Looking for recommendations for Live Digital Console with IPad app

[Daggaland]

It's pretty much all there in the thread guys, I work in a theater that sometimes hosts live music. The mix position isn't ideal unfortunately so I'm looking for a 32 channel console we can have in there permanently that has an iPad app to remotely mix from in the actual room.

I was checking out the presonus but they only have 24 channels. I read that you can chain them together but I don't know if the iPad app would work in that situation and haven't tested them that way myself to find out.

Any thoughts?

[Serpico]

A Yamaha LS9-32 with their StageMix App would be ideal for that situation.
LS9 | Mixers | Products | Yamaha
LS9 StageMix for iPad on the iTunes App Store

[paulreed]

the LS9 rocks

[ray_subsonic]

The iPad app for the LS-9 definitely works well enough.

Curious about your experiences with the Presonus, as I'd thought it would most probably have been the most cost effective solution. I wasn't aware that there was a software limitation on the amount of channels you could control, unless you're talking about the physical limitations of the 24 channel version of the desk ..

I'd also look out for the Allen Heath iLive consoles .. I found iPad app integration to be good when I played with it.

[cheu78]

I think that the LS9 is not a nice desk..not at all.. And it's expensive for what is it.. IMHO. It doesn't sound good either..
Of course gou can run a show and make it decent if the band is good..

I didn't like the ilive stuff from A&H either, the sound was ok, but the workflow is not great (at least for me, I guess it's personal though).

I'd seriously consider the Digico SD11 with the digirack..
You have 32 in an 8 out (plus an additional 8 out analog or digital on the digirack) or how many inputs and outputs you want in the sd-rack series.

It's a rackmountable version with a 15" touchscreen, swappable pwr supply, nice faders (not the crappy ones found in the yammie) and a great build quality overall.. They sound good (better than any other digital desk I've heard under 40k) and it cost just a lil bit more than the yammie (at least in EU).

They have the "i" version which is just a software upgrade with more dynamic eq's and tube emulations..It's wavesgrid ready, means you could use the waves plug if you want.

All the channels could be mono or stereo, it doesn't matter to the console.

Being rackmountable means that it saves a lot of space..
There's not yet an ipad app for it (at least afaik), but I'm pretty sure they'll make it soon..

To me it's a no brainer,



Cheu

[Aisle 6]

Originally Posted by cheu78

Being rackmountable means that it saves a lot of space..
There's not yet an ipad app for it

The poster is specifically after a desk that can be driven from an iPad or similar.

I agree with your summation of the LS9, but you can still pull a good mix from one. You just cannot push it hard. The iLive from Allen & Heath sounds more analog, but I disagree with your workflow statement. I think that they work differently, but quite intuitively. Also, the iPad integration is excellent on both these boards.

Having said that, the digico does sound very good. Just a shame about the wireless control, which is what the poster is requiring.

[teo]

I don't like the LS9 very much, but I hear from friends using it that it works very well with the iPad. It looks like the way to go, it definitely is and industry standard (meaning that any eng. coming in the theater will be ok with it).

[Kaoz]

I'll be the obligatory LS9 lover for this thread.

I installed one at a venue about a year ago now, and absolutely love the thing. Has simplified my workflow dramatically and is a joy to mix on.

Absolute ton of headroom, great routing capabilities, effects are good, eq racks are also pretty decent, is easy to run on an iPad, and for someone who hasn't used a ton of digital desks in a live environment is an absolute breeze to navigate.

There isn't another digital desk in that price range that I've used that is easier to work with. I honestly don't think there's a more user friendly digital desk out there personally. Have mixed on a M7 and that was a pain compared to the LS9.

[cheu78]

Originally Posted by Aisle 6

The poster is specifically after a desk that can be driven from an iPad or similar.

I know, but I think that is better to buy (or giving an advice on) a better sounding desk and possibly ask the manufacturer (Digico) when and if the ipad app will be avalaible..they're very quick in the replies usually..
The OP should not rule out so quickly a great (one of the best if not the best in his price range for features and sound) digital board just because in this very moment there's not an ipad app... at least IMO..

And maybe they couldn't fit the previous 32 channel mixer because it was too big, possibly with a 19" rack mixer like the digico SD11 might be positioned better, so that an ipad app is not forcely necessary..(heck the SD11 is about half the size of the LS9 32 and could control more channels!)
And when the app will be avalaible, he could have the best of both worlds..

I actually like the fact that Digico have put their efforts in a better product soundwise and featurewise first instead of an app that could control the interface..

Originally Posted by Aisle 6

The iLive from Allen & Heath sounds more analog, but I disagree with your workflow statement.

As I mentioned I guess is personal...Of course you could learn everything and be quick enough, but I really couldn't stand the workflow.. but that's me of course..and I've seen a couple of iLive's having issues with the leds on the EQ lately.. the sound is ok..I don't know if it's more analog..I must admit it wasn't bad as other digital boards..but a good analog desk gives it a run soundwise IMO..



Cheu

[Kaoz]

I'm assuming that the mix position isn't movable - otherwise the OP would of asked for a rack mountable desk.

[Aisle 6]

Originally Posted by cheu78

The OP should not rule out so quickly a great (one of the best if not the best in his price range for features and sound) digital board just because in this very moment there's not an ipad app... at least IMO..

A good point for sure, but I always find that I trade off sonics and workflow. It is very rare to have a perfect fit for both. I have a dream console in my head and it is an amalgam of several. Digidesign, Digico, A&H and Yamaha...i have a dream.

Originally Posted by cheu78

but a good analog desk gives it a run soundwise IMO..

Can't argue with that.

[Trub00gie]

Originally Posted by Kaoz

...There isn't another digital desk in that price range that I've used that is easier to work with. I honestly don't think there's a more user friendly digital desk out there personally. Have mixed on a M7 and that was a pain compared to the LS9.

Although you're right about it being great in it's price range, having used both the LS9 and M7 extensively, I can't see how having to 'curser' through everything while at the board can work better than an intuitive, fast touch screen. With that said, I definitely favor the M7. In my opinion, at the very least, they could've added a touchpad to the LS9, like those found on PM5D's. The iPad app definitely adds a few points to the LS9, but while actually at the board, you're back to being limited by it's cursor method.

To the OP, I've used the M7 iPad app in a few different theaters, due to your exact issue, and it worked amazingly. One had the board tied to a corner in the far right of the space, while two others housed their consoles in a separate "booth" rooms in back of the balcony area. All my adjustments were made in the center of the room while still being able to continue the touch-screen flow of the app on the actual board. I would seriously consider putting a 32ch M7CL on your list of options.

[Serpico]

Originally Posted by Trub00gie

Although you're right about it being great in it's price range, having used both the LS9 and M7 extensively, I can't see how having to 'curser' through everything while at the board can work better than an intuitive, fast touch screen. With that said, I definitely favor the M7. In my opinion, at the very least, they could've added a touchpad to the LS9, like those found on PM5D's. The iPad app definitely adds a few points to the LS9, but while actually at the board, you're back to being limited by it's cursor method.

I've not used the iPad app (I use Studio Manager), but could you improve workflow by using the iPad at the desk instead of the cursor?

[Trub00gie]

Originally Posted by Serpico

I've not used the iPad app (I use Studio Manager), but could you improve workflow by using the iPad at the desk instead of the cursor?

It definitely could, but you'd be limited in what you'd be able to do if you relied solely on the app, as they usually don't include manipulation of all the desks parameters or functions. Again, having the iPad app on an LS9 brings it closer to the M7, I just wouldn't want to HAVE to rely on an iPad or app for proper workflow.

[cheu78]

Originally Posted by Trub00gie

Although you're right about it being great in it's price range, having used both the LS9 and M7 extensively, I can't see how having to 'curser' through everything while at the board can work better than an intuitive, fast touch screen. With that said, I definitely favor the M7. In my opinion, at the very least, they could've added a touchpad to the LS9, like those found on PM5D's.

Afaik there's NO touchscreen on the PM5D.. Typo?M7CL maybe?

Here in Europe a 32 channel LS9 with digital snake cost about the same (or possibly even a tiny bit more) as the Digico SD11 with the digirack but the Yammie doesn't sound as good, is bigger, less overall build quality (faders and pots) and of course a small screen (of course NO touchscreen).. So I don't think it's a great desk in his price range.. Especially thinking that any decent "cheapo" analog desk, like the A&H smoke it soundwise.

I have to admit though that both the LS9 and the M7CL are very intuitive and easy to navigate and control..with or without app..
They were the first (IMO) to design a digital mixer that was usable in a live situation.. But this was many years ago and those desks are still the same in their designs and performance..
The PM5D is probably the only desk yamaha does that I'd consider if you're using the AD8HR preamps..

I don't want to bash yammies, I've used them extensively and with good results, but I would like that companies like yamaha will improve their products instead of proposing a "new" version of the 01 (just for make an exemple), which the UI of that mixer has what..? 15 years with a b&w screen which is smaller than a phone? Seriously?

Just my 0.02$,



Cheu

[Trub00gie]

Originally Posted by cheu78

Afaik there's NO touchscreen on the PM5D.. Typo?M7CL maybe?...

Looks like you read that wrong. I wrote that there was was a touchPAD (like a laptop mouse touchpad) on the 5D, not touchscreen. With the addition of a touchpad, the LS9 would be so much better off IMO.

You're right though, there are definitely other great options out there, within the same price range/category than any of the Yamaha bunch, it just depends on which is found to work best/offer the most useable features for a specific situation.

Speaking on their sound quality, although they're definitely not known to be the best sounding consoles available, I've heard that by adding a quality external clock, specifically the MicroClock offered by BLA, you can noticeably enhance the sound of an M7. I have no proof as of yet on this claim, but I definitely plan on testing this theory, as I just purchased one along with my Profire2626 mod for my home set-up. I'm definitely interested on seeing what (if any) effect, a quality clock has on the console.