Behringer X18 Air Rack

I have 2 L1 S towers for my 5pc semi-acoustic group.  The 8TS mixer is great, but if I need to ever add anything on top of the 5 vocals, acoustic guitar and keyboard (which seems to happen often), I have to add an additional mixer.  I also want to have a sound man mix remotely via tablet, and add the bass guitar and electric guitar into the main mix.

I am looking to see if anyone has experience using a Behringer x18 Air Rack in place of the ToneMaster mixer, and if there are any tricks to be aware of?

I couldn't come to terms with the x air but have a QSC Touchmix 8 ehich is far eadier and offers same benefits with up to 4 effects that can be added to channels st the same time and that can be opersted by tablet

I use Mackie DL series mixers with my S1 Pro's without any issue . I route into the 1/4" TSR Balanced inputs and haven't had a problem.

I have used the Behringer XR12 (Smaller version of the XR18) with a pair of L1 Compacts on and off for a few years now. Overall pretty stable and convenient mixing from my android tablet attached to my mic stand and the sound quality is good. I find the x-air mixer software OK, but the layout is a bit confusing (at least for me) at times.

I did have a dropout problem at a larger venue in Seattle, but it was a single occurrence (never did figure out what happend). The dropout (mixer froze at a live performance in front of 150 people) left me a bit nervous about using it again, all you have with the XR12 or XR18 is a tablet or PC as the control surface, if that wireless connection fails your done mixing, not good in a live situation (Note: can use wired CAT5 Ethernet cable option).

That being said, I prefer the Bose T1 mixer layout, reliability, and sound quality over the XR12, the T1 is my go to for solo gigs. I mix from the stage for most events, the wireless WIFI of the XR12 is not a real benefit to me.

If I was to use a FOH sound man for a larger band, or needed more channels, I would probably go with a digital board with a real control surface such as a PreSonus StudioLive, it can also be controlled by remote tablet.

 

 

  I use the Behringer X-Air XR18 on a regular basis as well as the Midas MR18.  Both are great little mixers with lots of power and features.  The only time that I miss a physical control surface is when I have to ride the faders for an event, like a play/musical, etc..   
  I have not had any problems with WiFi connectivity using the built-in WiFi but I also changed the default WiFi channel on it (configurable in the settings page).  If you are concerned about potential WiFi risks, you could use hard wired ethernet cable or buy an inexpensive external WiFi router.  Using an external router would also allow you to lock down which devices could connect to the XR18 by restricting connectivity by MAC address of a WiFi device.  So, even if someone would see your SSID and password, they would be rejected because of the Access Control List on the external WiFi router. I have an external router but have never had to use it at an event.  
  I prefer to use a Mac or a PC to get the full screen control surface interface when running sound for a band as opposed to using a mobile phone or an iPad.  I usually use an HP touch screen laptop and it works well. The XR18 also allows you to connect to a PC/Mac via USB and record all of the channels.  
  The unit comes with rack ears but if you don't have a portable rack, it works just fine sitting on stage like a normal stage snake (it has rubber end covers on it as the default).  Lots of features, great sound and you can't beat the bang for the buck.  18 input channels, 8 output channels, EQ, gate, compressor on every channel, great effects, auto mixing, USB recording, light weight and only $499 for the XR18.  Overall, I really enjoy using the XR18 and MR18 mixers. 
  If recording is your goal (and money & weight are lesser concerns than using an XR18), then get one of the Behringer X32 series of mixers and add the Behringer X-Live or the Klark Teknik DN32-Live card for recording.  Those cards are awesome!  They allow you to record 32 independent channels directly to SD cards and output to a USB connected PC/Mac simultaneously.  The cool thing about the Live cards is that they're great for training people on sound as you can mix the recording in real time on the mixer itself or do virtual sound checks on the system setup/config before the band arrives, etc.  Sorry, got off topic with the last paragraph.  
  There are lots of good digital mixers available today.  Good luck with whatever mixer you choose!

I use the Midas MR18 (basically the same as the Behringer XR18 but with better quality preamps and connectors).
The sound quality is superb as are the effects, eq, dynamics, routing etc.
I use a laptop for backing tracks which is connected direct to the mixer via USB and a 12" iPad to wirelessly control the MR18 (this is backed up by a wired connection to the laptop for emergencies which I have never had to use). Another advantage of this system is that you can have multiple devices to control the same mixer so for example you can have control from onstage as well as off or each musician can control his own mix or montior mix, it's very flexible.
I have to disagree with three comments from previous posts:
1. The sound quality and effects are as good as the Bose with more flexibility.
2. It is absolutely essential to connect wi-fi via an external router and use the 5ghz bandwith to avoid dropouts, feedback from hundreds of users will tell you this. The built-in router is no good for more than rehearsal and if you have used it in a live situation with no problems then you have been extremely lucky.
3. The X-Air or M-Air software interface is no confusing (to me), it's very intuitive and easy to use and customize to your own preferences. There is 3rd party software that features even more flexibility and customization but there is more of a learning curve to set this up.

I use my MR18 onstage while performing solo to control my mix and since setting it up properly with the external router I have never had a problem and it's the best sounding mixer with effects I have used.

I have been working with the XR18 the last week and so far so good although I'm having an issue with using MIDI via Bandhelper to control the snapshots functionality.  

See post here - http://forum.arlomedia.com/ind...hp/topic,2325.0.html

We are a 6 piece band and the lead and backup vocals jump around to 5 band members so I wanted to use this product to better manage the vocals but also get some value from paring back to 2 towers from 3 and then if all this works I can move to IEMs b/c being the drummer the mix is pretty loud for me at the rear of the band.  Plus the ease of recording is really nice, I use a Yamaha DTX900 e-kit.

would be great to hear anyone's experience using the mixer with Bose equipment. 

We have been using two L1 MII with the Behringer XR18 for about 7 months without any issues.  5pc band, 3 female vocals, 2 male vocals, keys, bass, electric guitar, accoustic guitar, no drums (occasional add-on percussionist), and use an iPod for music during pre-show and breaks, and couldn't be happier with it!

System is set to run all inputs at unity level, including the Main L-R sliders.

About 50% of our shows, a friend brings his laptop and mixes the group, otherwise I run it with an Android tablet mounted on my mic stand.

We are pleased with the sound, and the fact that we have eliminated monitors, electric guitarist brings a tiny amp with output into the XR18, and bass player runs direct.

Here's a video, completely unedited, for an example:  https://www.facebook.com/Scotc...t=page_post_reaction

 

Great to hear others having success with the mixer.  We continue to tweak the vocals (EQ, Compression, Reverb) as we're gaining experience with the mixer.  Am thinking to use the snapshot functionality to elevate lead vs backup vocals a little bit.  I've got my in ear monitors setup for the next gig so excited to try them out.