i prefer digital mixers because i can save and reload the settings exactly when i play different gigs throughout the week. also there is way more control over EQ per output and many nice things per input (comp, gate, eq, etc). that said, you have to understand that stuff to make use of it, but doesn't hurt to have and learn as you go.
as long as you have an ipad or two and can keep them charged and are ok using them, digital is nice to use. you'll need a wireless router as well.
i've used the x32, xr12 or xr18, touchmix 16, yamaha tf rack and yamaha dm3s over the past few years.
i wrote a lot below, sorry, but i've been researching and trying out mixers for years.
if i had to choose, get the midas air 18. best value for the money a TON of features. better mic pres and the XLRs actually lock on the midas vs the behringer version. just have an ipad dedicated as a hardwire, like i mention below.
lots of great options out there, but the details can make or break some setups.
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touchmix 16 is great because it's so small, but a problem creeping up on them these days is they overheat because they're so small, and capacitors at output stages mushroom and start to fail. my tm16 has the mauin left channel about 6 dB less signal than the right. small part to fix, but no local techs and would cost me about $500 to repair by shipping to QSC. so i may try to fix this on my own one day.
it has built in wi-fi (a little USB chip) which works well within say 30 feet or so. if the wifi/ipad goes down, you can mix from the front panel touchscreen, but it's pretty slow when you really need to fix something fast. still, it's there and i've definitely needed it from time to time.
another feature is it has 2 dedicated stereo outputs (TRS on the top panel, usually for IEM) in addition to the 6 aux and 2 main outs. so more outputs than other similar units.
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behringer xr18 or the midas version is a GREAT value. more effects and EQ bands in the parametric than anything else. only thing with this style is there are NO physical controls. this has bit me from time to time and i do prefer units with controls just in case.
that said, you can hardwire another ipad as a backup, and still have other ipads be wireless. when i use my xr12, i hardwire to the router, just so i always have some sort of control. i can unplug for setup and be wireless, but for the gig, it's hardwired.
loss of connection usually comes down to the router or interference, so it doesn't happen very often, but it can.
i'm actually wanting to get the midas 18 channel as a backup that stays in the car.
as long as you can hardwire, i totally recommend this mixer for most people getting into digital. just get the 18 channel. all XLR combo inputs, 8 outputs... the 16 and 12 version are pretty niche and more channels is always better.
i don't rack it, i just have it as a stagebox and plug everything in. much easier to carry this way.
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the x32 rack is a step up for sure from the air series, but it's bigger and heavier. way more inputs and outputs on board though - 8 XLR + 6 1/4" outputs, and 16 XLR + 6 1/4" inputs. more effects at the same time. but the air series really has a good amount of this stuff.
the setup is a bit old as you need to specifically assign an IP address, but that's typically a one time thing. but the OS does feel "old" compared to the newer mixers.
mine has been rock solid, but after 12 years or so of use, the front panel knobs are starting to fail. i like this one because if the ipad goes down, you can adjust things from the crowded front panel, but it's a lot of menu diving or scrolling to get to the right channels, but again it's there. i usually had the monitor output channels ready to adjust in case of any feed back.
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a benefit of the x32 or xair series is you can use the Mixing Station 3rd party app - you need to buy a license for each of those units, but you can set up you own layouts of the faders, controls, and more. but even the default layouts are really useful, putting only the faders and buses you need during the show. and you can run this off a phone size device. all other apps require a "tablet" to use.
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the yamaha stuff is good too, but cuts some features in others with the price range. only 15 out of 31 bands of the graphics can be used at a time, which kinda makes sense, but is such a weird limitation. less FX at the same time.
but the apps are good and the sound is good. the TF rack has a touch screen that you can mix with if the ipad goes down.
the DM3s just came out this year and it's what i'm bringing out currently. only 16 inputs and 8 outputs physically, so more than a 3 piece with stereo ears each isn't possible. but it has motorized faders, a huge touch screen and is generally easy to use. i've recently preferred having the faders, mute buttons and everything available so i don't have to have the ipad on my mic stand the entire gig in case something comes up.
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for the Evolve 50, they're nice because you don't have to have speaker stands for the tops, but this can also limit placement. but having the sub with it simplifies things a lot.
the "M" versions have more input channels and a basic mixer via Bluetooth and app, which is cool for a minimal setup. FX built in.
a soundguy i frequently work with brings 2 Evolve 50 for mains, and though they sound good, the dispersion of the tops can be great and problematic at the same time.
the tops really spread the sound out nicely, so it's more like an array vs a speaker facing in one direction. but at a recent gig, he had a ton of feedback problems with just a single speech mic. since it's not a beam of sound, the mic picked up the speakers at really odd areas. so that can be an issue, but speaker placement could easily solve it.
