Hi Kevin, I preach all the time that digital boards that save shows/settings are only good to get you "in the ballpark"
It is a complete drag when channel 12 was used last for a sax, and was set around 12 o"clock, then I load a different band, and channel 12's gain is still set to 3 o'clock from a different show.
I provide sound for many different groups many times per month, and it is very frustrating when levels, panning, monitor levels, EQ and everything else is pretty much good to go, but the gains are not even close.
If you have ever used a digital console that "DOES" recall everything including gain settings, the Mackie is very very frustrating, but I knew this when I purchased it. So frustrating that Mackie's new DL32R mixer WILL REMEMBER the gain settings for each saved show/scene. Mackie learned their lesson... although for the price point, the DL1608 would have the gain on an analog potentiometer on the box, NOT adjustable by the app on the iPad.
Never is a show or preset going to be the same from event to event even if identical mics were used and positioned the same as last time. I was never insinuating that....
heck, balance of instruments as well as reverb and delay times change every single song. Recalling a show just gets things "about" ready to go a huge time saver.
Now, on a completely different subject, I wish Mackie would get the jargon correct,
a Show should contain scenes. The DL 1608 does store shows, but inside the shows are snapshots,... the word snapshots should be replaced with scenes.
just my .02