Behringer XR18 X-Air

[ctmullins]

I use an Apple Airport Express. I keep the XR18 cables to it, with the control devices connecting via its wifi. It also lets me play break music via AirPlay.

 

[FuturePrimitive]

Thanks for this info. It's much appreciated. Can I keep the laptop hardwired at the same time as using the external Wifi Router? Kinda like a fail safe in case the Wi-Fi has issues?

Yep, that's exactly what I do. Laptop running Linux is hardwired, various tablets and phones are connected via wi-fi.

 

[EastCoastThump]

I wish they released a rack mountable model with more outputs i need 6 stereo outs for in ear monitoring only able to do 4 on most mixers I've seen

Depending on the nature of your gigs, you can also use something like a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] to create a base stereo mix, then add a mono more-me for each player. Then feed your IEMs from the HP60. (Or just move up to the X32.)

 

[tkonbass]

Thanks for this info. It's much appreciated. Can I keep the laptop hardwired at the same time as using the external Wifi Router? Kinda like a fail safe in case the Wi-Fi has issues?

Yes, that's what I do. The laptop is hardwired to the router along with the XR18. The wifi portion of the router takes care of all of the tablets.

 

[lakefx]

I've had my XR18 for about a year and a half now and continue to be impressed with its capabilities and value. Probably one of the best "bang for the buck" gear investments I've ever made.

I never used the internal router and initially used an old Netgear unit. A few months ago I switched to this little Mikrotik box Amazon.com: RouterBoard hAP AC Lite Tower: Cell Phones & Accessories to gain dual band capability. It's very small, has no external antennas and has worked flawlessly. We connect the FOH tablet and three smaller tablets for monitors, the wired laptop, wired Driverack and lighting controller interface through the Mikrotik and it hasn't hiccupped yet. It's velcro'd into the back of my rack.

Yes you can wire the laptop direct to the XR or as I have, just keep it connected through one of the ports on the router along with the laptop.

I also have a Microtik router, although mine is older than yours. The setup with the full RouterOS can be a bit more complicated than other routers, but this is the first router I've had last more than 2 years without running into a single issue. Great little boxes.

 

[tkonbass]

I also have a Microtik router, although mine is older than yours. The setup with the full RouterOS can be a bit more complicated than other routers, but this is the first router I've had last more than 2 years without running into a single issue. Great little boxes.

The full RouterOS does look complicated but I was able to setup mine just using the QuickSet page. The only thing I had to configure was a couple security options and the password. I was worried the setup would be over my head but I was pleasantly surprised how simple it was. "QuickSet" may be something they added to RouterOS recently.

 

[lakefx]

The full RouterOS does look complicated but I was able to setup mine just using the QuickSet page. The only thing I had to configure was a couple security options and the password. I was worried the setup would be over my head but I was pleasantly surprised how simple it was. "QuickSet" may be something they added to RouterOS recently.

I think they have QuickSet or the equivalent on my router, but since I wanted some specific configuration settings I didn't use it. I work in IT, so the full RouterOS doesn't scare me. It's worth taking the time to learn how to change DHCP settings and set static IP addresses for the X18 and whatever devices you are using to control it.

 

[tkonbass]

I think they have QuickSet or the equivalent on my router, but since I wanted some specific configuration settings I didn't use it. I work in IT, so the full RouterOS doesn't scare me. It's worth taking the time to learn how to change DHCP settings and set static IP addresses for the X18 and whatever devices you are using to control it.

True, I do need to dig into it some more.

 

[Rocksolid]

Started configuring a scene last night to run 3 stereo IEM sends, and 2 mono sends.

Linking buses 1&2, 3&4, Mains will be the other stereo send. I've configured the phones jack to monitors, and the monitor send will be fed by buses 1&2. The xr18 will sit next to the drummer so he can plug into the phones socket.

Took a bit to work out how to pan stuff in linked buses, but found it eventually.

Tomorrow night's adventures will include learning how to put effects on vocals in the buses, and more importantly working out how to set up ducking on the stereo linked channels I have set up for ambient mics.

 

[Robb Fesig]

Started configuring a scene last night to run 3 stereo IEM sends, and 2 mono sends.

Linking buses 1&2, 3&4, Mains will be the other stereo send. I've configured the phones jack to monitors, and the monitor send will be fed by buses 1&2. The xr18 will sit next to the drummer so he can plug into the phones socket.

Took a bit to work out how to pan stuff in linked buses, but found it eventually.

Tomorrow night's adventures will include learning how to put effects on vocals in the buses, and more importantly working out how to set up ducking on the stereo linked channels I have set up for ambient mics.

Good luck with this. I tried a similar, complicated setup, and it was too much to think about in addition to actually playing. I hope it works for you though.

If not, the P16Ms are awesome. I'm looking to get two more and a P16D to run them from. They are by far a much simpler solution. I wish they weren't $300 each, but I'm willing to pay more for the simplicity and convenience.

Mixer = $699
4 P16Ms = $1200
1 P16D = $100

Telling your band mates to do their own damn monitor setups = Priceless

 

[Rocksolid]

Good luck with this. I tried a similar, complicated setup, and it was too much to think about in addition to actually playing. I hope it works for you though.

If not, the P16Ms are awesome. I'm looking to get two more and a P16D to run them from. They are by far a much simpler solution. I wish they weren't $300 each, but I'm willing to pay more for the simplicity and convenience.

Mixer = $699
4 P16Ms = $1200
1 P16D = $100

Telling your band mates to do their own damn monitor setups = Priceless

Yeah it's an ambitious set up, and probably not one that is time efficient to set up, but I wanted to give it a go. The ambient mics probably won't get set up unless really needed. I use a Rode M3 above the drums, and that thing is awesome for picking up everything.

I've used the P16s, and really liked them. In Australia they are over AUD$400. I just missed out on one 2nd hand recently. I keep an eye out for them.

I've had fun this morning working out how to duck the ambient mics. Would be cool if I got to use that set up.

 

[Frankjohnson]

I have a 4 pc blues band - with 2-3 vox, 2 gtrs, bass and drums. At most small/med gigs we mic the kick, and run amps to hit the room, bass in PA so i don't overpower the stage (thats the gtrs job).

When we get outside or in bigger rooms, we mic the gtrs, run a floor tom and do a close overhead to get the drum kit top end. one or Two KW181s, a set of K12s, and its all good. Aux feed the subs - and it cleans the tops A LOT. I also learned that if we use verb or delay - that EQing it to low cut is a HUGE bonus - it cleans up the garble and mud a LOT also/more.

We still use monitors, maybe one day I can make the jump - but not just yet.

All of that said - when you are playing, and running sound from your nest - simple is good. I try so hard not to over complicate things. I almost always end up in the Ron Popiel mode - Set it and forget it.

 

[nervous]

Noticed yesterday that I had an audible hiss from channel 1 & 2 with nothing plugged into anything, goes away oncea cable is inserted into both, which it always is in use (which is probably why I never noticed it). Dead quiet with those channels plugged in or muted. I guess it's not that uncommon because of the 1/4" hi Z impedence. Anyone else experience this? I also lost channel 11, shows input but see no output. Woncering if these combo inputs are wonky.

 

[jimfist]

I also lost channel 11, shows input but see no output. Woncering if these combo inputs are wonky.

If you are "seeing input", then there must be signal passing in to the channel for the software/app to show it, so it's not the input connector. You may need to check the various assignments at the input and output that might be dead-ending the signal, preventing it from reaching the output stages. Lots of reasons why this can happen.

 

[s0c9]

If you are "seeing input", then there must be signal passing in to the channel for the software/app to show it, so it's not the input connector. You may need to check the various assignments at the input and output that might be dead-ending the signal, preventing it from reaching the output stages. Lots of reasons why this can happen.

Sounds like a routing problem... ??

 

[nervous]

If you are "seeing input", then there must be signal passing in to the channel for the software/app to show it, so it's not the input connector. You may need to check the various assignments at the input and output that might be dead-ending the signal, preventing it from reaching the output stages. Lots of reasons why this can happen.

As I originally thought to and on a quick review found nothing obvious. But over the coming weekend I'll look a little closer.

 

[tkonbass]

As I originally thought to and on a quick review found nothing obvious. But over the coming weekend I'll look a little closer.

Try reinitializing the mixer. I had a channel stuck on mute without the "mute" lit. This fixed it and I haven't had it happen again.

 

[nervous]

Try reinitializing the mixer. I had a channel stuck on mute without the "mute" lit. This fixed it and I haven't had it happen again.

That's on the list to try but before I do I need to understand the possible implications. I have messed thisngs up badly with things I thought were simple and harmless. I can save my last show/scene as it sits now. Will reinitialization wipe the current settings out wheer I'll have to reload the saved scene or does it leave that information untouched?

 

[tkonbass]

That's on the list to try but before I do I need to understand the possible implications. I have messed thisngs up badly with things I thought were simple and harmless. I can save my last show/scene as it sits now. Will reinitialization wipe the current settings out wheer I'll have to reload the saved scene or does it leave that information untouched?

You'll have to reload the scene. Reinitializing basically resets the mixer back to a clean state.

 

[john mahon]

Noticed yesterday that I had an audible hiss from channel 1 & 2 with nothing plugged into anything, goes away oncea cable is inserted into both, which it always is in use (which is probably why I never noticed it). Dead quiet with those channels plugged in or muted. I guess it's not that uncommon because of the 1/4" hi Z impedence. Anyone else experience this? I also lost channel 11, shows input but see no output. Woncering if these combo inputs are wonky.

Two things. First, the audible hiss in channels 1 & 2 is normal when there is no input connected there. This is a result of the high impedance pre-amps used on inputs 1 & 2. These are intended to have stage instruments plugged in as well as microphones. Just use these normally, or turn the channel gain and volume slider to the minimum and you will not have any hiss in your output. The second thing is the loss of channel 11. This might be in the "main output" section of the channel. Here you will find a "LR" toggle switch. When it is lit, the channel output is connected to the LR output. Check to see this is set properly. Good luck