Behringer XR18 X-Air

[Geri O]

I keep reading that Reaper is free with the Behringer? Mine didn't come with a CD so is this a download from someplace?

Thank you

You are thinking of Tracktion that came free with the X32. I don't know that it came with the XR line.

I tried Tracktion and didn't care fore the way it worked. Lots of guys use it and like it fine.

Reaper is free to download and demo forever. You can literally use it and do projects without buying it. But it's worth the $50 or so bucks for it.

A truly free DAW is Waves Tracks Live. It's a capture-only program. No EQ or mixing capabilities other than simple playback. If you want to mix your tracks using the XR18 as the mix down DAW (using the iPad as the control surface and that works GREAT, believe me!), Waves Tracks Live is all you need.

I recently bought the Harrison Mixbus when it was on sale for $35.00. It's normally $80, I think. I REALLY like the Harrison program. I'm not very deep into digital recording at all, just for live shows and barely scratching the surface.

If this goes further, I may get Logic. $200. I've seen some guys using it and it seems really good and not as frustrating (to me) as the industry standard, ProTools.

 

[nervous]

I keep reading that Reaper is free with the Behringer? Mine didn't come with a CD so is this a download from someplace?

Thank you

Funny you say that, I should check my original paperwork, there was something in there but I had completely forgotton about that

REAPER | Download

 

[Geri O]

Here's a link to a page discussing the Behringer/Tracktion arrangement.

Apparently, you CAN get it for free with the XR18.

Also, Tracktion offers a free version on their website.

 

[Acoustic356]

Adding the Xtouch is a game changer...

 

[musicman7722]

Thank you all

 

[PhilsterPhil]

Now.. get this FREE app for your tablet - [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].. It will scan for used channels in both 2.4 and 5 Ghz bands.. USE IT AT THE VENUE!
Set the router to use the LEAST BUSY 2.4Ghz channel and pick an open 5 gig channel.
Set up an SSID's for the 5Gh band.. Make band members use that band exclusively, and only go 2.4 if their device doesn't support 5 Ghz.
Also.. do the following:

• Change your default IP to something else.. Change the 3rd node.. Eg: change it from 192.168.1.* to 192.168.31.* This will keep it from being scanned to see if it is an open network.. they look for 192.168.1.*
• Change your DHCP range from the default (1 to 255) to start at something like 180. You are NOT going to need 255 devices requesting IP's on your router, so starting at 180 gives you 74. I have mine set to 200. Even that is plenty.
• Set the IP address on the XR to a FIXED IP, like 192.168.31.170 outside the DHCP range, so it can't be found by a scan, won't be changed by the router, and your devices will always connect to the same IP.

The above will prevent accidental access to the router, keep all your devices connected without dropping and the keep the XR from outside parties..
There are other things you can do.. but those basics so keep you up and running without interference.

PS. I forgot .. Secure wireless access to the router using WPA2.. make it easy to remember as ALL band members will need to remember it to get their devices connected to the network.

Correct me if I'm worng, but this will work well for you, up until large crowds arrive and fill the hall. With all those iPhones, etc, the B/W gets a bit crowded especially on the 2.4G range.

 

[s0c9]

Correct me if I'm worng, but this will work well for you, up until large crowds arrive and fill the hall. With all those iPhones, etc, the B/W gets a bit crowded especially on the 2.4G range.

Yes... I've not used it in "concert" sized venues.. as providers there have "pro" level tools.
But it's use is designed to minimize impact to the bands network. Given the nature of wireless, it's NEVER 100% perfect.

 

[Acoustic356]

Correct me if I'm worng, but this will work well for you, up until large crowds arrive and fill the hall. With all those iPhones, etc, the B/W gets a bit crowded especially on the 2.4G range.

Yes... I've not used it in "concert" sized venues.. as providers there have "pro" level tools.
But it's use is designed to minimize impact to the bands network. Given the nature of wireless, it's NEVER 100% perfect.

I was able to get a used Behringer X-Touch Pro. I use it in conjunction with my iPad. In the event that anything wonky happens, I have physical faders that are hardwired to the XR-18.

 

[s0c9]

I was able to get a used Behringer X-Touch Pro. I use it in conjunction with my iPad. In the event that anything wonky happens, I have physical faders that are hardwired to the XR-18.

WE have always used EXTERNAL wifi (routers) and have never really had issues... I do NOT trust the embedded wifi in any device like the XR18

 

[peterpalmieri]

I was able to get a used Behringer X-Touch Pro. I use it in conjunction with my iPad. In the event that anything wonky happens, I have physical faders that are hardwired to the XR-18.

Which one is the pro? I’m familiar with the x touch, the mini and compact.

 

[Acoustic356]

WE have always used EXTERNAL wifi (routers) and have never really had issues... I do NOT trust the embedded wifi in any device like the XR18

Which one is the pro? I’m familiar with the x touch, the mini and compact.

So much gear... lol... I meant the X-Touch. There is a learning curve, EQ is easier to map on the iPad, but you can control all of that, effects, DCAs, everything from the Xtouch... (and it doubles as an interface in the studio )

Behringer X-Touch

 

[FuturePrimitive]

Correct me if I'm worng, but this will work well for you, up until large crowds arrive and fill the hall. With all those iPhones, etc, the B/W gets a bit crowded especially on the 2.4G range.

So, just to play a little devil's advocate here on the whole 2.4/5GHz thing. Yes, I have and use an external dual band router and advocate everyone else does too. BUT, 5GHz is not exactly new. My 4+ year old beat-ass Galaxy S4 has a 5GHz radio in it, I don't think there is a phone sold today (or in the last 2-3 years) that doesn't have 5GHz wifi. Couple that with the fact that 2.4 has better range and it's almost a wash as to which is really better in practice. The higher data speed of 5GHz is irrelevant for the XR18, so little throughput is required. I think connection reliability comes down more to the quality of the router than 2.4 vs 5GHz.

 

[s0c9]

So, just to play a little devil's advocate here on the whole 2.4/5GHz thing. Yes, I have and use an external dual band router and advocate everyone else does too. BUT, 5GHz is not exactly new. My 4+ year old beat-ass Galaxy S4 has a 5GHz radio in it, I don't think there is a phone sold today (or in the last 2-3 years) that doesn't have 5GHz wifi. Couple that with the fact that 2.4 has better range and it's almost a wash as to which is really better in practice. The higher data speed of 5GHz is irrelevant for the XR18, so little throughput is required. I think connection reliability comes down more to the quality of the router than 2.4 vs 5GHz.

True.. "smart" phones scan for networks on both bands, but the 2.4Ghz is by FAR the more cluttered band in the average venue that supports Wifi. I did a LOT of research on WHICH router to go with and ended up with the Archer C7. NOT the most expensive, but DUAL BAND is a must have. There ARE more professional level WAP products out there that will support access to your console via WIFI, but "pro" level equivalents can run about $400.
The C7 works fine.. and we use the 5Ghz band.

 

[FuturePrimitive]

True.. "smart" phones scan for networks on both bands, but the 2.4Ghz is by FAR the more cluttered band in the average venue that supports Wifi. I did a LOT of research on WHICH router to go with and ended up with the Archer C7. NOT the most expensive.. There ARE more professional level WAP products out there that will do the same thing, but "pro" level equivalents would run about $400.
The C7 works fine.. and we use the 5Ghz band.

I had bad luck with a cheap Linksys dual band so I went with the MikroTik hAP Lite. It's more of a "hands on" router, extremely configurable, but it's small and w/o external antenna (a big plus since I use a shallow rack with little space), robust, and is apparently down to $40 on Amazon now. It was $80 when I bought mine, I think I'll be picking up a second one for home use. Anyway, my only point is there are other factors to a reliable wireless connection and I don't want people to focus on just 5GHz.

 

[s0c9]

I had bad luck with a cheap Linksys dual band so I went with the MikroTik hAP Lite. It's more of a "hands on" router, extremely configurable, but it's small and w/o external antenna (a big plus since I use a shallow rack with little space), robust, and is apparently down to $40 on Amazon now. It was $80 when I bought mine, I think I'll be picking up a second one for home use. Anyway, my only point is there are other factors to a reliable wireless connection and I don't want people to focus on just 5GHz.

Mine is mounted on a mic stand, which is fully extended during gigs and sits on-stage behind our IEM rack. Have had ZERO issues since we started using it.. 18 months ago ??
I put up a whole thread last year about setting up a band router for use with a digital console.

 

[walterw]

I don't think there is a phone sold today (or in the last 2-3 years) that doesn't have 5GHz wifi. Couple that with the fact that 2.4 has better range and it's almost a wash as to which is really better in practice.

yeah, 5G is still the safer bet at this point. phones may have it but how often does any house wi-fi use it?

also, everybody's shure GLX-D and line 6 relay and senn evolution wireless systems and the lightguy's wireless DMX controller are all blasting out over 2.4G.

 

[goneflyin]

yeah, 5G is still the safer bet at this point. phones may have it but how often does any house wi-fi use it?

also, everybody's shure GLX-D and line 6 relay and senn evolution wireless systems and the lightguy's wireless DMX controller are all blasting out over 2.4G.

Yes I'm in the same boat. I've had some occasional noisy dropouts on my GLXD when bandmates have been connecting to my 18 via dual band router on 2.4
Any suggestions on a better channel for the GLXD? I'm using ch41- so far it's been 'just' ok.

 

[walterw]

I've had some occasional noisy dropouts on my GLXD when bandmates have been connecting to my 18 via dual band router on 2.4

make 'em do 5GHz?

Any suggestions on a better channel for the GLXD?

not specifically, but doesn't the shure do an auto-scan thing where it finds its own better channel?

my line 6 relay G75 has a scan feature but it's more manual, where i turn the pack off, set the base to scan, then once it finds a channel it likes i set the pack to match.

 

[s0c9]

my line 6 relay G75 has a scan feature but it's more manual, where i turn the pack off, set the base to scan, then once it finds a channel it likes i set the pack to match.

My Senn D1 AUTOMATICALLY does the same thing. We have TWO others who are L6 2.4 wireless and they are on fixed channels.. I power up and go. The Senn scans for the best usable channel. Not one single dropout or issue since I upgraded from the L6 G90 I used for 7 yrs.

I set our router 5Ghz "channel" near the upper end.. after I do a scan for open channels. There's usually very little traffic in that band as most venues are still 2.4.

 

[azfatboy]

Adding the Xtouch is a game changer...

I am really close to getting the XR-18. But this is *exactly* what is stopping me!

If the X-Touch is the way to go with the XR-18, why wouldn't I just start off with the X32 Producer for about the same money, and have even more control with the added convenience of a single rack-mounted unit???