Installation Mixers
Aug 20, 2014 8:12 PM, By Bennett Liles
The best thing about installing a house mixer today is that you’re no longer stuck with what you originally bought.
Allen & Heath GLD-80
The best thing about installing a house mixer today is that you’re no longer stuck with what you originally bought. Many of the installation mixers currently available can be upgraded and adapted with options to suit the specific venue, performers, and audiences. When changes are made to the house sound system, the mixer, like an electronic chameleon, can be upgraded in channels and processing to match its surroundings. Our survey ranges from single-space rackmounted models to large desks with touchpanel channel assigning and DSP.
Allen & Heath GLD-112
Based on the popular digital iLive series, the GLD scalable live digital mixing system from Allen & Heath provides 48 input processing channels, 30 configurable buses, and eight stereo FX returns. The line consists of the GLD-80 with 20 fader strips in four layers and the GLD-112 with 28 fader strips in four layers. Each has an analog-style processing control section, a graphical 8.4in. touchscreen, motorized faders, an LCD channel display that can be named and color coded, and a rotary control for direct access to gain, pan, and aux/FX sends. There is also record and playback capability from USB memory sticks.
Alto Professional Live 2404
Alto Professional designed the Live 2404 with 24 channels and four buses, including 18 XLR inputs with dynamic audio (DNA) microphone preamps. Using the USB port, a mix can be recorded directly to PC or Mac, and using the bidirectional port, sound files stored on a computer can be streamed to and played through the Live 2404 console. Inputs 1-8 feature onboard analog compression, and the 18 balanced inputs have switchable phantom power, three-band EQ with sweepable mids, four aux sends per channel, and a nine-band graphic EQ for main or monitor outputs. The main section features LED VU meters and a headphone jack with independent level control, and the operator surface is color coded for easy navigation.
ABP Dynasonics ProDesk-8
The ProDesk-8 line of mixers from ABP Dynasonics provides a very intuitive operator interface with more than enough capacity in subgrouping and auxiliary sends to serve as the house mixer for a fairly large venue. Based on the popular Spectra series consoles, the ProDesk units feature a narrower module pitch and shallower front-to-back dimensions for a more compact solution while offering four stereo line input channels, one channel of which is fitted with USB digital audio inputs. A particularly handy item is the 8-channel mute group system with individual channel mute group active indicators and mute safe switch.
Ashly laid out the MX-508 to be a rackmountable solution with some large console features in a small, eight-input package. Each channel has a variable gain pad and a 20dB pad switch; there is a 48V phantom power switch on the front panel. XLR balanced and TRS inputs also have three-band EQ with sweeping mid frequency, two aux sends (one pre, one post), and insert jacks. MP3 players and smartphones can be connected to a 3.5mm stereo line in jack on the front with a level control to main or aux 1 output. There is also an independent mono out with its own level control. Additional mixers can be linked through the premaster sub-in/out jacks.
Atlas Sound AA400
The Atlas Sound AAPHD mixer amplifier series introduced at InfoComm 2014 features five models designed for use in 70.7V speaker systems. The AAPHD features a unique, patent- pending automatic system test. The Push Here Diagnostic circuitry is designed to check the connected speaker lines for wiring and impedance errors. Additionally, most models incorporate a Remote Input Selection feature, which allows the user to select an input and control the volume level from an optional remote wallplate.
Crest Audio Tactus Digital Mixing System
The all-new Tactus Digital Mixing System from Crest Audio is a customizable touchscreen-operating interface that works with Waves audio processing plug-ins to provide a complete modular mixing platform. It includes the Tactus.FOH (the audio processing core), the Tactus.Stage, a 32-in/16-out remote stage box, and the Tactus.Control, a dedicated hardware control surface. Interconnecting via standard Gigabit Ethernet cabling and an internal Gigabit switch, the system puts all of the audio routing, processing, and mixing tools within easy reach and allows multiple configurations in a range of channel counts to best suit each application.
Crown Audio 1160MA
Among the Crown Audio line of mixer/amps is the 1160MA with four inputs and a power output of 160W. As a solution for single-zone paging, restaurants, and small-office sound systems, the 1160MA can provide 4Ω and 70V/100V output to connect to a wide range of speaker systems. Each input has a detented level control and recessed potentiometers for bass and treble. Each model in the line, which includes the 180MA and 280MA, features a blue power LED on the front panel and a green output signal presence indicator showing levels above 100mV. The green signal presence indicator for each input channel shows signals that exceed –24dBu (line) or –70dBu (mic).
Installation Mixers
Aug 20, 2014 8:12 PM, By Bennett Liles
The best thing about installing a house mixer today is that you’re no longer stuck with what you originally bought.
DiGiCo SD9
The DiGiCo SD9 live digital console with Stealth Digital Processing has the user interface focused on 24 touch-sensitive, motorized faders and a 15in. high-resolution TFT LCD touchscreen with a backlit display. Among the standard DSP features are channel delay, single- and multichannel presets, dual insert points, hi- and lo-pass filters at 24dB/octave, four-band parametric EQ with band curve selection, dual insert points, DiGiCo’s DYN 1 (compressor, de-esser, or assignable multi-channel compressor), and DYN 2 (gate, compressor, or ducker). The master section includes 16 gangable 32-band graphic EQs, eight stereo effects (selectable from a palette of 33), and eight control groups (VCAs).
JBL CSMA series
The CSMA series of mixer amplifiers from JBL—including the CSMA 240, 280, and 2120—are fanless units that fit one rack space and feature illuminated rings around the front-panel volume controls. All are eight-input mixers; while the CSMA 240 puts out 40W from its integrated amp, the CSMA 280 has 80W, and the CSMA 2120 provides 120W power. The Energy Star-certified mixers include Euro-block-style mic/line input and output connectors. They support 70V/100V distributed audio systems. All three models are also compatible with JBL CSR-V in-wall volume controls for remote operation.
Mackie DL1608
Mackie offers a solution to combining ease of operation with mobility of control in its DL series mixers. The DL806 and DL1608 have the ability to be controlled remotely from an iPod, iPad, or iPhone using Mackie’s Master Fader app for iPads and the My Fader app for iPhone or iPod. Each model has four-band EQ + HPF, gate and compression on inputs and four-band PEQ + HPF/LPF, 31-band GEQ, and compressor/limiter and alignment delay on outputs. The PadLock feature locks down iPad for permanent installs, and both models have a locking power connector. Up to 10 wireless devices can be used simultaneously, and the mix can be recorded to the iPad for instant sharing.
Midas Pro9
Consisting of the control surface, a DL371 remote processing engine, and a networked system of up to 11 discrete devices, the Midas Pro9 is compatible with any of the Midas DL series digital I/O units, and there are three card slots on its rear panel, which can house any combination of Midas DL series I/O cards. The system has 88 simultaneous input channels, eight aux returns with four-band parametric EQ, insert points, and 40-bit floating point processing with a 96kHz sample rate. The control surface also provides up to 10 VCA and eight POPulation groups, 29 Midas Pro motorized 100mm faders, and two daylight-viewable 15in. color TFT displays.
Peavey FX2 32
For installations that call for a very familiar and direct operator control surface, Peavey offers the FX2 series with the FX2 32 at the top end. The series features four pre-fader aux buses and two post-fader aux buses along with dual DSP engines that allow multiple simultaneous effects assignable to any channel via aux 5/6. The mixer’s digital output processing section includes Feedback Ferret, dual fiveband parametric EQ or dual 28-band graphic EQs, digital delay lines, and dynamics/limiters. There are dual USB 2.0 ports, and the “A” USB connector allows streaming of digital audio directly to a computer or memory stick.
Installation Mixers
Aug 20, 2014 8:12 PM, By Bennett Liles
The best thing about installing a house mixer today is that you’re no longer stuck with what you originally bought.
Presonus 32.4.2 AI
The new StudioLive AI series mixers from PreSonus build on the original StudioLive features of DSP, surface-driven interface, and layer-less mixing with dedicated mix buses, but the series also has Active Integration (AI), a networked environment that uses a whole suite of actively integrated software. This allows realtime direct wired and Wi-Fi remote control for Mac, Windows, and iOS systems. The mixer can be fitted with an option card for a continuously bidirectional FireWire s800 audio interface, or it can be swapped out for Thunderbolt, Dante, and AVB networking. The mixer’s security features protect against any network or wireless tampering.
Rane SM82S
The Rane SM82S stereo line mixer is a 1RU model with eight rotary knob-controlled inputs, one stereo aux send, and one stereo aux return. There is also stereo input balance control, mono input pan, and a balanced output. All rear-panel connections are 1/4in., and the mixer is expandable using the main expand input and output jacks. A hallmark of the SM82S is its quiet output, even when the input channels are turned up full. Each channel has an independent overload LED indicator, as do the return and output. The whole unit is only 5.35in. deep, enabling it to be mounted in shallow spaces.
Roland Systems M-480
The latest addition to the Roland Systems V-Mixing System is the M-480 48-channel live digital mixing console, the first of the line to enable a second M-480 to be connected via Cat-5e/6 cable for a total of 96 inputs. The M-480, M-300, and M200i all include the SONAR X2 Essential multi-track recording software with its complete DAW feature set. In addition to its main (LCR) outputs, the M-480 also features 16 aux buses, eight matrices, and six stereo returns along with four-band advanced parametric EQ and delays on all inputs and outputs. The console has compressors, gates, and patch points to allow direct routing from preamp to output point without having to use the mix channel.
Samson Technologies L2000
For small- and medium-size venues, Samson Technologies fitted the L2000 console with 16 mono line/mic input channels, each with three-band swept center EQ, two stereo line input channels, three aux sends, and an EFX send. The main outs are available on XLR and 1/4in. There are insert points on the inputs, the group outputs, and on the main stereo outputs. For operation in dimly lit environments, the surface has backlit mute buttons and two large 12-segment LED for the main outs and PFL/solo. The main out also has a nine-band graphic EQ. The L2000 adds USB playback and recording, including a separate mix for the USB output.
Shure SCM820
The new SCM820 8-channel rackmount mixer from Shure uses its IntelliMix technology to handle multiple microphones in broadcast and PA environments. Per-channel direct outputs allow the SCM820 to be used as an insert processor, and separate independent auto-mixes can be routed to the A and B outputs. Aux inputs on the front and back can connect playback sources, while Dante-equipped models enable multichannel audio networking over Ethernet. The mixer also features two channels of Shure’s patented DFR (Digital Feedback Reduction) that can be assigned to input channels or mix outputs, and the feedback filtering can be frozen to avoid further automatic changes.
Installation Mixers
Aug 20, 2014 8:12 PM, By Bennett Liles
The best thing about installing a house mixer today is that you’re no longer stuck with what you originally bought.
Soundcraft Si Expression 3
Soundcraft’s Si Expression series mixers have a model for practically any mixer installation project, from the Si Expression 1 with its 16 recallable mic preamps to the Si Expression 3 and its 32 mic/inputs. Every input channel has dedicated processing for high-pass filter, input delay, gate, compressor, and four-band EQ along with an automation system with four mute groups. The mixers in this line can also integrate with other system components using the ViSi Connect Si series option cards, and the Si Expression 3 can provide up to 66 inputs using assignable fader layers. The Soundcraft FaderGlow is a particularly handy feature that illuminates fader slots with assigned colors.
TOA M-864D
The TOA M-864D digital stereo mixer features eight mono mic/line inputs, seven stereo inputs, six output channels, and a stereo recording output. It puts all of this into a 4RU slot. With the familiar look of a multi-purpose venue analog rack mixer, it includes PC and LAN operation, Automatic Resonance Control (ARC) to filter out problem bands in the acoustic environment, automatic stereo input mute, parametric EQ, and Feedback Supressor (FBS). The M-864D can also be operated remotely using any of TOA’s wall-mounted ZM control panels for volume settings, channel on/off, and preset recalls. Up to five M-864D’s can be LAN interconnected for larger, multi-purpose venues.
Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems QL5
The QL series line of digital mixers from Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems includes the QL1 and QL5, each with 100mm motorized faders, built-in Dante networking, remote control through iPad or computer, and the innovative port-to-port feature that can patch any input port to any output port, so the QL console can function as a remote I/O device for any other QL or CL series console. The QL1 is a 16+2 fader rackmountable board, but for bigger installations, the QL5 offers a 32+2 fader configuration with 64 mono and eight stereo mix channels. Both models accept Yamaha’s Mini-YGDAI expansion cards for a wider range of functions and interfaces.
Yorkville Sound included four 800W amplifiers in its Power-Max PM22-2 mixer, simplifying installation and saving room near the sound operator. This model features 18 mono mic/line balanced channel inputs and two stereo line level channels. The amplifiers can be configured in a number of ways by using the integrated patch bay on the top panel. There is also a stereo nine-band graphic EQ, 2×9-band graphic EQ for monitors, two pre-fader aux sends, three post-fader aux sends, and two 24-bit internal stereo multi-effect processors, making this console a versatile solution in a flexible layout.
More Online
Allen & Heath
Alto Professional
APB Dynasonics
Ashly
Atlas Sound
Crest Audio
Crown Audio
DiGiCo
JBL
Mackie
Midas
Peavey
PreSonus
Rane
Roland Systems
Samson Technologies
Shure
Soundcraft
TOA
Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems
www.yamahacommercialaudiosystems.com
Yorkville Sound
