pdherring Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Okay so here is one that I know is going to split the crowd! I have a GLD-112 and a LS9 for all my large scale digital desk needs and I totally love the GLD for what I do. The only issues I have is I seem to be picking up a lot of small corp gigs. The Kind of events I do are pretty much anything, ranging from a single vocalist with backing tracks all the way up to award winning bands and outdoor events. I am in the market for a rack mount unit to use for the smaller events though. Originally when the QU-Pac was announced I placed one straight away on order knowing that I was very happy with the GLD and assumed I would be likewise with the QU. Only issue that has made me cancel this is the lack of Dante. I am a big Dante user and only seem to be using it more and more. Now yes I could work around this on a small desk but I don't think I should or want to. So the question is Mackie DL32R or the Behringer X32 Rack? I have not used either so have no idea on the functionality. I will always have a nagging feeling in the back of my mind with the Berry after being stung by my last Berry desk. I did vouch never to buy another berry again. Anyway I am open to options. Also open to any further suggestions as long as it has Dante card available and is circa the same money. Thanks all! P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themadhippy Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 As youve already an ls9 why not a second hand ls9-16 ,rack mountable and compatable with your existing cards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam.spoons Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 There are enough X32s out in the wild to allay any concerns about reliability. I haven't had much high end digital desk experience but I have a DL1608 (used regularly for two years) and an X32 Compact (a couple of gigs so far and I use it in my project studio). We also have iLive and GLD at work but I don't usually get to drive the desk. I find the X32 easy to get on with and to me it sounds great. The Mackie also sounds good (though the reverbs are only adequate) and the iPad app is the best out there. If there's a chance you might have digital novices running the desk then the Mackie is the one to go for but the X32 Rack offers more for the money.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdherring Posted March 4, 2015 Author Share Posted March 4, 2015 I want something in a 3u form factor. Plus for the money I would spend I would rather spend it on something a little more up to date. Lets be honest the LS9 shows its age with its processes compared to the modern desks. Thanks Sam always concise as always! Ive heard others say the same about the verbs on the Mackie. I will never have novices using the desk so that isn't a problem. I have to say I am probably swaying towards the X32 if for nothing else than it is becoming a common desk in the market (even if I am going for the rack version) I assume to software is the same as the full size desk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benniferj Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 I'd never be looking at a 'headless' mixing desk like an x32 rack for corporate. All of your fader riding needs to be super smooth, super reliable... that isn't how I'd want to do it. I'd second looking for a secondhand LS9 32, or indeed an 01v96 v2/vcm can take a Dante card too. You can buy an 01v96vcm for £600ish on the second hand market and a good condition one would be rock solid for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdherring Posted March 4, 2015 Author Share Posted March 4, 2015 I agree in an ideal world I would have a desk with faders but for the sort of things I will be using this for I have no choice of taking anything larger than 3u unit. Maybe I am not explaining my requirements properly but lets just say I am after a headless rack mount desk and the only two I have seen have been the Mackie and the Berry. So I appreciate everyones advice on other options but as per above I already have desks that fit the bill for anything requiring faders. What I am after if something I can role out when space is zero and there is no FoH mixing position and mostly when I have next to no time to set up. Thanks P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamburgess Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 I love my X32 - loads of features and sounds fine - but, as said, the iPad isn't great for precise fader moves which may be you need more than me. You could grab a decent MIDI controller to use with it, I suppose. The faders on my Korg Kronos are setup to control it incase the iPad goes down and they're fine. The iPad has always been fine up to now, by the way, on an Airport Express. The desk has also been on more or less 24/7 for months so far in a temp installation with a few trips out and about on to the beach, even, and not a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdherring Posted March 4, 2015 Author Share Posted March 4, 2015 Thanks Adam just want I want to hear. I use Airports with my current setups and I am obviously aware of the iPad limitations with fader movements. Maybe something I should have added above is that currently for gigs were I have to put the desk out the way I use the iPad solely so I am use to using the iPad with both the LS9 and the GLD. Its just to me seems such a waste to take the big desks to events where I know I won't be using the desk at all and will only be using the iPad. This is probably the biggest reason for a rack unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam.spoons Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 If you can live without dante the DL1608 (or even 806, cheaper than a dante card at present) has a lot in it's favour. super small form factor, enough I/O to run a band, excellent iPad app, and the 806, at least, is cheap as chips (£318 as I type). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electrolytic Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Midas M32r with a dante card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamburgess Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Or the pretty much identical X32 with Dante card? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdherring Posted March 4, 2015 Author Share Posted March 4, 2015 Sam I did consider the DL series but I feel that although some gigs I can make do the added benefit of having Dante will actually expand what I can do with my other desks if I need more channels or another mixer etc etc you get the idea. I like the idea of the Mackie as it does have 32 inputs onboard compared to the berry having only 16 (ish) but on the other hand the pres are probably slightly more tuned on the berry and the FX from my understanding is far superior. Electrolyic as per I have mentioned above I need something smaller than that hence looking at the two rack options mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam.spoons Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 I get what you say, and I'm about to buy an X32 Rack to supplement my X32 Compact for very similar reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdherring Posted March 4, 2015 Author Share Posted March 4, 2015 Cheers Sam think you have helped me make a decision I already kind of knew the answer too anyway ;) Just hate going back on a life decision to never put my faith in another Berry product again! Haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.elsbury Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Most of the big convention centres I work in (ie, where corporate events are held) are pretty much at saturation with wifi already without me adding another wee access point. I certainly wouldn't want to rely on a ipad for my front of house mix control. In corporate, it's gotta be perfect and precise. I'd be explaining to my clients that they need to take out 3 chairs and let me put in an ops table with a 19" rack mount mixer on it, otherwise their show will suffer. But, you pays your money and makes your choice I guess. Good luck with your headless mixer :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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