1 of 9
MACKIE DL1608 List Price: $1,249.99
2 of 9
ALLEN & HEATH GLD-80 List Price: $8,999.00
3 of 9
ROLAND M-200i List Price: $2,995.00
4 of 9
SOUNDCRAFT SI PERFORMER 3 List Price: $9,999.00
5 of 9
MIDAS M32 List Price: $5,749.00
6 of 9
YAMAHA QL1 List Price: $8,499.00
7 of 9
PRESONUS STUDIOLIVE16.0.2 List Price: $1,599.00
8 of 9
BEHRINGER X32 List Price: $4,199.00
9 of 9
QSC TOUCHMIX 16 List Price: $1,630.00
I learned to mix sound on a Mackie SR32-4 in my dad's church at only 10 years of age. I had to stand on a chair so I could see over the console and balcony railing. That board was a trooper: our building was prone to lighting strikes, and that board had been zapped several times but kept on going. I still wish I had it, or one like it, as a momento of my early years. Not that it's become a relic, but analog consoles are becoming fewer and farther between, and like vinyl records have a niche market these days (I'm one of those guys that still buys vinyl).
As digital consoles continue to become more affordable and feature-packed, it can be difficult to sift through the features to find what is best for your church. This article will give an overview of some of the rising stars in the digital world. The search began with two criteria: each console had to be digital (duh), and cost less than $10k. Since I have already walked down memory lane with Mackie, let's start there.
Mackie DL1608 List Price: $1,249.99
Mackie’s DL series of mixers, while being compact (currently only in eight- and 16-channel configurations), have truly embraced the digital world. The mixing surface you’re used to seeing has been replaced with iPad mobility. The DL 1608 is capable of receiving wireless control from up to 10 iPads, and has a built-in docking/charging station.
A key feature of digital is onboard DSP, and this unit is no exception. With EQ, compressors, and gates for every channel as well as reverb and tap delay, you have a lot of options to enhance your mix. Once the mix sounds just right, you can easily record it onto the iPad.
I have not used this mixer, but have mixed via an iPad before. While it takes some getting used to, I think we’ll see a lot more console/iPad integrations in the future.
Key Features:
* 16 channels—12 XLR and 4 combo XLR/TRS connectors
* 6 aux sends via ¼
* Main Out via XLR
* Phantom power
* iPad control
* Record and playback via the iPad
QSC TouchMix 16 List Price: $1,630.00
QSC, known for amplifiers and speakers, have released what appears to be an impressive little console. The TouchMix series comes in two options: an eight- and a 16-channel version. Like the Mackie mixer, the TouchMix does not have traditional faders, but a touchscreen. While this one is built in, there is still iPad control available for remote mixing and tweaks. There is also a four-band parametric EQ, as well as full comp/gate DSP on each channel.
One of the great features of the TouchMix is that there are two operating modes. Simple Mode gives the user quick access to the most needed features, helping to eliminate anxiety or accidents from volunteers. Advanced Mode is just that, everything is available for tweaking and changing.
The key feature I like about this mixer is the multitrack recording. With an attached USB3.0 hard drive, the TouchMix will record 32bit WAV files of the inputs.
Key Features:
* 20 channels— 16 XLR and 2 ¼ stereo pairs
* 8 external aux sends
* 4 internal aux sends for FX
* Phantom power
* iPad control
* Multitrack recording
PreSonus StudioLive16.0.2 List Price: $1,599.00
The PreSonus StudioLive 16.0.2 is probably best defined as the perfect hybrid console. It marries the feel of analog with the features of digital. Even with its compact size, all your input faders stay right in front of you. There aren’t a bunch of layers you have to jump through to mix.
The faders are not motorized on this console, and the user has to manually move them back into position using the Fader Locate feature.
Key Features:
* 16 inputs
* 4 aux Sends
* DSP
* Multitrack recording
* iPad control
Soundcraft Si Performer 3 List Price: $9,999.00
Soundcraft is the first audio manufacturer that I am aware of that has merged the worlds of audio and lighting into one desk. The built-in DMX512 controller is the obvious stand out feature of this console. The expansion card slots offer the user a variety of options, including DANTE, MADI, and Aviom flexibility.
Key Features:
* 32 inputs on board
* Expansion card slots can bring the channel count up to 80 inputs
* 14 assignable mix busses
* iPad control
Behringer X32 List Price: $4,199.00
All cards on the table, I have a hard time accepting that this comes from Behringer. I have used this console and am impressed; they have come a long way since the Euro Desks of years’ past (buying Midas helped with that I’m sure).
The X32 does a lot of things, from being able to multi-track 32 channels, to being a DAW controller for mixing down your files later. Like the previous consoles, this one has all the DSP you’d ever need. Frankly though, the best feature of the X32 is the price: you can usually pick one up for less than $3k—and that’s impressive, bottom line.
Key Features:
* 40 inputs/16 outputs
* Remote snake options
* 25 available mix busses
* Midas preamps
* Multitrack recording and playback
* DAW control
* Built-in personal monitor connectivity
* iPad control
Midas M32 List Price: $5,749.00
With Behringer being the parent company of Midas, the M32 is basically an upgraded version of the X32. The M32 has improved faders; better analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters; and better preamps. This console is going to feel more professional and have that “Midas Sound” more than the X32 will.
Interesting caveat: the slick design of this console came from a Bentley Motors designer.
Key Features:
* 40 Inputs/16 outputs
* Remote snake options
* 25 mix busses
* 192kHz audio convertors
* iPad control
* Personal Monitor Connectivity
YAMAHA QL1 List Price: $8,499.00
The QL series from Yamaha is a scaled down, more compact version of the popular CL series, with all the features users are used to seeing from them. The touch screen setup is the same as on the M7Cl, providing a great option for users looking for a higher channel count.
Dugan AutoMix technology along with Rupert Neve processing makes this a very cool console, and a great mixer for smaller environments.
Key Features:
* 32 mono + 8 stereo mix channels.
* Rack-mountable
* Same preamps as CL series
* Rupert Neve processing
* iPad control
* Dugan automixer
Allen & Heath GLD-80 List Price: $8,999.00
The GLD80 is a compact digital mixer, packing in a lot of features. Unlike the previous two mixers, the GLD is capable of using a remote stage box—meaning that your snake is now a simple CAT5 cable. With options for Dante, MADI, and Aviom, it’s easy to connect personal monitors or multi-track recording devices.
Of all the consoles here, this is the one my church owns several of, and I can attest that it works well.
Key Features:
* Up to 48 inputs and up to 20 outputs
* 30 assignable mix busses
* Remote snake options
* Built in personal monitor connectivity
* Physical faders
* Touch screen control
* USB record/playback
* iPad control
Roland M-200i List Price: $2,995.00
This little mixer packs a lot of features into a space that can be racking in a standard 19-inch space. Even though it is compact, the layout is still easy to navigate. By simply adding a USB WIFI stick to one of the ports on the back, the M-200i can wirelessly communicate with an iPad without the need of a router. Using the REAC architecture, this mixer can digitally communicate with a wide variety of recording systems, Roland’s stage mixing system, or linking to other M-200i’s.
Key Features:
* 24 analog inputs, 32 motorized faders
* 12 analog outputs
* iPad control
* Rack mountable
* REAC Compatible
There you have it, eight digital consoles offering a wide range of features. The common elements among all of them are iPad support and onboard DSP. It still amazes me what these manufactures can fit into these compact mixing consoles, and the learning curves seem to be lessening as digital becomes more prevalent.
That being said, make sure you demo a console before choosing it. While they all offer similar features, their layouts can differ. Finding the one that fits you and your team best will help get you proficient with digital in no time.
