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Digital Wireless Mixers
- Thread starter juancaminos
- Start date
Let me throw in the suggestion of the Presonus 32R, 24R, and the 16R for remote tablet-controlled mixing.
I’ve used the X32 Rack, the XR18, and the UI24. All are certainly capable, but I’ve settled on the 32R for a number of reasons. Reasonably priced, form factor, clean sound, easy to use. And the most only difference in the 3 Presonus models is the I/O count. The features are the same.
I’ve used the X32 Rack, the XR18, and the UI24. All are certainly capable, but I’ve settled on the 32R for a number of reasons. Reasonably priced, form factor, clean sound, easy to use. And the most only difference in the 3 Presonus models is the I/O count. The features are the same.
Good idea on the I/O panel on the bottom.View attachment 5010362 I have this monster only because I would rather have and not need , than need and not have....YMMV
For my X32R/S16, then my 32R, I brought all the connectors on the rear of the unit around to the front of the rack on a panel. Really handy since all the aux outputs on the back of the 32R are TRS. And I detest having to dig around in the back of a rack.
Another vote for Ui24r. Great preamps, powerful effects (compression, gate, para EQ, etc.), very reliable.
The only dropouts I have had were in areas of WiFi congestion; I recommend a WiFi scanning app like WiFi Analyzer. (This also goes for any WiFi unit such as X32 etc.)
FWIW, I've used the built-in internal WiFi to run medium-sized outdoor shows (750 people), and have never had a problem as long as I make sure that nothing else is transmitting on the same channel as my Ui24.
The only dropouts I have had were in areas of WiFi congestion; I recommend a WiFi scanning app like WiFi Analyzer. (This also goes for any WiFi unit such as X32 etc.)
FWIW, I've used the built-in internal WiFi to run medium-sized outdoor shows (750 people), and have never had a problem as long as I make sure that nothing else is transmitting on the same channel as my Ui24.
- Mar 19, 2013
- 1,612
- 2,694
- Disclosures
- If only I were that good....
+1 on whichever unit you choose, also create yourself a rack. Preferably with mic splitters in case you are required to have FOH but want to keep your own IEM mixes to yourself. Also keep color coded XLRs plugged into the mic splitter outs so you don’t have to always go digging around the back as described above……that sucks having to do that.
I use this rack 95% of the time, it’s versatile and easy to move. Covers pretty much everything. Midas M32core and DL32 stage box.
I don’t have a splitter in my 32R rack, but I do have a 32-ch split with 2 trunks, a 10ft and a 25ft. I built it 5 years ago and I’ve personally used it only 2wice. But since the word is out that I have it, I can’t count how many times I’ve rented it out….
I have some experience with the SC UI24, UI16, and Behringer x18. I prefer the interface of the Soundcraft. If you can get away with 12 xlr inputs I highly recommend getting the Ui16. It has 90% the functionality of the Ui24. The main benefit of the ui24 is multitask recording which is great for recording gigs. The Ui16 has 4 dedicates aux sends, but the 2 headphone sends can be used as aux sends as well with a change in the settings. 1 downside of the Soundcraft mixers over the Behringer is the size. The Soundcrafts take up 4 rack spaces meanwhile thr Behringer only takes up 3 and the Presonus 16 only takes up 1 rack spaces.
You will not be disappointed, IME. We've been using Ui24r for about many years now and it has been solid. In terms of the real-world, in the end your experience will boil down to the quality and size of the screens on the devices you use to control the thing, so don't skimp there.
This ^^ I know this was a comment against the X18, but it holds for pretty much all of these devices.
As an engineer who worked on a few router designs over the years, I don't get why the manufacturers use crap wi-fi. Might as well provide just the ethernet jacks and tell users to go to a big box store and buy a router. It's not a big expense, there's plenty of choices under $100. I wonder if any manufacturer has given thought to making a rackmount router yet, you could rack it with a wireless mixer, making it easier to set up.
I agree, why bother with onboard routers if they can’t make them function…
I think there are rack-mount routers available, but I think they are enterprise-level commercial-grade units with an enterprise price to go with it. And that’s fine for pro concert grade uses, but for the local heroes like us, that’s kinda out if our price range.
Several years ago, I bought an Apple AirPort Extreme (the second generation, tall square one) as a way to burn a Best Buy coupon and started using it with our Yamaha surfaces. Dang, it was a surprise, great range, solid RF. Later, when they quit making them, I bought a few of them from EBay for anywhere between $40-60, thinking they would eventually die and would be cheap to replace.
Now, I have 6 Airport Extremes. Still using that first one I bought. The others are still working, a couple of them are in use. They are cheap to buy, great form factor, easy to set up, and so far, they live a long time. I’ve made a couple of little adapters to secure them to a mic stand as a way to get them up in the air above all the meatsacks in the room.
Good stuff you all! Keep 'em coming!
I want the Ui24 but in reality I doubt we will ever record shows via individual channel mixes. So recording everything on two channels to a usb drive would suffice just to have something to listen back on. Plus our new drummer dosen;t mic anything. In which case the UI18 or X18 would certainly suffice. Leaving $$$ to spend on newer (lighter) speakers. I now have huge 78lb Audio Centron 15" 3 way mains on sticks with large 215 Harbingers if needed for larger stages. With all the amps and related equipment to support this. Monitors are Yahama 10" wedges. These are all 20 years or more old technology.
I want the Ui24 but in reality I doubt we will ever record shows via individual channel mixes. So recording everything on two channels to a usb drive would suffice just to have something to listen back on. Plus our new drummer dosen;t mic anything. In which case the UI18 or X18 would certainly suffice. Leaving $$$ to spend on newer (lighter) speakers. I now have huge 78lb Audio Centron 15" 3 way mains on sticks with large 215 Harbingers if needed for larger stages. With all the amps and related equipment to support this. Monitors are Yahama 10" wedges. These are all 20 years or more old technology.
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- Mar 19, 2013
- 1,612
- 2,694
- Disclosures
- If only I were that good....
If you’re seriously considering the XR18, may as well also look at the Midas M18.
the XR was based on the Midas preamps, so Midas decided, why don’t we just build our own and make it (subjectively) better?
the XR was based on the Midas preamps, so Midas decided, why don’t we just build our own and make it (subjectively) better?
Why wouldn't you? It's a great feature, and 2 channel recording to usb seems primitive. XR18 can do it if you plug a laptop in (making it a great USB interface for home use between gigs). We use the feature all the time on X32R - Just hit record and you've got everything captured. Get someone to grab a few shots on your phone, and you've got everything you need for a great promo video. You can also play it back through the desk pre-sound check. It's really weird hearing a band blasting through the PA, then realising its you! Lets the sound guy do some quick testing while guitarist is still wandering round fixing his hair and other guitarist stuff.
Ok I've watched videos for the Mackie, Presonus and Midas Digital mixers....boy do I have some home work. I do like the products with all inputs and outputs on the front panel. I like a few other things on each product. So now I have to spend more time on product demos and list the things I like. Then make a decision.
So keep those cards and letters coming!
So keep those cards and letters coming!
I like the idea of all of this. I bought a Korg D3200 years ago to record the band live and thru biting, kicking and scratching I could never get the band to agree to live recordings. I ended up using a mini disc recorder with a stereo mic hanging in the rafters for some really descent recordings. Good enough to make a live CD! Once the band got used to the idea I would record every show this way then make cd's for each band member to critique. We exchanged notes then dropped or revised songs according to our notes, This made us a much better band. But they still held out on the live multi track recording idea because they though it was too much trouble.
Fast forward to the guys I'm with now... they are not interested in anything other than making noise and getting paid. It's so frustrating. The BL for far refuses to give up the sound man duties. I am hoping to convince into letting me take over with new technology then sneak the recording thing in while he is unaware. The drummer and other guitar player are stead fast against a mic in front of their amp or drums. It will be a long row to hoe.
I probably will end up with one that does multi track recording. With the Minidisc mic hanging in the rafters I could capture the entire band. As far as two track capability, I can do that with any mixer and get just vocals or mic everything and get the whole band. So there is really no upgrade. I have captured live drums with a kick mic and two overheads. PLUS I need a way to use a digital mixer at home for studio recording if possible. So I need to explore the compatibility to a Korg D3200.
That’s exactly what I do with my 32R mixer.
The XR18 and the X32 will serve in this role as well.
I can’t comment on the Soundcraft unit.
My D3200 is rather old technology but it does have that same square (ish) usb plug in the back. Is that the path to transfer live muti-track recordings from the digital mixer/recorder into the D3200?
That is the USB B connector. You’d have consult a user guide to see what purpose that connector serves. It might very well interface well with a DAW.
