — every parameter has its own physical knob or button on the surface. Unlike most digital consoles where one encoder is reassigned to different parameters depending on the mode, the Expression 1's controls are permanently dedicated. Gain is always gain. This removes the most common source of confusion for operators who are not regular digital desk users, making it significantly more approachable for school technical staff, event coordinators, or anyone operating a digital console for the first time.

How many inputs does the system provide?

The Expression 1 has 16 recallable mic and line XLR inputs on its own rear panel plus 4 additional line inputs and an AES input. The STB16 stagebox adds 16 XLR mic and line inputs at the stage position, bringing the total to 32 mic and line inputs across the system. For most school productions, small concerts, and corporate presentations this is comfortably sufficient.

How far can the stagebox be from the console?

The STB16 connects via a single Cat5 or Cat6 cable — standard Cat5e handles 100 metres reliably and the MADI HD protocol supports significantly longer runs with good quality cable. The 50m Cat6a cable on reel included with this hire covers the vast majority of school hall and corporate venue configurations. No audio snake is required — one cable replaces the entire microphone run from stage to FOH.

Does the STB16 need its own mains power?

Yes. It is self-contained and does not draw power from the Cat5 cable or the console. It does require its own mains IEC connection at the stage position.

What is FaderGlow and why does it matter?

FaderGlow illuminates each channel fader in a different colour depending on the current operating mode — green for normal channel mixing, amber for post-fade aux send, blue for pre-fade aux send, red for graphic EQ, pink for FX send. This means the operator can see at a glance what the faders are currently controlling without looking at the screen. The most important colour to know is red — red faders mean the console is in GEQ mode and moving them adjusts the graphic EQ on a bus, not the channel levels. If faders seem to be behaving unexpectedly, check the colour first.

What is TOTEM?

TOTEM — One Touch Easy Mix — remixes any channel's send contribution to any aux, FX, or matrix bus onto the main channel faders with a single keypress. Press the TOTEM key for Monitor 1, and all channel faders immediately show their send level to Monitor 1. Adjust levels, then press LR to return to the main mix. This makes live monitor adjustments fast and intuitive without needing to enter a separate sends-on-faders mode or navigate menus.

Does it have reverb and effects?

Yes — four hardware Lexicon stereo FX processors are built in, covering reverb, delay, chorus, and modulation effects. These are dedicated hardware processors running independently of the console's processing — no CPU load, no performance impact. Lexicon is one of the most respected names in professional reverb and the quality is well above what most consoles at this level provide.

Can it be controlled from an iPad?

Yes. The ViSi Remote app connects to the Expression 1 via Wi-Fi — a wireless router connected to the console's Ethernet port is required, which is not included in this hire package but is straightforward to add. ViSi Remote gives full control of channel levels, processing, and scene recall from an iPad, useful for walking the room during soundcheck or managing the mix from the stage.

How does this compare to the Allen & Heath SQ consoles?

The Expression 1 is the more approachable console — simpler surface, fewer layers, easier to hand to a less experienced operator. The Allen & Heath SQ5 and SQ7 offer more processing power, more inputs, more buses, more FX engines, and a more sophisticated routing architecture suited to larger and more complex productions. For school events, smaller corporate presentations, and events with up to 32 inputs where simplicity matters, the MX16D is the right choice. For larger productions, live bands with complex monitor requirements, or events requiring 48-channel processing, the SQ5 or SQ7 is the step up.

Is delivery and setup available?

Yes. The MX16D is available for self-collection or delivery and setup by an Edwards technician. Contact our hire team at (09) 571 0551 or hire@edwardsnz.co.nz to discuss your event requirements.