NAMM - report
- Thread starter Jeff Babcock
- Start date
Re: NAMM - report
As much as I have a strong aversion to Behringer, I will say that the X32 has a really compelling feature set for that price.
Quality Control will likely be a big hurdle for them, but if they can sort that out they will sell many of these. I would expect it to be more of a priority for this project as it is essentially their first real foray into something I would consider to be targeted above MI level.
Regardless of Q/C issues, it is so cheap that many could afford to keep a spare 2nd console of this and still cost less than another product with similar feature set.
Here's a demo video from Namm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb07vZmxRK0&feature=player_embedded
Believe me there was an internal struggle about posting a link to one of their products.
Interesting times.
Their Aviom competitor is interesting too.
As much as I have a strong aversion to Behringer, I will say that the X32 has a really compelling feature set for that price.
Quality Control will likely be a big hurdle for them, but if they can sort that out they will sell many of these. I would expect it to be more of a priority for this project as it is essentially their first real foray into something I would consider to be targeted above MI level.
Regardless of Q/C issues, it is so cheap that many could afford to keep a spare 2nd console of this and still cost less than another product with similar feature set.
Here's a demo video from Namm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb07vZmxRK0&feature=player_embedded
Believe me there was an internal struggle about posting a link to one of their products.
Interesting times.
Their Aviom competitor is interesting too.
Re: NAMM - report
Interesting indeed! I'm obviously not really their intended customer, but I wonder why they had to make a 32 channel version? It seems out of reach for most bar bands (too big and even too expensive) but not up to snuff as a brand for most project studio's and smaller SR companies.
I hope it pushes Yamaha to come out with a new console, but I really doubt it. Their product line is still in demand. It might take some sales from the 01v96, but no regional provider thinking about the LS9 (or Si Compact, etc) will buy this instead.
I have two 01v96's that I use regularly and usually when they are inadequate it's because the event 'needs' a better console, not that it needs more FX engines or auxes.
They are presenting it as a game changer, but to use Mackie VLZ as an example, wasn't the 16 channel mixer more of a game changer than the 32 channel version?
Maybe I'm missing something though...
Interesting indeed! I'm obviously not really their intended customer, but I wonder why they had to make a 32 channel version? It seems out of reach for most bar bands (too big and even too expensive) but not up to snuff as a brand for most project studio's and smaller SR companies.
I hope it pushes Yamaha to come out with a new console, but I really doubt it. Their product line is still in demand. It might take some sales from the 01v96, but no regional provider thinking about the LS9 (or Si Compact, etc) will buy this instead.
I have two 01v96's that I use regularly and usually when they are inadequate it's because the event 'needs' a better console, not that it needs more FX engines or auxes.
They are presenting it as a game changer, but to use Mackie VLZ as an example, wasn't the 16 channel mixer more of a game changer than the 32 channel version?
Maybe I'm missing something though...
Re: NAMM - report
I don't think they're aiming it at bands at all.
With that price range, channel count, and the personal monitoring system, they're taking dead aim at churches and smaller (especially high school) theatres. These are places where you DO occasionally need a whole bunch o'channels (musicals and plays and what have you) but are seriously strapped for cash, and have been struggling through with their SR24 or 32 and cheap outboard.
They're going to sell a shit-ton of them.
I don't think they're aiming it at bands at all.
With that price range, channel count, and the personal monitoring system, they're taking dead aim at churches and smaller (especially high school) theatres. These are places where you DO occasionally need a whole bunch o'channels (musicals and plays and what have you) but are seriously strapped for cash, and have been struggling through with their SR24 or 32 and cheap outboard.
They're going to sell a shit-ton of them.
Re: NAMM - report
Agreed the name recognition would not be suitable for a regional provider.... but there's still a large market of people out there capable of affording this while an LS9 might be out of reach. To the uneducated it's much flashier looking than the LS9 and certainly if the feature set really ends up being as advertised then it may steal a few sales away.
A lot has to be proven yet, and I do think that presonus' 16 and 24 channel lineups better suit a lot of users, but I'm thinking they are trying to use this to strengthen their market share outside of the MI world.
In fact, if you were concerned about long term reliability, consider that you could probably buy a new one every year and get a reasonable used price for the old one. If you bought and sold a new one of these every year it might work out to a similar end cost as owning and maintaining an LS9-32, possibly less. Kind of scary, isn't it?
That doesn't mean I'm planning to buy one any time soon, but I certainly am interested to see what happens with this.
Agreed the name recognition would not be suitable for a regional provider.... but there's still a large market of people out there capable of affording this while an LS9 might be out of reach. To the uneducated it's much flashier looking than the LS9 and certainly if the feature set really ends up being as advertised then it may steal a few sales away.
A lot has to be proven yet, and I do think that presonus' 16 and 24 channel lineups better suit a lot of users, but I'm thinking they are trying to use this to strengthen their market share outside of the MI world.
In fact, if you were concerned about long term reliability, consider that you could probably buy a new one every year and get a reasonable used price for the old one. If you bought and sold a new one of these every year it might work out to a similar end cost as owning and maintaining an LS9-32, possibly less. Kind of scary, isn't it?
That doesn't mean I'm planning to buy one any time soon, but I certainly am interested to see what happens with this.
Re: NAMM - report
This should be a real step in to the digital world for quite a lot small and regional companies. Most probably including me.
Also a very nice board for a corporate work. Lots of inputs and outputs.
This should be a real step in to the digital world for quite a lot small and regional companies. Most probably including me.
Also a very nice board for a corporate work. Lots of inputs and outputs.
Re: NAMM - report
Exactly. Churches and Schools are an absolutely enormous market. There are thousands upon thousands of aging Mackie SR boards (and worse!) out there in that world.
Exactly. Churches and Schools are an absolutely enormous market. There are thousands upon thousands of aging Mackie SR boards (and worse!) out there in that world.
Re: NAMM - report
We are actually looking at possible frequency bands for Europe for this product. ''Profitable'' or not, we have already had several requests for it and our EU sales rep has been on our case about it.
Stay tuned! (pun intended)
We are actually looking at possible frequency bands for Europe for this product. ''Profitable'' or not, we have already had several requests for it and our EU sales rep has been on our case about it.
Stay tuned! (pun intended)
Re: NAMM - report
We're considering that, Ales. But for now, of course our system is compatible with Sensaphonics in the way that other IEM systems are. Using this together with the Sensaphonics pack and earbuds works nicely. We decided in the first phase not to include it onboard so that it is ''politically'' neutral to all earbud types.
We're considering that, Ales. But for now, of course our system is compatible with Sensaphonics in the way that other IEM systems are. Using this together with the Sensaphonics pack and earbuds works nicely. We decided in the first phase not to include it onboard so that it is ''politically'' neutral to all earbud types.
Re: NAMM - report
It certainly does, you can see they've done their market research. It's like an LS9-32 and an iLive had a kid. Very cleverly boiled down feature set, a few items that I have been suggesting to other manufacturers. I think they've found the lowest common denominator well.
It certainly does, you can see they've done their market research. It's like an LS9-32 and an iLive had a kid. Very cleverly boiled down feature set, a few items that I have been suggesting to other manufacturers. I think they've found the lowest common denominator well.
Re: NAMM - report
Karl, this is great news, as well as having you on board in this forum.
Karl, this is great news, as well as having you on board in this forum.
Re: NAMM - report
Any indication of the configuration and functionality of the gates?????
Any indication of the configuration and functionality of the gates?????
Re: NAMM - report
Agreed.
There are some things I don't like (let's put the brand name aside for this post...):
- no user layer(s)
- unflexible structure
- only 8 GEQs
But some features caught my eye:
- USB recording of 32 input channels
- metering with gate and compressor indication (of course you only see 16 channels that are selected at the time)
It seems they aimed the feature set and price point wisely.
This could be a strong contender to the 01V96 and to entry level analog desks with basic outboard. So I would call it lowest common dominator when it has a better thermal management than the last digi desk.
Agreed.
There are some things I don't like (let's put the brand name aside for this post...):
- no user layer(s)
- unflexible structure
- only 8 GEQs
But some features caught my eye:
- USB recording of 32 input channels
- metering with gate and compressor indication (of course you only see 16 channels that are selected at the time)
It seems they aimed the feature set and price point wisely.
This could be a strong contender to the 01V96 and to entry level analog desks with basic outboard. So I would call it lowest common dominator when it has a better thermal management than the last digi desk.
Re: NAMM - report
If this board is going to be a success in churches and schools, ease of use is going to be key.
Most of the institutions that have audio staff employed have already bought LS9s or M7s. The places that are going to shopping at this end of the market - and perhaps feel that an SI Compact is too expensive - will likely be relying on volunteers or non-specialist staff to mix. If the UI is obtuse or inconsistent, it will be an uphill struggle to get it accepted in the ''mass market''.
If this board is going to be a success in churches and schools, ease of use is going to be key.
Most of the institutions that have audio staff employed have already bought LS9s or M7s. The places that are going to shopping at this end of the market - and perhaps feel that an SI Compact is too expensive - will likely be relying on volunteers or non-specialist staff to mix. If the UI is obtuse or inconsistent, it will be an uphill struggle to get it accepted in the ''mass market''.
Re: NAMM - report
Karl -- that's a fantastic product.
One feature that might be interesting in something like this is an output on each channel (or at least the first two).
A whole lot of touring acts these days run with computer tracks, and that turns out to be the one common thing all the monitor mixes need. The ability to direct-out the computer track to channels 1&2 of every broadcast unit without breaking out a dozen Y cables or splitters, then feed the individual mixes into 3&4 of each one would be fantastic.
I'm saying this from the performer's perspective too... yes, they can give me a mix during soundcheck, but getting them to fix the ratio between track and myself half-way through a show when everything changes is a pain. Mostly I just give up and deal with it. Being able to do it myself would be fantastic.
...and yeah, the local input for an ambient mic would be a win.
Karl -- that's a fantastic product.
One feature that might be interesting in something like this is an output on each channel (or at least the first two).
A whole lot of touring acts these days run with computer tracks, and that turns out to be the one common thing all the monitor mixes need. The ability to direct-out the computer track to channels 1&2 of every broadcast unit without breaking out a dozen Y cables or splitters, then feed the individual mixes into 3&4 of each one would be fantastic.
I'm saying this from the performer's perspective too... yes, they can give me a mix during soundcheck, but getting them to fix the ratio between track and myself half-way through a show when everything changes is a pain. Mostly I just give up and deal with it. Being able to do it myself would be fantastic.
...and yeah, the local input for an ambient mic would be a win.
Re: NAMM - report
Jim, we thought about a track on one of the mixes, and also click. With the idea that these things will often be fed from a pair of AES/EBU outs on a console, why not route the track feed via one of these sends (half an AES pair)? But I see your point that it would eat up a send for each transmitter just for track, when it could be fed externally instead. One issue we face is that there is no rear panel space left on the transmitter for another output... it's a 1/2 rack unit with four XLRs, a power jack (no wall wart), a USB port and an antenna...
Jim, we thought about a track on one of the mixes, and also click. With the idea that these things will often be fed from a pair of AES/EBU outs on a console, why not route the track feed via one of these sends (half an AES pair)? But I see your point that it would eat up a send for each transmitter just for track, when it could be fed externally instead. One issue we face is that there is no rear panel space left on the transmitter for another output... it's a 1/2 rack unit with four XLRs, a power jack (no wall wart), a USB port and an antenna...
Re: NAMM - report
Posted elsewhere by Behringer a few days ago re the X32 mixer:
"Exciting news. Our new X32 digital mixer is now fully working. We are starting the extensive testing phase that will take a few more months. Many thanks to our friends from MIDAS who have helped us to design this flagship product."
and
"Midas will help us to test the console as they have been part of the development and know best how to test it. However we are more than happy to engage some of you to help us out. Be assured we won't release the.X32 until is is perfect."
While I remain highly skeptical, it is encouraging that MIDAS has indeed had their hands in the development, and they don't seem to be rushing this product to market. That's certainly a change...
Posted elsewhere by Behringer a few days ago re the X32 mixer:
"Exciting news. Our new X32 digital mixer is now fully working. We are starting the extensive testing phase that will take a few more months. Many thanks to our friends from MIDAS who have helped us to design this flagship product."
and
"Midas will help us to test the console as they have been part of the development and know best how to test it. However we are more than happy to engage some of you to help us out. Be assured we won't release the.X32 until is is perfect."
While I remain highly skeptical, it is encouraging that MIDAS has indeed had their hands in the development, and they don't seem to be rushing this product to market. That's certainly a change...
Re: NAMM - report
This also confirms that previous showings were mockups of vaporware.
This also confirms that previous showings were mockups of vaporware.