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Author Topic: Mackie DL1608  (Read 14150 times)

Steve Garris

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Mackie DL1608
« on: January 22, 2013, 05:07:15 PM »

I apologize if this has already been discussed. I've been reading various forum posts that mention this mixer, its pluses and shortfalls. I have an opportunity to try one at an upcoming gig, but I now have some reservations.

The post eq/comp aux send is my biggest complaint. I read that this issue could be fixed with a software upgrade, and might happen soon. It really should be switchable on all 6 auxes, if that is possible. But man would I love to leave all 300 lbs of my mixer, processing gear and 100 ft snake at home (just guessing on the weight).
I believe the only way to safely use this is to have no less than (2) ipads at the gig. This provides a backup just in case. I will also be very careful picking out and securing the router. I've read about the global phantom power - not an issue for me.

Aside from the above, any thoughts on this mixer? When I first started reading about it I was ready to sell my gear and convert to the 1608, but the aux sends need pre-post choices (hopefully a firmware upgrade?). My upcoming gig is a Metal hair band, so I can't compromise on my monitor mix.
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g'bye, Dick Rees

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Re: Mackie DL1608
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2013, 05:13:54 PM »

I apologize if this has already been discussed. I've been reading various forum posts that mention this mixer, its pluses and shortfalls. I have an opportunity to try one at an upcoming gig, but I now have some reservations.

The post eq/comp aux send is my biggest complaint. I read that this issue could be fixed with a software upgrade, and might happen soon. It really should be switchable on all 6 auxes, if that is possible. But man would I love to leave all 300 lbs of my mixer, processing gear and 100 ft snake at home (just guessing on the weight).
I believe the only way to safely use this is to have no less than (2) ipads at the gig. This provides a backup just in case. I will also be very careful picking out and securing the router. I've read about the global phantom power - not an issue for me.

Aside from the above, any thoughts on this mixer? When I first started reading about it I was ready to sell my gear and convert to the 1608, but the aux sends need pre-post choices (hopefully a firmware upgrade?). My upcoming gig is a Metal hair band, so I can't compromise on my monitor mix.

Mackie "mixer" : $ 980
iStuff:              $1100

Total:          over $2K

I'll keep carrying the weight.  Besides, I put it on wheels.
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Jonathan Betts

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Re: Mackie DL1608
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2013, 05:19:28 PM »

I really like mine. I have done over 20  shows using as a FOH mixer with no issues.

My expenses:

Mackie DL $900
 
I Pad $300
Airport Express$60
« Last Edit: January 22, 2013, 05:23:01 PM by Jonathan Betts »
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Re: Mackie DL1608
« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2013, 05:31:17 PM »

I really like mine. I have done over 20  shows using as a FOH mixer with no issues.

My expenses:

Mackie DL $900
 
I Pad $300
Airport Express$60

How long does the iPad  battery last before you have to buy a new pad?  Doggone planned obsolescence/non-user serviceable iJunk anyhow.  How long before Apple changes their design so you'll have to spend even more money to get something that works as well as what they used to sell before their "upgrade"?

And the OP wants 2 iPads for redundancy/backup........


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Scott Harris

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Re: Mackie DL1608
« Reply #4 on: January 22, 2013, 05:39:09 PM »

How long does the iPad  battery last before you have to buy a new pad?  Doggone planned obsolescence/non-user serviceable iJunk anyhow.  How long before Apple changes their design so you'll have to spend even more money to get something that works as well as what they used to sell before their "upgrade"?

And the OP wants 2 iPads for redundancy/backup........

Depending on usage the iPad batteries appear to last at least 3 years.
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Ryan Grandusky

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Re: Mackie DL1608
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2013, 05:42:07 PM »

I've been using a DL1608 instead of my 16 channel mix wiz/outboard gear/snake for my club and bar gigs and I love it! The channel EQ control is great and I have a whole new respect now for mixing wireless. My FOH is a mic stand with an ipad holder attached. Also load out at the end of the night is so much faster.

Some negatives to consider (not enough to make me dislike my DL1608):

You have to be sparing with the compression on vocals if using wedges for the issue you already mentioned.

I don't like that the L/R main outputs shares one EQ control so you don't have independent EQ for separate left or right adjustments.

Familiarize yourself with the app and controls for quick operation. If you plan to use the tap delay as you have to swipe a few times to get there so the faster you can move the better.

Always check that you are on the right set of controls before adjusting channels. It is easy to forget you are in one of the aux sends thinking you are adjusting a particular channels volume for the main outputs.

I recommend using an ipad 2 or newer because there is a freezing issues with the app since the v1.3 release on the ipad 1. When mixing the ipad 1 will get stuck in the EQ and Processing sections and you cant get back to the mixer controls with out crashing the app.
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Ryan "Squirrel" Grandusky
Sound Provider in Central Texas.
Speakers: RCF HDL6a, NX-L44a, 8006-AS, EV XLD281, QRX153, QRX115, ZX1, SB122, XSUBS, JBL PRX835w, SRX828SP, Yorkville LS2100P, EAW SM200, Macpherson M12P, Yamaha A12M.
Consoles: Digico SD12, SD11, Soundcraft Si Perf 1, Exp 3, Comp 24, Midas M32, Presonus SL 32SX, SL 16r, Mackie DL1608

Matteus Köza

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Re: Mackie DL1608
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2013, 08:42:22 PM »

what happens if the app crash by the time you restard the program? settings etc..



I recommend using an ipad 2 or newer because there is a freezing issues with the app since the v1.3 release on the ipad 1. When mixing the ipad 1 will get stuck in the EQ and Processing sections and you cant get back to the mixer controls with out crashing the app.
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Ryan Grandusky

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Re: Mackie DL1608
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2013, 09:31:55 AM »

what happens if the app crash by the time you restard the program? settings etc..

The App is just the control surface so if it should freeze or your ipad dies for whatever reason the Mackie DL1608 keeps going on its last settings, it doesn't care. You can forcibly close the app then open it and reconnect / re-sysnc to the DL1608 and it picks up where you left off. It takes about 30 seconds tops to reconnect. If you are operating with 2 ipads one app crashing does not effect the other.

I should add that when the app on the ipad 1 freezes you can still limp by so long as you are not stuck in an output 31 band eq screen. When the app gets struck in the channel processing screens you can still mute and control channel volume one channel at a time by swiping left or right for each channel but having to swipe 16 times to turn up the kick drum is ridiculous.

I think the issue is with the ipad 1 not having enough resources to run the Mackie Master Fader app after its most recent update. IIRC the ipad 2 has almost double the processing power of the ipad 1.
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Ryan "Squirrel" Grandusky
Sound Provider in Central Texas.
Speakers: RCF HDL6a, NX-L44a, 8006-AS, EV XLD281, QRX153, QRX115, ZX1, SB122, XSUBS, JBL PRX835w, SRX828SP, Yorkville LS2100P, EAW SM200, Macpherson M12P, Yamaha A12M.
Consoles: Digico SD12, SD11, Soundcraft Si Perf 1, Exp 3, Comp 24, Midas M32, Presonus SL 32SX, SL 16r, Mackie DL1608

Tommy Peel

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Re: Mackie DL1608
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2013, 02:44:16 PM »

How long does the iPad  battery last before you have to buy a new pad?  Doggone planned obsolescence/non-user serviceable iJunk anyhow.  How long before Apple changes their design so you'll have to spend even more money to get something that works as well as what they used to sell before their "upgrade"?

And the OP wants 2 iPads for redundancy/backup........

FWIW I have an iPad 1(which I bought used when it was around a year old) that is approaching 3 years old and I haven't noticed an appreciable decrease in battery life; it will still get 7-9 hours depending on usage. However I wouldn't recommend the iPad 1 because of the very limited hardware power; the iPad 2 and newer are much better.
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Debbie Fish

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Re: Mackie DL1608
« Reply #9 on: August 23, 2013, 02:18:58 AM »

I'm currently touring a show with the Mackie DL1608 and for the first 15 or so shows, we never had any problems. It's great for touring in that it's small and the wireless capabilities are exceptionally useful for some venues. Great sound quality. Yesterday however we had our first 'glitch' when the whole board seemed to freeze. Thought it was just the ipad, so closed the app, and then restarted the whole ipad but the problem only went away when we restarted the hardware. Luckily we were only doing a tech-run, but wondering how to avoid this happening during a show. Obviously, powering everything down is not an option mid-set. Has anyone encountered this problem? Any ideas on how to fix or avoid completely? Operating with an ipad 4.
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Mac Kerr

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« Reply #10 on: August 23, 2013, 11:27:26 AM »

I'm currently touring a show with the Mackie DL1608

Please go to your profile and change the "Name" field to your real first and last name as required by the posting rules displayed in the header at the top of the section, and in the Site Rules and Suggestions in the Forum Announcements section, and on the registration page when you registered.

Mac
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Scott Bolt

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Re: Mackie DL1608
« Reply #11 on: August 24, 2013, 11:19:55 AM »

I apologize if this has already been discussed. I've been reading various forum posts that mention this mixer, its pluses and shortfalls. I have an opportunity to try one at an upcoming gig, but I now have some reservations.

The post eq/comp aux send is my biggest complaint. I read that this issue could be fixed with a software upgrade, and might happen soon. It really should be switchable on all 6 auxes, if that is possible. But man would I love to leave all 300 lbs of my mixer, processing gear and 100 ft snake at home (just guessing on the weight).
I believe the only way to safely use this is to have no less than (2) ipads at the gig. This provides a backup just in case. I will also be very careful picking out and securing the router. I've read about the global phantom power - not an issue for me.

Aside from the above, any thoughts on this mixer? When I first started reading about it I was ready to sell my gear and convert to the 1608, but the aux sends need pre-post choices (hopefully a firmware upgrade?). My upcoming gig is a Metal hair band, so I can't compromise on my monitor mix.
Steve,

I am currently researching digital mixers.  The DL1608 gets pretty darned good reviews from people who use it.  A friend of mine went from a MixWiz to a SL 16.4.2 to the DL1608.  I have heard all of the above, but as you know, much of the quality of the sound FOH has more to do with other factors than the mixer.

My friend (and a few others on the web I have seen post similar complaints) would have liked the gain to be remotely adjustable/recallable.  The knobs are easily jostled in transport which makes the problem a little worse.  Aside from that, the reverb for vocals has been quoted as "good enough"..... but on-par with the SL verbs (better than the MixWiz built in efx).

Most people who have them seem to be quite happy with them and very few have reported any serious issues mixing with the iPad.
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James A. Griffin

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Re: Mackie DL1608
« Reply #12 on: August 27, 2013, 10:20:09 AM »

I've been very pleased with mine for the 10-11 months that I've had it.    I've used it for 25 or so gigs when i didn't want to tote around a bigger mixer.

The effects, while not stellar, are usuable.  Same with EQ and comp.  I've been able to make it work just fine.  Again, this is a 'smaller gig' mixer.   I've done some small clubs, some corporate.

The iPad app has occasionally dropped out, but seems to always immediately re-sync on it's own, taking less than 10 seconds do it.

The input trim pots are a little flimsy and too easy to turn.  They are so close together that you might bump one while adjusting another.    Johnny Medina, who travels with Marcia Ball and uses the mixer every night, came up with a clever way of putting lock washers on the pots to make them harder to turn and stay in place.

The connector at the end of the slot to use the iPad as a Wired (and self-powered) device is a little worrisome.    a) I'm wondering how many times you can slide it in to connect before it wears out.   b)  If you ever use iPad 1, you have to install the little hardware pieces to make it work.  An extra PITA if the iPad 1 is used in a 1 off situation    c) the connect doesn't work for the current and future versions cause Apple modified the connector.

That being said, the quirks aren't that big of a deal.  I've enjoyed using it and will do so many times again.   Cost to me was only $1000 since I already had a router and iPad.     It will likely get a little less use when I get the X32 Rack, which for only $500 more will give me a much deeper feature set, especially since I already use the X32 and 2 S16 stage boxes.     I'll probably sell mine at that point, not because I don't like it, but just because the X32 Rack will integrate more seamlessly with my usual workflow.


« Last Edit: August 27, 2013, 10:23:58 AM by James A. Griffin »
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Steve Garris

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Re: Mackie DL1608
« Reply #13 on: August 29, 2013, 08:24:03 PM »

Just an update - I've been using mine since purchasing in Feb with excellent results. The DL1608 sound IS better through this than my Mixwiz (now sold). I have few complaints, if any. I purchased this case, and love walking in to the clubs and mixing with this board:

http://www.gregsproaudio.com/products/mackie-dl1608-hard-case

Since buying mine I've had 4 additional friends purchase the 1608, all using them with great success.
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ProSoundWeb Community

Re: Mackie DL1608
« Reply #13 on: August 29, 2013, 08:24:03 PM »


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