Cacophony Forums
Unofficial Mackie User Forums => DL1608/DL806/DL32R/ProDX Mixers => Topic started by: Cobra Jet on October 25, 2016, 10:24:10 PM
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I have a DL1608 that I have been using as my bands main mixer that replaced a Mackie CFX12. It’s a simple mix with four vocal mics, three instruments, two to four drum mics and two to four monitors depending on the venue. Since I play keyboards, I do most of the configurations and hand the iPad to the singers spouse just to keep an eye on things.
I’ve been using the DL with an iPad 2 for about six months and things have been going well with very few problems including at least two Master Fader and OS upgrades. My first thought is to just leave well enough alone since things are going ok but after reading a few posts about some of the problems with MF 4.5 I may be thinking about upgrading my iPad.
What are some of the pros and cons to upgrading my iPad? The first thing I will need to address is changing to the lighting connector. It looks like I can either use an Apple 30 pin to Lightning adaptor, or a connector that Mackie seems to have.
Thoughts/recommendations?
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I'm still using iPad 2's - why "upgrade" if it's still working fine fine you?
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why "upgrade" if it's still working fine fine you?
Because IMHO, the experience of reduced display lag, improved WiFi connection, iOS 10 compatibility is so much nicer for not just MF Classic, and in particular MF4, but as well for most any other manufacturer`s comparable HUI app.
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I recently purchased an iPad Pro 9.7 inch and it is balistic compared to any of the other iPads I have,
the response time is wonderful, and when I pick up one of the other iPads from one of the musicians, the difference is incredible.
If you can afford one of the ipad Pros with the A9X processor you won't be disappointed. :)
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I'm in a similar situation. I run MF Classic on an old iPad 2.
I want to run the new software and effects, so I'm planning on picking up an iPad Air 2. I will continue to bring my old iPad 2 which will remain docked, and I'll mix remotely on the Air2.
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Highly recommended upgrade, once you,try the air or pro iPads you will wish you did it long ago.
The con is shelling out the bucks, but you will get a lot of other use from it as well. Agree, keep the old one docked for music playback or emergency and the new one to hand off to the spouse. Now you don't need the adaptor either since the old ipad2 matches the 30 pin connector.
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Would there be a conflict using two different iPads one docked and one wireless or would both function?
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As long as their both running the same program ( MF4 or similar) it is no problem. I run my ipad3 docked and and wander the room holding my iPad air2. No issue at all. You can dock your new iPad if you want with the Mackie replacement plate or an adaptor cable.
The downside is you need to keep both updated
Upside is you can have someone running front of house mains and you can still walk over to then mixer and tweak your monitors.
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As long as their both running the same program ( MF4 or similar) it is no problem. I run my ipad3 docked and and wander the room holding my iPad air2. No issue at all. You can dock your new iPad if you want with the Mackie replacement plate or an adaptor cable.
The downside is you need to keep both updated
Upside is you can have someone running front of house mains and you can still walk over to then mixer and tweak your monitors.
So I was just testing that out with my two iPad 2's and it working like you described.
Some questions:
I'm not noticing any lag time with my iPad 2 during my testing. Could that be because I'm only playing music from the docked iPad 2 and have just one signal coming into the mixer from my keyboard? Will I start to notice lag as I add more inputs?
If I do purchase an iPad Air 2 (what I can afford) is there a difference between the CPU of an older one and a new one straight from Apple?
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I believe the iPad Air old and new are the same processors.
As far as the inputs, I really don't know... but there a tone of incredibly smart computer guys here that could answer that. It's very possible that the older iPads just can't process a lot of input as fast as the new ones do and the more inputs you throw at it the worse it gets. Overall the iPad airs and newer pros seem to work really well and the resolution is much better. Plus the better, newer versions of iTunes don't run on the old iOS systems.
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In a lot of apps the iPad2 outperformed the iPad3 with Retina display due to the poor GPU performance. Details here on differences.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPad
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Does anyone know the answer to this question?
I'm not noticing any lag time with my iPad 2 during my testing. Could that be because I'm only playing music from the docked iPad 2 and have just one signal coming into the mixer from my keyboard? Will I start to notice lag as I add more inputs?
Thanks
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I also use an iPad2 with my 1608 and from my experience, there's no diff in the software function if I have only one channel or all 16 running.
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I upgreaded my 30 pin to lightning. Upgraded the tray. Snagged a used 64gig ipad air 2. Upgraded to 4.5.1. Did my first show on the upgraded setup last night 4 pc Bluegrass outfit from Colorado. IPad 2 32 gig was the remote.
There is no comparison between the air 2 and the '2'. The 2 is glitchy and slow. Not worthless. It works but after comparing, there is no way I'll be using the 2 again. Another ipad air 2 in my future...
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Update:
We had a show last week and I decided to test out my wife’s iPad Mini 2. I noticed a decent difference in performance over my current iPad 2. I was not a fan of the smalls form factor but I'm older with bad eyes.
I think I’ve decided to get either an iPad Air 2 or a Pro and use the old iPad in the dock to play music.
Thanks to all that provided advice.
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I use a wide array of iThings... iPad Pro for FOH mix, iPad Air 2 on my mic stand to control my in ears and when I do run sound from the stage sometimes. iPad 2 for my keyboard player, iPad 3 as a backup. Guitarists use iPhone 5 and 6 for their monitor mixes.
There is no comparison between the pro and any other device. Never a glitch, never lag... very large control surface for finite adjustments - turn it to portrait mode and the sliders are bigger than my old consoles!
The iPad Air 2 is second best. Performance is awesome.
Great battery life on both of those even in full brightness on a sunlit day.
The iPad 2 is "okay". It works. It just lags a bit. I could not use it for FOH regularly for fear of it not responding instantly. It runs the latest iOS that can be loaded on it, and NOTHING else. It has been setup for maximum performance. It runs better on my dl1608 than my dl32r.
Ipad3 - meh. This thing has been disappointing. Running brightness up on it severely impacts the battery life. I can barely get a full show if in daylight (I usually run them unlocked and display on for 30 mins before a show, and then we might play two hours, or they might be on upwards of 4 hours.
The 3 also has really sketchy wifi, it will disconnect and have to re sync, sometimes within 30ft line of sight of the AP, the others have zero problems in the same environment.
If you can swing it financially, and want the best experience, get the pro. If not, or if you don't want something so huge, get the iPad Air 2....
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I use an Air 2 and a Mini 2 and both have been very stable. Have a Mini (1) and iPad 2 that still function, but nowhere near as flawlessly as the two newer models.
I use the Mini (1) for playback on the dl1608 sometimes, and the iPad 2 is great for viewing docs like lyric or cue sheets, stage plots, or set lists. I do bring them for musicians to run their own IEM mix if they forgot their iPhone or charger or something.
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There is no comparison between the pro and any other device. Never a glitch, never lag... very large control surface for finite adjustments - turn it to portrait mode and the sliders are bigger than my old consoles!
The iPad Air 2 is second best. Performance is awesome.
OK you've got me. I was planning on getting an Air2 this month. I just looked at iPad Pro's, and they're much lower cost that I thought.
One question, I walk around all night with my old iPad 2 clutched in my left hand. How is the weight of the Pro, and is it relatively easy to hold with one hand?
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I've never really had a weight issue with any of my iPads. My 3 has decent battery life and works fine with MF3, Presonus SL Remote and Soundcraft visit remote. MF 4.5 needs more HP than those other apps and the iPad Air 2 is fine. I just snagged a 64 gig at&t LTE version for $340 in a Craigslist deal. The PDX CL has a bunch of them between $350 and $400. 16 g and wifi is around $200 ...