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Tablet controlled digital mixers for live use


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Hi All,

I am looking for a mixer for band use.  The most cost effective solutions like Soundcraft rely on a tablet for the UI.  This makes me a little nervous as there is something nice about having a physical button.  On the other hand it makes for a clean approach.  Are people using these solutions live with confidence?

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Yes, I do.  (Midas MR-18 and Behringer XR-18).

Ludwig van Beethoven:  “To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.”

My Rig: Yamaha MOXF8 (used mostly for acoustic piano voices); Motion Sound KP-612SX & SL-512;  Apple iPad Pro (5th Gen, M1 chip);  Apple MacBook Pro 2021 (M1 Max chip).

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We've used digital mixers for the last 12 years. although several (Line 6, QSC touchmix) had screens of their own.

We used an XR18 for several years, and recently upgraded to an X32, mainly to get more stereo auxes.

Never had any issues that I can recall, other than user error :)  The Touchmix was my personal favorite (12 auxes!) but they apparently had some issue with power supplies or some such, in any case our bandleader moved on to the XR18.  We do occasionally have issues with the wifi and connecting via tablet--and we've seen the same with sound companies honestly--but that might be more of a wifi router issue.   The X32 has its own screen with knobs etc so you aren't reliant on a tablet.  I know some that use the XR18 bring an ethernet connection (tablet or maybe a laptop) as a backup in case tablets can't connect.

One plus (to me) of the Behringers is that I can use the P16m monitor mixer.  It takes an ethernet signal from the "ultranet" port of up to 16 "raw" channels (not an aux mix) and I then can mix my own headphone monitor mix in stereo, with a limiter and some basic EQ on each channel.  It has line outs if I instead want to feed wedge(s).

I know Behringer has the rep they do, but it seems like everyone we know with their mixers has been happy with them, and they are on sale right now I think.

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Depending on your needs... and having owned the Ui24, Presonus rackmounts, and others... my current favorite has to be the Allen and Heath CQ-18T, or its screen less brother, the CQ-20.

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I have gear. Don't we all? Some is old, some is new. Ask me what I've got and I'll tell you. 

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I bought an Allen & Heath CQ-20B soon after they were launched for my 4-piece band, and I have been super-pleased with it - it provides exceptional bang-for-buck.

  • Mixing via tablet over on-board WiFi
  • Six individual monitor mixes controlled by phone apps over WiFi
  • On-board multi-track recording direct to SD-card (no computer required)
  • Multi-Channel audio interface if you want to use a computer/DAW for recording/playback
  • Also supported by the (third party) Mixing Station app, which gives you other options for FoH and monitor mixing

I'd go as far as to say it is my all-time favourite piece of (non-instrument) gear, but of course YMMV.

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In my day job as a TV station Broadcast Engineer I routinely submix audio for live bands coming thru our weekly variety show, and I have been using the QSC Touchmix 8 here for over 7 years!    Once you understand the interface & have programmed your regular scenes, operation is a breeze (especially for a keyboardist), and most importantly, fast and reliable!  I use the WIFI tablet interface as a 2nd remote control for my TD in the Control room where he can also mix with the benefit of using the Main on-air Program speakers.    i can confirm that the only problem that I have had with this setup here is that I have had to replace the power supply twice over the years but the sound quality, FX quality & signal-to-noise ration are great.  I have mixed many national acts successfully live on-air including Jody Watley & Boney James.   Based upon my previous experiences  I am extremely interested in the new Allen & Heath CQ-18T for my personal setup as it seems to have all of the right features to match and improve upon my experiences with the Touchmix.

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Gig: Yamaha MODX7, NumaX 73 Piano  Studio: Kawai ES-920; Hammond SK Pro 73; Yamaha Motif ES7 w/DX,VL,VH; Yamaha YC 73; Kawai MP-6; Numa Compact 2x

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13 hours ago, CharlieLosGatos said:

Hi All,

I am looking for a mixer for band use.  The most cost effective solutions like Soundcraft rely on a tablet for the UI.  This makes me a little nervous as there is something nice about having a physical button.  On the other hand it makes for a clean approach.  Are people using these solutions live with confidence?

I've used XR-18s and X32s for years.  They're on sale now, BTW :)

 

Both products support an external mixing surface (X-touch) that connects via ethernet vs wifi.   

 

Like most "just in case" purchases, I won't have problems with the wifi or tablet unless I forget to bring the backup.  Then we have problems.

 

Just moved up to a A&H SQ5.  Nice mixer for our group.

Want to make your band better?  Check out "A Guide To Starting (Or Improving!) Your Own Local Band"

 

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Another QSC TouchMix 16 user here.  Getting used to the touch screen doesn't take very long.  Especially if you're used to navigating a smartphone.😎

PD

 

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy"

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16 hours ago, Stokely said:



I know Behringer has the rep they do, but it seems like everyone we know with their mixers has been happy with them, and they are on sale right now I think.


The older Behr products were pretty meh to awful in quality and build/parts (getting what was paid for) but this newer division has released some extremely useful tools that hold up decently and sound very good.  X18 is one of those products, same goes for the Midas version.

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19 hours ago, CharlieLosGatos said:

Hi All,

I am looking for a mixer for band use.  The most cost effective solutions like Soundcraft rely on a tablet for the UI.  This makes me a little nervous as there is something nice about having a physical button.  On the other hand it makes for a clean approach.  Are people using these solutions live with confidence?


I was hesitant as well (any digi mixer) until I used one.  Portable, functional, featureful, sound good.  You'll likely  end up asking why you didn't try sooner once you get it down.

I use MS an old (ATOM) Surface 3 with the digi mixers. Perfect size and power profile for this. You could pick one up good used for a song.

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Yup, I've used an X32R and a Ui24R for years with no issues. I can recommend Mixing Station over the official Behringer app though, it's worth the (low) price of admission.

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Cephid - Progressive Electro Rock

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Allen and Heath CQ-18T all day every day.  has screen, so don't even need a tablet.  built in wifi that actually works. rock solid. sounds great. records great multitrack to a 7 dollar sd card. fits in a briefcase with room to spare.  I play in 4 different bands that use mine with very different instrumentation.  have a scene saved for each band.  takes 5 mins to plug in the mics and recall the mix for each band.  love it.  control it from my phone on a mic stand.

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On 8/5/2024 at 5:11 PM, Stokely said:

Never had any issues that I can recall, other than user error :)  ...  We do occasionally have issues with the wifi and connecting via tablet--and we've seen the same with sound companies honestly--but that might be more of a wifi router issue.  

The vocalist is my 10-piece originals worldbeat jam band purchased the Behringer 18. Setting it up is always a hassle. Lots of connectivity issues. We rehearse in different places and gig in different places so it's always a headache setting up because each set-up is different. It always takes about half an hour to troubleshoot. Once it's set up and working, it's ok. But we've had some issues with poor power. I'm old skool. My other blues-rock band uses my 20-year old Yamaha powered mixer. Never any problems. Reliable, easy to set up, totally intuitive, knobs. Watching the vocalist in the originals band struggle with her tablet and trying to make things work just makes me appreciate analog gear. Plug in, turn on, turn knobs and sliders to set levels, play. 

These are only my opinions, not supported by any actual knowledge, experience, or expertise.
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We are only a five piece and our setup is basically the same each gig, other than when we have subs.

That said, I have noticed a couple times that the number of devices could make a difference...not sure if that was it, but it seemed like people would sometimes get booted when someone else would connect.  Not every gig though.   I've been using the p16 so I don't use the tablet--and that might be an option for you.  I know some churches buy a bunch of them for musicians.  If you do that, they have "distro" units that will both split the signal so you don't have to daisy chain, and power each P16.   Just a thought.  The P16 is half off right now, which got me wondering if I should buy another one...main thing that stops me is that its not my PA, and who knows if down the line we'll change the mixer.  Plus we have enough auxes for me to run stereo, so that can be my backup plan if the p16 has issues.

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11 hours ago, El Lobo said:

  purchased the Behringer 18. Setting it up is always a hassle. Lots of connectivity issues.  

 

The wifi in the Behringer xr18 totally blows. If you want to keep your sanity you HAVE to use an external router with the Behringers and most of the other brands. Having to do that kinda defeats the idea of a super-compact setup. The internal wifi in the Allen Heath is the exception. It is much more solid and i've had no connection issues with it. Plus, additionally having the built in screen providing full control of the mixer makes any wifi a moot point in some setups.

 

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12 minutes ago, D. Gauss said:

 

The wifi in the Behringer xr18 totally blows. If you want to keep your sanity you HAVE to use an external router with the Behringers and most of the other brands.

Yes. That's been our experience. Had to get an external router. 

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These are only my opinions, not supported by any actual knowledge, experience, or expertise.
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2 hours ago, D. Gauss said:

 

The wifi in the Behringer xr18 totally blows. If you want to keep your sanity you HAVE to use an external router with the Behringers and most of the other brands. Having to do that kinda defeats the idea of a super-compact setup. 

Have to agree here. XR18 wifi sucks. External router essential. Otherwise a very good bit of kit.

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4 hours ago, D. Gauss said:

 

The wifi in the Behringer xr18 totally blows. If you want to keep your sanity you HAVE to use an external router with the Behringers and most of the other brands. Having to do that kinda defeats the idea of a super-compact setup. The internal wifi in the Allen Heath is the exception. It is much more solid and i've had no connection issues with it. Plus, additionally having the built in screen providing full control of the mixer makes any wifi a moot point in some setups.

 

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Yes, that's quite an important point, and perhaps not obvious to the first-timer using a wireless control surface (IPad, et al) -- you have to have a network. Either the board itself provides a "private" network, or you employ another device to do that (e.g. a separate router), or you connect to a network already available at the venue.

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8 hours ago, Stokely said:

We are only a five piece and our setup is basically the same each gig, other than when we have subs.

That said, I have noticed a couple times that the number of devices could make a difference...not sure if that was it, but it seemed like people would sometimes get booted when someone else would connect.  Not every gig though.   I've been using the p16 so I don't use the tablet--and that might be an option for you.  I know some churches buy a bunch of them for musicians.  If you do that, they have "distro" units that will both split the signal so you don't have to daisy chain, and power each P16.   Just a thought.  The P16 is half off right now, which got me wondering if I should buy another one...main thing that stops me is that its not my PA, and who knows if down the line we'll change the mixer.  Plus we have enough auxes for me to run stereo, so that can be my backup plan if the p16 has issues.

If you're not running an external router on the XR-18, you'll get booted and locked out when everyone brings their cellphones into the venue.

 

I've run 6 PM-16s with an X32 rack for years, using a powered hub.  Don't even think of daisy chaining them, as debugging any connectivity problems becomes nightmarish.

 

At ~$150, it's a useful piece of kit if you frequently encounter Behringer mixers.

Want to make your band better?  Check out "A Guide To Starting (Or Improving!) Your Own Local Band"

 

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