Easy digital mixer

Randy Gartner

Randy Gartner

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Jan 12, 2011
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I am really looking at one of 2 digital mixers.The Midas Pro1 and The A&H GLD.Out of the 2,which one would be easier to use for someone with very limited experience on digital boards? Any other comments about likes and dislikes of the 2 would also be aprreciated.
 
Re: Easy digital mixer

I haven't used the Pro1 but the GLD is simple to use, though there are a couple of minor quirks as with anything. Anyone who understands the general operation of a mixing console will be fine with it very quickly. It also allows you to create user profiles with or without passwords and set different levels of access for each user.

What will the console be used for any who will use it?

Chris
 
Re: Easy digital mixer

I have never put my fingers on a Pro1 but I like my GLD so much that I just bought a second GLD and I can tell you that they are VERY easy to mix on. Any mix person that has a decent knowledge of mixing on an alalog console can be mixing on the GLD within 5 minutes. It really is an easy console.

The cool thing about it is that unlike other digital consoles, there is no "Processing Rack." The Graphics are already on the busses. You turn them on or off and you are up and running. For the effects, you select an effects send and then just recall the processor that you want for that send. Many of the effects sound really good just by using the factory presets but there is also a "Expert" function on many of them that let's you tweek your setting to perfection.

To mix on it, there are two ways to get want you want. You can push the "Mix" button on one of the busses (L/R, Group, FX Send, etc) and then the channel faders adust the level of that channel to that mix. Or you can press the "Mix" button on the channel and then the Buss faders ajust the level of the channel into that buss. This is really handy for quick, down and dirty monitor mixing with no sound checks.

The layout of the preamp/PEQ controls on the surface is vert intuitive. I really like it except that I with the knobs for the EQ would also have some sort of color reference to the EQ band on the display. When I start sweeping sometimes I lose track of which band is which.

The other really cool thing about the GLD is the way that you assign inputs and outputs to the faders. It is a simple drag and drop. I can totally reconfigure the surface in less than a minute to meet the needs of the mixer person. You can also rename your faders in the scribble strip extremely easily with the touch screen.

I hope this helps, Ryan
 
Re: Easy digital mixer

I've used both, the GLD is easier to use. Patching is one of the weak areas of the iLive/GLD, but once you get all the channels/inputs/faders labeled and patched - it's simple.

The Midas is a better board overall in my opinion, but once you add the digital snake (DL251 rack), it is also reflected in the price. If you happen to be interfacing with Aviom (say, church install), that tips the price even more to GLD.
 
Re: Easy digital mixer

Caleb Dick said:
Patching is one of the weak areas of the iLive/GLD, but once you get all the channels/inputs/faders labeled and patched - it's simple.
Click to expand...

This is what I find fabulous about the GLD is how easy it is to patch anything. Plus you can do it on the fly at anytime. The only thing that is a little slow is assigning the socket to the channel but still very easy and it can be done on the fly also.
 
Re: Easy digital mixer

Randy Gartner said:
I am really looking at one of 2 digital mixers.The Midas Pro1 and The A&H GLD.Out of the 2,which one would be easier to use for someone with very limited experience on digital boards? Any other comments about likes and dislikes of the 2 would also be aprreciated.
Click to expand...

I have an iLive 144 & 80 and a Pro 2, and have had a play with both the GLD and Pro 1. They are not dissimilar to their big bothers. The GLD is good sounding board, probably the easiest and most powerful mixer in its class/price range. The Midas is more complicated but it’s a dream to use once you are familiar with it … and once you have used POP groups it’s hard to useanything else. (Allen & Heath should do something like with the DCA selectbutton)
I agree with Caleb’s comments except on one point, I think the GLD is much easier than Midas to patch.
The GLD will do 40 input channels on the rack + 4 mic and 4 x RCA line inputs on the desk + 8 stereo returns, a total 56 channels to mix + 4 RCA inputs. The Midas will do a total of 48channels. With a DL251 that’s say, 36 on the rack, 4 at the desk + 4 stereo internal returns
 
Re: Easy digital mixer

Randy Gartner said:
The thing I like about the Pro1 is it has I/O's right on the board so I can keep my analogue snake.It also allows me to use outboard EQ's and have my DSP at FOH.
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In that case why buy a digital desk? To me the advantage is no outboard gear and a piece of cat 5 for the multicore. Much quicker and easier to setup, less weight and less truck space. No more patch leads and insert looms …. and earth loops… and both the GLD and Pro1 have great effects and GEQs.
 
Peter Morris said:
In that case why buy a digital desk? To me the advantage is no outboard gear and a piece of cat 5 for the multicore. Much quicker and easier to setup, less weight and less truck space. No more patch leads and insert looms …. and earth loops… and both the GLD and Pro1 have great effects and GEQs.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. Makes no sense to use an analog snake with a digital board. Sometimes an analog split still makes sense, though.

Sent from my DROID RAZR
 
Re: Easy digital mixer

There are two things that need to be considered when looking at consoles.

The FIRST is-how well does the operator TRULY UNDERSTAND HOW TO MIX.

The second is how easy is the digital console to get around on-IF A PERSON KNOWS HOW TO MIX!

If they don't understand the basic idea of signal flow-gain structure-eq and so forth, then some digital boards will be a lot more confusing than others.

One of the problems with digital consoles is that they offer way more flexibility than analog-so there are LOTS MORE opportunities to SCREW UP.

And then they blame the console.

So the term "easy to operate" means different things to different people. To one it means "responsive-flexibility" and to other it means how easy it is to find what you want to do.
 
Re: Easy digital mixer

Silas Pradetto said:
Absolutely. Makes no sense to use an analog snake with a digital board. Sometimes an analog split still makes sense, though.

Sent from my DROID RAZR
Click to expand...

For consoles that have a digital snake as part of the design, I'd agree with that sentiment. But plenty of smaller consoles (and many older consoles) don't have an integrated digital snake. For those, running a multicore still makes quite a bit of sense.
 
Re: Easy digital mixer

Silas Pradetto said:
Absolutely. Makes no sense to use an analog snake with a digital board. Sometimes an analog split still makes sense, though.

Sent from my DROID RAZR
Click to expand...
HOWEVER consider this-and this comes from REAL WORLD experience.

Let's say you have a digital console with a digital snake as part of the "system" in an install. One part of it dies. Well unless there are replacement parts around-the whole event is shot.

But having an analog snake and a digital console-if the console dies-you can grab any 'ol analog (or other digital console that has analog in and out) and get by.

An analog snake only usually dies a channel at a time (unless somebody has large cable cutters-yes that has happened or somebody saws through it slowly with a hacksaw blade-also seen happen), while a digital snake can quickly fail as a single unit.

High tech gear is great-as long as it is working-but when it fails-it tends to fail much more dramatically than older analog gear.

Just something to consider.

When I had my old analog cell phone-I could almost never lost a call-and could still talk with a lot of background noise. you can even hold a conversation when the noise is almost higher than the speech (not easy but it can be done). While digital makes it totally useless when the signal gets low.

Fancier is not always better-just sayin'
 
Re: Easy digital mixer

I think the primary benefit of a digital core is for portable use. Saves rolling up inch think + cables every gig. This isn't an issue for an install - hence why Venue's mix rack is a great option for many venue's as opposed to the whole stage/FOH rack solution with a higher price tag.

However, ground loops and long analogue runs are another benefit.

But to answer your point, in an install it wouldn't be that expensive to run an analogue core as well. Just need to put a bit of planning into working out the changeover plan - being able to store the ends neatly but easily accessible.

andrew
 
Digital snakes save a lot of time/money in an install. Pulling 1-4 wires with Catx terminations is a lot faster than 32++ pairs and all the soldering. If you have 2+ splits as well, much more cost saved.
 
Re: Easy digital mixer

Ivan Beaver said:
HOWEVER consider this-and this comes from REAL WORLD experience.

Let's say you have a digital console with a digital snake as part of the "system" in an install. One part of it dies. Well unless there are replacement parts around-the whole event is shot.

But having an analog snake and a digital console-if the console dies-you can grab any 'ol analog (or other digital console that has analog in and out) and get by.

An analog snake only usually dies a channel at a time (unless somebody has large cable cutters-yes that has happened or somebody saws through it slowly with a hacksaw blade-also seen happen), while a digital snake can quickly fail as a single unit.

High tech gear is great-as long as it is working-but when it fails-it tends to fail much more dramatically than older analog gear.

Just something to consider.

When I had my old analog cell phone-I could almost never lost a call-and could still talk with a lot of background noise. you can even hold a conversation when the noise is almost higher than the speech (not easy but it can be done). While digital makes it totally useless when the signal gets low.

Fancier is not always better-just sayin'
Click to expand...
In the case of the Midas, you just run and patch an extra cat 5. It will operate in n+1 mode. http://www.midasconsoles.com/dl251.php?c=PRO1

In the case of the Pro 2,3,6 & 9 you also get redundant PSUs, and the 3,6 & 9 can be optioned with redundant CPU’s.

Basically, you get what you pay for, and in this case, with the Pro1 and the GLD, you get a lot for your money.
 
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Re: Easy digital mixer

Ivan Beaver said:
HOWEVER consider this-and this comes from REAL WORLD experience.

Let's say you have a digital console with a digital snake as part of the "system" in an install. One part of it dies. Well unless there are replacement parts around-the whole event is shot.

But having an analog snake and a digital console-if the console dies-you can grab any 'ol analog (or other digital console that has analog in and out) and get by.

An analog snake only usually dies a channel at a time (unless somebody has large cable cutters-yes that has happened or somebody saws through it slowly with a hacksaw blade-also seen happen), while a digital snake can quickly fail as a single unit.

High tech gear is great-as long as it is working-but when it fails-it tends to fail much more dramatically than older analog gear.

Just something to consider.

When I had my old analog cell phone-I could almost never lost a call-and could still talk with a lot of background noise. you can even hold a conversation when the noise is almost higher than the speech (not easy but it can be done). While digital makes it totally useless when the signal gets low.

Fancier is not always better-just sayin'
Click to expand...

There is no real excuse for backup planning and redundancy, no matter what console and snake systems are in use. There have been instances where analog snakes have been cut and destroyed, like you mention, what do you do then?

I'm simply saying if someone's designing a digital console, why not make the preamps separate/removable/remoteable? They can always be co-located at FOH or moved wherever.

It may not make sense for ultra-budget designs like the Presonus, where the console lacks many features of more expensive digital consoles (like patching!).
 
Re: Easy digital mixer

Rob Timmerman said:
Yep. And makes it difficult to use anything but the installed console (which may or may not be a bad thing).
Click to expand...

Just about every digital console manufacturer with a digital snake option has a way to run it over Cat5. If you're going to bring an analog board to a digital venue, might as well to plan on bringing the snake too. (I don't know who would tour with a console and no snake!)
 
Re: Easy digital mixer

Silas Pradetto said:
Just about every digital console manufacturer with a digital snake option has a way to run it over Cat5. If you're going to bring an analog board to a digital venue, might as well to plan on bringing the snake too. (I don't know who would tour with a console and no snake!)
Click to expand...

I could see this being a problem for bands carrying in-ear rigs.... I know I plan to bring my 40 ch analog multipin with 50' of extension and breakouts to most of my gigs this year... :(
 
Re: Easy digital mixer

Peter Morris said:
In that case why buy a digital desk? To me the advantage is no outboard gear and a piece of cat 5 for the multicore. Much quicker and easier to setup, less weight and less truck space. No more patch leads and insert looms …. and earth loops… and both the GLD and Pro1 have great effects and GEQs.
Click to expand...

Peter,many reasons for not going with the digital snake at this time.One lower cost,two having instant access to my EQ's ( Ashley Protea 4 channel) and 3 having my DSP at FOH. I still want the digital for many other reasons like gates,reverb 4 band parametric eq's on each channel,recall etc. While the digital snake is lighter and easier to set up tear down,it would also be more prone to damage especially at some of the fairs and car shows where people with motorized wheel chairs or golf carts run over them.I only have 10 ft of ramp and some cones so I can't protect 150 ft of snake.The PRO 1 has the option, that if I go with the digital snake in the future,I could always pull out the copper and get the show back up and running if the CAT 5 is damaged.Can't do that with most other digital consoles.
 


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