andycat Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Hi all, We seem to go through desks here! Our Soundcraft GB is dying slowly, been repaired twice already, so new one is in order. Big school, but ONLY a school. Need 32 channels, never needed more so far. Going digital, but need ease of use for younger students. Also, need it to be left on unattended for evening and weekend events..... So, Yamaha LS9 or Allen and Heath QU32? I know there is a massive price difference, and that "industry" would say the Yamaha, but has anyone any bad experiences with the A+H? All advice gratefully received! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDD Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I might get shot down here, but the LS9 is old and not particularly user-friendly for a school - so I wouldn't even be considering it. I can't answer for the QU32 but as a school with an Allen & Heath GLD-80, I can say that we're more than happy with it. Extremely easy to use, and able to mix properly on the big shows when required, whilst being simple enough for everyone to use normally. There's a lot to be said for retaining the physical channel strip section, as the GLD and QU have. Much easier for teaching. You'll find the iPad app is really useful as well. If you do big complex musicals, perhaps add the GLD to your options, as the DCA mixing does make a big difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GR1 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I too would avoid the LS9. It is an old design and a bit unfriendly by the standards of newer kit. Look at Allen and Heath or Soundcraft which retain channel strips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shez Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 The A&H QU is very simple to use - certainly clearer for a first time user than an LS9. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam.spoons Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 +1 The Qu is about as close to an analogue paradigm as you'll find in a digital desk. It does lack LCD scribble strips though. I'd give the Berry X32 some consideration too, it may not be your ultimate choice but it has LCD scribble strips and sounds great. It's also cheaper than the others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichM Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 If you're teaching kids don't worry about it having to be an "easy" digital or it be in any way like an old analogue desk. You're talking about a generation who view iPads in the same way we do pen and paper. Assuming budget is an issue you really won't go wrong with an X-32, or if the budget would run to it an M-32. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andycat Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 If you're teaching kids don't worry about it having to be an "easy" digital or it be in any way like an old analogue desk. You're talking about a generation who view iPads in the same way we do pen and paper. Assuming budget is an issue you really won't go wrong with an X-32, or if the budget would run to it an M-32. Luckily, budget ISN'T an issue. I could push to the price we've been quoted for LS9 and stage boxes. My only experiences of Behringer haven't been great tbh, so I'm not too keen to forge down that road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomHoward Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Don't buy the LS9 at this stage. It's been out over 8 years now and is only familiar to anyone who came on from the older 01V / 02R / DM series Yamahas.We exchanged from an LS9 to an X32 about a year ago now as the LS9 couldn't keep up with what we needed (multitrack recording) without expansion cards. It's worked well for us and no-one I guess can really argue with your Behringer experience but a lot of people are considering the X32 worth a closer look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdherring Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Don't touch the LS9 in this day and age. Plenty of better desks out there. If budget seriously isn't an issue then look at the Yamaha QL5 or the A&H GLD series. Much better than the two desks you have mentioned. But if you can't stretch to those and are set on either of the two you have mentioned then the A&H QU is the winner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alec Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 If you're teaching kids don't worry about it having to be an "easy" digital or it be in any way like an old analogue desk. You're talking about a generation who view iPads in the same way we do pen and paper. Assuming budget is an issue you really won't go wrong with an X-32, or if the budget would run to it an M-32. Tempted to agree. The X32 can do more than the QU, which might help you and, depending on how far you want to go, could also offer more learning opportunities. The other big win on the X32 is its very ubiquity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy jim Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I'd agree with avoiding the LS9, but having used a QU last week for the first time, I, and a couple of guys I was working with, found it to be quite limiting, inflexible, and unfriendly to the user. Perhaps something like the GLD, or the newer desks from Yamaha may be worth a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam.spoons Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 X32 has no reliability issues to speak of (they've sold over 150,000 of the things so any problems would be well documented) and general consensus is they they sound good too (most people think they sound considerably better that the LX9). The GLD is a good desk too though at a much higher price point. I use a GLD and an iLive system at work but could not justify the expense for my own rig so I bought an X32 Compact. Iyt was a good decision, I like it very much and will buy an X32 Rack to supplement it in the next couple of weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anttech Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I work in a school and I recently changed out Yamaha O1v96 for a soundcraft si expression3. I considered the qu32 as well but felt that the soundcraft had better features for kids like the fader glow. If you can afford an LS9 though look at th GLD80 or GLD 112 or even the Midas M32. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlskeats Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I would highly recommend the Yamaha QL1 with a RIO32 stage box if budget is up to it. Very well featured, great sound quality and also allows you to incorporate Dante networking which is by far the most flexible network protocol and offers very easy multi track recording straight to a laptop. I have a wide range of digital desks in Demo so please get in contact if you would like to have a look at some of the options discussed. ________________________________________Carl SkeatsTechnical Sales LMC Audio Systems LtdTel: +44 (0) 20 8743 4680www.lmcaudio.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljoshua Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I've just put an X32 rack into a primary school... Once EQd, the kids have been happily mixing assemblies/plays etc on it with little to no help from the staff. The desk is loved by the kids more than I expected! Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.