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QSC touchmix (16) and IEM's ??

s0c9

s0c9

Supporting Member
Jan 9, 2014
7,802
11,274
Ft.Worth/Dallas
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1964 Audio artist, Fractal Audio Beta Tester
#1
I'm about to join a new band, and it appears they have a QSC TM16.
Been studying up on the unit over the weekend (been running X32's for the last 4 yrs) and want to continue to use my IEM's, preferably in stereo.
Looks like the AUX ports are all mono, with TWO stereo outlets on AUX 7/8 + 9/10.
The outputs are TRS.
I'm running a Senn G3 IEM system, which has combo inputs on L and R.
I'm going to assume that I can use a simple INSERT cable to feed L/R inputs vs. TRS->XLR the XLR "Y" splitter??
I have both.. but I don't have the TM16, it's at the guitarists house 50 miles away.

PS: any thoughts about the TM-16 in general, such as the preset library quality, etc.
TIA
 
#2
I think you're not necessarily stuck with the 1/4" stereo outs, but can just link two XLR outs like most other digital boards. That would let your mix outs stay balanced from mixer to transmitter.

Otherwise sure, it would just be an insert cable wouldn't it?
 
#3
walterw said:
I think you're not necessarily stuck with the 1/4" stereo outs, but can just link two XLR outs like most other digital boards. That would let your mix outs stay balanced from mixer to transmitter.

Otherwise sure, it would just be an insert cable wouldn't it?
Click to expand...
Well, I would have thought that too... But I download the remote app (iOS and Android) and played with it offline, searched the OM, their forum and their tutorial vids and can find [literally] NOTHING on how to "stereo link" 2 aux busses other that the 2 stereo AUX outputs... Stereo linking is a no-brainer on the X32 series... :)
It "appears" that the stereo AUX busses are the only stereo outputs there..
I was hoping someone who owns one might shed some light.. ??

Yes, it should/would be an insert cable.. :)
 
#5
walterw said:
this page i found suggests that you can link the regular auxes into stereo pairs.
Click to expand...
Didn't read it, but came on just now to let you know, that "YES", you CAN link AUX busses to stereo, and I figured out how by playing with the TM Android app.. It's basically the same as most other digital consoles.. :)
When you select the AUX buss, there's a a LINK button on the "SETUP" tab that lets you.. well. LINK to the adjacent AUX out.
If you then return to any input channel and go to the AUX feeds, AUX 1/2 are now displayed as a stereo pair.. showing level and pan.
AWESOME ! :hyper:

and.. going to the AUX master panel, now lets you select EITHER fader to adjust the output level for the stereo pair !!
 
#6
While I don't own a TouchMix, I sub for a couple of local bands that have them and they work very well. The aux pairing thing works great. As with most mixers I wound up studying the TouchMix in order to help out the owners, being like most musicians and struggling with PA needs. It's very easy to teach to use and most everyone "gets it" after a few tutorials. See if the owners will let you use a smart device to log into the TouchMix and manage your own mix. That's still one of the best part of using digital mixers.

Being a retired pro audio guy that dearly misses the big analog mixer days, I seem to take to the digital mixers pretty well, if not with a touch of reluctance (hey, I own 2!). But digital is here to stay. We as a pro audio community might not have had much to say about it (management, audience space, weight and trucking considerations won that battle), but may as well embrace it. And we have to admit...the digital stuff sounds fine and better and better as time goes by...
 
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#7
I've been using a TM16 for about a year now. I like it more and more every day. For my three-piece band it's perfect for what we need. The channel presets are quite usable. It's fairly easy to use once you play with it for an hour or so.

It's very easy to stereo link both inputs and auxes (though they must be adjacent channels). The guitarist/vocalist and I both use IEMs with a stereo mix while the drummer prefers a standard monitor. I generally use the XLR auxes to drive the IEMs, though you could use the stereo TRS auxes as well. We each control our monitors via our tablets or phones.

My only real complaint is that the display on the mixer is completely useless if you have an outdoor gig. I have to use an iPad as the TM's screen is completely washed out in the daylight. Also, the touch screen has a bit of a lag to it, especially when switching to different channels or screens. The iPad app is much more responsive.
 
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#8
Geri O said:
While I don't own a TouchMix, I sub for a couple of local bands that have them and they work very well. The aux pairing thing works great. As with most mixers I wound up studying the TouchMix in order to help out the owners, being like most musicians and struggling with PA needs. It's very easy to teach to use and most everyone "gets it" after a few tutorials. See if the owners will let you use a smart device to log into the TouchMix and manage your own mix. That's still one of the best part of using digital mixers.

Being a retired pro audio guy that dearly misses the big analog mixer days, I seem to take to the digital mixers pretty well, if not with a touch of reluctance (hey, I own 2!). But digital is here to stay. We as a pro audio community might not have had much to say about it (management, audience space, weight and trucking considerations won that battle), but may as well embrace it. And we have to admit...the digital stuff sounds fine and better and better as time goes by...
Click to expand...
I'm moving bands.. the new one has a TM16 - the old one had 2 Behringer's (x32 rack and producer). I own a Presonus and 2 A&H consoles.
I'm comfortable with digital, but learning a new console (to know how to use it - as I have FAR more experience at FOH than anyone in these bands) from vids and manuals is NOT the same as hands on.
Like the X32's, neither are in my hands, so access to them is VERY limited.
Shouldn't be any issues with remote access.. tho I am a bit concerned about the built-in wifi (2.4Ghz IIRC) reports on the forum about constant connection drops. With the 2.4Ghz device prevalence at most venues, I would prefer to use my router on the 5Ghz band and hardwire the TM16 to it using the supplied dongle.. but I don't know if the owner is up for it.
Will keep you posted.
Thanks for the info !
 
#9
s0c9 said:
I'm moving bands.. the new one has a TM16 - the old one had 2 Behringer's (x32 rack and producer). I own a Presonus and 2 A&H consoles.
I'm comfortable with digital, but learning a new console (to know how to use it - as I have FAR more experience at FOH than anyone in these bands) from vids and manuals is NOT the same as hands on.
Like the X32's, neither are in my hands, so access to them is VERY limited.
Shouldn't be any issues with remote access.. tho I am a bit concerned about the built-in wifi (2.4Ghz IIRC) reports on the forum about constant connection drops. With the 2.4Ghz device prevalence at most venues, I would prefer to use my router on the 5Ghz band and hardwire the TM16 to it using the supplied dongle.. but I don't know if the owner is up for it.
Will keep you posted.
Thanks for the info !
Click to expand...

Cool. The app is friendlier to use than driving the console right out of the gate. One thing I'll pass along is that to get out of a page, hit "Menu". That button gets a lot of mileage.

I'd see how the owner's experience has been with the internal radio and go from there.

But you already knew that, didn't you...:D
 
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#11
cultrvultr said:
@s0c9 having worked with a bunch of the small format digital boards, what's your favorite for a gigging band? I'm using the AH QU-16 now, but always curious to hear first hand reports about the others.
Click to expand...
For me, the answer to that depends on a couple of things..
1. are you running sound from the stage or do you have a dedicated FOH guy,and
2. What's your FOH skill level.

I have NOT used the QU-16 personally, but have the X32 (full, Producer and Rack), Presonus 16 and (soon to be) TM16...
The FOH guy is me is NOT comfortable with a console that doesn't have a front panel.. so you have a manual backup if the remote fails.
For any of them, an external router on the 5Ghz band has not let me down in 2 yrs.. 5Ghz because the 2.4Ghz band is REALLY cluttered in most places.
I have no issues mixing via tablet, but BRIGHT sunlight is often a problem with that (bring an umbrella?)
I know my way around the X32's, so the TM16 should not be too tough.

With the X32's we used an external router, remote access for FOH and IEM/monitor mix control and usually had a fader pusher out front at gigs - if the house wasn't mixing.
If you are used to analog and mixing from stage.. it's a huge jump to go totally remote - which is why the BL bought the producer... he could reach over and grab a fader.

So, I'm perfectly happy with using an X32 rack to mix with.. it's got front panel buttons and full remote control. Same footprint as the QU-16, and we had it mounted in the rack with the IEM transmitters.
Not going to try the TM16 for a while.. probably at rehearsals next week..
With all of that.. one should really rehearse with the system you are going to play with.. :)
 
#13
In terms of ease of use where sound quality is OK. The dl-1608 is hard to beat... while I really dislike mixing from stage - I do it anyway. The 1608 with 1 iPad on the mains pops and 1 for monitors makes it at least bearable... and the format is easy to live with.

I much prefer the sound of my SI 3 but no way am I dragging that thing out the the gigs my band does...
 
#14
We use both the tm16 and tm30. The app is good, you can do pretty much everything aside from setting gain.

I use the 1/4" stereo out with a 1/4" to xlr female adapter on the board end, into a snake channel, then out of the snake with xlr male to 1/4" stereo jack adapter and I plug my headphone extension into that.

We tried using the mixers with the usb wifi dongle and had many many issues depending on the venue, but since the bandleader got a 5g router for the tm30 there's almost never an issue. The tm16 can use a router but you need to use a USB to ethernet adapter.

Good mixers though, easy to use. As far as presets, total waste, but the recent tm16 update brings all of the good functions of the 30, so you have the room wizard, etc.

Hope that helps
 
#15
Yeah, that new firmware update makes it a serious desk for the money. Those output parametrics are a game changer.

I've always laughed at the presets on digital desks, some of them are just nutty. I've actually played with the QSC ones for a lark, and they're nowhere as crazy as the old Yamaha ones, IMHO. I've always wondered why they were included. It's not like you got a photo book of suggested EQ settings when you bought an XL4 (boy I miss those days).

However, the ability to save different starting point profiles for a number of wedges and IEMs is pretty sweet.
 
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#16
Jon Mush said:
. I've always wondered why they were included. It's not like you got a photo book of suggested EQ settings when you bought an XL4 (boy I miss those days). (I do, too, but my back sure doesn't....:D

However, the ability to save different starting point profiles for a number of wedges and IEMs is pretty sweet.
Click to expand...

We recently installed a Yamaha TF series console at a small church just moving into contemporary worship music. I gotta say, while the console is a little elementary for me (not running out and replacing my X32), the EQ preset libraries are actually quite good and usable. The TF fills a niche in small digital surfaces that I thought was missing. Very easy to get novice volunteers up and running on it.
 

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