Mackie DL1608 - last minute questions

[sm49341]

about to pull the trigger on a new Mackie dl1608 controller. Looking for some user experience advice. Can a decent new router $50 - $ 70 do the job or do you need to spend $200 on the apple AirPort Extreme or equivalent?
Ive read a couple reviews where when controlling remotely, the remote iPod decides to connect to the house wifi suddenly. Does that really happen?
Does this thing take a lot of babysitting and planning? I've read the chapter on tuning an iPad for use. Good stuff there.
There are mostly good reviews but some nightmarish ones as well with connectivity and stability. At a job losing the soundboard, while possible, is the last thing I'm ever thinking of.

 

[RoadRanger]

about to pull the trigger on a new Mackie dl1608 controller. Looking for some user experience advice. Can a decent new router $50 - $ 70 do the job or do you need to spend $200 on the apple AirPort Extreme or equivalent?

Just about any dual band router is fine - you really want to run on the 5GHz band to escape all the interference. I bought a couple of used $50 Netgear routers off of fleaBay.

Ive read a couple reviews where when controlling remotely, the remote iPod decides to connect to the house wifi suddenly. Does that really happen?

Yup, if you don't configure your iPads correctly.

Does this thing take a lot of babysitting and planning? I've read the chapter on tuning an iPad for use. Good stuff there. There are mostly good reviews but some nightmarish ones as well with connectivity and stability. At a job losing the soundboard, while possible, is the last thing I'm ever thinking of.

I always leave a spare iPad docked so if the WiFi goes I can still control it. Hasn't been an issue but I don't normally work in areas with a high WiFi density.
You might want to go through the FAQs here:
Link Removed

 

[musicman7722]

I own two DL1608 setups. One uses the Apple airpad router which has never let me down. I use this rig for my working band. The second DL1608 is setup with a decent Netgear router and it works fine too. Both are at the higher speed which is what 5600? I use the second rig when I mix other bands. Hope this helps and again they are pretty much setup and forget.