Mixer that can send all channels individually over USB?

[bcass]

I'm looking for a mixer that can send all channels individually over USB. Ideally I need no less than 8 stereo pair inputs, no mic inputs needed. Anyone have any recommendations?

[RiK]

Personally I have one of these:



It the Behringer XR18 'X-Air', and it's completely brilliant.

18 channels, 18/18 IO via USB too, and you can freely mix hardware / software channels to your hearts content.

Excellent effects section, on top of all the expected compression/gates/eq you need per channel.

It's headless, so all control via a desktop or mobile app (I mostly use my iPad).



Gaz has one too, though his is the X18, which is in desktop format

More info on the Behringer site: http://www.musictri.be/Categories/Behri ... 18/p/P0BI8

[RiK]

If I was after something with hardware faders etc. My first port of call would be one of the Presonus Studio Live models. They're quite pricey, but really nice. I know a couple of people with the 16 channel versions.



https://www.presonus.com/products/studiolive-16.0.2-usb

[bcass]

The Behringer Air range looks exactly what I was looking for. I'll probably go for the Air7 as can't ever see me needing 18 inputs.

[RiK]

The Behringer Air range looks exactly what I was looking for. I'll probably go for the Air7 as can't ever see me needing 18 inputs.

Well you did say:

Ideally I need no less than 8 stereo pair inputs, no mic inputs needed.

8 stereo pairs = 16 inputs. Those are all mono channels, though you can link them in pairs in the software with a single button click.

Bear in mind too that on the smaller ones you only get a single stereo feed over USB. You only get the full 18/18 interface on the X(R)18s

[bcass]

Oh, damn, looks like I'm going to be spending a lot more then. Do the Presonus Studio Live models output all individual channels over USB too? The software for the Behringer Airs looks good, but I think I would still prefer something more tactile.

[gravy]

I've got the XAir 18, same as Rik's but a different form factor. They tend to be a bit cheaper than the rack version.

They are really good. I managed to pick mine up 2nd hand on ebay for around 400 quid.

[RiK]

Do the Presonus Studio Live models output all individual channels over USB too?

They do, yes.

The software for the Behringer Airs looks good, but I think I would still prefer something more tactile.

It's absolutely fine with the iPad, though you could always add an X-touch at a later date if so needed. The combined cost is about the same and with the x-touch you get the benefit of motorised faders etc. and can easily switch between both physical and software channels.

[RiK]

XR18 is pretty compact. About the same size as a typical stage box.



And you can see here in situ it's just tucked away behind the TR8 and barely notice it on the desk.

[(o)(o)]

Oh, damn, looks like I'm going to be spending a lot more then. Do the Presonus Studio Live models output all individual channels over USB too? The software for the Behringer Airs looks good, but I think I would still prefer something more tactile.

We have the PreSonus desk in the studios. Here's a pic I've probably overused cos I like the way it turned out



For under £1k it's ridiculous VFM. I'm looking at pretty basic 1U audio interfaces for not much less. Considering sacking the idea off and getting one of these for home use in fact, over RME or a Quantum. The integration is excellent - especially - the channel strips are running under their own DSP, but with complete replication, recall, operation in the Studio One GUI. Load a session and BOOM! it's all there. Can't emphasise enough how brilliant this idea is! Here if you look at the blue area you can see (if you hit a channel) you have direct recall of high pass, gate, compressor, expander, limiter, 3 para EQ on each channel / bus and with proper channel strip knobs.



Also much nice software, Capture. Remote, UC Control Surface etc : https://www.presonus.com/products/uc-surface One that interests me particularly is SMAART support, which you can use for room analysis.. and since we have PreSonus PA, a measurement mic is on order and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Really excited to see accurately what's going on in the room and work to correct any nodes and find best monitor positioning! Also worth looking at - their latest mixer is more of a control surface, with no inputs on the rear, instead it's supplied with digital stage box.

[bcass]

Thanks for all the info guys. I'll definitely be getting one or the other. I'll keep an eye on ebay to try and save some cash. I actually posted asking same question on the audio engineering subreddit, and didn't get a single response. I guess there isn't much call for multi channel over USB.

[RiK]

One thing I like is that I can freely interchange hardware/usb on a whim. So if I wanted to have a few channels coming from VSTs hosted in Ableton I can, or I can run some audio via USB on my iPad into the mix etc. Completely seamless on the Behringer, love it.

I'd been interested in it for a while, then Gravy got the X18 desktop and said he was impressed. What finally swung it for me was a
long chat with Nick Batt (Sonic State) about it at Cymru beats last year, and I subsequently found that Gaz Williams has one too. Gaz showed me how he's using his routing audio to and from his iPad the other day and it's really impressive stuff.

[bcass]

"Nick Batt"

Difficult to quantify this guys efforts. His reviews have made me want to spend more money than I have. Love his short live sessions too. I want to see him review more retro gear. The last few minutes of his dominion 1 review is simply beautiful.

[bcass]

The Behringer XR18 X-Air is currently on sale on amazon with almost £100 off the normal price, so I snapped one up. Should it be possible for me to connect my PC to it via my wireless router? My PC does not have a wireless card or wireless USB adapter, it's connected to the router via cable. Will I need a wireless adapter, or is there some way I can access it on the PC via my router? I can connect to it fine using a network cable, but wireless via the router would be preferable.

[RiK]

The Behringer XR18 X-Air is currently on sale on amazon with almost £100 off the normal price, so I snapped one up. Should it be possible for me to connect my PC to it via my wireless router? My PC does not have a wireless card or wireless USB adapter, it's connected to the router via cable. Will I need a wireless adapter, or is there some way I can access it on the PC via my router? I can connect to it fine using a network cable, but wireless via the router would be preferable.

Not sure mate, I use my lappy & iPad to connect to the X-Air's own wifi host, not tried anything else tbh.