Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[David Allred]

 I am weighing a change to the XR18.  Features - Wow, not really too hard to decide.  But how do the pre-amps, Channel EQs, fader travel, etc sound compared to the MixWiz3?  Noise comparison?

[Chrysander 'C.R.' Young]

I have done 100+ shows on each.  For live use, you won't hear any notable difference.  Both are great tools in skilled hands.

[David Allred]

  For live use, you won't hear any notable difference. 

Would that assessment include single (oral) presenter or mello vocal & acoustic guitar in a quiet room?

[Tim Weaver]

As you already alluded, this isn't a fair comparison. It should be a mix wiz WITH a rack full of decent quality ourboard vs an XR18.

Now, how many times have you had to chase down a noisy insert cable? A scratchy fader on an eq? 60 cycle hum from the FX? Bad pots you have to exercise?

The XR has none of these issues. The more processing you add to the mix, it just stays the same with regard to noise and quality. So in that case I give the XR the win.

If you measured them for any comparitive metrics, side by side, just through a channel strip then yes, maybe the mixwiz is 5-10 percent "better". Whatever that means.

[Chris Grimshaw]

When it comes to live sound, there are so many other problems that the quality of a desk will be far down on the list of Things That Alter The Sound.

Big effects:
- Choice of transducers (mics and speakers)
- Deployment of transducers
- Room acoustics

Small effects:
- Choosing between any half-decent mixing desk, assuming they're all adequate for the job.
- Choosing outboard gear

Infinitesimal effects:
- Cables, once you're using something adequate for the job.


Chris

[Robert Piascik]

When it comes to live sound, there are so many other problems that the quality of a desk will be far down on the list of Things That Alter The Sound.

Big effects:
- Choice of transducers (mics and speakers)
- Deployment of transducers
- Room acoustics

Small effects:
- Choosing between any half-decent mixing desk, assuming they're all adequate for the job.
- Choosing outboard gear

Infinitesimal effects:
- Cables, once you're using something adequate for the job.


Chris

This is a great way of breaking it down IMO.

[Tim McCulloch]

I am weighing a change to the XR18.  Features - Wow, not really too hard to decide.  But how do the pre-amps, Channel EQs, fader travel, etc sound compared to the MixWiz3?  Noise comparison?

I still am at a loss as to how you separate the mic pre-amp chip from the rest of the circuit but still evaluate it in situ.  How do you do that without cutting PC board traces or removing components?

In your situation of timid talkers I think you'd benefit from owning a couple of the high-priced (and highly regarded) lectern mics.  Probably the starting point would be Countyman ISO-Max and moving into Earthworks, Schoeps, etc.  More money than your mixer and potentially more $$ than your DSP box & mixer combined... but your issue is at the source and not in the console so I think you'd get more performance for your money starting with the microphones.

The performance of your loudspeaker system and its deployment are critical as well.  I'm able to put presenters downstage of the PA (in the audience, even) with Shure WL185 lavs.  While my presenters are not usually shy amateurs, I've had my share of voice-challenged folks (one was a psychologist, another was an FBI pilot) and it takes more work but without careful selection and deployment of the PA I'd be unable to accomplish what I want to deliver to my clients.

There is more than consoles and outboard "fix it" DSP....

[David Allred]

As you already alluded, this isn't a fair comparison. It should be a mix wiz WITH a rack full of decent quality ourboard vs an XR18.

Now, how many times have you had to chase down a noisy insert cable? A scratchy fader on an eq? 60 cycle hum from the FX? Bad pots you have to exercise?


If you measured them for any comparitive metrics, side by side, just through a channel strip then yes, maybe the mixwiz is 5-10 percent "better". Whatever that means.

In my case, Mixwiz using on-board effects and a system processor.  But, I can live with 5 - 10% (whatever that means).   40lbs less and 600 sq inches of table space freed up.   

[Kevin Maxwell]

I would go for the Midas MR18 version.

[Mike Diack]

When it comes to live sound, there are so many other problems that the quality of a desk will be far down on the list of Things That Alter The Sound.

Infinitesimal effects:
- Cables, once you're using something adequate for the job.

Chris

It is impossible to overestimate the total joy of NOT having to deal with a snake at the end of the night.
M

[ProSoundWeb Community]