QSC Touchmix 8 - my experiences after one full gig season

[varmonter]

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

I've had a TM8 for about a year, and the day I bought it, I updated to the latest firmware. Personally I've have had NO problems with mine, but when I first considered buying one, I read quite a few older reviews where a lot of people had problems with them freezing up. I also read though that the latest firmware solved the freezing issues. I'm hoping for the best, but I'm realistic so I always have a back up on hand. And to be clear I only use my Tm8 sporadically as a back up for my Allen&Heath and Schertler rigs as I'm still a die hard analog guy.

We too carry a spare. That in itself says alot. We have the
latest firmware as well as the latest app for the Ipads.
even my mac freezes up once in awhile. So I expect the
TM to do so as well. its the nature of the technology.
The spare board id rather use as a main. And use the TM
as a backup. The rest of the band would rather
compromise the difference in quality for the conveniance
of the digital pleathora of features. Ive given up trying to
convince them otherwise. Ive given up trying to convince
them not to play Wagon Wheel as well.

[Petty1818]

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

I've had a TM8 for about a year, and the day I bought it, I updated to the latest firmware. Personally I've have had NO problems with mine, but when I first considered buying one, I read quite a few older reviews where a lot of people had problems with them freezing up. I also read though that the latest firmware solved the freezing issues. I'm hoping for the best, but I'm realistic so I always have a back up on hand. And to be clear I only use my Tm8 sporadically as a back up for my Allen&Heath and Schertler rigs as I'm still a die hard analog guy.

Yeah, some of the original shipments (a very small amount) had an issue. I do remember this. I haven't heard about it since so QSC fixed it fairly quickly. I don't bring a back up but I did have a show once where another mixer I had (before I got the TM16) went down mid show. I use two K12's and two K10's as monitors. I didn't have much time to think so I ended up plugging the vocals/instruments straight into the K12's and then I used one K10 as a main as well. Worked perfectly since all of our instruments have external floor preamp/DI's.

That's one really nice thing about powered speakers, you have the option to plug in two sources so a mic/guitar for example.

[Petty1818]

Originally Posted by varmonter

Sorry i wasnt bashing your board. The situation
with my friends board is ..we play in a band together
4-6 times a month... ive used this board for almost 2 years
now. I am the bands sound tech. So its not just a few
isolated times. this is our main mixer. Its not rocket science.
Our opinions are a sum of our experiences.
I prefer the sound of the older mackie. I am thinking
its probably the preamps. maybe the digital. And yes
like most computers it needs to be rebooted
every once in a while. Its locked up several times.
The other night the left output quit working. Reboot and
it worked again. the power cord doesnt stay tight .
It has a few issues ..its only two years old and is well
taken care of. I like the fact that it has everything
one could possibly use or need in one pkg.
But being a jack of all things digital its not the master.
The lack of inserts (y cord type inserts) makes me think
qsc thinks highly of what comes with the board.(/sarcasm)
I dont like the submenues to get to these things.
I like the fact i can go out in the audience with
my ipad and mandolin ( wireless) and adjust the sound
from out there. For me ,and ymmv , the technology needs
some more evolution. The sound quality thing could be analog vs digital.




precisely .. And yes my views are what was asked for in the original post.
And are subjective at best. And free.

You should really be contacting QSC if yours is locking up like that. Who knows, maybe you have an original run. I am not trying to be difficult, it's just that the issues you are having, even the left output not working, are not normal. I too wouldn't be happy with that. I couldn't imagine having to reboot at a show.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Akousticplyr

My solution for WiFi was to get an old Apple Airport Express and create a network that the Touchmix connects to along with my iPad. Haven’t had a single drop out issue. And there are great online training videos.

[size=2]HI Ak-plyr

Most people I see using digital mixers (smaller rigs) use a router they carry with them. Otherwise the weak built-in wifi is prone to interferance from other gear in the room.

Behringer has rigs which are very well implemented, as do several other companies, and then all you carry is an interface box (like a digital snake) and mix from the iPad (or even iPhone). A pair of moderately sized/priced speakers and one is good to go with quality sound and ease of use.

It's not necessarily the solution for large venues. They tend to have their own PA systems and techs to run them. But it's great for small gigs.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[Akousticplyr]

I appreciate everyone’s comments. It’s always good having awareness of other folks’ issues, tips and person experiences with their gear. I’ll keep an eye out for them. It never bothers me if someone has some detailed criticism of a brand or piece of gear that I’ve come to respect. It not like I designed the thing personally or am on their board of directors LOL. So I don’t take it personally.

More info across the whole spectrum-good or bad- is always better for us as the end users.

On a side note, now that I’ve got my regular rotation venues dialed in, I don’t even set up the Airport Express WiFi network anymore. Haven’t really needed to as I’m usually close enough to tweak settings as the night goes on.

[varmonter]

Yes and certainly its easier to use the board
and its wheel to make eq adjustments than
it is to try and turn a knob with you finger
on an ipad.,

[Akousticplyr]

Originally Posted by varmonter

Yes and certainly its easier to use the board
and its wheel to make eq adjustments than
it is to try and turn a knob with you finger
on an ipad.,

Oh wow, you should see the app on an iPad Pro 12.9 inch. It’s awesome. And for “digital” knob settings on iPad I usually just tap the parameter I want which highlights yellow, then simply use the up/down arrow value selector on the right of the app window for fine tuning.

[SongwriterFan]

Originally Posted by varmonter

I prefer the sound of the older mackie. I am thinking its probably the preamps. maybe the digital.

Which Mackie is that?

I have the DL1608.

Seems like almost everybody else that has a Wifi router is using the Behringer.

[varmonter]

Originally Posted by SongwriterFan

Which Mackie is that?

I have the DL1608.

Seems like almost everybody else that has a Wifi router is using the Behringer.

Ill go out to the shed and get the exact model
number for you...stay tuned.. i think its something
like vl16vz but cant quite remember. My train of thought
leaves the station without me occasionally..
Its analog...
We dont use a router .. whatever came with the tm16..
..should we?
I mean as long as our ipuds are communicting with
the board right...?

[midwinter]

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

but I'm realistic so I always have a back up on hand.

I can't remember how long I carried a spare mixer for us after we switched to our digital board.

[SongwriterFan]

Originally Posted by varmonter

We dont use a router .. whatever came with the tm16..

You're using a router, it's just built-in to the TM16. So that's fine, as long as it's working.

The Mackie I have doesn't have an internal router, so one has to be supplied externally.

I thought perhaps you were comparing to a Wifi Mackie, but it doesn't sound like you are.

[varmonter]

Originally Posted by SongwriterFan

You're using a router, it's just built-in to the TM16. So that's fine, as long as it's working.

The Mackie I have doesn't have an internal router, so one has to be supplied externally.

I thought perhaps you were comparing to a Wifi Mackie, but it doesn't sound like you are.

No its an older analog board. But it sounds so
much better than the TM. But thats just me being
critical. Im sure our audience could care less.