DL16S/DL32S commentaries

[WK154]

Since no information was given regarding Beta testing of these products Welcome to the Beta testing program by Mackie. The yet to be posted V5.0 version for Master Fader is then in fact a Beta version just like V1.0 for the DL1608. Since it covers a totally new approach by also dealing with Android it is clearly a  new version of Master Fader. Hopefully Mackie will be on top of fixing the bugs promptly not as in the past. For those of you that have the hardware you might inquire when the Warranty period will start since you only received a partial product..

[Bufalo]

Copied and then removed from the other thread -

I fretted with myself over going with the "better value" from Behringer or the "better product" from Soundcraft, but given my usage model (playing bass and running sound from the stage 10-20 times per year) I didn't want to have to relearn an iOS mixing platform from scratch in the heat of battle so I went with what I knew.   Because of this, I'm both anxious and eager to see how MF5.0 works.   I've also been using a DL1608 for several years now, but have never ever used it with the iPad docked - it's only ever been a stage box.   To now have that functionality in a smaller form factor, with a more rugged build and a built-in power supply makes me quite happy.  No more TRS/XLR adapter cables for my monitors, either!  I'm eager to see how it works as a recording interface, as well - I have a spare laptop that I can load up with Reaper (or they include a license for Tracktion) and do live capture and pre-recorded sound check; I know that users of the rest of the brands have done this for several years, but it's nice to finally have that as well.

[WK154]

That time has come where the rubber meets the road. V5.0 is up on the iStore and the Playstore. Will be interesting to see if you can survive without the Reference guide. Waiting to hear all about it. Don't forget to read the release notes all 3 pages worth 

[Trshot]

You’ll need IOS 11 to run MF5 so some iPads are going to be extinct for use with the app.

[WK154]

You’ll need IOS 11 to run MF5 so some iPads are going to be extinct for use with the app.

Yes more sloppy work on their part in their Marketing literature which states mac OS 10.2 and iOS 10, neither is correct. It should be mac OS V10.13 and iOS V11.

[Wynnd]

I’ve been looking at MF 5 and there’s a lot I like there.   It’s tempting to consider the DL16S.  Probably wait until January as none of my bands are very busy.

[pytchley]

Don't rush it Wynnd, given mackie's track record of major bugs in new software! Remember the white noise.

[Wynnd]

The white noise was about as big an OPPS as a corporation can get.  Glad they fixed it, but I never experienced it.  (Been using my DL1608 since Sept 2013)

[pytchley]

I did, you never forget these things. To be fair and thanks to this forum it wasn't during a gig and there was a workaround. Once a Behringer ultracurve did it to me on the mains at a biggish festival as the band were taking the stage and a couple of years later as we came back into the hall after supper a Soundcraft Spirit did the same. You never forget and never forgive...

[Wynnd]

OUCH!!!!

[WK154]

The white noise was about as big an OPPS as a corporation can get.  Glad they fixed it, but I never experienced it.  (Been using my DL1608 since Sept 2013)

Yes it took about a year for Mackie to be convinced that it was their problem and another year to fix it.  BenO the liaison for this forum back then didn't even have the courtesy to give an explanation. They seriously need some customer service training. My Dl1608 never developed white noise no matter what I threw at it others weren't so lucky. The current DL32R has connection problem but at least they acknowledge it but to date no fix.
http://cacophony.aspinock.com/index.php?topic=1411.msg16918#msg16918

[Wynnd]

From what I know about Programming, and my Wife and I met studying computer science in the 80s, I'm guessing the software went into a badly designed loop that generated sound.  In the 80s, the hardware would have been slow enough to not notice the noise, but hardware keeps getting faster every year.  The software changes probably have more to do with minimizing the interactions with the mixer.  Thereby reducing how much is happening and opening up opportunities to send new instructions.  Result is the mixer does a lot more with no changes in hardware.  I love the improvements.  Good programming practices usually reduce or eliminate problems and when they don't stop it from happening, they do make it easier to fix.

[WK154]

Since not all units behaved the same way it points toward a race condition eventually solved by software. We'll never know  . If there is anything about software it's that it is consistent and repeatable. Hardware on the other hand is influenced by it's surroundings (temp. RF,etc.). Software in some instances can compensate for these problems once found. Case in point Motorola's 6800 had a race condition on one specific instruction when followed by another complex instruction a simple NOP between the two solved the problem.

[Wynnd]

Valid points. Let's hope to never see that ever happen again with anyone's products.  I'd almost prefer to get feedback and as a sound guy, I get extra pissed off when a guitarist generates some feedback and everyone looks at me!

[Wynnd]

Anyone know what Return 1&2 are?  I don’t see an input that applies.  Is this something that will only apply after adding the 1608 and DL16R?