DL1608 Mackie Live Mixer with iPad control

[digigem]

Specs:

16 Onyx mic preamps
High-end Cirrus Logic® converters
Ultra low-noise, high-headroom design
6 aux sends for monitor mixes
Master L/R output for mains
Powerful, touch-sensitive plug-ins
4-band EQ, gate and compression on inputs
31-band GEQ and comp/limiter on outputs
Global reverb and delay
Seamless wired to wireless mixing
Tune the room from anywhere
Get on stage to ring out monitors
Personal monitor mixing
Use up to 10 iPad devices simultaneously
Intuitive Master Fader app
“Grow and Glow” visual feedback
Preset and snapshot recall
Record the mix to the iPad for instant sharing
Integrate music from any app into the mix
PadLock™ feature locks down iPad for permanent installs
Industry standard Kensington lock secures mixer
Compact footprint saves precious workspace
15.5? x 11.5? x 3.9?
6.9 lbs / 3.2 kg



iPad connectivity:

Wireless connectivity seamless mixing by
Personal Monitor Mixing
Up to 10 iPads used simultaneously
Intuitive master fader App
Visual feedback
And Snapshot Preset Recall
Recording of the mix on the iPad
Integration of music from any app into the mix

[to-pse]

Unfortunately only recording of the mix and not the individual channels.

That would have been the blow-away-feature!

Nevertheless still cool...

Tobias

[tsvisser]

I can see adding iPad features to a mixer, but to replace physical faders and pots? I don't know, somehow not that excited about this.

[joshuarlyon]

I think its a fantastic idea... does it use wifi or what? and yeah, I cant imagine why it doesn't offer recording of individual channels...

[cyjanopan]

would be hard to record 16 tracks thru wifi. Anyway, you have to see a comercial for this mixer :

[soundeq]

Best..... Video.... Ever....

[Bounce]

Originally Posted by soundeq

Best..... Video.... Ever....

Wow. +1

[Mr Phil]

...needs to stop drinking. That was weird.

[cyjanopan]

the more I think about it, the more I love the whole idea. It would be really awesome in those weird small setups, there`s even no need to use multicore, just setup it on stage (it is really small when you compare it with ipad) and use ipad wherever you want. I wonder what the price would be though...

[cyjanopan]

Wow I also found out what the other 10 ipads could do and it just blows my mind, you could give each musician an ipad and every one of them could control their own aux/monitor. If the price is right it`s even worth it just for monitoring purposes at recording session.

[Noise Electric]

The price is $999.

[Silver Sonya]

THE VIDEO IS GENIUS.

- c

[loujudson]

Originally Posted by to-pse

Unfortunately only recording of the mix and not the individual channels.

That would have been the blow-away-feature!

Nevertheless still cool...

Tobias

Presonus StudioLive records all channels plus 8 extras... but no video like that!
L

[BB Edwards]

Amazing video! I wonder if Tim and Eric are somehow responsible...

[adogg4629]

What is that video trying to say? That the DL1608 is like Red Bull, but for hipsters?

[seth.]

I have been using the presonus mixers linked to my Mac and using IPad to wirelessly control my mixer for over a year now. It's great. The main thing I like is that once you get used to it, there is no need for a stage snake. And, in small venues there is no ground space being taken up for a mixer foh. I like the idea of the dl1608 mainly because it's smaller than the presonus.

Release date and price anyone?

[seth.]

Ok so I did my own research... Looks like it's coming out summer of 2012. According to contest rules of the Mackie dl1608 giveaway. Mackie - Fresh Fish still not sure on a price. I hear people saying 999$ but I'm not sure where that is coming from.

[Jon Con]

The terms and conditions for the giveaway state that the mixer and 16gb wifi iPad are given away at an estimated retail value of $1375 as the main prize. Kind of puts it around the $999 mark

[cyjanopan]

16GB WiFi no 3G iPad costs $499, so maybe it`ll be cheaper than $999

[loujudson]

I am a pround new owner of a Presonus 24-4-2 which has iPad cpability. What do people thingk about the Mackie with no hardware controls if you lose either the iPad or the wireless connection to it? Will it be robust enough to never glitch?

People do rip off ipads, and ipads do lose connection at times...

L

[Dan Steinberg]

Originally Posted by loujudson

I am a pround new owner of a Presonus 24-4-2 which has iPad cpability. What do people thingk about the Mackie with no hardware controls if you lose either the iPad or the wireless connection to it? Will it be robust enough to never glitch?

People do rip off ipads, and ipads do lose connection at times...

L

I was checking out the mixer at the NAMM show and asked about some of those same issues. According to one of the product managers:

-The Ipad can operate either wirelessly or with a hard-wired connection by sliding into the mixer's dock area, so for someone who was concerned about wireless stability in a certain environment, it could be used "wired-only" and just thought of as a $1500 digital mixer ($1000 mixer + $500 Ipad) with a touchscreen, but a bigger and better one that you would otherwise get in a $1500 product. With this scenario wireless does not enter into the equation.

-For anyone using the mixer wirelessly (which is of course one of the big advantages of the product), if a the Ipad loses wi-fi connection, nothing actually changes in your mix, the DSP mixer in the housing keeps doing its thing. The Ipad interface is just the "UI" for the mixer, so it's temporary absence never changes the audio in any way.

-For situations where theft is concern, the mixer comes with a security plate that locks the ipad in once inserted, and uses security-type screws. Then the mixer housing itself has a Kensington lock lot.

One feature I did forget to ask about is how the "use cases" of talkback and solo monitoring works. For all of these products where you are walking around the room tweaking the mix, I am not clear on how you are supposed to enjoy the typical talkback and solo bus monitoring functions you get when you ARE standing behind the console.

I always thought a good solution for that (if technologically feasible) would be to use the sound input/headphone output of the ipad itself, in conjunction with a standard cell phone headset, and then have the solo and talkback signals travel over the wireless connection, in and out of the console itself. No idea if this is doable, but if so it could be cool, just press "solo" and "talkback" buttons on the tablet in your hand, and use the headset in your ear in conjunction with them.

Thanks!

[loujudson]

Thanks Dan. So they have it on display? Is it connected up and working? Or is it a pre-production mockup? (would the word be "Mackup"?)

[anon]

The downside to this IMO is it dosn't record the individual tracks only the stereo mix of the whole thing, that is (for my purposes at least) making it unworkable, I think they made a big mistake there.

[anon]

Originally Posted by loujudson

I am a pround new owner of a Presonus 24-4-2 which has iPad cpability. What do people thingk about the Mackie with no hardware controls if you lose either the iPad or the wireless connection to it? Will it be robust enough to never glitch?

People do rip off ipads, and ipads do lose connection at times...

L

Hey loujudson I hope you don't mind me asking but how are you finding the pre's and AD converters on the Presonus 24-4-2, I am thinking of getting one, I want to use it mainly for live but was wondering if its up to the task of hi end studio work for tracking vocals? also do you find the firewire drivers solid? your opinion would me much appreciated.

[Koki]

I believe this is a great idea whose time has come. Touch screens are everywhere so making it detachable is genius!
Complaints at anticipated price range are silly. Wishing on the other hand is perfectly normal, we know that manufacturers are listening so here it goes.

More inputs (24-32 or cards) with recall input gain, which is my fave feature on Yamaha boards.
More outputs, (10-12 for IEs, subs, CR, etc) Delays on outputs would be nice.
All inputs and outputs on XLR/1/4" combos.
More FX units for drums, horns, etc.
Extension cable in dock mode for chilling back away from board while charging. It does charge right??
iPad lacks memory to record all channels so mix is fine, but how about USB or FireWire on side of board for full computer access, tweaks, upgrades etc and/or recording individual channels. How about a link connector?
Monitoring on iPad headphone jack.
Yes it would cost a little more and box would be bigger (rack mount?) but hey we can wish!!

[loujudson]

Originally Posted by anon

Hey loujudson I hope you don't mind me asking but how are you finding the pre's and AD converters on the Presonus 24-4-2, I am thinking of getting one, I want to use it mainly for live but was wondering if its up to the task of hi end studio work for tracking vocals? also do you find the firewire drivers solid? your opinion would me much appreciated.

I find it great so far, have only done one gig though. No problem asking! I plan to compare its pres and A/D on the firts decent live recording - if it isnt' as good as HD24XR I'll be disappointed. But check the Presouns forum, people are loving them!
PreSonus Forum

If you are really talking about high end, you need to spend ten times as muich for your inputs and mixers, though. I'll be using mine for live sound and live recording, and expect it is better than the avergae Mackie, about the same as Onyx or my good old A&H GL2400.

None of this is high end. No Mackie ever will be, more like good low end, or mid-level.

[Sweep1]

Be honest. Would that video really make anyone consider buying a mixer? All it does for me is remind me about the really shitty unlistenable gigs that happen when the guy at the mixer is drugged off his head.

[Daniel Antix]

Originally Posted by to-pse

Unfortunately only recording of the mix and not the individual channels.

That would have been the blow-away-feature!

Nevertheless still cool...

Tobias

if it had multi track recording i'd buy it the day it came out... could stop lugging my laptop and racking to gigs then!

[jtdiddy]

Like everyone else, the lack of ability to record the individual channels to the ipad is probably the biggest feature missing. Can anyone think of a work around to this so you can record the individual channels...maybe to a separate recording unit or something?

[tylercarlson]

Question: what does it to take to run the wireless on the ipad?

for more consideration there is a third ipad mixing console

The Line 6 stagescape was announced and can be ran wirelessly by an ipad with just a usb wifi stick. the stage scape is the most expensive 16 channel option but it has to big bonuses that neither the Studiolive Remote system or the DL1608 have.

1) the line 6 records multitrack audio to a camera memory card. there is no longer need to haul your computer to a gig and you can pull all 16 tracks of a full show into your DAW at home

2) the line 6 EQ has an ANALYZER!!! however, i feel that presonus or mackie could upgrade this in a snap with just an APP update. (EHEMM)

ive been looking into running an ipad control system since i first heard about studiolive and by far, the mackie seems to have the most tempting price tag and the most appealing ipad software. (line 6 tried to do some virtual stage thing that is just confusing for people who actually know what they are talking about)

does anyone know which system works the best? does the ipad ever get laggy?

has anyone thought of trying a firewire interface running into your computer and then just using a Remote Desktop to control whatever daw youre running with whatever plugins you want? that option would seem to be the cheapest. would it not? would it work even?