1Up for the Behringer X-Air 18.

[el murdoque]

My band is thinking about taking in one more musician.
The problem is our IEM rig: We currently run the X-Air 18 and have 6 IEM mixes, which maxes out the available Aux return paths.
Having a seventh person join us requires an upgrade.

Any suggestions? Soundcraft UI24?
Behringer X32 rack version?

 

[Mike Caldwell]

How many inputs do you need?

Ui24, Allen Heath QU Pac or QU SB.

 

[s0c9]

All 3 bands I play with (including my own) use the X32R.. I even have an SD8 in my rack which gives me a full 24 inputs and 16 outputs.
Swiss Army knife of mixers. Solid.

 

[el murdoque]

How many inputs do you need?

Ui24, Allen Heath QU Pac or QU SB.

8 Inputs,
7 Aux returns.

 

[Wasnex]

I have not used this gear, so confirm viability if you consider this option.

My understanding is you can simply add a P16M. From the X Air product manual P. 8:

Ref: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

AFAIK the P16-D is nice to have but not strictly required. Without the P16-D, I believe each P16-M requires its own wallwart.

 

[s0c9]

The first P16M does NOT require power, but the (up to) 5 additional units it will support DO require power.

 

[el murdoque]

The first P16M does NOT require power, but the (up to) 5 additional units it will support DO require power.

Does hooking a P16M to the existing system result in one more aux channel?

 

[Katoosie]

Thomann has a sale on the behringer X32 bundle now, comes with a case for 1.9k euro.

The unit itself costs 2.5k otherwise. I just looked it up.

https://www.thomann.de/de/behringer_x32_producer_bundle.htm

 

[joe grime]

Use the headphone out as seventh aux maybe?

 

[el murdoque]

Thomann has a sale on the behringer X32 bundle now, comes with a case for 1.9k euro.

The unit itself costs 2.5k otherwise. I just looked it up.

https://www.thomann.de/de/behringer_x32_producer_bundle.htm

Thank you for that, but the unit in question is not the X32 mixing desk, but the X32 Rack unit - this is a mere €1444 at Thomann.

 

[el murdoque]

Use the headphone out as seventh aux maybe?

This only works in rehearsals. When we play smaller gigs, we actually use the X-Air 18 as our mixer - in that case, the seventh person would not have a separate feed and had to live with the main mix.

 

[jad]

Does hooking a P16M to the existing system result in one more aux channel?

In practical terms, yes. The P16M is basically a mixer . You send it up to 16 tracks of audio of your choosing and use it to set the levels panning, and EQ however you wish. I really like mine for IEMs.

 

[joe grime]

This only works in rehearsals. When we play smaller gigs, we actually use the X-Air 18 as our mixer - in that case, the seventh person would not have a separate feed and had to live with the main mix.

or assign the monitor to duplicate one of the 6 aux outs in settings

 

[s0c9]

Does hooking a P16M to the existing system result in one more aux channel?

Not really. They’re separate. You get up to 6 additional mixes (daisy chaining the P16M’s via CAT5/6 cable) controlled via ea P16M, totally independent of the other busses and ea of the other P16M’s.

 

[el murdoque]

Not really. They’re separate. You get up to 6 additional mixes (daisy chaining the P16M’s via CAT5/6 cable) controlled via ea P16M, totally independent of the other busses and ea of the other P16M’s.

...not really, but sort of yes, though.
You have your six AUX as you had before, and the single P16M can be used to generate a mix independent from the main mix and the AUX returns.
The musician in question plays keys, so I'd think there would not be too much of a problem if he has to go wired.


Has anyone used both the Soundcraft and the X-Air and can comment on the quality of the audio and the apps, as well as the reliability ?

 

[jad]

The musician in question plays keys, so I'd think there would not be too much of a problem if he has to go wired.

You're probably aware of this, but in addition to being useful for wired IEMs, you can also use a P16M to drive a wireless transmitter, that's what I do, or even a wedge or two if the user has adequate live sounds experience.

 

[kittywithabanjo]

X32R would be the logical step as you are familiar with the platform if you have an XR18 already. I have mine in a rack with a SD16 so I have the full 32 Channels, and all the outs avail.

I do use the P16M for keyboardists and drummers I have 2 in my kit, never used it with a wireless, as havent had the need. I also carry a few extra of the 1/4 - 1/8 adapters with me, this would be a cheaper option of course.

 

[s0c9]

You're probably aware of this, but in addition to being useful for wired IEMs, you can also use a P16M to drive a wireless transmitter, that's what I do, or even a wedge or two if the user has adequate live sounds experience.

I’ve done that in days past, but it’s inconvenient and kinda defeats the purpose of being wireless - needing it to be connect to a P16M which you need to be close by (reachable) to manually adjust your mix.
But, if one doesn’t have the available output busses on the mixer, it IS a workable solution.

 

[jad]

I’ve done that in days past, but it’s inconvenient and kinda defeats the purpose of being wireless - needing it to be connect to a P16M which one needs to manually control to adjust your mix.
But, if one doesn’t have the available output busses on the mixer, it IS a workable option.

I get what you’re saying. The way I see it, I either need a tablet or a P16M to run my IEM mix. I keep the set list up on my tablet and the lead vocalist visits fairly often to peek at the lyrics, so it’s already kind of tied up. Having the ability to EQ individual channels is nice. I take a lot of bottom out of the kick. That way I can keep it fairly loud for timing, but it doesn’t interfere with bass guitar. Similar with keys, I take out a lot of the bottom. I do have Mixing Station running in the background, too, if I need it.
Having to be wired between the P16 and the board isn’t that big a deal. I have the P16 on top of a mic stand with a shelf below for my wireless transmitter. I power both off the the power supply from my pedalboard.

 

[s0c9]

I get what you’re saying. The way I see it, I either need a tablet or a P16M to run my IEM mix. I keep the set list up on my tablet and the lead vocalist visits fairly often to peek at the lyrics, so it’s already kind of tied up. Having the ability to EQ individual channels is nice. I take a lot of bottom out of the kick. That way I can keep it fairly loud for timing, but it doesn’t interfere with bass guitar. Similar with keys, I take out a lot of the bottom. I do have Mixing Station running in the background, too, if I need it.
Having to be wired between the P16 and the board isn’t that big a deal. I have the P16 on top of a mic stand with a shelf below for my wireless transmitter. I power both off the the power supply from my pedalboard.

No disagreements with your position/perspective at all - as it IS a workable solution.
You gotta do what works for your situation!