New digital console

[whitehousejamie]

Hi folks, looking to add a digital desk to stock.

 

At the moment looking at the Midas M32R, as I can get it at a great price and it has a 10 year warranty.

 

Question is, is there anything else worth considering within the sub £2k price category?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Jamie

[Simon Lewis]

Hi folks, looking to add a digital desk to stock.

 

At the moment looking at the Midas M32R, as I can get it at a great price and it has a 10 year warranty.

 

Question is, is there anything else worth considering within the sub £2k price category?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Jamie

 

The Allen & Heath SQ5 is probably the only desk that's close to the M32R. Arguably better in several respects (96kHz, 48 channel, FPGA, modern desk vs. older design) it does have pretty the same price but the stageboxes may be more expensive - especially if you consider the DX range rather than AB/AR series. The SQ range also has the advantage of being compatible with the larger dLive series desks....

[ninjadingle]

I'm a big fan of Soundcraft Impacts (probably get slated for it), and rate it over the SQ5 for useability - Used a SQ5 back in August for a small festival stage and really didn't get on with it. Why?

 

Having to select the EQ band I wanted to adjust before adjusting it caught me out a few times, took me back to using a Yammy 01V.

16 input faders instead of 24 - more pages needed. (finally 24 instead of 22 on previous Si Desks) and less inputs on the desk available (and with Version 2 firmware the Impact has more input channels).

Impact has dedicated Tap keys for FX (instead of using a softkey for tap, that you then can't use for Mute groups etc)...

SQ5 remote app needs the iOS I can't upgrade to, so had to borrow a different (and smaller) iPad for the festival - putting someone else out.

And I don't think the SQ5 has VCA's?

 

I'm sure someone else can counter all these points, just my observations / experiences, but is cheaper than the SQ5 and IMO just as capable and easier to use.

[MarkPAman]

I'm sure someone else can counter all these points.....

Well maybe not all of them - I could have a go though ;)

 

Having to select the EQ band I wanted to adjust before adjusting it caught me out a few times

me too! But you can drag eq points on the screen, which I like.

 

16 input faders instead of 24 - more pages needed.

which is why there's 24 & 32 fader versions I guess, but obviously price goes up. I really like the 6 fully customisable layers

 

Impact has dedicated Tap keys for FX (instead of using a softkey for tap, that you then can't use for Mute groups etc)...

but you can use a double footswitch for Tap (among other things).

 

SQ5 remote app needs the iOS I can't upgrade to, so had to borrow a different (and smaller) iPad for the festival - putting someone else out.

Yep, my music iPads don't work with it either, so my newer "home" iPad has to come out with me. But my very cheap android tablet works fine.

 

And I don't think the SQ5 has VCA's?

All the SQ range have 8 DCAs

[skinda0]

I went from analog to digital with the A&H QU-24. Tried one out for a few weeks and the transition was much easier than I thought.

I went for the QU as you have all the channel faders accessable all the time. Controls are intuitive and easy to work with. I wish I had done it sooner!

Mine was £2K when I purchased with a flight case a few years ago, although they are a few years old now. As others have said, mabe give the SQ range a go?

[Simon Lewis]

The A&H QU range is good but deliberately designed and engineered to fit a certain function and usability. It is great for its size and cost, but doesn't represent quite as good value for money as the Behringer X series.

 

Small Soundcraft desks simply haven't had the success or critical acclaim needed in this marketplace. They are not bad and some users champion them (hi! Ninjadingle!) but it's not a line that I'd feel confident specifying, Many cite frustration at the UI, screen function etc.

 

The M32R is a solid desk, at a good price and warranty with a wide number of users, thanks to the shared X32 UI. It is, however, a few years old now and still has a few annoying limitations from the restrictions built in (perhaps to limit damage to higher level products?).

 

The A&H SQ isn't perfect but does represent a pretty serious tool being made available at budget prices. Some of that "Digico are our cousins" stuff seems to have rubbed off!

[TonyMitchell]

We bought our first digital desk earlier this year and went for the X32 Compact, with an S16 stagebox. Will probably add another S16 next year. Operationally it does everything we need it to and so much more,besides. Commercially it was the most sensible solution and couldn't be beaten.

[Alec]

If you're considering the M32R and looking around the £2k price-point, then the competition is surely just the A&H SQ5 or the Soundcraft SI Impact.

 

QU is presumably too basic, looks like X32 is below what you want. And I'm guessing surface-less is not acceptable to you.

 

The three contenders are all capable. They've all got different pros & cons - all of which are easy to compare using the published specs. You know your main criteria and hot buttons. None of them will disappoint, just pick on what ticks the most boxes and which will make you the most money...

[cedd]

Biggest tip I can give is to join some of the Facebook and manufacturer-hosted support forums first. You’ll be able to see everyone else’s issues and problems. I’m in the Allen & Heath one and there are a few common issues keep cropping up that are interesting to see. I’m sure other manufacturers will be the same.

 

I’ll probably be going SQ7 at some point in the future. Not quite ready to make the jump yet though.

[electronicsuk]

I can't speak much for A&H as I've only had a brief play with their QU series, but if it comes down to thew M32R vs SoundCraft, I think it depends what world you're coming from. I've got an Si Performer 2 but came from an X32 prior to that and to me, the workflow on the Soundcraft seems like a step backward. I can see why some people love it, especially if you've come from the analogue world, as it does feel a lot like working an analogue desk. For me though, the X32 is quicker and easier to use once you get your head around its quirks and I feel like it offers more features. That said, the fader glow on the Soundcraft is less gimmicky than I imagined and you get full graphic EQ on all the mix buses if that's your kind of thing, so horses for courses. Personally I'm probably going to sell the Performer come new year so keep your eyes peeled if you're open to buying a used console.

[whitehousejamie]

Thanks all, went for the M32R, managed to get a mint B-stock unit with full warranty for just over a grand plus vat, which I think is a bargain. Thanks for your thoughts.

[Phosphene]

Still am using old Yammys