Today, sound engineers at concerts can do a lot and move around freely thanks to special mixing consoles made for live events. These consoles are powerful and can connect wirelessly to tablets, letting engineers adjust settings from a distance using special programs. Here are some of the best devices like these.
Behringer XR12
This mixer is the top wireless one made by a German company. It comes with built-in Wi-Fi and can be used in three different ways. This means you can control it from a computer or phone/tablet using iOS or Android. It’s great for both studio work and live performances. It has 12 input channels and four programmable microphone preamps for really good sound. One cool thing about it is X AIR Gain Sharing. You can also record your mix from two channels onto a flash drive or hard drive using a USB connection.
Features: 12 channels, MIDAS microphone preamps, X AIR Gain Sharing technology, 100-band RTA for all input channels and EQ bus, 40-bit floating-point DSP processor, specialized X AIR (Apple devices and Android) and X AIR Edit (PC) software / Mac / Linux)
Pros: portability, switching capabilities, minimum preparation time for work in any conditions
Cons: occasionally unstable work on Android, the inconvenience of working on the small screen of a phone
Soundcraft ui12
Soundcraft Ui-12 has a cross-platform solution for all the commonly used mobile and computer platforms. It can handle up to ten devices at a time. This device has various sound modules. Remote microphone gain control and phantom power are presented here, along with a four-band parametric equalizer, hi-pass filter, compressor, de-SR.
This best wireless digital mixer has a 31-band graphic equalizer, noise gate and compressor on all outputs and much more. Integrated network interfaces help users to work via Wi-Fi and Ethernet, and the sturdy body will allow user to transport the device to concerts without fear of damage.
Features: 8 in channels 4 of which are on TRS Jack connectors and 4 on XLR, a master section with output and headphone level controls, 2 1/4 ” TRS Jack outputs for connecting headphones and 4 master outputs (2 on 1/4 ” TRS Jack and 2 on XLR connectors), built-in USB-media player, 2xUSB inputs for import/export of files
Pros: simple and convenient control from a tablet, PC or phone, supports all popular platforms, reliable design, the opportunity to work with 10 devices
Cons: rare communication loss and delays when using mobile phones and tablets
Midas MR12
Midas MR12 is a wireless digital mixer for concerts and studios. The device has 12 analog inputs, including 4 combined ones with Midas Pro microphone preamps and two instrument inputs. Here are four effects engines that provide good sound processing capabilities, and a Wi-Fi router with three modes of operation. The router provides the ability to remotely (wired or wireless) control the mixer through a computer / laptop or mobile device. Specialized free software is provided for all the popular mobile and computer platforms. Other user options of MR12 include the presence of MIDI input and output, as well as a universal integrated power supply, due to which the new product can operate in a wide range of mains voltages (100 – 240 V).
Features: Upgraded preamps with increased common-mode rejection, Cirrus Logic CS4398 output DA-converters, improved design of DA-converter output filters reduced conversion noise, maximum output level up to +21 dBu
Pros: high sound quality, portability, reasonable price
Cons: wireless connectivity issues in some cases
Peavey Unity DR16
Peavey Unity DR16 is a versatile rack-mount wireless mixer for any type of tasks. Silencer preamps provide superior audio quality, which draws attention from the first second. Equalizer Peavey Mid-Morph allows user to customize the mix for any environment. Also worth noting are the grouped mute channels and two assignable feedback amplifiers. Four effects processors and complicated reverberation algorithms allows user to unify the sounding to the full. The mixed network config provides up to ten Ethernet connections and 4 Wi-Fi connections at the moment.
Features: 16 inputs with 8 Silencer preamps, Mid-Morph equalizer for adjusting the sound on each channel in any conditions, 4 effects processors and compicated reverbation algorithms, Ethernet and Wi-Fi connection, Parametric equalizer, 31-band graphic equalizer
Pros: versatility, rack-mountability, reliability
Cons: some software errors
Mackie ProDX4 Cell Phone Controlled Mixer
This wireless mixer works really well when you connect it wirelessly to your phone or tablet. It’s easy to use because the display is very clear. It’s also small compared to other mixers, which makes it stand out. It has lots of settings and it’s good for people performing alone, in small groups, or in big concert halls.
Features: 4 channels, built-in Bluetooth module for remote control, 2 combined balanced XLR + TRS inputs with Wide-Z microphone preamps for connecting microphones, guitars, and keyboards
Pros: exclusive design, small dimensions, high sound quality
Cons: no pre-gain adjustment
Mackie DL1608 Mixer
MACKIE DL1608 Digital Mixer has outstanding audio quality. Here is a control system via the iPad, which breaks all established standards and stereotypes. The sound master can work with the mixer in any conditions with the chance to control the mix in the channels and all the proposed plug-ins and effects, of which there are a lot. That is, the user can control channel presets and check the sound directly from iPad. Available to connect up to ten external devices. The Master Fader application features DAW (Sound Recording Program), even during live mixing. Grow and Glow function is not confused in the mix; it is a kind of guide to work. MACKIE DL1608 wireless mixing tool is a new benchmark and perfect example of the great design of mixing consoles. It has a small case with a visually aesthetic and practical mount for an external device.
Features: 16 Onyx microphone preamps, High-end Cirrus Logic converters, Large selection of powerful touch-sensitive plugins, 31-band graphic equalizer and compressor/limiter outs
Pros: very low noise, compact and practical design, high functionality
Cons: relatively low-quality DSP
Zoom LiveTrak L-20R Digital Mixer
This model is a digital, rack-mounted mixing console for efficient concert performance. It contains a complete set of tools to perform almost any task of a live performance.
This wireless console has 16 microphones/ line-in mono inputs and two stereo inputs, which is enough for scenes of any scale. Two EFX buses are also available, and each channel has its own three-band equalizer, panorama control and compressor.
The user can record two dozens channels, plus a stereo mix to SDcard, with the possibility of further exporting the mix to a DAW program for revision. Six monitoring outs let everyone create their own custom sound.
Special attention deserves a dedicated out for quickly switching between mixes during the work. The Scene Recall function allows everyone to call up to 9 different scenes with sets of settings, which include monitor mixes, equalizer settings, effects, etc.
Features: 20 input channels with XLR or 1/4 “connectors, simultaneous recording of 22 and playback of 20 tracks
Pros: wide range of possibilities in live performance, portability, high sound quality
Cons: inconvenient channel EQ section
Mackie DL16S
Mackie DL16S expands the range of digital mixers Mackie DL and are the next generation devices with modern filling and new features. Attention deserves mostly practical compact case, allowing the user to conveniently transport the mixer. Wi-Fi is also provided here; with which everyone can connect to the mixer in several ways. Mixer control is implemented as in previous models through the application Master Fader, which allows person to connect up to twenty devices at the same time. DL16S has 16 inputs and 8 outputs; it provides headphone output with a hardware volume control. Half of the connectors are XLR and the other is XLR / TRS. For simplicity of connection and switching, all connectors are located on the front of the mixer. There are also power and wireless indicators and a network module.
Features: 16 ins with a four-band parametric equalizer, gate, compression and RTA / spectrogram, USB-connected audio interface for Mac and PC, Support for up to twenty connected devices,
Pros: convenient design and interface, a large number of functions
Cons: microphone channels may periodically disappear during continuous operation
Soundcraft UI24R
The main function of this wireless digital mixer is Connected to PA technology. All devices with this technology, Soundcraft mixers, JBL speakers, AKG microphones, dbx diboxes, are connected to a single network and controlled remotely from the screen of any mobile device. The device itself detects devices on the network. Any musician can conveniently adjust the sound at a concert and save these settings for quick calling. The device has a striking appearance and effectively ordered inputs and outputs (in comparison with previous models of this series). A total of 24 ins are available.
The mixer has 10 inputs on combined XLR / TRS connectors, ten inputs with XLR connectors, a line input on RCA connectors and another digital input associated with playback from a USB drive. 2 inputs have a Hi-Z mode for connecting a guitar. The master output is implemented on the XLR and TRS connectors and has hardware volume controls. In addition, the mixer has two headphone outputs, also with a hardware controller. It is also worth noting the use of two WiFi antennas in the Ui24R mixer for more reliable signal reception.
Features: 22 analog inputs and two digital inputs, 20 Studer mic preamps, built-in 2-band Wi-Fi module, use of up to 10 control devices at the same time
Pros: high-quality signal processing, innovative control tools, high accuracy and a large selection of functions
Cons: inconvenient Ethernet configuration, software difficulties with Mac are possible
Behringer X Air XR18
This 18-channel digital mixer is the flagship of its category. The tool differs from other models in the series by improved switching capabilities and an integrated multi-channel USB-audio interface. The most interesting features of this solution are an integrated Wi-Fi router with 3 operating modes, which allows everyone to work with mixer functions from any device. The proprietary MIDAS preamplifiers used in the mixer are optimized in their properties for coordinated operation with an integrated DSP processor. It allows a person to save global and channel settings to the mixer memory and easily load any of the presets on demand. This feature provides unmatched flexibility. In addition to saving global settings and individual settings for each channel, the mixer provides the ability to save personal modes for processing tools such as compressor, equalizer, reverb, delay, etc.
Features: 18 input channels, 6 assignable output buses, 16 MIDAS microphone preamps, 18 x 18 channels in USB 2.0 stream, 4 stereo FX channels with effects, built-in three-mode Wi-Fi router for mixer control
Pros: high sound quality, many inputs, ease of setup, convenient equalizer
Cons: Wi-Fi delays are possible
Conclusion
Mixers from this category offer unprecedented opportunities for sound engineers and musicians who often work with live performances. All of the listed device models are not without some drawbacks, but a large number of features and the quality of the equipment as a whole eliminates any problems. This means that almost any choice from the list will be comfortable, but it is best to pay attention to small details.
In the realm of sound control, these wireless mixers offer a symphony of features. Despite minor quirks, their versatility and quality make them indispensable for any sound engineer or musician. With a plethora of options, it’s a harmonious choice no matter which you pick.