In a world full of cheap compact mixers, Soundcraft has achieved something exceptional with the new Spirit M Series. Equally suited to recording and live sound applications, the Spirit M Series delivers a great-sounding, reliable performance, session after session, mix after mix. A mixer for life.

Even before you plug in a Soundcraft Spirit M Series mixer you know it's something very special. The brushed steel side panels aren't just beautiful, they can withstand a weight of 60 kg (132 lbs.) and are designed to leave the mixer with no sharp edges. Removing these panels is simple, revealing a robust, integral rack mounting system equipping the M Series instantly for a life on the road.

The Spirit M Series is also exceptionally easy to use. The control surface will be immediately familiar to anyone who has used a mixer before and will quickly become second nature even to a novice. All inputs, EQ, auxes, panning, and level controls are presented clearly, saving you time when creating your mixes and providing you with more time to spend on achieving the best sound. High quality 100mm faders combine with signal and peak LEDs on every channel and high resolution output metering places the operator in total control. You'll find no unsightly screw heads anywhere on the M Series' front panel to get in the way of your mixing, while a durable, multi-coat paint finish, ensures that a Spirit M Series console always looks as good as it sounds.

From raw component level through to cosmetic… read more finishing, the Spirit M Series has been built to last. Just pick one up and you'll know what we mean. Even the knobs are special, custom designed to our own exacting requirements. We've ensured there is plenty of spacing between the controls, enabling you to comfortably achieve total control of your mix. Even the headphone jack is located at the bottom right hand corner of the mixer so a trailing cable will never get in your way. Just another example of the attention to detail which makes the Soundcraft Spirit M Series the standard against which other compact mixing consoles must now be judged.

3 Frame Options
The Soundcraft Spirit M Series is available in 4, 8, or 12 mono input channel frame sizes. All 3 mixers include 4 stereo inputs and 4 stereo returns, with all other features and specifications identical.

Features
12 mono inputs with 3-band EQ (swept mid)

Rugged chassis design, with integral rackmount capability

4 dedicated level-controlled FX returns with master level control

4 auxiliary sends — 2 pre-fade, 2 post-fade

Pre-/post-fade switchable direct output on every mono input channel

Signal detect and peak LEDs on all input channels

S/PDIF digital output

Global 48V phantom power

100mm faders throughout

4 stereo inputs

Live Usage
Perfect for installations both small to medium sized venues
PA companies, for small gigs and sub-mixes
Audio Visual applications
Small bands
Schools
Houses of worship

Recording Usage
Individual musicians — particularly keyboard players
Project studios
Home studios
MIDI programming suites
Video Post Production
Submixing
Location Sound

Right from the start, the Spirit M Series has been designed to achieve optimum sound and performance. Cheaper mixers present designers with significant restraints in this respect but, through a fresh and innovative approach, Soundcraft designers have created a mixer that rivals the sonic performance of many high end recording consoles.

Attention to detail in the design of the Spirit M Series makes mixing a positive pleasure. A no-compromise approach to circuit design and to the quality of the components throughout has resulted in a console that delivers exceptionally low noise and crosstalk figures. Mic and line inputs are provided on balanced XLR and 1/4 in. jack connectors for optimum performance, with the main stereo outputs on balanced XLRs rather than jacks for better integration with other professional equipment. There are also insert points on every mono channel for external signal processing.

More Inputs
All 3 versions of the Spirit M Series feature more inputs for your money than comparable compact consoles. With a choice of 4, 8, or 12 input versions plus 4 stereo inputs and 4 stereo returns, there are more than adequate inputs for connecting keyboards, samplers, CD players and other outboard equipment.

Mic Preamp
Much has been written about the importance of the mic preamp in mixer design. And rightly so. Poor quality in this area can never be recovered, however smart the subsequent circuit design. Desirable characteristics include linearity and smooth gain control over a wide range as well as low noise, low distortion, and RF rejection. The mic preamp in the new M Series utilizes the same design as that used on our award-winning Ghost studio recording consoles. It delivers remarkably low distortion or coloration at all gain levels, operating with a cool reliability that comes from over a quarter of a century's experience. The bottom line is that it sounds great... and it doesn't need a name because it speaks for itself.

The Great British EQ
In the 70's, Soundcraft pioneered circuit design that revolutionized people's perception of EQ. Today many engineers and producers acknowledge those efforts, describing the results as 'British EQ'. And while they don't claim all the credit, it's undoubtedly true that Soundcraft's work in this field made a major contribution to the evolution of that classic sound. In the Spirit M Series they go one step further. While completely happy with the low and mid range circuitry, they identified a potential for improvement in the HF section. The HF EQ on the M Series has a steeper shelf, making it more tightly focused on the frequencies that you are trying to boost, avoiding the associated boost in the nearby mid-range frequencies which happens in many other EQs and which results in mid-range muddiness.

Noise and Crosstalk Elimination
To minimize noise and hum, effective grounding is essential in mixing console design. The M Series consoles employ a ground tracking architecture usually seen only in much more expensive designs. Careful attention to the grounding around the faders ensures there is minimum ground signal, providing maximum fader attenuation and therefore a high fader cut-off value. The improved circuitry also ensures there is virtually no inter-channel crosstalk.

Size Matters - 100mm
A popular target for cost-cutting mixer manufacturers, you won't be short changed with the Spirit M Series' faders. With the benefit of full sized 100mm faders, subtle mixing changes become easy and control is placed right where it matters. At your fingertips. What's more, each channel also features peak and signal LEDs for intuitive level monitoring.

Effective grounding is essential in mixing console design to eliminate noise and hum. The grounding in the M Series offers a robust shield to external interference. Its internal power supply is housed in the 'foot' of the mixer, keeping it away from the mic preamps. This ensures the transformer is shielded from the sensitive mic preamps by layers of screening, eliminating any induced noise. Furthermore, the 'foot' operates as a highly efficient heat sink, dissipating heat from the power supply and away from the main circuitry.

Connections
In audio mixing, signal path integrity is everything. While other manufacturers may choose economy over quality, Soundcraft leave nothing to chance — their reputation depends on it. That's why Spirit M Series consoles feature professional grade connectors throughout. All models benefit from XLR mic sockets and metal-shafted jacks are used for the line inputs. Meanwhile, to ensure the absence of hum loops and noise, the insert sockets utilize metal-barreled jacks with an insulating plastic thread. And like all components in the M Series, the connectors are designed and built to give year after year of reliable high performance.

Gain Control for Stereo Returns
Because each of the 4 stereo returns on the Spirit M Series has a level control and peak signal LED, they make perfectly usable additional stereo inputs. Ideal for an expanding keyboard setup or sub mix and just one more example of what you gain if you don't cut corners.

Aux Masters
Believe it or not, some manufacturers don't give you master gain controls on all of their aux busses. Spirit does. The Spirit M Series not only provides this useful control but also includes an AFL button for flexible monitoring.

Because levels are constantly changing throughout the signal path — from the preamp stage, through filtering and EQ — the Spirit M Series provides signal detect and peak LEDs on all input channels. Even the stereo returns feature peak LEDs. The main stereo mix has two 12-segment LED meters, with a SOLO AFL/PFL indicator to show whether any solo channels or aux masters are being monitored. With all this information instantly available, efficient control is easy to maintain.

PFL and AFL
At Soundcraft they make no apologies for their professional heritage and this is reflected in the terminology they use. The aux masters feature AFL (After Fade Listen) for monitoring each aux signal, with PFL (Pre Fade Listen) buttons included on the input channels. The term 'solo' does not adequately describe the functions. With the M Series, AFL, PFL, and a peak warning indicator mean that audio professionals will always know exactly what signal they are monitoring.

Switchable Direct Outputs
Whether choosing a mixer for sound reinforcement or recording, one day you'll be glad you chose one with switchable direct outputs. Each direct output is pre-/post- switchable on every channel to suit your application. Essential for multi-track live recording, switchable direct outputs enable the pre-fade signal to be sent directly to the recorder, regardless of the live mix, for total post production flexibility. And when recording in the studio, the final mix can be sent post-fader to the multi-track, recording every fader movement. An absolute necessity.

Digital Output
Each Spirit M Series console features a built-in, high-quality stereo A/D convertor, allowing a digital version of your mix to be routed directly to digital recording systems such as DAT, MiniDisc or recordable CD. The high quality output takes the guesswork out of recording to a PC sound card and, by placing the A/D conversion at the optimum point in the signal path, ensures audio integrity throughout.

Integral Rack Mounting
Spirit knows that for many people a mixing console must perform duties both in the studio and on the road. Through innovative design, the Spirit M Series can be instantly transformed to suit either environment. The stylish metal side panels are quickly and easily removed to reveal a strong, integral rack mounting system. Back in the studio, simply replace the side panels and it reverts to a desktop mixer. All three Spirit M Series mixers occupy 11U of standard rack space.

Despite its lightweight construction, the build quality of the Spirit M Series mixer remains totally uncompromised. It benefits from an exceptionally rugged chassis, designed to withstand the most demanding working environments, from studio to place of worship to conference to stage.

Mono Input Connections
The 3 mixers in the Spirit M Series range offer a choice of 4, 8, or 12 mono input channels, each accepting balanced or unbalanced mic and line inputs. Dynamic, condenser, and ribbon microphones can be connected via the XLR mic input, with 48V phantom power globally switchable via a button on the master section of the mixer. This signal then feeds a high-quality mic preamp, which met with popular acclaim when used in our award-winning Ghost console. Keyboards, drum machines, guitars, and other equipment can be connected to the balanced 1/4 in. jack line inputs, while an unbalanced insert point on each channel is placed pre-EQ in the signal chain, allowing signal processors, such as compressors or gates, to be added to the mix. The input channels can also be connected to external multi-track recorders or effects units via a switchable direct output for use in both live and recording applications.

Stereo Input Connections
The 4 stereo input channels operate as a pair of mono input channels in a single strip, where any processing applied to the left input will also be applied to the right to ensure the correct stereo image is retained. Perfect for connecting synthesizers, drum machines, and other stereo instruments, or for connecting effects processors and tape recorders, the stereo inputs are connected via balanced 1/4 in. jack inputs, delivering optimum performance with other professional audio equipment. The Spirit M Series features dedicated stereo returns for effects processors via RCA phono inputs — these returns can also be used with CD players and other hi-fi equipment. The aux output contains a mix of the aux send signals sent from each input channel, which can then be sent as a monitor mix to stage loudspeakers or to send to an external effects unit.

Master Section Connections
The M Series master section features level controls, metering, and the main stereo outputs. Global control over phantom power (a method of transmitting power along the same cable as the microphone signal) is offered via a push button. +48V phantom power will then be applied to all mic inputs and an LED will illuminate. An additional LED lights when the M Series mixer is on. Audio connections on the master panel include 2-track recorder playback inputs on unbalanced RCA phonos, studio monitor outputs and a mix insertion point. The main left and right mix outputs are provided on balanced XLR connectors, with a mono sum signal available on a balanced 1/4 in. jack, perfect for use as a fill speaker for PA applications. read less