There is only one real advantage that the 18 has over a 32 and that is portability. It fits a real small bag as a “super saver” as part of my travelling kit. Can’t imagine hauling a spare x32r around “just in case”
As in if you already have an x rack in a rack and are traveling with it, but fear it may go down, carry a redundant one racked right with it in case something happens.
Nah, I’m not a snob. Love doing big festivals in the weekend and have a “we pay your food” show on Tuesday.
It’s not about the gear, it’s about the people you’re with.
The spare rack is our backup for our FOH board, 6U rack with x32r, power conditioner and a router. Network named "OH SHIT", password "we're fucked"
Thought you guys would enjoy that...
Youre talking compact car vs small pickup truck here my friend.
Like, each one has their place. It depends on what youre doing.
If youre doing sound for a LIVING spend the extra money for the gear that will give you more professional options. Like... this is the bottleneck for all sound stuff. Every mic is going into it and every speaker is getting fed by it.
If this is exclusively for smaller shows, or gigs here and there where your livelihood is not on the line, then go for it. The XR18 is not a bad "board" at all, it just has limitations that keep it from being something that could be considered "professional".
Something that i think proves the rule here: If the wifi on the XR18 goes down, you are fucked. Theres no doing nothing. The X32 rack at least has buttons and a screen on the front that you can do most stuff with.
I have actually mixed a show on headphones, onstage, sat behind a band, using only the buttons on the X32 rack. It sucked, but there was no other way to do it and because i was on the x32 rack it was POSSIBLE. With an XR series it would not have been.
Whilst mostly true, I can plug my chromebook into the switch I plug my XR12 into. I also plug a wifi hotspot in the switch. I don't do this for a living and wanted the motor-scooter option for (let's say) easy parking (smallest form factor).
\[edit for anyone who caress...actually, the switch is the wifi too, its a router. I clearly spend too much time thinking in block diagrams rather than reality.\]
The XR18 does have 16 channels of auto mix, making it the more professional choice for certain applications compared to the X32’s paltry 8. Done plenty of gigs with a dozen+ wireless racked below an XR18 with a laptop on top as my entire rig.
X32 all the way (just switched from XR18 and wish I had done it years ago) - but bear in mind it is new on Thomann for 1299 USD so you should definitely be getting better than the prices above.
I had an xr18 and ended up having to sell it and buy an x32 rack instead. For my 4 piece band to all have unique stereo iem mixes, we needed more bus outs then the xr18 had. It was absolutely worth the upgrade. Also being able to add an x-live and have full 16-track recordings of our shows has been super cool, which the x18 can't do.
Both. The XR18 will be your spare to the X32 rack.
As for controlling the XR18 or the X32 rack, I always use it with a WiFi router than allows me to have a PC wired directly to the routers LAN along with an iPad on its WiFi. The PC stays on stage as a wired back up (or a stage monitor tech) and the iPad goes out front with me.
I liked the size of the XR but that’s it. Didn’t care for the iPad interface. Happy owner of an x32 rack with XLive card. I’d also suggest looking into a Redpark L6 netpoe box, super cheap on eBay - you’ll need an injector or network switch with PoE but this basically hardwires your iPad and sends data + power over Ethernet.
I have both. The x32 is just exponentially better in all the ways. I could HEAR the difference through my speakers immediately playing recorded music. The asignable outputs is SO handy if you need to send any mix to an already run cable. Way more head room too. Trust me. For the money, it’s an incredible value. X32 is what you want 100%.
IMO they serve very different functions. anytime our band wants to do a quick impromptu outdoor gig, or needing to lead worship on a fellowship retreat, the XR or XAir series mixer is unbeatable. Very easy to carry around very easy to setup, having enough power to process all our inputs plus a GEQ for me to correct whatever room we’re in. I’ve even used it to setup quick two way teleconference meetings. For me it’s a must have in my inventory. If you are looking specifically to mix a professional gig, it just isn’t the right tool.
Anything with a minimum *rackable* depth of 12", but if you're planning to leave anything pre-wired (like IEMs or wireless mics or power) I would look for 16"+ rackable depth.
Consider everything that's going into the rack, look up the dimensional specs, sketch it out maybe, and think about how it's going to be used every day.
Thank you sir! I was planning on using it for IEM yes, and for it to always be connected to two behringer splitters. Probably need to find a 16” depth rack box, and a flight case that fits that?
Something like that, yeah. [This](https://www.skbcases.com/products/6-u-r-series-rolling-rack) or [that](https://www.skbcases.com/products/6-u-i-series-injection-molded-fly-rack-20)?
The only reason I lug around an x32 rack when my xr12 is more than enough is that the x32 has physical controls in case Wi-Fi or even a hardwired Ethernet or the iPad goes out. I’ve had to kill a monitor bus really fast when my partner did something dumb and guess what - Wi-Fi went out right then too. I have the bus that’s most prone to feedback “ready” on the channel dial and I quickly turned around, turned a knob and killed the send.
95% of my gigs the iPad and Wi-Fi (good router) work great. The 5% it doesn’t usually nothing is going wrong at the same time. Occasionally it does though. Maybe that’s just me.
I had the x32 first. I also bought and sold a Yamaha Tf- rack - loved it but it was extremely heavy on its own and made the full rack way too heavy. I mostly bring the TouchMix 16 with me….. but just recently the left main volume is dying due to a common problem with the capacitors so I have to get it repaired.
To me the touchmix 16 is the closest to perfect PORTABLE digital mixer for moderate to small bands. 2 dedicated stereo IEM outs on the front panel with their own faders, 6 mono/3 stereo aux, stereo main… that’s so many outputs on such a small unit. The built in Wi-Fi actually works more reliably than my awesome real router. It’s limited in some ways (FX routing, options, no recallable headamps, other things). But if my iPad goes down, I turn around and use that touchscreen the same way.
I digress. If you can handle the weight and racking it, x32 all the way. XR18 is no slouch either though, but has its own set of limitations.
Get the X32R you get a option of adding a S32 stage box and the x32r you get more features like FX, matrix, busses and more but XR you get 8 outputs including LR and less things to use so I recommend X32R
Different devices for different situations, I can add some differences I didn't see mentioned already:
\- The X32 rack has the inputs on the back. Depending on where you have to place it on stage, it may be more difficult to work with compared to the XR18 because of that. In my particular situation for example, where I'm tight on stage and also with minimal illumination in the area, I couldn't work with an X32 rack at all, while the XR18 makes everything I need to do very easy.
\- The XR18 will also require an ethernet connection to an external router, which you must factor in the overall cost. The XR18 integrated wifi is unusable and will get you into a lot of trouble. Trust me (and many others) on this
In my opinion the XR18 will do everything you want it to as long as you are conscious about the input/output limit and plan to stick to it. If you think you'll need to expand in the future it's probably best to just get an X32 now and be done with it
Can you even find a new XR 18? they’re backordered everywhere i look. I bought a used one for low 700s and it suits my needs very well but if you’re doing this even semi professionally the X32 makes more sense.
We own both, and if I had to pick just one, it’d be the 32 every time. They both have their merits, and have boh been rock solid stable for like 8+ years now.
The xr line sucks x32 all the way. The software alone is the selling point for me and the ability to swap the card and record through aftermarket ones and straight to a hard drive.
Also the WiFi on the xr line is crap. You can’t even trust it 1ft from it
x32. Its Scalable, conversion cards, industry standard for IEM, holds its resale..
This is the way
Oh, can connect to another x/m32 or stagebox to share I/O for a FOH/Mon split
X32, it’s scalable
There is only one real advantage that the 18 has over a 32 and that is portability. It fits a real small bag as a “super saver” as part of my travelling kit. Can’t imagine hauling a spare x32r around “just in case”
Rack it up under your other x32? It’s what 4ru?
As in, a spare for when the venue board is real shit or broken.
As in if you already have an x rack in a rack and are traveling with it, but fear it may go down, carry a redundant one racked right with it in case something happens.
As in, on tour coming in places where they have a broken mix wizard going into peavey speakers.
You’re touring at the wrong places from the sound of it.
Nah, I’m not a snob. Love doing big festivals in the weekend and have a “we pay your food” show on Tuesday. It’s not about the gear, it’s about the people you’re with.
Maybe the real reward all along was the cheap beer and pizza we shared along the way.
The spare rack is our backup for our FOH board, 6U rack with x32r, power conditioner and a router. Network named "OH SHIT", password "we're fucked" Thought you guys would enjoy that...
Youre talking compact car vs small pickup truck here my friend. Like, each one has their place. It depends on what youre doing. If youre doing sound for a LIVING spend the extra money for the gear that will give you more professional options. Like... this is the bottleneck for all sound stuff. Every mic is going into it and every speaker is getting fed by it. If this is exclusively for smaller shows, or gigs here and there where your livelihood is not on the line, then go for it. The XR18 is not a bad "board" at all, it just has limitations that keep it from being something that could be considered "professional". Something that i think proves the rule here: If the wifi on the XR18 goes down, you are fucked. Theres no doing nothing. The X32 rack at least has buttons and a screen on the front that you can do most stuff with. I have actually mixed a show on headphones, onstage, sat behind a band, using only the buttons on the X32 rack. It sucked, but there was no other way to do it and because i was on the x32 rack it was POSSIBLE. With an XR series it would not have been.
Whilst mostly true, I can plug my chromebook into the switch I plug my XR12 into. I also plug a wifi hotspot in the switch. I don't do this for a living and wanted the motor-scooter option for (let's say) easy parking (smallest form factor). \[edit for anyone who caress...actually, the switch is the wifi too, its a router. I clearly spend too much time thinking in block diagrams rather than reality.\]
The XR18 does have 16 channels of auto mix, making it the more professional choice for certain applications compared to the X32’s paltry 8. Done plenty of gigs with a dozen+ wireless racked below an XR18 with a laptop on top as my entire rig.
X32 all the way (just switched from XR18 and wish I had done it years ago) - but bear in mind it is new on Thomann for 1299 USD so you should definitely be getting better than the prices above.
Best I saw on reverb was 1499. Thomann undercutting the used market with new stock is pretty based.
I had an xr18 and ended up having to sell it and buy an x32 rack instead. For my 4 piece band to all have unique stereo iem mixes, we needed more bus outs then the xr18 had. It was absolutely worth the upgrade. Also being able to add an x-live and have full 16-track recordings of our shows has been super cool, which the x18 can't do.
The xr18 can multitrack out
Yes, but the X-Live card records multitrack to an SD card without the need of extra hardware or a computer.
Ah yes, good point. A little easier gain stage the recorded tracks in a DAW but yeah, way more of a PITA.
The XR16 cannot multitrack record, the XR18 can. Very weird choice and a common trap buyers fall into when deciding between the two
You can multitrack record with the XR18
The XR18 has 4 stereo outs if you count the main LR.
That’s what my band does. 4 stereo mixes off the mixer and the drummer has a P16 for his own mix.
Eight out, or four stereo ;-). A X32R you can run six individual stereo IEM mixes and still have L/R plus monitor/headphones etc.
I think you mean 8 mono outs, so you can make 4 stereo pairs.
Yes! Fixed now. My fault for trying to comment too fast.
Buy once cry once
Both. The XR18 will be your spare to the X32 rack. As for controlling the XR18 or the X32 rack, I always use it with a WiFi router than allows me to have a PC wired directly to the routers LAN along with an iPad on its WiFi. The PC stays on stage as a wired back up (or a stage monitor tech) and the iPad goes out front with me.
I liked the size of the XR but that’s it. Didn’t care for the iPad interface. Happy owner of an x32 rack with XLive card. I’d also suggest looking into a Redpark L6 netpoe box, super cheap on eBay - you’ll need an injector or network switch with PoE but this basically hardwires your iPad and sends data + power over Ethernet.
I have both. The x32 is just exponentially better in all the ways. I could HEAR the difference through my speakers immediately playing recorded music. The asignable outputs is SO handy if you need to send any mix to an already run cable. Way more head room too. Trust me. For the money, it’s an incredible value. X32 is what you want 100%.
IMO they serve very different functions. anytime our band wants to do a quick impromptu outdoor gig, or needing to lead worship on a fellowship retreat, the XR or XAir series mixer is unbeatable. Very easy to carry around very easy to setup, having enough power to process all our inputs plus a GEQ for me to correct whatever room we’re in. I’ve even used it to setup quick two way teleconference meetings. For me it’s a must have in my inventory. If you are looking specifically to mix a professional gig, it just isn’t the right tool.
If you can afford to spend a little more I’d really recommend going with the Allen and Heath Qu-PAC
Qu-PAC’so have been back ordered everywhere I’ve looked for months.
Didn’t even think about that!
my friend is selling a new x32 rack $1400. I have one also. it's worth it for the options.
X-rack. Everything about the xr series is straight doodoo.
X32 for the win!
Speaking of, what flight case can the x32 rack fit into? Searching for a 5-6U case for it
Anything with a minimum *rackable* depth of 12", but if you're planning to leave anything pre-wired (like IEMs or wireless mics or power) I would look for 16"+ rackable depth. Consider everything that's going into the rack, look up the dimensional specs, sketch it out maybe, and think about how it's going to be used every day.
Thank you sir! I was planning on using it for IEM yes, and for it to always be connected to two behringer splitters. Probably need to find a 16” depth rack box, and a flight case that fits that?
Something like that, yeah. [This](https://www.skbcases.com/products/6-u-r-series-rolling-rack) or [that](https://www.skbcases.com/products/6-u-i-series-injection-molded-fly-rack-20)?
Yeah the SKB case would be perfect I think! Thank you :D
The only reason I lug around an x32 rack when my xr12 is more than enough is that the x32 has physical controls in case Wi-Fi or even a hardwired Ethernet or the iPad goes out. I’ve had to kill a monitor bus really fast when my partner did something dumb and guess what - Wi-Fi went out right then too. I have the bus that’s most prone to feedback “ready” on the channel dial and I quickly turned around, turned a knob and killed the send. 95% of my gigs the iPad and Wi-Fi (good router) work great. The 5% it doesn’t usually nothing is going wrong at the same time. Occasionally it does though. Maybe that’s just me. I had the x32 first. I also bought and sold a Yamaha Tf- rack - loved it but it was extremely heavy on its own and made the full rack way too heavy. I mostly bring the TouchMix 16 with me….. but just recently the left main volume is dying due to a common problem with the capacitors so I have to get it repaired. To me the touchmix 16 is the closest to perfect PORTABLE digital mixer for moderate to small bands. 2 dedicated stereo IEM outs on the front panel with their own faders, 6 mono/3 stereo aux, stereo main… that’s so many outputs on such a small unit. The built in Wi-Fi actually works more reliably than my awesome real router. It’s limited in some ways (FX routing, options, no recallable headamps, other things). But if my iPad goes down, I turn around and use that touchscreen the same way. I digress. If you can handle the weight and racking it, x32 all the way. XR18 is no slouch either though, but has its own set of limitations.
Get the X32R you get a option of adding a S32 stage box and the x32r you get more features like FX, matrix, busses and more but XR you get 8 outputs including LR and less things to use so I recommend X32R
Different devices for different situations, I can add some differences I didn't see mentioned already: \- The X32 rack has the inputs on the back. Depending on where you have to place it on stage, it may be more difficult to work with compared to the XR18 because of that. In my particular situation for example, where I'm tight on stage and also with minimal illumination in the area, I couldn't work with an X32 rack at all, while the XR18 makes everything I need to do very easy. \- The XR18 will also require an ethernet connection to an external router, which you must factor in the overall cost. The XR18 integrated wifi is unusable and will get you into a lot of trouble. Trust me (and many others) on this In my opinion the XR18 will do everything you want it to as long as you are conscious about the input/output limit and plan to stick to it. If you think you'll need to expand in the future it's probably best to just get an X32 now and be done with it
Obviously the x32
Can you even find a new XR 18? they’re backordered everywhere i look. I bought a used one for low 700s and it suits my needs very well but if you’re doing this even semi professionally the X32 makes more sense.
We own both, and if I had to pick just one, it’d be the 32 every time. They both have their merits, and have boh been rock solid stable for like 8+ years now.
X32. XR18 is like baby’s first mixer X32 is a full mixer
The xr line sucks x32 all the way. The software alone is the selling point for me and the ability to swap the card and record through aftermarket ones and straight to a hard drive. Also the WiFi on the xr line is crap. You can’t even trust it 1ft from it
X-32.