Is my band stuck in the Stone Ages? Mixer and PA

For the moment, I may get the XR18 and run it into our current Peavey mixer for power. Then, I can worry about powered speakers sometime in the future. At least that could get things started on getting this PA more modernized.
 
As an aside, If you have band members that are technology averse to using the app to control their IEM mixes they also have the option of using the hardware units Behringer produces to control their mixes


It appears that Behringer just dropped an updated version of the p16-m looks like it’s the p16-hq now….


https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...play-p16-hq-16-channel-digital-personal-mixer

I’m guessing this is the first of them dropping updated versions of all the X air line, hence the huge price drops across the models….

Nothing wrong with the current/old x air stuff though … it sounds sooooo much better than the ancient mackie analog mixer we were using
 
As an aside, If you have band members that are technology averse to using the app to control their IEM mixes they also have the option of using the hardware units Behringer produces to control their mixes


It appears that Behringer just dropped an updated version of the p16-m looks like it’s the p16-hq now….


https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...play-p16-hq-16-channel-digital-personal-mixer

I’m guessing this is the first of them dropping updated versions of all the X air line, hence the huge price drops across the models….

Nothing wrong with the current/old x air stuff though … it sounds sooooo much better than the ancient mackie analog mixer we were using
Isn't that the device that can plug into the ultranet port on the XR18?

No one seems to have the XR18 in stock. I've only seen a few questionable listing's on both Facebook marketplace and Aliexpress.
 
Isn't that the device that can plug into the ultranet port on the XR18?

No one seems to have the XR18 in stock. I've only seen a few questionable listing's on both Facebook marketplace and Aliexpress.

Yes plugs in to the ultra net on any of the x air devices and can daisy chain multiple

Wondering if it’s because they’re getting fully blown out now with the reduced prices……. Glad I grabbed one when I did if that’s the case. Im guessing Behringer is about to drop 2.0 versions of all the x air stuff

Alto music is showing them in stock currently, I believe they’re legit…
 
I hate mixers without faders and knobs. We use the Zoom LiveTrak L20 in our band and are really happy with it.

You can still control it via an app if you want to if you buy a small bluetooth connector but I honestly wouldn't want to.

And yes, I'm an o-o-o-old 45-year old.
 
I hate mixers without faders and knobs. We use the Zoom LiveTrak L20 in our band and are really happy with it.

You can still control it via an app if you want to if you buy a small bluetooth connector but I honestly wouldn't want to.

And yes, I'm an o-o-o-old 45-year old.
My Sweetwater sales rep recommended the Zoom. Can it be used as an audio interface, like the XR18?
 
Get mixing station. Seriously. Not sure what the different tiers are but I know I bought one of the more paid for ones. It gives you an interface that makes all the different digital mixers feel pretty much the same and makes it all less painful
Do you mean the X-touch add-on? Or a completely different mixer?
 
Get mixing station. Seriously. Not sure what the different tiers are but I know I bought one of the more paid for ones. It gives you an interface that makes all the different digital mixers feel pretty much the same and makes it all less painful

I tried MX-Q which has free functionality and then I shelled out the whopping $2.99 for mixing station and like it much better. Pretty miniscule investment, a cup of coffee costs more these days :LOL:

Do you mean the X-touch add-on? Or a completely different mixer?

Behringers main app only works on tablets/computers. Mixing station is just an app that connects to the mixer for phones (although available for tablet/ipad/etc). Like I said I spent $3 on it, but MX-Q does the same thing and is also free
 
I tried MX-Q which has free functionality and then I shelled out the whopping $2.99 for mixing station and like it much better. Pretty miniscule investment, a cup of coffee costs more these days :LOL:



Behringers main app only works on tablets/computers. Mixing station is just an app that connects to the mixer for phones. Like I said I spent $3 on it, but MX-Q does the same thing and is also free
Oh ok. He meant the software. Yeah, I've seen multiple recommendations for mixing station over Behringer's app.
 
I personally like passive mains because I don't want IEC and speaker cables to manage going out front. I have an XR18 and a power amp in stackable racks planned just for that (still no mains yet, my PA build is on standstill until I actually need to complete it).

I cringe every time I see a mic'ed up drum set at a bar gig. The last time I saw something like that, the band had too many microphones on stage and it was tough for them to manage sound and focus on playing. Feedback came from somewhere and they couldn't figure it out. It was a disappointing show stopper for them.
 
I personally like passive mains because I don't want IEC and speaker cables to manage going out front. I have an XR18 and a power amp in stackable racks planned just for that (still no mains yet, my PA build is on standstill until I actually need to complete it).

I cringe every time I see a mic'ed up drum set at a bar gig. The last time I saw something like that, the band had too many microphones on stage and it was tough for them to manage sound and focus on playing. Feedback came from somewhere and they couldn't figure it out. It was a disappointing show stopper for them.
I hear you about micing drums at a small bar gig! But we do some recurring outdoor gigs in a few different places. And I've had a few friends tell me at those gigs that the drums and bass should've been louder.
 
My Sweetwater sales rep recommended the Zoom. Can it be used as an audio interface, like the XR18?
Yes, yes it can. And I've done it with the band a few times. I actually really like the quality of the mic pres in the LiveTrak. Gives me some nice, clean recordings. It's also really easy to grab a quick live recording on an SD card. Either with individual tracks or just the stereo master track.
It's also nice that the 6 monitor mixes can be individually changed from a stereo headphone mix to a mono mix to send to a single monitor by the press of a button.
 
My Sweetwater sales rep is recommending this mixer, https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/L12--zoom-livetrak-l-12-12-channel-digital-mixer-recorder.

Any pros or cons compared to the XR18?
They are two different products.
I have and love the L12 (or in case you can consider the L20 with more inputs and some more features).
Some important differences are:
- L12 is closer to a traditional analog mixer with real volume sliders for each channel and just one set of knobs for tones and effects (so you have to push the channel button assigned to the set of knobs)
- XR18 is only an in/out interface (with rack shape/size) and for any adjustment of the channels you need another device with touchscreen, but then you have a wireless control (that L12 does not offer)
- XR18 has several more inputs (16 mono+1 stereo vs 8 mono+2 stereo in the L12 - or 16+2 in case of Zoom L20)
- XR18 has much more flexibility with effects and equalization (more effects and massive customization on each channels)
- both offer several line outs with custom mixes (5 in case of L12, 6 in case of XR18) but with XR18 each user can have its wifi app to make a custom mix by him/her-self

Just one note in my experience: Zoom L12 is very light, almost like a plastic toy and the volume sliders seems to be rather delicate or difficult to adjust finely. Anyway, so far, I can say it worked very well with no problems at all: well, I used it live only maybe 30 times or so.
It is so light that the weight of the cables can move it and cause it to fall, so you need a proper stand or support.
 
Last edited:
I’d recommend an Allen and Heath CQ 18 or 20. Recently upgraded to the 18 from a Soundcraft Ui24 and it’s wayyy better. Really nice mixer with touch screen on board, great fx and good iPad app. One of the newest digital mixers on the market and has a lot of processing power.
 
Back
Top