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Compact mixing desks - what are you using?


Al Krow

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Damn you people!!

I'm going to have to buy the CQ-18 i think, if I ever get better and back to gigging!! (slipped disk)

I'm a massive A&H fan and have 3 versions of the Zed-FX (small, Bigger and bigger still)

I would never have thought of putting different FX on different channels, that must be a good reason to buy one!!

 

 

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22 hours ago, Chienmortbb said:

Just an update, the new firmware/software on the Allen and Heath CD range seems to work really well. On their forum, the main requests wt means, for example, my main view now consists of the 4 vocal mics, plus Guitar DCA, Drum DCA, Vocal DCA plus bass.

 

18 hours ago, LLOYDWT said:

That's a massive improvement. I've just bought a CQ12T for a permanent installation, so I'll get to test this out tomorrow with that; but nothing in the books for a few weeks to use my personal CQ20B; this, and the loss of focus, are the only features where, in my opinion, the Midas trumped the A&H; it's so close to being perfect now.

 

8 hours ago, Kickass said:

Thanks for posting this. Just updated my CQ18T and my Ipad. Works great for the 3 piece I often play with: 3 x Vox, Banjo, Guitar, Bass and the first 2 Efx returns on first custom view.

 

So the software update applies to the CQ range as well as the higher end CD range that @Chienmortbb mentioned in his post? That's excellent news!

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Posted (edited)
On 12/06/2024 at 09:07, police squad said:

Damn you people!!

I'm going to have to buy the CQ-18 i think, if I ever get better and back to gigging!! (slipped disk)

I'm a massive A&H fan and have 3 versions of the Zed-FX (small, Bigger and bigger still)

I would never have thought of putting different FX on different channels, that must be a good reason to buy one!!

 

Haha, you and me both!

Just thinking for my 4 piece the smaller CQ-12T should do the trick - it's got 10 XLR inputs (5 of which are combi and also take 1/4") and 6 individually configurable mono outputs plus a headphone output. 

We've been managing ok with our Soundcraft analogue desk with 8 mic or jack inputs plus stereo input for e.g. Spotify playlists during breaks and 2 mono + 1 stereo (can be made into two mono)  + 1 headphone output, but only the 2 mono outputs are individually configurable.

 

It seems to me the key pros are:

 

A&H digital

- much greater ability to tailor and store EQ settings on each channel strip, including FX (global FX applies across all the channels on the Soundcraft);

- individually tailored monitoring for each band member

- ability to multi-track record

 

Soundcraft analogue

- ability to multi-track record

- individual sliders

 

There will be digital desks that allow you to do all of the above which don't break the bank e.g. Zoom Livetrack series - but the Zoom L8 I had proved to be relatively poorly shielded / noisy when used with our Xvive U4 IEMs 

Edited by Al Krow
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1 hour ago, Al Krow said:

 

Haha, you and me both!

Just thinking for my 4 piece the smaller CQ-12T should do the trick - it's got 10 XLR inputs (5 of which are combi and also take 1/4") and 6 individually configurable mono outputs plus a headphone output. 

We've been managing ok with our Soundcraft analogue desk with 8 mic or jack inputs plus stereo input for e.g. Spotify playlists during breaks and 2 mono + 1 stereo (can be made into two mono)  + 1 headphone output, but only the 2 mono outputs are individually configurable.

 

It seems to me the key pros are:

 

A&H digital

- much greater ability to tailor and store EQ settings on each channel strip, including FX (global FX applies across all the channels on the Soundcraft);

- individually tailored monitoring for each band member

 

Soundcraft analogue

- ability to multi-track record

 

There will be digital desks that allow you to do all of the above which don't break the bank e.g. Zoom Livetrack series - but the Zoom L8 I had proved to be relatively poorly shielded / noisy when used with our Xvive U4 IEMs 

I do one gig a year with a band with keys, 3 x guitars, bass guitar, guest acoustic player and three singers

I used a ZedFX 22 which works fine, only I have IEMs.

The CQ20 is smaller, takes up less room.

I might even learn to record the gig etc

and put different FX on different things

 

I just want one!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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55 minutes ago, warwickhunt said:

Just when I think the Zoom L12 is what will do for us... I check out the CQ12.  :/

 

These days it makes sense to get a mixer that can be used with a remote device (IMO). 
I also nearly got an  L12 but felt the XR18 was going to be more of an upgrade for us, especially going forward with IEM’s. 

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5 minutes ago, dave_bass5 said:

These days it makes sense to get a mixer that can be used with a remote device (IMO). 
I also nearly got an  L12 but felt the XR18 was going to be more of an upgrade for us, especially going forward with IEM’s. 

 

I've an inherent distrust of units that rely on wi-fi to operate.  :)  

 

Added to which, the band that this will be used with will effectively want to plug into and leave it to me to sort out and monitor mixes will be set once and forget.  I like the idea that the A&H has auto functions which will set and monitor gain settings and feedback suppression (especially as I'm playing on stage when 'stuff' might need sorting).

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56 minutes ago, warwickhunt said:

 

I've an inherent distrust of units that rely on wi-fi to operate.  :)  

 

Added to which, the band that this will be used with will effectively want to plug into and leave it to me to sort out and monitor mixes will be set once and forget.  I like the idea that the A&H has auto functions which will set and monitor gain settings and feedback suppression (especially as I'm playing on stage when 'stuff' might need sorting).

Point taken about wifi, but you dont have to use that (at least not with the XR18 that i have) 

we are pretty much set and forget, we dont have anyone out front, so i have my iPad on my keyboard just so i can adjust my IEM without moving  away once we start playing. 
It is nice  to be able  to walk around a room when sound checking though. Much easier than having to relay instructions back to the stage. 

Edited by dave_bass5
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47 minutes ago, dave_bass5 said:

Point taken about wifi, but you dont have to use that (at least not with the XR18 that i have) 

we are pretty much set and forget, we dont have anyone out front, so i have my iPad on my keyboard just so i can adjust my IEM without moving  away once we start playing.

 

Mine is ethernet to the controls and wifi to the iPad. I adjust ours on the fly quite a bit but never had an issue in almost 200 gigs with it.

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3 hours ago, warwickhunt said:

Just when I think the Zoom L12 is what will do for us... I check out the CQ12.  :/

 

 

I suspect the CQ12 will be a significantly better machine in terms of the quality of components (and also a lot less noisy with certain wireless IEMs)?

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30 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

 

Mine is ethernet to the controls and wifi to the iPad. I adjust ours on the fly quite a bit but never had an issue in almost 200 gigs with it.

I keep a USB-C to Ethernet adapter handy, just in case. Not needed it in about 20 gigs so far........

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I recently found the receipt for my X-Air XR18 purchase - March 2015 for £625. Mine has never let me down in all that time. I have added a XTouch controller to mine because physical faders are much easier to tweak on the fly whilst playing. Run mine with an Apple AirPort Express and X-Air Edit on Microsoft Surface Go. And yes I know about Mixing Station but I prefer the GUI/Skin of the Behringer apps which just looks more professional to me. Only had one connection issue and that was when the numpty in charge left an air gap between the mixer and router.

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6 minutes ago, Pirellithecat said:

The CQ range looks great - very tempted to replace my Mackie ProFX16 v3 with one!  Anyone know if there's a phone app so that individuals can control there own monitor mix?

Yes, CQ 4U, its excellentimage.thumb.png.e3a3061dad16f9cd0b9275bd8a6d53f8.png

 

image.thumb.png.e3a3061dad16f9cd0b9275bd8a6d53f8.png

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  • 3 months later...
On 12/06/2024 at 09:44, Al Krow said:

 

Haha, you and me both!

Just thinking for my 4 piece the smaller CQ-12T should do the trick - it's got 10 XLR inputs (5 of which are combi and also take 1/4") and 6 individually configurable mono outputs plus a headphone output. 

We've been managing ok with our Soundcraft analogue desk with 8 mic or jack inputs plus stereo input for e.g. Spotify playlists during breaks and 2 mono + 1 stereo (can be made into two mono)  + 1 headphone output, but only the 2 mono outputs are individually configurable.

 

It seems to me the key pros are:

 

A&H digital

- much greater ability to tailor and store EQ settings on each channel strip, including FX (global FX applies across all the channels on the Soundcraft);

- individually tailored monitoring for each band member

- ability to multi-track record

 

Soundcraft analogue

- ability to multi-track record

- individual sliders

 

There will be digital desks that allow you to do all of the above which don't break the bank e.g. Zoom Livetrack series - but the Zoom L8 I had proved to be relatively poorly shielded / noisy when used with our Xvive U4 IEMs 

 

Thought it might be useful to quickly update on a couple of points:

 

Zoom Livetrack with Xvive U4 IEMs

Met up with another bass player who also provides the band PA last week - he uses a Zoom L12 desk. We got the exact same issue when using the headphone monitor outs with my Xvive U4 wireless IEMs i.e. a high pitched whine. HOWEVER when using one of the L/R outs, both individually mono, of the additional monitor output (not available on my L8) there was no whine! Conclusion: because the Xvive U4 are purely mono they don't play nicely with the Livetrack's stereo outputs. Fortunately for us Xvive U4 users most aux out are mono so this should not be an issue with most desks / monitor outs. Interestingly the Zoom L20, which would otherwise be overkill for our needs, has the ability to switch each of its 5 stereo outs from headphone stereo to mono balanced signal which should also deal with the issue. Just wondering whether the same stereo --> balanced mono is available with an adaptor?

 

Unfortunately the L12 L/R outputs only have one mix so that does limit the use a bit.

 

A&H CQ12 - multitrack recording

I think there may have been some discussion elsewhere that the CQ12 didn't offer multitrack recording and we'd need to step up to the CQ18 to have that capability. Turns out that's not correct i.e. multi-track recording is available on the CQ12 too.

Edited by Al Krow
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3 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

HOWEVER when using one of the L/R outs, both individually mono, of the additional monitor output (not available on my L8) there was no whine! Conclusion: because the Xvive U4 are purely mono they don't play nicely with the Livetrack's stereo outputs.

 

How do you come to that conclusion? Seems the least likely reason.

 

3 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

A&H CQ12 - multitrack recording

I think there may have been some discussion elsewhere that the CQ12 didn't offer multitrack recording and we'd need to step up to the CQ18 to have that capability. Turns out that's not correct i.e. multi-track recording is available on the CQ12 too.

 

It says on the specs quite clearly it does. The only thing it is missing from the others is the wireless.

 

the CQ12T - the mixer of the beast!

 

Screenshot 2024-10-12 at 12.07.40.png

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12 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

 

How do you come to that conclusion? Seems the least likely reason.

 

 

It says on the specs quite clearly it does. The only thing it is missing from the others is the wireless.

 

the CQ12T - the mixer of the beast!

 

Screenshot 2024-10-12 at 12.07.40.png

 

Xvive/Zoom Livetrack - really happy to defer to you given your electronic engineering background, which I certainly don't have! Given what we found with the stereo / mono outputs from the Zoom L12, what would your reading of the cause be?

 

A&H CQ18t - ah the lack of built wireless could be an issue down the line. Maybe well worth investing the extra in the CQ18t for that reason alone? 

 

Edited by Al Krow
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48 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

Given what we found with the stereo / mono outputs from the Zoom L12, what would your reading of the cause be?

 

The output impedance and level of a headphone output is very different from an Aux output.

 

48 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

A&H CQ18t - ah the lack of built wireless could be an issue down the line. Maybe well worth investing the extra in the CQ18t for that reason alone? 

 

For me the price difference between the CQ12 and 18 doesn't seem enough. I mean they are too expensive for me (which is a shame, that 18 does look nice, but the x18 is still working fine at every gig) but if I had the money for the 12, I think I would push it up to the 18.

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1 hour ago, Woodinblack said:

 

How do you come to that conclusion? Seems the least likely reason.

 

 

It says on the specs quite clearly it does. The only thing it is missing from the others is the wireless.

 

the CQ12T - the mixer of the beast!

 

Screenshot 2024-10-12 at 12.07.40.png

It looses wireless and two FX busses so you can only use two effects at time. The CQ18 and 20 have 4 FX Busses. 

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1 hour ago, Woodinblack said:

The output impedance and level of a headphone output is very different from an Aux output.

 

 ZoomL20.thumb.png.209d3cb1fab7442e3d09b245a88883f7.png

 

Sure thing. But is that impedance and level adjustment likely to be what Zoom are also delivering when switching from stereo headphone --> balanced mono for monitors on their L20 model?

 

Edited by Al Krow
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54 minutes ago, Chienmortbb said:

It looses wireless and two FX busses so you can only use two effects at time. The CQ18 and 20 have 4 FX Busses. 

 

Yeh, that seems quite a drop off for less than a quarter of the price of the 18.

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54 minutes ago, Chienmortbb said:

It looses wireless and two FX busses so you can only use two effects at time. The CQ18 and 20 have 4 FX Busses. 

 

And you get to choose which channels each of the four FX channels applies to i.e. you can tailor for vox plus 3 additional instruments?

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3 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

 

And you get to choose which channels each of the four FX channels applies to i.e. you can tailor for vox plus 3 additional instruments?

 

4 busses is just that - you put as much of which channels you want on each bus, whether it is one for vox, they aren't exclusive, although they can if you want.

 

5 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

Sure thing. But is that impedance and level adjustment likely to be what Zoom are also delivering when switching from stereo headphone --> balanced mono for monitors on their L20 model?

 

Oh I don't know - I just know that using a stereo headphone output for anything other than headphones is not a great thing.

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