NAMM News 2012: Mackie and Line 6 head into mobile mixing with iPad

As NAMM load up on Red Bull and power through the second day of their Anaheim expo, Apple's iPad takes centre stage, with Mackie and Line 6 both announcing new mixers that run on the device.

DL1608 vs. StageScape M20d

Mackie and Line 6 have both released mixers which use iPads as controllers. Mackie's DL1608(which was released with the most bizarre product video I have ever seen) boasts 8 balanced outputs, 16 Onyx mic preamps and 24-bit Cirrus Logic AD/DA converters. It lets you control your mix from anywhere with WiFi, and can handle input from up to ten different iPad controllers. It even comes pre-loaded with plug-ins to handle things like EQ, reverb, delay and compression, so you don't need much in the way of outboard gear to get everything sounding great. The most intriguing part of the package, however, is the Master Fader app, which brings DAW functionality like the ability to record stereo tracks, create channel presets and even take mix snapshots to a live environment.

"What I like about the Mackie model is that if forces you to work in a mobile way far more than the Line 6 one does," says Rob Holsman, one of our audio team. "You can plug everything into the box, set the gain levels and then just hide it on stage somewhere, so you've got no long cables runs."

Line 6's StageScape M20d doesn't require an iPad to work, like the DL1608 does - it's a self-contained box that allows you to use multiple iPads as controllers (though they're a bit vague on how many). It gives you the option of assigning different functionality to each, so band members can adjust their own monitor mixes while you record the whole performance.

Like the DL1601, it promises control of EQ, compression and effects on each of its 16 channels. It processes everything in 32-bit floating point and records in 24-bit WAV format to pretty much any storage device you care to connect to. It's also got a vast library of DSP presets and can connect to any L6 LINK-enabled speakers you have.

However, Rob's favourite feature is the interface, which has taken its cues from the GarageBand school of design and lets you take control of an instrument on stage by tapping a picture of it on the virtual stage on your iPad screen. "Anything that makes live mixing quicker and easier is great," he says, "and working like this is much less confusing than having multiple people trying to read each other's desk notes mid-performance."

Sonnox to develop for UA's Apollo

In other news, plug-in giants Sonnox have been named as a direct development partner for Universal Audio's UAD platform - another nice incentive for anyone who's thinking of buying an Apollo. No word on when they'll arrive, but the Apollo itself will drop some time this quarter, with its Thunderbolt Option Card following in Q2.

For more on the Apollo, the DL16087 or the StageScape, give us a call on 03332 409 306 or drop an email to audio@Jigsaw24.com

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