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[Keith Broughton]

I have an install that is for hockey game announcer and playback opps and want a reasonably "fool proof" mixer solution.
That is to say, minimum knobs to twiddle.
In a perfect world, it would be a digital rack mount mixer with an outboard fader only module.
An iPad is not really suitable for this application so not in the running and a Crestron type system is too expensive.
The QSC Touch Mix 8 seems like a great option but I am interested in any other ideas.
Again....iPad, or tablet control, is not an option.

[Taylor Hall]

The only other things like the touchmix I know of is the Behringer X-air series and possibly A&H QU Pac. The QU Pac might be a bit less user-friendly than you're looking for, however, as it's more like an X32 core than any type of desktop device.

I'm pretty sure most digital mixers are able to accept a MIDI or OSC capable external device to manipulate things, but I'd worry about running the board while "blind" (ie unable to see any meters, etc, even for the audio uninitiated). It'd be easier to have a dedicated desk/laptop running whatever brand's control software you end up going with and have your outboard controller connected to that.

[Dave Garoutte]

Why not a small analog board like the A&H Zed?

[Mike Caldwell]

Why not a small analog board like the A&H Zed?

My first thought as well, they make some really small ones.

What will the playback source be.

In the digital world most can locked down to only allow minimal control operations.

With all of the Allen Heath QU series they have an app called Q Control where you can set very specific functions to dedicated control blocks on an iPhone or iPad.
The playback could be loaded on a USB stick and controlled remotely as well.

[Stephen Kirby]

There are a number of small MIDI controllers that could be mapped to provide a couple of faders or some basic control.  Some labels and even hockey fans could work it (ducks  ).

[Jeff Lelko]

In a perfect world, it would be a digital rack mount mixer with an outboard fader only module.

A dLive fits the bill here (CDM/DM32 with an IP8), but but is probably quite a bit more money than what you're looking to spend.  A Qu-Pac can also be locked down quite a bit to serve a purpose such as this. 

[Brian Jojade]

The behringer X-Touch with an X32 rack is a pretty elegant solution.  If you want even tighter control, you should be able to re-map the controls to eliminate functions that you don't want them fiddling with.

If you're looking for something even easier and more fool proof, with only volume knobs, you could build a rig with the DBX Zone Pro.  Then you could simply put in the zone controllers you wanted to use.  Eg, if you wanted to be able to have them adjust the volume of their mic and their music and that's it, then they would just have 2 knobs to work with.  Piece of cake.  You can make all of the pre-set adjustments inside of the unit ahead of time and limit things so that even if they crank it up to stupid, it still works fine.

[Mike Caldwell]

If you're looking for something even easier and more fool proof, with only volume knobs, you could build a rig with the DBX Zone Pro.  Then you could simply put in the zone controllers you wanted to use.  Eg, if you wanted to be able to have them adjust the volume of their mic and their music and that's it, then they would just have 2 knobs to work with.  Piece of cake.  You can make all of the pre-set adjustments inside of the unit ahead of time and limit things so that even if they crank it up to stupid, it still works fine.

Good idea on the Zone Pro, one those pieces of equipment that never gets the spot light but just works and does what you set it up to do.

With the volume controls you can also set up how much range the user has to work with.

[Scott Helmke]

Ashly FR-8 and one of the matching DSP boxes?

[Roland Clarke]

Surely a small radio studio console would be more ideal?  Little to fiddle with and just label the faders.

[ProSoundWeb Community]