What are you using as a router/access point with your digital mixer?

[s0c9]

Has anyone flashed an old router with DD WRT? If so did it make any improvements?

I have an Netgrear R7000 that got a little flaky and I pulled it from main service duty, I may try DD WRT as an experiment.

Numerous times with different routers and dd-wrt firmware versions.
Mostly with different WRT54G models and a few newer Linksys models (old now) whose model numbers I don't recall and no longer have.
It def gives you more features than the stock firmware, but no noticeable performance boosts.
I do recall that at one time it supported open-VPN (built-in).

 

[erayser]

Numerous times with different routers and dd-wrt firmware versions.
Mostly with different WRT54G models and a few newer Linksys models (old now) whose model numbers I don't recall and no longer have.
It def gives you more features than the stock firmware, but no noticeable performance boosts.
I do recall that at one time it supported open-VPN (built-in).

When you mentioned "WRT54G models", that brought back memories. I still have mine displayed on a shelf in my office... I still think it works...

To keep this on thread on topic, I just found the smallest wireless router I can find to hide in the back of my rack. Ended up getting wifi6, with 2 LAN ports thinking that's all I needed so I band members can just connect their mobile devices for their personal mix. But I ended up getting a cheap 5 port switch so I could connect my Mac for M32 Edit, and my X32 XTouch so I can have physical sliders for my X32 rack. Sometimes I'll connect my iPad direct with a Cat5 cable.

 

[Mike Caldwell]

Numerous times with different routers and dd-wrt firmware versions.
Mostly with different WRT54G models and a few newer Linksys models (old now) whose model numbers I don't recall and no longer have.
It def gives you more features than the stock firmware, but no noticeable performance boosts.
I do recall that at one time it supported open-VPN (built-in).

Actually sometime back I worked with a WRT54 that had been flashed and set it up to use as a bridge.

I knew it would ad some features that I would not really need but if it doesn't gain any performance boost I may just see if there are any firmware updates and test it around the house.

 

[s0c9]

Well, I got a surprise just now!
Took a look at the C7 that I "thought" I had been successfully using (apologies to @pfschim ) for quite a few years now.
Turns out that it's ACTUALLY an Archer A7... basically a "newer" version of the C7. I haven't compared specs, but still AC1750, etc.

I don't have room in my rack for a router (see pic), so the A7 sits on top..
The front of the rack space is where I store the long leg of the splitter snake you see on the bottom. The short leg is all the white cables [2] connected to the X32R. This back of the rack, is front facing at gigs so band members have easy access to hooking up their instruments in and IEM outs.

I should take an updated pic, but I've added "proper" labels since this pic.
The router cabling (power/CAT) [1] are bottom-left of the pic, permanently connected, so all I do pre-gig is hook them up to the router.
The wal-wart power block [3] for the router is connected to the power distro up top behind the [3] and anchored with a zip-tie to prevent it from being dislodged during travel.

Here you can see the rig in use at our gig last weekend..

 

[Geri O]

I'm still using old, long-out-of-production Apple Extremes for basic routing needs and remote WiFi control not involving a lot of distance. They always work, have a good range, and their form factor is durable and reliable (no broken or disconnected antennae). Several years ago, I "stocked up" on Apple Extremes, buying 5 of them for around $25 apiece, thinking they would stop working along the way. I still have all 5 and they are all in service.

Having said that, I have a good friend that's an outstanding audio guy and corporate IT guy that has built an insane WiFi router package from Ubiquiti units and parts. There's 2 pieces involved and I've seen him walk a local football stadium with no loss or dropouts with this rig. This is a nice-size stadium with 45,000 seats. I'm having him build me a scaled-down version of this rig and I hope to have it in a week or so. It will cost around $400, but for some system-tech work I have coming up this year with a JBL VTX?Crown iTech rig (so much for retiring from pro audio soon), I need to step up my remote control game.

I'll post some pics when I get this rig, if anyone is interested. It's waaaaaay overkill for most remote control rigs, but it will be really cool.....

 

[TedH]

I'm still using old, long-out-of-production Apple Extremes for basic routing needs and remote WiFi control not involving a lot of distance. They always work, have a good range, and their form factor is durable and reliable (no broken or disconnected antennae). Several years ago, I "stocked up" on Apple Extremes, buying 5 of them for around $25 apiece, thinking they would stop working along the way. I still have all 5 and they are all in service.

Having said that, I have a good friend that's an outstanding audio guy and corporate IT guy that has built an insane WiFi router package from Ubiquiti units and parts. There's 2 pieces involved and I've seen him walk a local football stadium with no loss or dropouts with this rig. This is a nice-size stadium with 45,000 seats. I'm having him build me a scaled-down version of this rig and I hope to have it in a week or so. It will cost around $400, but for some system-tech work I have coming up this year with a JBL VTX?Crown iTech rig (so much for retiring from pro audio soon), I need to step up my remote control game.

I'll post some pics when I get this rig, if anyone is interested. It's waaaaaay overkill for most remote control rigs, but it will be really cool.....

I'm on Unifi at home, and was just looking at their travel router for work travel. I had the idea that they must have something slick for live performance, so I'd be very curious what equipment your friend is putting in when you have it. Much appreciated!

 

[Geri O]

I'm on Unifi at home, and was just looking at their travel router for work travel. I had the idea that they must have something slick for live performance, so I'd be very curious what equipment your friend is putting in when you have it. Much appreciated!

I'll sure show it off if when my Bud gets it built…. bust guy and schools coming back from winter break have money to burn and he's after it!….

Hopefully this week!

 

[Bonecat]

We're using a Ubiquiti UniFi Express. It has been an absolute game changer for us. We went through several routers - Apple, TP Link, NetGear, a couple others, before going to this option. All the prior devices either wouldn't work in crowded wifi environments, offered very poor range, or just wouldn't hold up to the rigors of gig use. By contrast, the UniFi software is very robust, very easy to configure and use, and is updated regularly. Since adding this device, we have had zero issues with connectivity, range, or reliability. Wasn't cheap compared to some, but after hundreds of gigs where I was worried about whether we'd get through the show, the peace of mind it has given us is easily worth the price.

 

[jad]

I use a Wavlink outdoor model, don't recall which one exactly but it looks like this. Line of sight is advantageous with wireless and with this one I can get it up high easily by putting it on a boom stand extended fully vertically. I have a giant spring-loaded mic clip that it fits into making it easy to mount. It uses PoE, so I only need to run one cable up the stand, which makes it easier to place it where it needs to go. I also like that it is designed for outdoor use and is weatherproof. Our FOH guy mixes on glass, and since switching to this from our little travel router, all of our range and connectivity issues have gone away.

 

[Mike Caldwell]

I just picked a TP Link ER706W that is there smaller business class series. It does more than I need to operate a mixer, in my testing this past week it was rock solid and had good range indoors. A big selling point was that it is in a metal case and has a little heft to it! $130

 

[Geri O]

An update on the AC/router rig we were putting together for our new PA rig....

I was wrapped up for most of February and all last week in March with a large 9-day rodeo event, then our state's High School Athletic Activities association's basketball tournaments. The tournaments run from 7:30am to 9:30-10pm at night for 6 days straight. I power up the rig in the morning and power it down around 10pm. And nearly literally don't lift a finger in between, except to help other folks with their issues (this year's problem child was the TV broadcast truck. Decent video folks, but clueless with clean audio to air. Spent a fair amount of time trouble-shooting a few issues on that. Anyway......

The rig my buddy assembled is using a Microtik Netmetal AX AC/router. It's a beast of a unit. Rated for outdoor use. It will spoil you really quick.

This system is built into an Apache plastic case made to travel and set up quickly.

And right off, this thing is WAAAAAYYY overkill for the usual band needs, even mine. I got really spoiled using it these past 3 weeks, but it's been sold to the PA company. Still under my purview, though.

But for everyday band needs, it's back to my Apple Airport Extremes......