Product review

[cozmik_cowboy]

Last night, after a fairly long hiatus, my friends in the history-prof band had me do sound again.  Since last time, they'd gotten a new board - a Mackie DL1608.
All the processing happens in a docking station, and (except gain, which is on the dock) is controlled by an iPad.  It was a different experience.
First, I had never touched an iPad before; I hate touch screens, having big blunt fingers.  Give me physical controls every time, thank you.  The screen didn't respond well to my touch, but the only real problem was when I tried to EQ a touch of life into one of the vocals - the knob jumped to 10, the system squealed like Ned Beatty, and I couldn't get it turn back down; I'd release & it would jump back to 10.  Yeah, a tad embarrassing.
The other main downside was how little you can see.  For 36 years I've sat there like a starship captain with everything immediately viewable & reachable.  On this you can see half the input faders, or 1 channel's EQ, or one channel's comp/gate; you have to swipe between them.  Major PITA.
On the other hand, it is kind of cool being able to walk around the room with the whole system in one hand.
Also, it has 6 Aux sends, each of which can be controled from another iPaod/Pod, so the talent are responsible for their own monitor mixes & I'm spared that bitching.
Summary:
Upside - walking the room; no snake to hassle with (forgot to mention the wireless router in the rack); monitors are their worry; parametric EQ, comp & gate on each input, 31-band graphic on each output - all in one hand.
Downside - digital sound; working it is like riding a motorcycle looking through a 3' tube strapped to your head; lack of the precision and tactile feedback of knobs & faders.
And I'm sure part of my problem is being a grumpy old fart predisposed to dislike such a radical departure (like I said, been doing it one way for 36 years) - but again, not all change is good change, and you can doesn't neccessarily mean you should.
If they call me again, I'll go - but I'll take a stylus, and I'll insist on a long soundcheck!
 
Peter

[keith_h]

I've been debating going digital and replacing my MixWiz. Like you I'm not to sure I will like the change or that it will really be an improvement over what I have now and how I use it.  
 
I have been using Presonus Studio 1 as a DAW on my PC for awhile. It is said to be the same software as their digital desks. I don't like the lack of real faders and maybe it is just me but the screen based controls don't seem to have the granularity of physical controls. That being said the A&H QU-16 looks pretty nice. I've also been thinking about the Presonus StudioLive. Both support Ipad remote control. While I don't think I would ever mix full time I do like the idea of being able to walk around and adjust things without running back and forth to the desk.  
 
I don't think it will be that long before digital becomes the norm. I feel analog will still be around as a viable alternative in the small format mixer arena but that it's days are mostly over for large format mixers. The nice thing so far is most of the manufacturers keep the control formats, etc the same as you go up their digital desk lines. This should allow one to not have to relearn as they move between desks.  
 
Keith

[flpete1uw]

Keith,
 I just installed the PreSonus 32 Live in our Church to replace an aging Soundcraft K2. We have yet to set up an I Pad to it (Soon Though) So far we love it. Having Gates, Compressors, EQ's on every channel is amazing. No outboard gear, at least for our usage. Compact and powerful. The included software will allow MultiTrack recording. The jury is still out 1st usage was this eve. But a big success!
Will keep in touch,
Pete

[JuancarlinBass]

Since a month ago or so, I?ve been using a DL1608 every Sunday at a pub we?ve been gigging steadily. The first couple weeks it was a pain to handle it, considering that we are a fairly easy band to work with (pre-recorded base tracks, live additional keyboards and guitar, and three vocals, we do our own premix on our own console, monitor ourselves by in-ears fed from our own console, and only feed the PA with a stereo mix with everything, they only should have to pan, adjust the EQ to the venue, and bring the faders up). It took some time to find the appropriate EQ curve (no outboard gear, signal goes directly from the DL1608 to an array of JBL/Crown powered loudspeakers across the place and a couple powered 18 subs), and the sound guy was not at ease with the iPad?s mixing environment neither. Once we found a curve that suited us and the place?acoustics, and were able to store it someplace, have been able to just set up, connect, and go. Tonight I?ll have to play there again, we?ll see whether it remains good or not.

[cozmik_cowboy]

That does seem to be one advantage to the DL; if I get I get a chance to make that room sound good, I can save the settings, and next time there, soundcheck consists of punching up O'Leary's.
Still, I'd rather have hardware.
 
Peter