Digital console

[taylord]

Hi all,

I'm looking into making the leap from analogue to digital in terms of sound. My options are, X32, QU32 or SI-3. Can anyone shed any light on these please? Pro's/Cons etc. Thanks in advance

Dan :)

[boswell]

Hi Dan, we went from a Soundcraft K2-24 analogue desk to a QU32 about 18 months ago, the ability to have all 32 mono inputs assigned to 32 faders on one layer is a great advantage in getting your head around a digital, many other things we liked.

 

We looked at the same range of desks as you have highlighted and our dyed in the wool analogue sound guys plumped for the QU32 as being the easiest to understand, you're welcome to come and have a look, Merseyrail to our door!

[Alec]

Everyone will give their own opinion.

 

But, objectively:

 

Pricewise: QU32 > SI-3 > X32. Plus the X32 is cheaper for the cat5 stageboxes.

 

Personal monitoring solutions: X32 or QU32 only. Again, the personal monitoring stations for the X32 are much cheaper.

 

Scribble strips: Only on the X32. Though you might want to thing about the SI Impact, rather than the SI-3 (32 mic pres, but only 24 faders, does have scribble strips, slightly cheaper than the SI-3

 

Build quality: ignore all the prejudiced views you'll hear, they're all "OK". Nothing fantastic, but about the same ball park.

 

Remote control: ipad only for SI & QU, ipad/Android for X32.

 

Workflow: subjectively, slightly simpler on the SI and QU, but more flexibility on the X32. For the simplest move for an analog die-hard, the SI/QU might be initially more intuitive.

 

Channel metering: 6 segment on X32, 4 segment on SI, 3 segment on QU.

 

In the end, though, only you will know which of these criteria matters more to you, and which workflow is likely to suit you.

[MarkPAman]

Remote control: ipad only for SI & QU, ipad/Android for X32.

 

Point of order!

 

In fact the QU have essentially the same Android app available as the X32 does, both having been written by the same third party developer, with support from the manufacturer.

A&H themselves also have the QU-Me phone monitor app for Android.

[taylord]

Thanks for the info folks! Boswell, I might be along to Southport at some point!

[sam.spoons]

I went for the X32 (in my case a Compact) for many of the reasons stated above. But, I do agree that the Qu has a more analogue like operating paradigm. For me I could't see myself buying a digital desk without LCD scribble strips plus the X32 Compact's 16+6/8+6 I/O worked well when combined with an S16 or, as I finally bought, an X32 Rack which gives me a very flexible system.

 

There are bound to be some X32s around your patch that you could go and check out. A full console X32 would give you everything the Qu 32 can and more with much more flexibility. Build quality seems excellent at the price point, when I compared the Compact and Qu16 I didn't get the impression that the Qu was a a step up in quality (I'm a big AS&H fan and the Qu is a lovely desk but, in the end, I just couldn't get past the extra features and expandability of the X32, and the much, back then, lower price).

[S&L]

I would endorse all the above comments re qu and x32. the qu is a streamlined product and the software updates are well thought out. the x32 is more comprehensive in what you can get it to do - in fact I have yet to come up against a problem that it can't solve.

You should find plenty of places to demo the qu series but it will be nigh on impossible to see an x32 'in store' because of the way they are sold via box shifters. If you get to Southport and southport are happy - then I'm happy to bring along my x32 and we can put the two side by side - I don't think you will go too far wrong buying either.

 

edited to add - you do get very attached to those scribble strips on the the x32 series.

[michaelyallop]

I agree with all comments above. Ignore any prejudice you may hear about any of the desks. They are all good/great desks in their own right. I did have a little prejudice against Behringer, until we purchased one, but now I think its fantastic for the money. X32 full console. Having to switch between the layers for the 32 channels isn't much of an issue if you lay your channeling out well, once you have your head the layer switching it all happens quiet quickly.

 

The only place the X32 falls down is the way in which it differs from the Midas M32. The Midas has a raked dynamics section so it sort of faces you when your standing behind the desk, the X32 this section is level with the rest of the desk, so in certain light conditions you have to lean over the desk to see the writing on the controls. A price I am willing to pay considering the price point of the desk, pun most definitely intended. We have had this desk for around 3 years now and so far had no issues, he says with his fingers crossed tightly.

 

Scribble strips are the way forward too.

[taylord]

Boswell & S&L,

 

I have just applied for some funding for the new desk so if that gets accepted then perhaps we can arrange a morning of X32 vs QU32 in Southport?

[boswell]

No Problem, we will even provide tea & biscuits!

[S&L]

I'm a sucker for rich tea..and custard creams. Keep me posted.

[gafferted]

I'm in the same position. I mainly do musical theatre. I'd be happy with the band on a separate page but with up to 16 radio mics plushalf a dozen or so floats, any combination of which could need balancing against each other, I don't think 16 chans/page is quite enough.

 

It's a shame. I like the extra flexibility and slightly better price tag of the Behringer but I think I'm going to end up going down the QU32 route.

 

Having only used analogue up till now, I'd be keen to hear the views of more experienced digital users with regard to musical theatre use.

[sam.spoons]

Use scenes, snippets and/or mute groups along with DCAs to control everything. The full console X32 has 12 plus 8 plus 1 faders. The 8 are configured as either groups or DCAs usually and can offer separate control over the band, chorus mics, floats or what have you. It's a bit more complex to set up but should give you all the control you need. But, viewed from an analogue perspective, the Qu32 is the better desk, it just doesn't have the power and flexibility of the X32.

[timsabre]

The full console X32 has 12 plus 8 plus 1 faders.

 

I'm sure you meant 16 plus 8 plus 1.

[Alec]

I'd be happy with the band on a separate page but with up to 16 radio mics plushalf a dozen or so floats, any combination of which could need balancing against each other, I don't think 16 chans/page is quite enough.

With 16 radio mics plus 6 floats, you don't get that much spare in any 32 channel desk for any size of band on top. Are you sure 32 is enough for you....?