We tested QSC's TouchMix-16 here a few years back, and found it to be a well-designed and very capable little mixer. At the time of that review, the TouchMix line offered only 8- and 16-channel versions. Now the 32-channel TouchMix-30 Pro has been announced, and we can sum up what it offers in one simple word: more.
The TouchMix-30 Pro boosts the input channel count to 32, including 24 mic/line, six line and a stereo track from the USB port (not counted in the input tally is a dedicated talkback mic input). Microphone preamps are class-A design for sound quality, with individual phantom power switches. Each input offers four-band fully parametric EQ, variable high-pass filter, gate and compressor with de-esser. All A/D and D/A converters are 24-bit, with internal processing at 32 bits for optimum headroom and fidelity.
A library of 120 presets includes helpful settings for live instruments, mics and other common audio sources. While presets can't guarantee great sound from all sources, they can offer a good starting point for EQ and dynamics processing. Other mixing tools include VCAs and mute groups for controlling multiple channels at the same time.
On the output side, the TouchMix-30 Pro offers a generous 16 outputs with variable high- and low-pass filters, 1/3-octave graphic EQ, 6-band parametric EQ, limiter, delay and 12-band notch filter on each channel. Fourteen of these outputs are mono mixes that can be paired to stereo. Two pairs of aux outputs can drive wired in-ear monitors directly. Finally, any aux busses can be routed to the stereo output to function as subgroups. All this flexibility makes it possible to simultaneously mix front of house, on-stage wedges, in-ear monitors, hearing assist systems, fill speakers, sermon recording, distributed audio zones and more.
With many mixers, aux or output mixes are used up to feed effects units. Not so with the TouchMix-30 Pro, which adds six dedicated effects sends to all input channels. These allow effects to be added without consuming any of the 16 outputs. Stereo effects include reverbs, delays and pitch-based effects; the mixer also offers a pitch correction effect assignable to any mono input channel. In keeping with the approach to offer maximum user control, effects returns have two-band shelving EQ, high-pass filter, gate and compressor. The mixer offers both factory and user effects presets.
Increasing the analog input and output count requires a physically larger mixer, which makes a larger display possible. Arguably the most important “more” for the TouchMix line, the TouchMix-30 Pro boasts a 10-inch multi-touch screen that promises easier control and more efficient information display. Due to its smaller display, the TouchMix-16 was easier to control from a tablet. We look forward to testing the TouchMix-30 Pro's larger screen to see if it is more user-friendly.
A multi-touch display also makes other gestures possible (like pinching the screen to zoom out). Does TouchMix-30 Pro support these gestures and, if so, how well? Our hands-on test will answer this question and many others. Look for a full review later this year, or early January.
In addition to more I/O and larger display, the TouchMix-30 has several new “Pro” features. Anti-feedback and room tuning wizards help optimize a sound system's performance in a given space, while two real-time analyzers give you a visual picture of frequency content. A flexible patching matrix makes it easy to “mult” and rearrange inputs.
As the hub of a digital world, a mixer's ability to route digital data in and out becomes very important. The TouchMix-30 Pro offers 32 channels of recording and playback with an attached hard drive. This allows for live recording, multiple backing tracks and comprehensive virtual sound checks without a computer. For those that need even more recording and playback power, the TouchMix-30 Pro offers a 32-channel bi-directional interface for Apple computers.
The TouchMix-30 Pro offers the same user interface as its smaller siblings. A large adjustment knob complements the multi-touch screen, making it easy to control specific parameters. Push down on this knob, and it gives you finer control. User-assignable hardware buttons put specific features and screens just one click away for easy access. Up to 130 user-defined scenes and channel presets can be stored internally or off-loaded to a USB drive.
An included USB wi-fi adapter allows the TouchMix-30 Pro to interface with multiple iOS devices, including iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Air and iPhone. User access controls allow specific devices to access only certain parameters. One iPad can control the main mix, for example, while performers with iPads and iPhones control their own monitor mixes.
The TouchMix-30 Pro takes QSC's popular and effective digital mixer platform and turns up the gain. The result is more inputs, more outputs, more features, more screen--all for just a bit more money (street price under $2,000). We look forward to the chance to fully test this impressive mixer.
