Console Consortium

As audio technology continues to expand, the mixing console sector has seen intense development. And as houses of worship continually raise the bar on production quality and scope, the need for equipment to support these demands has followed suit.

When looking at any kind of technology, it's easy to become enamored with the high-end equipment. While there are certainly applications that warrant those solutions, the majority of churches fall into the small- to medium-sized field—churches that must deal with not only less experienced users but limited budgets and, at times, portable situations.

Manufacturers across the board have seen this need for consoles that not only meet the budget required for smaller venues, but desks that allow for maximum flexibility and features while still incorporating intuitive workflows and a high level of quality.

Below CPM takes a look at consoles that meet these requirements; each offers its own take on mixing solutions for a variety of house of worship applications. Bear in mind that while analog consoles are still a viable solution, we've chosen to focus on digital consoles since the majority of manufacturers are steering away from analog production.

Allen & Heath GLD-80

Billed as the little brother to the company’s larger iLive series, Allen and Heath’s GLD consoles feature intuitive and expandable options in an affordable package. The console works hand in hand with one of several stage boxes—which are sold separately—with audio delivered via Cat5 cable. Twenty fader strips on four layers are available on the GLD-80 model with the larger GLD-112 featuring 28 strips. Unique to this level of console is the ability to define and place channel strips anywhere on the fader banks, allowing for endless configuration depending upon the application.

The console includes the full channel strip and routing options expected from a higher-end digital console. A new “Chrome” firmware update has added multiple effects emulators, including several vintage compressor and delay modules. For remote operation, a companion tablet app allows for full mixing and feature use away from the console surface.

List price: $5,999

Ashly DigiMix24

Designed as an easy-to-use and intuitive solution for houses of worship, educational facilities, and performance spaces, this digital console combines a full array of features along with various operational modes. Featuring 24 inputs, up to 14 configurable mix buses, eight Aux outputs, eight channel inserts, and 33 channels of dynamics and equalization processing, the I/O options cover a wide range of applications. The control surface pairs with a seven-inch LCD color touchscreen along with intelligent metering and motorized faders. Optional expansion cards provide either Dante connectivity or a USB interface for easy multi-track recording or playback.

Operation can occur in two modes: a normal technical mode with all of the depth and flexibility that an audio professional would expect or an ‘EZ-Mode’ for non-technical users in schools or churches. The console pairs with a companion Apple iPad App that allows users to remotely set stage monitor volumes or to mix wirelessly.

List price: $1,799

Behringer X18

While Behringer’s X32 series of consoles has become popular among churches, clubs, and other venues looking for a digital solution at an affordable price point, the company’s new X Air Series of mixing solutions will be attractive for similar applications where greater flexibility, a small footprint, and affordability are desired.

The X18 is an 18-input desktop unit that pairs with any iOS- or Android-enabled tablet running the companion software. With an on-board Wi-Fi module, users have a fully functional mixer at their hands, featuring Midas-designed preamps, a full FX rack, and more. The desktop module also features six Aux send outputs and an Ultranet jack, Behringer’s ethernet-based personal monitoring audio network.

Behringer’s X Air Series also features the XR18, a rack mount stage box containing all of the features and processing of the desktop version.

List price: $749.00

Digico S21

With the introduction of their S21 console, users now have an option featuring many of the Digico’s technologies but in a more affordable and simplified package. Featuring two multi-touch screens, the console’s 20 physical faders with multiple banks allow for full customization of any input or output routing and layout. The console includes 24 mic/line inputs onboard and 12 analog outs, in addition to multiple I/O card options that integrate with one of Digico’s external stage boxes.

Simplified operation and intuitive controls include touch sensitive faders and encoders, drag and drop channel configuration, and a full slate of effects, EQ, and dynamics processing. In addition, an integrated USB2 audio interface allows for easy recording and playback of up to 48 channels of audio.

List price: from $6,995

Mackie Axis System

Mackie’s new Axis system provides a modular but expansive mixing solution for churches needing flexibility and ease of use. With a 32-channel rack mount input and DSP module, as well as a DC16 control surface featuring 17 physical faders and multiple I/O options, the entire system pairs with iOS tablet devices (sold separately), giving users maximum routing, recording, and wireless mixing options.

The control surface both pairs and charges user tablets while allowing for up to 20 additional iOS devices to be used for personal monitor mixing. An included Dante virtual sound card gives full 32X32 audio routing of any signal while allowing for simultaneous recording.

List price: From $7399.97

Midas M32R

Long known for a rich history of analog console options, Midas offers its M32 series of entry-level digital mixing surfaces, delivering an extensive suite of options within an easy-to-use layout. With 16 analog XLR inputs on the rear panel—offering the ability to run up to 40 inputs via the AES50 digital snake input—the M32R can function within various applications, both permanent and portable.

Midas has integrated its True Physical Modeling technology within the effects panel, providing numerous emulations of classic dynamics and EQ processors. An extensive cue list feature for system or scene recall, along with fast access to channel strip parameters, provides easy assimilation among users and environments.

List price: $3,448.85

PreSonus CS18AI

The new StudioLive AVB system from PreSonus is a modular mixing solution for both live and studio applications. With the CS18AI mixing surface, users can integrate a companion RMAI rack mount stage box–available in several I/O configurations—or in conjunction with PreSonus’s StudioOne software for recording. And with an AVB ethernet audio network, portable and installed applications can be executed effortlessly.

Touch sensitive faders, color-bank assignment, and the company’s new Filter DCA feature—which delivers a hybrid DCA and Group-type functions together—are intended to streamline the mix process, being intuitive and quick for all operators. While the CS18AI control surface itself features only two XLR inputs and outputs, its effectiveness and flexibility are not diminished.

List price: $2,499

QSC TouchMix

QSC describes the TouchMix Series as offering musicians, production professionals and live performance venues the power and capability of a large-format console in a highly portable, fully integrated, affordable and easy-to-use product.

TouchMix Series specifications include four-band, fully parametric EQ with both variable hi-and lo-pass filters, as well as comprehensive dynamics processing on each input channel. Four mix busses feed four internal, professional, digital effects processors. Comprehensive dynamics, graphic EQ, hi- pass, low-pass and notch filters and delay are available on both the main and aux outputs and there are eight DCA groups with mutes, as well as eight mute groups. With four (TouchMix-8) or 10 (TouchMix-16) auxiliary output channels, QSC says the TouchMix also has ample stage monitor mixing capability. Both models have the ability to drive multiple, wired stereo in-ear monitors directly. A well-designed mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices.

List price: from $1,129

Roland M-200i

The M200i was designed from the ground up to be controlled by an iPad. Rather than build their own touch screen, Roland leveraged the one that Apple has already perfected. While many consoles feature an iPad app for basic operation, this app offers control over almost every parameter.

The M200i has the ability to mix 32 channels from a total of 64 inputs. It features 16 on-board, recallable mic preamps, plus another eight line ins and a Roland Ethernet Audio Communication (REAC) port; eight aux sends plus four fully addressable matrix mixes; eight digitally controlled amplifiers (DCAs); four built-in effect engines; and four third-octave graphic equalizers (QECs). In addition to the left and right outputs, you also get an AES output plus 10 assignable outputs (six XLR, four TRS). The surface features 16 motorized faders (plus master), one button select of sends on fader mode, solo, mute and select of all channels, and a multi-function display for control.

List price: $2,495

Soundcraft Si Impact

As the newest member of Soundcraft’s entry-level digital console line, the Si Impact offers plenty of features and an intuitive layout. The desk features a full XLR input and output panel on the back, along with an included MADI and USB card, allowing use with any compatible Soundcraft stage box. The desk layout, featuring the company’s FaderGlow technology seen on its high-end Vista consoles, is tactile for any user with one encoder knob per channel strip parameter. Any combination of inputs or outputs can be customized on the physical faders.

Internally, the desk integrates dedicated Lexicon effects hardware along with EQ and dynamics processing from BSS and dbx. Users can insert a full 31-band EQ on all outputs, accessing each with a simple fader flip function button.

List price: $3,499

Yamaha TF3

Yamaha’s new TF3 console offers several features attractive to the entry-level market. Onboard XLR connections allow for 24 inputs and 16 outputs. An additional card slot allows for further expansion or digital networking. Yamaha touts its TouchFlow Operation as an easy-to-use solution for all operators. The touchscreen accessibility to channel features along with the physical Touch & Turn knob allows for quick compression, EQ, and other simplified adjustments.

Another attractive feature is the library of QuickPro microphone presets, which feature an array of microphones from manufacturers such as Audio-Technica, Sennheiser, and Shure, allowing users to be up and running in a short amount of time. The companion TF StageMix and MonitorMix iOS apps allow for wireless mixing and personal monitoring.

List price: $3,500