The VENUE PROFILE SYSTEM was the second console released in Digidesign’s Venue family of live sound consoles.  While there are currently four models to choose from (D-Show, Profile, Profile MixRack, and the SC48), I personally feel that the PROFILE console is the best, all-around configuration for any level of user.  There is very little difference between the PROFILE and DSHOW systems.  In fact everything is identical other than the mixing control surface itself.  Not to be confused with the PROFILE MIXRACK system, the PROFILE SYSTEM and PROFILE MIXRACK do share the same console control surface---however PROFILE’s hardware (FOH RACK and STAGE I/O) is the same as what’s found in the DShow console.  To help clarify it, let’s look at the chart below. 

The PROFILE SYSTEM and PROFILE MIX RACK are extremely similar to each other----but they are also a completely solution.   Using the exact same mixing surface as the Profile System, one can go from Profile to the Mix Rack and not know the difference in terms of operation and control.  Of course the great thing about the entire Venue family is that the software itself and operation is identical, it’s just that the mixing surfaces have different options and of course, a different layout.  Really the difference here is that the Profile Mix Rack has both the mainframe computer and the mixer I/O built-into one chassis.  By eliminating a separate Stage Rack and FOH rack design integrating into one box, a significant amount of money is saved---in this case $20,000!  There certainly is a huge advantage to a digital snake---but $20,000 is also a significant amount of money to save when your copper snake works just fine.