Console purchasing dillema: X32 vx. M32R

Rafi Singer

Rafi Singer

Freshman
May 17, 2011
62
0
6
Waltham, MA
www.singerproduction.com
Hey all,

I'm in a bit of a conundrum. I'm between purchasing a full-sized X32 or the M32R.

M32R:
Pro's
Smaller footprint
Better faders/knobs
Cosmetic "It looks like it sounds amazing!"
With the purchase of stagebox, can either be 32ch at FOH, or 16 via cat-5 (ignoring the 32ch box.)
Less van pack area.
Cons:
The one show I mixed on it, I found the surface quite jammed. Visually, it wasn't as quick to get around on as the full X32 or the M32. I'm not sure if this is lack of familiarity, or a genuine workflow issue.

X32:
Pros
I know this board already.
Less cluttered control layout.
Quicker navigation useful for festival situations.
No need to buy a stagebox to have additional channels at FOH.
Cons
Perceived "consumer grade" status by some engineers.
Lower build quality.
Larger footprint

For my applications, I do mostly music work, but I can make a lot of things fit in 16 channels. I also end up working solo a lot, so ease of solo setup is another thing to figure in. I have done some GB work as well, where being able to rest the console on your rack is a nice thing. I also do some corporate events where again, a smaller footprint is useful. On the flip side, I do some festival work, where quick FOH/Monitors is a must.

What says you?
 
Re: Console purchasing dillema: X32 vx. M32R

If you know the X32, learning the M32 should take all of 45 seconds or so. The interface and workflow is pretty much identical.

When you are looking at comparisons between units, you mention size a lot. The X32 compact has the same number of inputs as the M32R and would take even less space in your truck. Since they added the ability to mix 16 channels at once, it's nearly the same to mix with that as the full size console. (minus some of the dedicated buttons)

Quality wise, once in the digital realm, you aren't going to notice any difference. If you're using a stage box, the pre-amps built into the mixer are meaningless.

Long term durability hasn't completely been shown yet, but I'd guess that the faders and knobs will last longer on the M32R.

The 'consumer grade' concern on the X32 is easily remedied by a piece of gaff over the offending logo.
 
Re: Console purchasing dillema: X32 vx. M32R

Rafi Singer said:
Saw it. What none of the information makes clear is whether or not you can select the input source for each channel. That's kind of a mandatory for me.
Click to expand...

On the M32 you can assign any XLR input to any channel. Input resources are allocated in blocks of 8 channels but that isn't the same as assigning the source to the strip. The X32 behaves the same.

I suggest you download the X32 Edit software. You can experiment with lots of these configuration "what ifs...."
 
Last edited:
Re: Console purchasing dillema: X32 vx. M32R

I find that the X32 knobs are spaced out too much... they could have tighten them up to have little to have a place to rest your iPad.

I am planning on a M32R & X32-Rack* for my next console. I want a Rolling Rack set-up with "32 input and up to 64 channels of processing". the M32R will be on Monitor duty and the Rack will be on FOH duty. My 16 "money" channels will be on the M32R pre's. *Unless Midas, build one like this.
 
Re: Console purchasing dillema: X32 vx. M32R

I would go with the M32R, but then again, portability is more important to me than more faders. There is also quite a bit of mileage one gets from having that big MIDAS logo on your desk.
 
Re: Console purchasing dillema: X32 vx. M32R

Scott Bolt said:
I would go with the M32R, but then again, portability is more important to me than more faders. There is also quite a bit of mileage one gets from having that big MIDAS logo on your desk.
Click to expand...

Very happy with my M32R, lots of power in a nice, compact package.


Sent from my iPhone
 
Re: Console purchasing dillema: X32 vx. M32R

Not that it would be a deciding factor, but Behringer has just trimmed the price on the standard X32 and the X32 compact significantly.
 
Re: Console purchasing dillema: X32 vx. M32R

I'm in a similar situation, but have decided not to go with the M32 or M32R for now. Just don't see any extra value at this point. Mike is correct, X32 at $2,299 and X32C at $1,799 might narrow your choices.
 
Re: Console purchasing dillema: X32 vx. M32R

At the moment, with the European price of the X32 being the same as the M32R, it's almost a no-brainer. I don't much care for the small screen, but that's the only reservation I've got. I'm happy with the X32, and like the layout, but as I'm mainly doing my stuff with the X32Rack and iPad these days, I'd gladly replace my X32 with a M32R.
 
Top Bottom