I've been looking to get one of these for my band for a while. I've watched nearly every review that there is on CZcams, but I'm glad Nick did one too. I didn't realize that it would be able to do sidechained gating like that, which is an amazing feature. Turns it into more than just a great portable mixer and makes it into an instrument too. Just using the alternate outs on my mpc-1000 to send a gate signal for synths could be huge. Thanks for the review, as always. Hopefully I can scrounge up $1200 some time soon.
Great review. Thank you so much. I learned never to let the bass player I was working with anywhere near anything technical. He could handle a Boss tuner, but anything else (including the volume control on his guitar) was beyond his abilities.
Great review of the product very informative. Is it easy to control on an iPad? I think I heard them say it was Midas designed preamps not Midas preamps?
I have a BCR2000 & BCF2000. Currently using a Soundcraft ui12. I like the three usb ports for powering external gear and seems to keep the Surface Pro 3 charged plus Arturua Beatstep Pro powered. Surface runs the mixers web GUI and Nord MicroModular editor, as well as ableton but the mixer lacks audio interface capability and does not have nearly the guts this does. Also loses connectivity to the web GUI quite often (even after latest firmware update) and has a a somewhat tame preamp.
I've been looking for mixers forever and I finally decided on the soundcraft signature 16. It doesn't have any aux returns (I'd have to return to a channel) and counting the channels I realized It's gonna be full the moment it gets here. And I also thought I only have room for 2-3 19" units max, and not enough money to get anything really worthwhile. So I'll get an xr12 and send everything to it. Master out, subgroups, aux sends. I'll use it for fx until I get my 19". Besides, find me a fast way to sidechain or stereo separate anything you want on a mixer without channel inserts (why soundcraft, why...).
On a seperate note, this review was informal. While I love the look and form factor (space saving) this device offers, I will likely be going with a Xenyx q1204 like Soundtestroom uses. Just wish there was more info on the difference between it and the QX1204, as nobody has published anything on this.
Hey, i do have some questions.. Is it easy to connect your XR with a DAW? I'm using Pro Tools... i'd just read an review what was saying it wasnt easy.. And: Are the mic pre amps the same pre amps as in the x32?
Behringer xtouch hardware controller is out now. Behringer prices has dropped so this was a no brainer for € 414,00. Don't want to advertise here just keep you up to date on things.
Thanks for the review But i need to know how to record my tracks with the effects.I record a track on my pc and play it back with the xr18 and the effects are working but when i play it back through my sound card the mix is dry please help me how do i get a wet mix recorded onto my pc
The sound of the preamps is key for me, regardless of the control interface. My only experience of Behringer was a rental unit that sounded so bad I returned it on the same day of the gig and swapped it out for a Soundcraft (this was before Harmon Kardon got hold of it) that sounded great. Unfortunately that experience has stayed with me and l’m very wary of Behringer products - but maybe things have improved.
the software should just be controlling the hardware and (if its well written) shouldn't take much CPU at all.. it would be interesting to test it withouta DAW playing also and see how it compares with just the mixer being controlled..
Love Sonicstate and Nick. I watch whenever I have downtime or when my newborn is laying on me and I can't get in the studio! Quick question: I have a Focusrite 18/6 and I have run out of outputs (I have drum machines, synths, ext fx, mics, and other instruments), and am looking to upgrade. So my question is this- Would this serve as a replacement for my 18/6, what with it being an 18 I/O audio interface, with added extras? I just hate having to unplug stuff, and would like it all plugged in, all the time! Thanks for any responses :-)
PatientRichard yes it could do, but doesnt the Focusrite have the same number of inputs? The X-Air 18 has 18 inputs, and 8 outputs- but this inlcudes monitoring or (L+R) outputs, so I'm not sure it will give you more than you already have.
I have many synths/drum machines-- would you recommend this for a setup where I'd like to sequence and record all of these inputs over the USB in Logic?
Given the number of inputs, it seems like a good option if you don't want to run a big setup involving a patchbay or mixer into a smaller sound card. I've not tried any Behringer interfaces, but this one looks like it could be something good.
I forgot to add, if you don't really care about the iOS functionality, you could always buy a used focusrite scarlett. (I've got a Focusrite Scarlett 6i6, have had nothing but good luck for 2 years) The 18i20 has a ton of inputs, and you can pick it up for relatively cheap second-hand. That said, the price this is going for new, it might work quite well for you.
Kidney05 In other reviews I have seen, everyone says that it records beautifully. Apparently Behringer bought out a company that makes really nice preamps, ADC & DACs, so the sound is really clean and nice. This is the exact purpose that I want to buy it for (though everything else is pretty sweet too!)
Buenas a todos, he creado un grupo publico en el FACEBOOK para que todos nos podamos agregar y compartir nuestra experiencia, dudas o cualquier tema relacionado con esta consola, ya que por lo que veo no hay mucha información de ella en español y para los que no sabemos ingles a veces es un problema resolver algunos temas con esta consola. Espero puedan agregarse y asi poder compartir nuestras experiencias. Saludos....
Can one of these be setup then just run as a turn-key sound system without any control. I'm hoping to use one in a church, but it has to be able to do something useful during weekday masses when there is just a priest's lapel & a lecturn mic, and no 'technical' types at hand.
I guess you could do that, set the levels etc and then dont plug in what you dont want to use, though you will need to be able to mute and set levels I would think, probably cheaper way to do that if you just need a mic or two with a traditional mixer
kassie2k4 You should have seen it when it was first released. They have made leaps and bounds in improving the GUIs, even buying out a third party developer for their Android App. But I really do hope they work out all of these kinks, because it will be a must-have item for many bands.
Do NOT use this in a professional event without hard-wiring it to a dedicated secure router or directly to a computer. When the room fills up with cell phones, the built-in wifi gets interfered and you risk becoming unable to connect at all! Had this happen once in a setting with 300 attendees, will never use the built-in wifi for control again.
Doesn't make a difference. I use one - it's more to do with the 2.4ghz channel being flooded, and the inbuilt router not being able to cope. It essentially gets DDoS attacked by all the phones in the room trying to connect (and failing because they don't have a password). It's much more efficient to either hard-wire, or use a separate wifi router with a 5GHz band to get into clear air.
Eric Martin Smith you have been fortunate; I have only managed success when using an external router. They are so cheap it’s worth the investment for a more solid connection.
To be honest, I don't see the appeal. Just seems like clutter. Maybe somebody to compel me to understand but I don't think I'd ever buy something like this.
I'm 70 and we're going that route! Seen it preform, I can't always get back up to the sound area in time...my I-pad or smart ph will be GREAT to accomplish my ever dreams! Also EACH musician can correct their OWN desired monitoring w/o them all getting p/o'ed at me or EACHOTHER as the plater changes! I give it 10 * stars!!!
Do not tell us about things NOT on this XR18. You jump ALL over the place...USB trim, matching levels, computer return, FX all within at 5:00 MIN! GEEZ! At 7 min you start talking about recording...OH, let's record a tambourine now! STAY ON TOPIC! Geez! I don't what the temperature is in your recording room! PLEASE stop making videos!
Dude, I swear, you do the best reviews! Thank you.
One of the best reviews for this I've come across. Thank you.
Thanks for this Nick - what a LOAD of functionality in a rack! One to watch out for when upgrading my MOTU Ultralite no doubt!
I've been looking to get one of these for my band for a while. I've watched nearly every review that there is on CZcams, but I'm glad Nick did one too. I didn't realize that it would be able to do sidechained gating like that, which is an amazing feature. Turns it into more than just a great portable mixer and makes it into an instrument too. Just using the alternate outs on my mpc-1000 to send a gate signal for synths could be huge.
Thanks for the review, as always. Hopefully I can scrounge up $1200 some time soon.
Great review. Thank you so much. I learned never to let the bass player I was working with anywhere near anything technical. He could handle a Boss tuner, but anything else (including the volume control on his guitar) was beyond his abilities.
Hi, love your videos!! Did you make a BCR2000 template for the XR18 from scratch or can we download it somewhere?
Great review of the product very informative. Is it easy to control on an iPad? I think I heard them say it was Midas designed preamps not Midas preamps?
First time advertisement video was relevant.. Ever! About audio stuff!
Sleepydog lol and than there is me. Every other ad I see on here is for Arturia right now.
in 2023, can you do this test again??? All parts (Reaper, CPU-lineup and probably Behringer firmware) are all updated, how does this hold up nowadays?
I'm getting one eventually
I have a BCR2000 & BCF2000. Currently using a Soundcraft ui12. I like the three usb ports for powering external gear and seems to keep the Surface Pro 3 charged plus Arturua Beatstep Pro powered. Surface runs the mixers web GUI and Nord MicroModular editor, as well as ableton but the mixer lacks audio interface capability and does not have nearly the guts this does. Also loses connectivity to the web GUI quite often (even after latest firmware update) and has a a somewhat tame preamp.
I've been looking for mixers forever and I finally decided on the soundcraft signature 16. It doesn't have any aux returns (I'd have to return to a channel) and counting the channels I realized It's gonna be full the moment it gets here. And I also thought I only have room for 2-3 19" units max, and not enough money to get anything really worthwhile. So I'll get an xr12 and send everything to it. Master out, subgroups, aux sends. I'll use it for fx until I get my 19". Besides, find me a fast way to sidechain or stereo separate anything you want on a mixer without channel inserts (why soundcraft, why...).
On a seperate note, this review was informal. While I love the look and form factor (space saving) this device offers, I will likely be going with a Xenyx q1204 like Soundtestroom uses. Just wish there was more info on the difference between it and the QX1204, as nobody has published anything on this.
Hey, i do have some questions..
Is it easy to connect your XR with a DAW? I'm using Pro Tools... i'd just read an review what was saying it wasnt easy..
And: Are the mic pre amps the same pre amps as in the x32?
Behringer xtouch hardware controller is out now. Behringer prices has dropped so this was a no brainer for € 414,00. Don't want to advertise here just keep you up to date on things.
A master in audio engineering,..not a good tambourine player,..Excellent video, Thank you very much!
Might upgrade my Motu Ultralite Mk2 with this. So many analog inputs for the price. + all the other features.
very useful insight, thank you for this review, very helpful!
Whats the app called for iphone?
Couldn't you monitor through the xr18? Was the flanging of the voice a result of monitoring in Reaper?
I have an iPad 4. Its unupgradable iOS means i can't download the X air edit app from the App store.
Is there a link to an older version? Thanks
That laptop could throttle because it's getting too warm. Known problem with that model.
Mtaalas This is a know problem across all Macbook models. They have awful thermal design choices, which makes them suffer with heat issues.
But they look cool! lol
Isn't this about the same thing as the SM Pro Audio uMix series?
Thanks for the review But i need to know how to record my tracks with the effects.I record a track on my pc and play it back with the xr18 and the effects are working but when i play it back through my sound card the mix is dry please help me how do i get a wet mix recorded onto my pc
If I am correct, EACH channel has a complete channel strip with a gate, compressor, eq, and fx all independent from each other, right?
yep correct. plus four FX slots and an 18x18 USB audio interface
Whats the MIDI device you were using called?
Where can I find those blinking 3.5mm cables?
รีวิวการมิกซ์เสียง xair12 ครับ
When are beginner going to release the X Touch? It's been 18 months since being announced at NAMM 2014
stupidusername38
??
www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/XTouch
you should have slated it for the mac ui. might as well not be on that platform
The sound of the preamps is key for me, regardless of the control interface. My only experience of Behringer was a rental unit that sounded so bad I returned it on the same day of the gig and swapped it out for a Soundcraft (this was before Harmon Kardon got hold of it) that sounded great. Unfortunately that experience has stayed with me and l’m very wary of Behringer products - but maybe things have improved.
the software should just be controlling the hardware and (if its well written) shouldn't take much CPU at all.. it would be interesting to test it withouta DAW playing also and see how it compares with just the mixer being controlled..
the interface is actually 18/16 - their are only 16 returns in build 1.2 and 1.1
(as of build 1.3 that is no longer true - it is now 18/18)
Can you hook up more than 1 iPad, tablet or phone at the same time so different members of the band can control their own monitor mix?
yes, up to 4 devices can be connected via wifi
We have a computer and five phones but you’ll need and external router for that.
How do you connect to reaper
What microphone was that??
Love Sonicstate and Nick. I watch whenever I have downtime or when my newborn is laying on me and I can't get in the studio!
Quick question:
I have a Focusrite 18/6 and I have run out of outputs (I have drum machines, synths, ext fx, mics, and other instruments), and am looking to upgrade.
So my question is this-
Would this serve as a replacement for my 18/6, what with it being an 18 I/O audio interface, with added extras?
I just hate having to unplug stuff, and would like it all plugged in, all the time!
Thanks for any responses :-)
PatientRichard yes it could do, but doesnt the Focusrite have the same number of inputs?
The X-Air 18 has 18 inputs, and 8 outputs- but this inlcudes monitoring or (L+R) outputs, so I'm not sure it will give you more than you already have.
Oh! I thought I heard you say it was 18i 18o!
In that case, no it won't work!
Haha thanks for the reply anyway!
Keep up the great work
:-)
Rich
It is 18 out
Is the software for this licensed software or can it run on multiple different client machines without complication?
+stevey500 It's free. You can run multiple instances at the same time.
Great review! Really thorough. Interesting box. Thanks for the detailed explanation, 100mph! Just the way I like it
I have many synths/drum machines-- would you recommend this for a setup where I'd like to sequence and record all of these inputs over the USB in Logic?
Given the number of inputs, it seems like a good option if you don't want to run a big setup involving a patchbay or mixer into a smaller sound card. I've not tried any Behringer interfaces, but this one looks like it could be something good.
I forgot to add, if you don't really care about the iOS functionality, you could always buy a used focusrite scarlett. (I've got a Focusrite Scarlett 6i6, have had nothing but good luck for 2 years) The 18i20 has a ton of inputs, and you can pick it up for relatively cheap second-hand. That said, the price this is going for new, it might work quite well for you.
Kidney05 In other reviews I have seen, everyone says that it records beautifully. Apparently Behringer bought out a company that makes really nice preamps, ADC & DACs, so the sound is really clean and nice. This is the exact purpose that I want to buy it for (though everything else is pretty sweet too!)
Buenas a todos, he creado un grupo publico en el FACEBOOK para que todos nos podamos agregar y compartir nuestra experiencia, dudas o cualquier tema relacionado con esta consola, ya que por lo que veo no hay mucha información de ella en español y para los que no sabemos ingles a veces es un problema resolver algunos temas con esta consola. Espero puedan agregarse y asi poder compartir nuestras experiencias. Saludos....
Can one of these be setup then just run as a turn-key sound system without any control.
I'm hoping to use one in a church, but it has to be able to do something useful during weekday masses when there is just a priest's lapel & a lecturn mic, and no 'technical' types at hand.
I guess you could do that, set the levels etc and then dont plug in what you dont want to use, though you will need to be able to mute and set levels I would think, probably cheaper way to do that if you just need a mic or two with a traditional mixer
porq todo en ingles aqui en mexico no todos somos bilingues y los subtitulos en ingles como esta eso
My goodness that awful UI performance, so much for Core Animation huh? I wonder if it performs as poorly on the PC?
kassie2k4 You should have seen it when it was first released. They have made leaps and bounds in improving the GUIs, even buying out a third party developer for their Android App. But I really do hope they work out all of these kinks, because it will be a must-have item for many bands.
way better now
Doesn't look like there's a iOS app for iPhone
Like to see a XR-12 working with volcas and BSP review.
Good information, thanks.
Man I cannot get Reaper and the Xr18 ... Wish
I could call someone.
jiggling some keys at 8 half minutes \m/
"Dont know quite why that is"
>>MAC
There's your problem
"Yes but does it thermothrottle?"
I doubt its the Mac, its the way the software was written. Macs are the goto machines for doing music my friend.
Ignorance, there's your problem....
You gotta love the $ to £ ratio back then, thanks Brexit!
its climbing back up... slowly.
Do NOT use this in a professional event without hard-wiring it to a dedicated secure router or directly to a computer. When the room fills up with cell phones, the built-in wifi gets interfered and you risk becoming unable to connect at all! Had this happen once in a setting with 300 attendees, will never use the built-in wifi for control again.
Andin Briwel NOT when you go into the settings and make your connection secure with a password nobody can get in it
Doesn't make a difference. I use one - it's more to do with the 2.4ghz channel being flooded, and the inbuilt router not being able to cope. It essentially gets DDoS attacked by all the phones in the room trying to connect (and failing because they don't have a password). It's much more efficient to either hard-wire, or use a separate wifi router with a 5GHz band to get into clear air.
Hop Pole Studios very interesting, I've done about 10 shows so far and I have not had one issue
Eric Martin Smith you have been fortunate; I have only managed success when using an external router. They are so cheap it’s worth the investment for a more solid connection.
To be honest, I don't see the appeal. Just seems like clutter. Maybe somebody to compel me to understand but I don't think I'd ever buy something like this.
I'm 70 and we're going that route! Seen it preform, I can't always get back up to the sound area in time...my I-pad or smart ph will be GREAT to accomplish my ever dreams! Also EACH musician can correct their OWN desired monitoring w/o them all getting p/o'ed at me or EACHOTHER as the plater changes! I give it 10 * stars!!!
Do not tell us about things NOT on this XR18. You jump ALL over the place...USB trim, matching levels, computer return, FX all within at 5:00 MIN! GEEZ! At 7 min you start talking about recording...OH, let's record a tambourine now! STAY ON TOPIC! Geez! I don't what the temperature is in your recording room! PLEASE stop making videos!
He did a great job. You could always try...I look forward to it.
People always complain, but never provide a solution themselves.