Behringer XR18 X-Air

[aglide]

Pic attached.

 

[Ulf_Hansson]

Pic attached.

Nice!

 

[seamonkey]

Musicgroup ebay store sometimes has some XR18 refurbs, with full warranty.
Good price!
BEHRINGER XR18-AIR 18-Channel Stage Box/Rackmount Digital Mixer + Full Warranty 748252151049 | eBay

 

[TedH]

I want to buy it, but I really don't need it!

Musicgroup ebay store sometimes has some XR18 refurbs, with full warranty.
Good price!
BEHRINGER XR18-AIR 18-Channel Stage Box/Rackmount Digital Mixer + Full Warranty 748252151049 | eBay

 

[BAG]

I attached one of these using double sided tape and connected it with a short 1/8" to RCA cable:

Amazon.com: Logitech 980-000910 Bluetooth Audio Adapter for Bluetooth Streaming: Computers & Accessories

Parts:

Amazon.com: cable 3.5mm Stereo to Dual RCA Audio Adapter Cable, 3.5mm Male to Dual RCA Male, Red/White (30S1-01160): Computers & Accessories

Amazon.com: Hosa GPR-123 RCA to 1/4 inch TS Right-Angle Adaptors, 2 pieces: Musical Instruments

I usually stream to it from my phone. It's bluetooth so it does get some interference/stuttering as I walk around sometimes. I haven't pushed the range much.

I'm kind of intrigued by the Chromecast Audio idea though. Would it be able to connect to the SSID of the XR18 along with my phones and tablets and communicate with them?

I used a similar thing for a short time but git sick of it cutting out every time i went to the men's room.

Now i just leave a cheap mp3 player playing and bring the tape channel up when i need it.

 

[nervous]

Some great ideas here, inexpensive and simple. That Logitech box is a perfect size and possible solution. I could just as easily play the music from my phone, or better yet, the same iPad air that I'd use to mix so that's simple enough. But, putting a plugged in ipod with the playlist on loop, running fulltime actually works just as well. I've got solution options. Thank you all.

EDIT: Not being all that bluetooth savvy, are these units, like the Logitech and Chromecast, paired securely with the device(s) on my choosing and not open to anyone in the bar that may want to also bluetooth connect?

 

[seamonkey]

Chromecast audio streams through wifi - not bluetooth

I have another little bluetooth dongle that does allow multiple connections. It's super handy for phones and tablets, but it doesn't have any range.

 

[aglide]

EDIT: Not being all that Bluetooth savvy, are these units, like the Logitech and Chromecast, paired securely with the device(s) on my choosing and not open to anyone in the bar that may want to also Bluetooth connect?

As someone stated, Chromecast isn't Bluetooth. But to answer your question about the Logitech, it seems to require you to press the button on the top of it to pair a device to it the first time.

 

[nervous]

Another quick questions for XR-18 users, and hoping I can ask it semi-intelligently. How strong is the output section for driving powered speakers? I ask because I find that I have to run my current A&H Mixwiz 16 channel mains pretty high to dribe our QSC KW181/K12 mains in an average bar sized situation. It's generally fine but little headroom in bigger places. So I guess I am curious about the XR-18 output vs a regular analog mixer.

 

[jimfist]

Another quick questions for XR-18 users, and hoping I can ask it semi-intelligently. How strong is the output section for driving powered speakers? I ask because I find that I have to run my current A&H Mixwiz 16 channel mains pretty high to dribe our QSC KW181/K12 mains in an average bar sized situation. It's generally fine but little headroom in bigger places. So I guess I am curious about the XR-18 output vs a regular analog mixer.

The output of the XR series mixers is designed to drive a power amp input or input of a powered speaker easily. If you're having difficulty getting enough gain out of your powered speakers, you should pay close attention to proper gain staging and double check the input/output level specs on the powered speaker itself. Some designs may require that the level knob(s) on a powered speaker be run fairly wide open, but that's not usually the case in my experience. These days, powered speakers usually have two level controls: one to attenuate the incoming signal to properly match gain, and then an output level control. This is usually in conjunction with mic/line switches, and some sort of overload LED light.

In my experiences driving various powered speakers and amps with the X18 X-Air, I've had no problems with output from the mixer.

 

[nervous]

Finally, I was able to get the XR18 out live for the first time last night. Spent time at home the past few weeks getting familiar but there's always those hold your breath moment with anything new to hope A) everything works as planned, and B) that I can effectively and efficiently find my way around the app on the fly, under pressure, to get things done. All in all I was very pleased. My question on output is ansawred as it actually seems to offer more signal and offers greater headroom that my MixWiz 16. Run with a QSC KW181/K12 per side it wasa fabulous sound. I didn't end up having to mix from the stage after all as I had a friend come out who also has the same unit so he was familiar with everything and ran sound from a table while he enjoyed the show. Just awesome. An interesting difference is that I run an iPad and he has been using the Android version so there was a bit of searching around to get to places he knew should be there but sometimes couldnt easily find. I read that many prefer the Android platform and that it has additonal features that the iOs version does not. But as a concept this fantastic form function. Can't wait for teh next time out.

 

[Rocksolid]

I've finally got my 2nd outing with my PA and XAir18 happening next weekend - it's been almost 5 months since it's maiden voyage.

The first gig went quite well although I did accidentally put a Compressor across the mains whilst doing the initial set up at home which gave me all sorts of problems until my mate noticed it as we were flicking thru things trying to work out why we weren't getting enough level.

Gonna have to sit down next week and relearn it. Sure it won't be too hard to remember but just don't want the hassles at the gig.

 

[FuturePrimitive]

Gonna have to sit down next week and relearn it. Sure it won't be too hard to remember but just don't want the hassles at the gig.

Heh, I've had to relearn a few things and I've only used mine in rehearsal for the last 6 months. Though I have been changing a lot of things, like bands and band members. You know, little things...

 

[nervous]

I am still getting familiar with the mixer and app and did my first real job last Saturday with it using the iPad app. Went fine so I know that works for me. I picked up a Samsung Galaxy Tab A 9.7 to experiment with the Android based app. Quite different in its interface that the iOs version. Some better features but far more basic in its appearance and getting around. I'll get used to it.

But, feeling pretty stupid on one thing. What does the "FINE" button actually do, control, add, etc.? For the life of me I can't find where changes are impacted. Similarly for the "ADVANCED" button in the IPad app. Can anyone tell me?

 

[FuturePrimitive]

What does the "FINE" button actually do, control, add, etc.?

The FINE button gives you fine control over the fader. When it's selected it's something like a 10:1 ratio of your finger movement relative to the db movement on the slider. Or something like that. In essence, it give you higher granularity when moving a slider.

 

[fretless_bill]

Hi - lots in this thread about tablets going to sleep, dropped wifi but I am curious what does the mixer do when that happens? I hope it continues to run with last known parameters? And when the connection is restored is there any audible event in the PA?

 

[FuturePrimitive]

Hi - lots in this thread about tablets going to sleep, dropped wifi but I am curious what does the mixer do when that happens? I hope it continues to run with last known parameters? And when the connection is restored is there any audible event in the PA?

The mixer keeps on chugging away. There is no audible event/noise in the PA when the control device reconnects, no audio signal is routed to/from the control device so there isn't really a way for it to even introduce noise.

 

[topper]

I was thinking about getting one of these. I downloaded the mixer app for my Android tablet and was impressed with a lot about it. But one thing stuck out. It looks kinda hard to get to things like the aux sends for individual channels. How many of you are using this in a live situation where you're playing bass and trying to mix at the same time?

What I'm wondering about is what happens when your singer looks over at you mid-song and asks for more of themselves in the monitor. It looked to me like you'd have to wake up the tablet, then navigate through two or three screens to get to the aux sends for the proper channel, make your adjustments, then navigate your way back out.

Is there an easier way? I was using a small sized Android tablet and I'm wondering if a larger screen would put more controls on the main screen.

 

[Geri O]

Regarding the XR-18s built-in router...

I saw a few folks mentioning the XR-s built-in router as a good reason to buy it. While the XR-18 is a great unit for small groups, events, and clubs, I would caution against counting on the internal router to be dependable enough to rely on.

From day one, I've relied on an external router to operate the XR with. I had heard from other users about its internal router's shortcomings and decided to just use my Apple Extreme router (I've "heard" that they improved the internal router, but I've not seen or heard of it officially from MG. Two weeks ago, I loaned the XR to my part-time employers for a small cheer-leading competition event out of town. I asked if they needed my router, "No, we all carry routers". Fast forward to day of the event, no router to be found. I explained how to get the internal router configured and it worked for an hour, then stopped working altogether. No amount of rebooting, reconfiguring, or anything else solved the problem. Being 350 miles away, all I could suggest is to run out and buy a router, which they did and got through the day.

So please be ready to use an external router with the XR. I have not investigated the problem with mine any further.

And besides, lately I've grown rather weary of using the XR's very clumsy (to me) control apps. No DCA control, no mute groups (all functions that are found in the notebook apps), clumsy file structure, and no app for iPhone (iPad and Android apps available, WTH??). Many thousand folks use the XR and what apps are available for it just fine, so it's not you, it's me.... I'm selling mine and going with an X32 Rack. It can be operated without an app, if not very awkward to do so. Much better control apps and I can share my full-blown X32 console's files with the X32 rack. My only issue with that is all the inputs and outputs are on the back of the unit. I can deal with that.

 

[Frankjohnson]

I agree on external router as a MUST HAVE. did almost a year without it and noticed that the more crowded the room (read devices) the more likely I was to have drop outs. Added an external router and it is almost non existent. I use two devices for multi-connectivity and it has been solid. the XR18 is sized right for my venue and bands, and I use laptops, so I have been pretty happy with the software. just my findings. I learn something EVERY gig still.