As summer is winding down and fall approaches, you know what that means… Christmas is coming! Many church music departments have already begun planning for their Christmas music productions; if you haven’t yet, it’s time to get started. Here is a question to consider: is your mixing console everything you’d like it to be? If the answer is no, there is good news. Several manufacturers have recently released new digital mixers that are both cutting-edge and budget-friendly. I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but it’s true! Here is a brief comparison of three of the hottest new consoles on the market:
 Behringer X32 |
 Line 6 StageScape M20d |
 Mackie DL1608 |
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| Audio Inputs/Preamps | 32 XLR (Midas preamps) + 6 ¼” TRS | 12 XLR + 4 ¼” TRS | 16 XLR (Onyx preamps), 4 are also ¼” TRS |
| Audio Outputs | 16 XLR + 6 ¼” TRS | 6 XLR | 2 XLR + 6 ¼” TRS (Aux) |
| Recording | On-board 32 x 32 channel Firewire/USB interface | 16 channels to USB/SD Card or direct to Mac/PC | via iPad® |
| Built-In DSP/FX | Full processing + virtual FX rack | Dynamics, EQ, FX and feedback suppression | Dynamics, EQ, Reverb, Delay |
| Display | 7″ LCD TFT | 7” Touchscreen | iPad® |
| Remote Control | via iPad® | via iPad® | via iPad® (multiple) |
| Networking | Ethernet (for remote control/setup) plus expansion port for audio interface cards or digital networking bridges | to L6-LINK enabled StageSource speaker systems | No |
| Personal Monitor Mixing | with optional Powerplay P16-M system | No | via iPad® |
| Digital Snake | 48-channel digital snake ready | No | No |
| Size/Weight | 35.4” W x 20.8” D x 7.9” H / 45.4 lbs | 16” W x 13.3” D x 4.7” H / 12.3 lb | 11.5” W x 15.4” D x 3.7” H / 6.9 lb |
| Street Price | $3,000 | $2,500 | $1,000 (iPad® not included) |
If a digital, “all-in-one” type of mixer is what you are looking for I would easily recommend any of the above. The Behringer X32 can be used for larger venues and permanent installations, while the Line 6 StageScape M20 and Mackie DL1608 are much more portable and useful in smaller venues. The Line 6 and Mackie would both be good solutions in a youth room, children’s area, or anywhere that doesn’t require a large mixing desk. With that being said, any of these consoles would be a wonderful way to capture the upcoming events at your church. Go all out with the Behringer X32 and it’s companion personal monitoring and digital snake system, or if that’s too much for your current needs, invest in the Line 6 StageScape M20 or Mackie DL1608 for a smaller space or portable system. With these new consoles and the technology they possess at their price point, the possibilities are endless.
All three of these highly anticipated mixers are now shipping. Contact us if you are interested in seeing a demo, or if you want to learn more about how a digital mixer could benefit your church.
We don’t have a website. We have an old analog system and would like to update to a new digital mixer and add some video monitors. We would like a small integrated system. We could get by easily with 16 inputs (no live band) and would like to be able to control all of it with an iPad. And we don’t want to spend more than $4000. Any suggestions?