Re: Suitable "B" rig gear
Mark -
With an iLive mixrack, you can do everything you need with the mixrack, router & a laptop & iPad, no surface necessary. You'll need the laptop to access all of the necessary setup parameters/controls, but can do the mixing on either the laptop or iPad, or both simultaneously. Of the last dozen or so shows I've done, all but 2 were mixed on the iPad, (though the surface was available at sidestage...), - much better than the laptop - multitouch and easier to navigate.
The idr mixracks are available (inputs-outputs) in 16/8, 32/16, 48/24 & 64/32 configs, though they all process 64/32 internally, 8 stereo fx, plus all the goodies you need. Worth looking at.
-TimTyler
Huge +1 Tim. I haven't found another console that can do what the iLive does, especially when you figure in all of the Dante and Ethersound capabilities with multiple mixracks and multiple surfaces.
Along the lines of the OP, I understand the desire to save the best gear for the higher quality shows. However, creating a "B" rig feels to me like "I'm intentionally creating a lesser quality system for you, because I don't feel that you're worth the better stuff". As a customer, that wouldn't sit well with me.
If the only difference between your A and B rigs is size, that's fine. I'm a firm believer in everything being the highest quality possible, whether it's my A rig or my Z rig.
In fact, if the B rig is going to be lesser quality, it might actually be worse in the long run. Typical B rig events might include more abuse than cleaner A rig events, and if the B rig gear is lower quality, it actually might hold up to the demands of the tougher gig much worse than the higher quality gear would.
Example: I recently provided production for a private party featuring Mickey Avalon. I knew this was going to be a crazy party and that rappers always want it insanely loud. I provided high quality gear, but not an insane amount of it. I was not running the show, but I have pictures and reports of the event, which includes solid clip on every piece of gear upstream of the amps, and noise complaints from 5 miles away. Additionally, with the presence of the Budweiser trailer and seemingly endless beer, everything was covered with beer mud. Yes, mud, not made with water, but with beer.
Had the gear been any less quality with any worse limiters, the whole rig would be in the recone shop right now. But due to the quality, even at an abusive gig, it all survived fine and just needed a little cleaning.
I hope my ramblings have made some sense :lol:
