TG3K
Fractal Fanatic
I own an XR18 and a Soundcraft ui24. I bought the Soundcraft after being frustrated with the inconsistent XR18 GUIs on different platforms. (Android tablet looks completely different than iPad, for example.) I liked the fact that the Soundcraft had the same web-based GUI on all platforms. You can buy third-party apps for the XR18 that allow you to do all sorts of GUI customization, but the documentation for doing so sucks. (And I'm no Luddite, but as a tech writer writing software manuals and helps files for the past 25+ years, I know bad documentation when I see it.)
Problem is, when I got the Soundcraft, we'd been using the XR18 for a year or two and we had everything pretty much dialed in, despite the funky GUI. My band never gave me enough time to dial in the Soundcraft, so after one nightmare gig, one of the other members in particular has already decided he hates it, and has resisted any of my attempts to try working with it again. So I gave up and we've continued to use the XR18. (Wanna buy a Soundcraft, lol?)
I did like the workflow and layout of the Soundcraft GUI, but the Behringer has lots more routing and effects options. I'm a guitarist, not a soundman, so I'm not using nearly everything the XR18 has to offer, but all in all, I've (we've) been happy with it. Still bummed about the Soundcraft though, since it has some cool features I wish the XR18 had.
Whatever you get, plan on investing in an external router. Don't even try to play a gig without one. Also be aware that outdoor gigs can be problematic, as seeing the screen on a tablet or laptop can be a royal pain in sunlight. For this reason, I'm seriously considering buying an X-Touch control surface for the XR18. (Although a big part of me would rather put that money towards an Axe III.)
Problem is, when I got the Soundcraft, we'd been using the XR18 for a year or two and we had everything pretty much dialed in, despite the funky GUI. My band never gave me enough time to dial in the Soundcraft, so after one nightmare gig, one of the other members in particular has already decided he hates it, and has resisted any of my attempts to try working with it again. So I gave up and we've continued to use the XR18. (Wanna buy a Soundcraft, lol?)
I did like the workflow and layout of the Soundcraft GUI, but the Behringer has lots more routing and effects options. I'm a guitarist, not a soundman, so I'm not using nearly everything the XR18 has to offer, but all in all, I've (we've) been happy with it. Still bummed about the Soundcraft though, since it has some cool features I wish the XR18 had.
Whatever you get, plan on investing in an external router. Don't even try to play a gig without one. Also be aware that outdoor gigs can be problematic, as seeing the screen on a tablet or laptop can be a royal pain in sunlight. For this reason, I'm seriously considering buying an X-Touch control surface for the XR18. (Although a big part of me would rather put that money towards an Axe III.)