Real World Gear: The Latest In Compact Digital Consoles & Mixers

Mackie Axis (DL32R rack-mount mixer & DC16 surface)
mackie.com

Faders: 17
Mix Inputs: 32
Aux/Group: 14
Matrix: 6
FX: 3 | DCA: 6
Mains: LR
App: Master Fader app for IOS
Screen: DC16 includes color backlit TFT screens; system uses iPads (not included) for additional visual information
Local I/O: 32 XLR mic/line inputs, 14 XLR outputs, stereo AES output
Also: 32 x 32 direct to disk recording and playback; 32 x 32 to Mac and PC; supports up to 20 IOS devices controlling mains or monitors
Expansion Slot: 1
Physical: DL32R – 5.4 x 19 x 17.5 inches, 18 pounds; DC16 – 3.3 x 36.8 x 17.6 inches, 38 pounds (both measurements H x W x D)
Additional Models: DL1608, DL806

Soundcraft Vi1000
soundcraft.com

Faders: 20
Mix Inputs: 96
Aux/Group: 24 mono/stereo
Matrix: 16 mono/stereo
FX: 4
DCA: 16
Mains: LCR
App: VISI IOS
Screen: Vistonics II
Local I/O: 16 XLR I/O, 2 pairs AES/EBU I/O, 2 Dante
Stage Boxes: Mini, Compact, VI Series
Expansion Slots: 2
Also: Automatic mic mixing; FaderGlow; can act as remote for larger consoles
Physical: 13.8 x 31.6 x 33.2 inches (H x W x D), 55 pounds
Additional Models: VI1000, VI2000, VI3000, VI5000, VI7000

SSL Live. L100
solidstatelogic.com

Faders: 12 + 2
Mix Inputs: 96 mix paths (inputs or outputs)
Aux/Group: 96 paths (inputs or outputs)
Matrix: 4 x 32 In/12 Out | FX: 24 | DCA: 12 (VCA)
Mains: Mono, Stereo, LCR, 4.0, 5.1
App: TaCo for IOS or Android
Screen: 17-in multi-gesture
Local I/O: 12 Mic/Line In, 12 XLR Out, 2
Talkback, 3.5 mm In, 2 Headphone Out, 4
AES/EBU I/O, 4 MADI Ports (coax/optical), 1 MADI FX Loop, Dante
Stage Boxes: SB8.8, SBi16, SB 32.24
Also: Remote Tile 12-fader extension, external monitor available stem groups
Expansion Slots: 2
Physical: 27.2 inches wide (height, depth N/A), 115 pounds
Additional Models: L200, L300, L500

Midas M32R
midasconsoles.com

Faders: 25
Mix Inputs: 32
Aux/Group: 25
FX: 8
DCA: 8
Mains: LCR
App: M32-Mix IOS
Screen: 7-in
Local I/O: 32 XLR In, 16 XLR Out, AES/EBU Out, AES 50, UntraNet I/O, 12 TRS I/O, RCA I/O
Stage Boxes: DL16, DL32
Also: 32×32 USB I/O, 500 internal show automation structured cues
Expansion Slots: 1
Physical: 10.1 x 25.1 x 24.1 inches (H x W x D), 55 pounds

Roland Pro AV M5000C
proav.roland.com

Faders: 20
Mix Inputs, Aux Group Matrix: Up to 128 audio paths configurable as mono or 64
stereo
FX: 8
DCA: 24
Mains: L/R, L/R/C and 5.1 surround
App: M-5000 Remote iPad app, M-5000 Remote Control software for Mac and PC
Screen: 12-in color touch screen
Local I/O: 16 XLR mic/line inputs, 8 XLR outputs, 2 stereo AES I/O
Stage Boxes: S-4000S, S-2416, S-1608, S-0818, S-0808
Also: The 128 audio paths are configurable as inputs, outputs, or buses; integrates with Waves SoundGrid and the company’s M-48 personal monitoring system; 16 x 16 USB audio interface for DAW
Expansion Slots: 2
Physical: 13.6 x 29.1 x 28.5 inches (H x W x D), 70 pounds
Additional Models: M300, M200i

Behringer X32 Compact
behringer.com

Faders: 17
Mix Inputs: 40
Aux/Group: 16
Matrix: 6
FX: Virtual FX rack
DCA: 8
Mains: LCR
App: X32 Edit for PC or Mac, X32 Mix for iPad, X32 Q personal monitor mix for iPhone and Android
Screen: 7-in color TFT
Local I/O: 16 XLR inputs, 8 XLR outputs, 6 line in/outputs, AES out
Stage Boxes: S16, S32, SD16 and SD8
Also: P-16 personal monitoring system connectivity; 32 x 32 USB interface; DAW remote control
Expansion Slot: 1, pre-installed X-USB card, optional USB/Firewire, MADI, Dante and ADAT
Physical: 8.5 x 20 x 24.6 inches (H x W x D), 34 pounds
Additional Models: X32, X32 Producer, X32 Rack