To me I think the most exciting idea is using it for a
monitor mix instead of something like Aviom. The 1608 can handle up to 10 iPads all connected to it at the same time. You can give each iPad permission to use some features while locking it out of other features. Giving you the ability to
hand the drummer an iPad and he'll have complete control over the mix in Aux 4, but be locked out of everything else. That's pretty cool.
Thanks for the review! I've read some from other users and it is interetsing to see how the comments vary.
The iPad as a controller with the ability to limit access noted is very nice but since this seems to often be misunderstood, it should be noted that Aviom, HearBack, Roland, Behringer, MyMix,
etc. personal mix systems
address both remote control and the related audio distribution while
current iPad or tablet based personal mixing addresses only the control aspect and not the audio, which then has to be addressed separately. Perhaps not an issue if you are doing personal mixing for floor monitors but likely relevant if you are looking at IEMs.
One complaint I have heard from DL1608 users is that the
aux send pre/post switching only affects the aux signals being before or after the
fader and that all aux sends are always post all of the
channel processing (
gate,
compressor and EQ) so there is no way to get a signal without all of the
channel processing. I hope they change that and allow you to select the aux sends from several points in the signal chain as you do not necessarily want a processed signal for monitors, recording,
etc.
I can also see it being an interesting solution for something like a bar Or maybe a banquet room with a couple of different audio sources to adjust and no technician on duty. Just pass around the iPad with everything locked down except a few limited features.
Having watched people
drop their iPads on the floor or parking lot and having seen people walk off without their iPad or inadvertently take someone else's, an iPad seems susceptible to being lost, damaged,
etc. so I would be wary of handing an iPad that is required for the
mixer to function to people unless I had a backup on
hand and the parties using it agreed to immediately replace the iPad should anything happen to it while in their possession. The
Mackie video with the drugged out hippie may be cool but realistically, would you
hand the iPad required for your
mixer to work to someone like that? And how would you like to be the BE for the next act?
In the scenarios noted I'd also be wary of not having at least a backup wired mixing option, even if that is the
mixer with an iPad locked in it. Something that would still be usable should a wireless controller or the wireless
network develop issues.
I'm looking forward to see if they expand the
line. A 24 or 32
channel version with a few added pro-features could be a really powerful solution at a good price for a lot of venues.
I think the iPad as the only user interface concept gets less
practical with greater
channel counts and added features. And since not everyone may be comfortable mixing with a tablet device I am also hesitant to specify a
mixer that has no physical controls for venues with multiple users.
In general, I see remote iPad mixing as a potentially very beneficial added functionality for mixers but I am not yet sold on iPad based mixers for any applications other than personal use.