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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB Lounge => Topic started by: Mike Sullivan on February 17, 2014, 02:30:00 AM

Title: New board for "rent-able" system
Post by: Mike Sullivan on February 17, 2014, 02:30:00 AM
If you saw my other topic, I'm trying to replace my current rig with a smaller and more portable rig (QSC to RCF), and I'm going to be purchasing a new board soon to go with it.  The rig will mainly be for small bar work, and will on occasion be rented to trusted engineers/bands if needed.  Main goals are to have flying faders, recallable pre's, easy to use interface, & easy to use iPad app.  Would also like multi-tracking for personal use.  Current choices at the moment are:

Studiolive 24.4.2AI (already had the 24.4.2 and love it, but want to try something different, plus no flying faders/recallable pre)
Allen & Heath Qu-24
Soundcraft Si Expression 2
Title: Re: New board for "rent-able" system
Post by: Sammy Barr on February 17, 2014, 08:16:49 AM
We have very pleased with the soundcraft. It usually takes only a few minutes to get a new operator up to speed. It sounds great and has been rock solid. The iPad ap is great with new updates coming. I have the multi digital card so recording is easy. Solid build.
Title: Re: New board for "rent-able" system
Post by: David Parker on February 17, 2014, 08:20:48 AM
I love my yamaha LS9-16. Probably out of the price range for what you intend, but as far as I can see, it's the only mixer on the market that will do more than 16 channels and do it in a rack space. If you can live with 16 channels I like mixers such as the mackie that uses an ipad solely for control. I'd buy one of them in a heartbeat if the bands I work for could get by on 16 channels.
Title: Re: New board for "rent-able" system
Post by: David Sturzenbecher on February 17, 2014, 08:55:32 AM
The soundcraft expression and performer lines have rack mount options that exceed the I/O capabilities of the LS9.  I am a LS9 fan from years back, but it's getting REALLY long in the tooth.


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Title: Re: New board for "rent-able" system
Post by: Thomas Le on February 17, 2014, 09:13:58 AM
Si Expression is easy to walk up to, though you have to fork $500 USD for the multitrack card option, and that takes up the one slot. Si Performer has has the same layout but with full sweepable 4 band PEQ, DMX, and two slots but costs $9000 USD(?)
Title: Re: New board for "rent-able" system
Post by: Brad Weber on February 17, 2014, 11:53:07 AM
I love my yamaha LS9-16. Probably out of the price range for what you intend, but as far as I can see, it's the only mixer on the market that will do more than 16 channels and do it in a rack space.
If you mean in a rack mount format then I believe the Behringer X32 RACK and X32 PRODUCER, the Soundcraft Si Expression 1 and Si Performer 1, the Roland M200i and M300 and the Allen & Heath Qu-16 all can support more than 16 inputs, either alone or with rack mount expansion I/O, in a rack mount format.
Title: Re: New board for "rent-able" system
Post by: David Parker on February 17, 2014, 11:59:11 AM
If you mean in a rack mount format then I believe the Behringer X32 RACK and X32 PRODUCER, the Soundcraft Si Expression 1 and Si Performer 1, the Roland M200i and M300 and the Allen & Heath Qu-16 all can support more than 16 inputs, either alone or with rack mount expansion I/O, in a rack mount format.
obviously I haven't kept up!
Title: Re: New board for "rent-able" system
Post by: Samuel Rees on February 17, 2014, 12:09:50 PM
obviously I haven't kept up!

iLive R72 + iDR64 will do 64 inputs and 32 outputs - and it fits in a rack! That is some density.

Search the forums. "What small digital console should I buy" is perhaps the most discussed issue in the lounge.
Title: Re: New board for "rent-able" system
Post by: Mike Sullivan on February 17, 2014, 01:21:04 PM
Thanks for the replies all.  Expression is more or less sitting at the top of my list at the moment, I've played on a friend's Compact and it's just as easy to get around on as my Presonus was.  Just trying to see what other options are there.
Title: Re: New board for "rent-able" system
Post by: Rob Spence on February 17, 2014, 01:54:00 PM
What is your budget?

I believe the QU16 maxes out at the delivered capacity, that is, not expandable. Yes, you can use a remote stage box but those inputs have to replace on-board inputs.


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Title: Re: New board for "rent-able" system
Post by: Tim McCulloch on February 17, 2014, 02:21:22 PM
Thanks for the replies all.  Expression is more or less sitting at the top of my list at the moment, I've played on a friend's Compact and it's just as easy to get around on as my Presonus was.  Just trying to see what other options are there.

The manufacturers have given us some interesting choices, sometimes the differences are nuanced but important (input channel processing order, gate/comp/ducker side chains, etc).  I think anyone looking for a new digital mixer to replace their GL2400 and some dbx comps & gates will find most of the previously named suspects to be acceptable.

I've touched/seen/played with a couple of the Soundcrafts, wasn't blown away by them but didn't find anything wrong that couldn't be fixed with some quality time on the desk.  Same with X32 (and I now own it).  Not blown away but it works fine.

I'd like to try a Qu.
Title: Re: New board for "rent-able" system
Post by: Jared Koopman on February 17, 2014, 05:03:20 PM
The manufacturers have given us some interesting choices, sometimes the differences are nuanced but important (input channel processing order, gate/comp/ducker side chains, etc).  I think anyone looking for a new digital mixer to replace their GL2400 and some dbx comps & gates will find most of the previously named suspects to be acceptable.

I've touched/seen/played with a couple of the Soundcrafts, wasn't blown away by them but didn't find anything wrong that couldn't be fixed with some quality time on the desk.  Same with X32 (and I now own it).  Not blown away but it works fine.

I'd like to try a Qu.

There really isnt a "bad" one of the bunch. Find the one that fits your budget and operates like you need it to.
Title: Re: New board for "rent-able" system
Post by: Mike Sullivan on February 18, 2014, 02:47:44 AM
There really isnt a "bad" one of the bunch. Find the one that fits your budget and operates like you need it to.

I think I'm gonna end up getting either the Expression or the Qu.  I'll be playing with an Expression pretty soon hopefully, even though I know it's gonna be similar.
Title: Re: New board for "rent-able" system
Post by: David Parker on February 18, 2014, 07:09:55 AM
The manufacturers have given us some interesting choices, sometimes the differences are nuanced but important (input channel processing order, gate/comp/ducker side chains, etc).  I think anyone looking for a new digital mixer to replace their GL2400 and some dbx comps & gates will find most of the previously named suspects to be acceptable.

I've touched/seen/played with a couple of the Soundcrafts, wasn't blown away by them but didn't find anything wrong that couldn't be fixed with some quality time on the desk.  Same with X32 (and I now own it).  Not blown away but it works fine.

I'd like to try a Qu.
when I bought my LS9 there weren't all these choices! The only other option then was the mackie TT24 which was huge and had problems