New Digital Mixer Pre-Shootout

[OneEng]

 

Hi guys,

I have been doing my research into my next mixer which I want to be digital and rack mount for various reasons.  Here are the contenders so far:

1. Allen & Heath Qu16
2. Soundcraft Expression Si 1
3. Behringer X32 Producer

My ranking is the number in ()

Price

Qu 16 - $2500.00 - (2)

Expression Si 1 - $2500.00 - (2)

X32 Producer - $2000.00 - (1)

Multi-Track Recording/Playback or virtual sound check

Qu 16 - Built IN! (Only need a USB hard drive) - (1)

 

Expression Si (Must purchase a $1000.00 MADI card and a computer) - (3)

X32 Producer - Needs a computer (USB or Firewire) - (2)

Fader layout

Qu 16 - 16 plus 1 - (1)

Expression Si 1 - 14 plus 2 - (2)

X32 Producer 8 input plus 8 plus 1 - (2)

XLR Inputs 

Qu 16 - 16 - (2)

Expression Si 1 - 16 expandable to 32 -(3)

X32 Producer - 16 expandable to 32 - (1)

XLR Outputs

Qu 16 - 10 plus L/R - (2)

Expression Si 1 - 16 (including L/R) - (1)

X32 Producer - 8 (including L/R) - (3)

1/4" Inputs

Qu 16 - 16 full plus 2 stereo in's - (1)

Expression Si 1 - 4 - (2)

X32 Producer - 6 plus one RCA input (takes up 5 and 6 aux inputs)

1/4" outputs

Qu 16 - L/R out plus 2?? (2)

Expression Si 1 - 0 (3)

X32 Producer - 8 plus 2 (L/R monitor) (1)

FX engines

Qu 16 - 4 (2)

Expression Si 1 - 4 (2)

X32 Producer - 8 (1)

Remote Control

Qu 16 - iPad, ?? (3)

Expression Si 1 - iPad, MIDI (2)

X32 Producer - iPad/PC/Linux via XControl, XiControl, and XiQ for iPhone/iPod touch simultaneously (1)

Mix Bus

Qu 16 - 16  plus 4 Matrix (3)

Expression Si 1 - 20 plus 8 Matrix (2)

X32 Producer - 16 plus 6 Matrix plus 8 DCA's (1)

Channel Eq

Qu 16 - 4 band fully parametric (2)

Expression Si 1 - 4 band partial parametric (3)

X32 Producer - 4 band fully parametric, selectable to L cut, L shelf, PEQ, VEQ, H shelf, or H cut.  Additional input low cut (1)

Screen

Qu 16 - Size? Touchscreen

Expression Si 1 - Size?? Touchscreen

X32 Producer 5" no touchscreen

 

My take so far .....

The X32 Producer has the following going for it:

1. Proven good sound quality in the field
2. Huge remote capability supporting iPad, PC, and Linux along with having the ability to have multiple controls working simultaneously .... and supporting MIDI changes (not just for scenes, but for any parameter) ..... and the fact that Behringer publishes the protocol to communicate with the X32 line (assuring custom application development and Android support in the future)
3. 1/4" Aux outs so that I won't need to get cable adapters for my current IEM setup
4. An existing PC application (XControl) that can be downloaded and played around with to learn the features of the X32 without needing the mixer in front of you to do it

Things I don't particularly like about it:

1. No 1/4" inputs for the 16 main channels
2. The layout and flow is not as clean as the competitors which admittedly have less features, but are easier to use

Qu 16 has the following going for it

1. LOVE LOVE LOVE that it has built in multi-channel recording/playback with only an external USB hard drive needed
2. It is an Allen & Heath!
3. Clean and easy to understand layout

Things I don't care for:

1. No MIDI
2. Can't really evaluate it without control software that isn't yet available
3. Unknown how good it will stack up in sound quality to the competition
4. Slightly more expensive than the X32 producer
5. Unknown how good the remote control capability will be

The Expression Si 1 has the following going for it:

1. It is a Soundcraft mixer
2. Fader glow is a cool idea
3. Lots of XLR outputs
4. MIDI control

Things I don't like:

1. Can't multi-track record without a very expensive add-in card!
2. Unlike the Qu16, you still have to use layers to do a 16 channel mix

It is still possible that I will go with the Qu16 once I am able to independently determine how it sounds, and the remote capabilities are more evident.  The Expression Si is pretty much out of the running for me since you can't record and playback multi-track with it for a virtual sound check.

I am doing research on the fly here, so if my information is incorrect in some way, please let me know.  

I tried to simplify the data down to the things that were important mostly to band guys that run their own sound from stage.  I left out digital snake capability and perhaps other features that would be more in line with what a sound pro would want.  

I also have left less of an emphasis on the actual control surface since the idea is that the remote capabilities will be used when performing live and mixing from stage.  This also accounts for my emphasis on the remote capabilities.  Someone that does sound for a living may rate things completely different than I have because of their usage model.

Thoughts?

[twostone]

 Here ago who needs a physical mixer

 

 

 

[OneEng]

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twostone wrote:

 Here ago who needs a physical mixer

 

 

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Interesting.  I wonder how much the 3M touch screen costs