Behringer XR18 X-Air

[Philly Watts]

Yep, that's exactly the model I've been eyeballing, for the price it looks hard to beat. I think the Art S8 is the next lowest priced rack mount splitter at ~$240. The MS8000 also seems to get good (enough) reviews everywhere I look. I've got some time to pull the trigger as my new band will be providing PA for our first few shows and we'll have no need to split. I just want to be prepared when we do. Thanks!

For the XR18 inputs I use the link outs on the MS8000. There is a very slight drop in volume that you can easily account for with a few dbs of extra gain and voila! You can also mono sum two inputs with the link button, but be careful not to have it pressed in when you don't want that function.

The FOH gets the balanced DI outs that are isolated and do not have a volume drop. Good luck, its a great buy! I'm going to get another one one day.

 

[Philly Watts]

I think we use this one... it's mounted in our IEM rack.. one leg goes to IEM console (X32 Rack) and the other leg goes to FOH snake, or to the FOH console (when we run our own sound).
Keep in mind.. the MS8000 is cheap. But, the advantage to this approach over the B*ringer MS8000 is that you get the cables. With the MS8000 you get a $99 "box" and STILL need to buy all the necessary cables to get the signal from the MS8000 OUT to the other devices.
Plus, you get the 1/4 + XLR combo inputs on this.. with XLR outs. The MS8000 is XLR only.

Exactly! In order to get around that, I got two of these for very cheap and they work great with the MS8000.

 

[ctmullins]

From what I've seen, you can't run the main outputs as dual mono.

Sure you can. Just pan all channels to the center. Not sure about the HPF/LPF though; I do that outboard for subs/tops.

You CAN run "sub(s) on aux" though. Meaning you use an aux output and only send your low frequency content to that aux/sub (kick, bass guitar, keys, tuba...). You can then use PEQ on the main outs to cut the low end way down on your top cabs, and the PEQ on the aux send to cut the high end from your subs.

That works too, but uses an aux.

 

[Robb Fesig]

Sure you can. Just pan all channels to the center. Not sure about the HPF/LPF though; I do that outboard for subs/tops.

That's just mono

 

[ctmullins]

Hmm, so what's the definition of "dual mono", and how does it differ from "just mono"?

 

[Robb Fesig]

Hmm, so what's the definition of "dual mono", and how does it differ from "just mono"?

It would seem to depend on who you ask. I always thought it meant different grounds and power supplies between the two outputs.

 

[peterpalmieri]

I've decided to take the plung on the XR18. I've been using a UI16 for two years now and the XR18 is for a different group.

I guess over time I will find out which one I like better but I'm pretty comfortable on the UI right now. But I'm going to need the additional inputs and IEM mixes.

 

[Rocksolid]

I think we use this one... it's mounted in our IEM rack.. one leg goes to IEM console (X32 Rack) and the other leg goes to FOH snake, or to the FOH console (when we run our own sound).
Keep in mind.. the MS8000 is cheap. But, the advantage to this approach over the B*ringer MS8000 is that you get the cables. With the MS8000 you get a $99 "box" and STILL need to buy all the necessary cables to get the signal from the MS8000 OUT to the other devices.
Plus, you get the 1/4 + XLR combo inputs on this.. with XLR outs. The MS8000 is XLR only.

This looks killer. I've messaged them regarding postage to Australia. Thanks for sharing.

 

[BAG]

I've decided to take the plung on the XR18. I've been using a UI16 for two years now and the XR18 is for a different group.

I guess over time I will find out which one I like better but I'm pretty comfortable on the UI right now. But I'm going to need the additional inputs and IEM mixes.

I'll be really interested to hear your pros and cons of each system. I've got the Ui for the easier interface but was interested in the more customisability of the Xr system.

 

[peterpalmieri]

I'll be really interested to hear your pros and cons of each system. I've got the Ui for the easier interface but was interested in the more customisability of the Xr system.

I downloaded the app and have been playing around with it. That in itself is nice. It's very cool that I can gain some familiarity with it that way.

It is very convenient that the UI16 can be opened in any browser but the downside is you have to have unit with you and running just to see and move around the interface.

I didn't realize the xr18 is not usable on an iPhone, I was hoping to have everyone control their own IEM with their phone, should be a big deal but certainly an option I thought I'd have. The UI allows user limited access by anyone which I really like.

 

[ctmullins]

I didn't realize the xr18 is not usable on an iPhone, I was hoping to have everyone control their own IEM with their phone, should be a big deal but certainly an option I thought I'd have.

There are third-party apps that can meet this need; one of the most popular is X Air FMP Remote:

Link Removed

 

[peterpalmieri]

Do you guys use the P16 or aux sends for IEM mixes? The band has 6 musicians and I'm thinking of giving them the option as I do not plan on taking on that cost.

 

[ctmullins]

I use aux sends, as I'm currently only running 3 monitor mixes - 2 wedges and 1 IEM.

 

[s0c9]

Do you guys use the P16 or aux sends for IEM mixes? The band has 6 musicians and I'm thinking of giving them the option as I do not plan on taking on that cost.

The P16 solution will let you daisy chain them (they will need separate power sources) off the device, and let them blend their own 16-ch IEM mix

 

[peterpalmieri]

Has anyone had success using a wired Ethernet connection to an iPad? Using the USB camera adapter and USB Ethernet adapter?

 

[s0c9]

Has anyone had success using a wired Ethernet connection to an iPad? Using the USB camera adapter and USB Ethernet adapter?

Why would you do that? Wireless is so much simpler.. and built in.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Why would you do that? Wireless is so much simpler.. and built in.

As a backup if there are wifi problems.

 

[s0c9]

As a backup if there are wifi problems.

Makes sense.. But I've never had issues with wifi on our B*ringer gear. At least not on the mixer side.
But then.. we run our own dual band router and hard wire the units to it..

 

[FuturePrimitive]

Do you guys use the P16 or aux sends for IEM mixes? The band has 6 musicians and I'm thinking of giving them the option as I do not plan on taking on that cost.

Both. Drummer is using my P16M, I'm using 2 auxs for my IEMs (stereo), and 1 aux for each powered wedge (2).

 

[peterpalmieri]

Both. Drummer is using my P16M, I'm using 2 auxs for my IEMs (stereo), and 1 aux for each powered wedge (2).

That's likely similar to what these guys will look like out of the gate. I have another band that is comfortable with IEMs, for this group it's a new concept.