Hi PJ,
This is exactly the setup that I have recently put together for my band. I have used the Studio Live boards (tried 3 different models) and also used the Yamaha LS9-16 extensively with my previous touring band. I also used the Mackie DL1680 for a while and I like it a lot but it's less full featured than the X32 and doesn't have enough Aux outs for Stereo IEM's for every band member. I like the StudioLive's, Mackie and the LS9 but when the X32 was launched I sold everything else and bought the X32 immediately. I love it.
I started wight the original X32 (the big one). It's awesome if you have enough room for it (we use the board for IEM's and for mixing front of house from stage at smaller venues). While I love the features and flexibility it was a bit large for some of the stages we play. I purchased the X32 Rack as soon as it was released and for my use it's the perfect solution. I'm considering selling the original X32 since I don't know that I'll ever really need it again now that I have the X32 Rack...but it's just such a cool piece of gear that I'm very hesitant to part with it.
I think the X32 sounds great. To me it sounds better than the StudioLive and as good as the LS9. There is a bit of a learning curve but there are lots of videos and a great user community. It's so powerful and flexible that it just takes a bit to wrap your head around what it can do and how to do what you want. But don't worry...it's no more complex than an Axe-Fx, so if you can wrap your head around that, I'm sure the X32 is no problem.
The iPad apps are great. There's one iPad app "X32 Mix" for controlling everything about the board. There's a 2nd iPad/iphone/iPod Touch app that is specifically for controlling monitor mixes for each band member. This allows them to make changes only to their own mix without affecting everyone else. Everyone in our band uses IEM's and each have an iPad or iPad mini for controlling their mix. Each member has a Stereo IEM mix. When I joined this band they were all sharing 2 floor monitors and having trouble hearing them. My touring band had split up and I had decided to stop touring and just play with a good friend's cover band. So I brought my experience using IEM's to them. They're loving the new setup ... although it did take a little time for them to get used to it...but now they rave about how much better it is.
This setup also allows for a great sound at much lower volumes when we're playing some smaller clubs. I don't even take an amp or floor monitor for my AXE-FX. I did for a while but at some point I realized that I had forgotten to turn it on for the first two sets and it didn't bother me at all since I was hearing everything through my IEM's anyway. I never brought the monitor after that. We started using eDrums and that has helped as well with the overall mix and volume. The bass player stopped bringing an amp as soon as we went to in ear monitors. Only the other original guitar player is still using a cab on stage (Roland Floor processor - forget the model # and Mackie Monitor). Last gig he left it turned off and didn't notice a difference. I love not having amps on stage. Keeps the stage volume way down, creates a super clean stage and allows for a much more consistent mix.
I'm attaching pics of my current rack setup. Here's what's in it: MacBook Air 13" (for tracks and Waves Rack), Apple Airport Extreme Router, Line 6 V70 Mic (being replaced with a Shure Beta87 wireless), Line 6 G30 Guitar Wireless, Shure PSM900 Wireless IEM System (for me), Behringer X32 Rack Mixer, Axe-FX 2. I primarily use the Line 6 Variax that you see in the pic. Also have an MFC and a Keith McMillen Soft step for control of starting/stopping tracks. Tracks run via Ableton Live 9. Additionally I have a Behringer S16 digital snake on the other side of the stage that connects to the X32 with 1 Ethercon cable (love that!). That snake sends 3 Vocal mics, bass, Guitar, Talkbox, Harmony machine, and live drums (if we're using an acoustic set that gig). It also returns 4 Stereo IEM Mixes to the rest of the band via it's 8 XLR Outs.
I love to have a very flexible, good sounding system that allows me to hear the band the way I like to hear it (with great stereo sound through my IEM). I'm all about a simple, quick setup. It takes a fair amount of work up front, but I get the payback every time I have to setup and tear down at a gig after the initial time investment. When I get to the gig all I have to do is pop the top off the rack, plug in a handful of cables and I'm good to go.
Hope this helps give you some insight as to whether the X32 will work for your particular solution. Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll try to reply as quickly as I can.
- Ray