Thing is that many musicians still prefer physical mixer controls (P16M) to iPads and such.
Isn't Ultranet handy for those situations where the number of AUX buses don't suffice?
Totally valid perspective Yek...
I'm
not suggesting our setup is ideal for all - it's not cheap.. but.. If you're a frequently gigging group of cover band weekend warriors like us (no illusions of grandeur or expected fame) then it works WELL!!.
We want as little setup as possible.. for example - after tonight's gig, we'll have done 9 gigs in the last 14 days (11 for the month of Sept alone). and we all have REAL jobs!!
Most venues we play NOW have House provided PA, we either send a L/R feed directly from the X32 or we split off the House snake into the X32 for monitors and let their FOH run FOH.
With the S16 and Producer we have 16 XLR (7 Stereo Mixes) outputs. Seven because we reserve 7/8 as L/R main outs.. We CAN also use the 6 x 1/4" AUX busses as additional mixes, but don't have the need so far. We have !N1-IN16 on S16 mapped to CH 17-32 on the X32, and OUT1-OUT4 mapped to x32 output busses 9-12. X32 busses 13-16 are still used for effect sends, and 7/8 for main L/R out, leaving OUT5-OUT8 unused on the S16..
My hookup is simple.. Mic and DI cables into my X32 channels. Then, I turn on my IEM receiver and adjust my mix from the M32Q app.. I'm wireless in and out.. done.
Again.. .doesn't work for everyone.. but I've been down the wired, Aviom, P16M, route .. and I no longer want to be reaching over and twiddling knobs to adjust levels when I can have an 8" tablet screen that lets me adjust and pan my IEM mix, and adjust the effect levels too...all at my finger tips.
My mix is essentially the same from gig to gig, so I'm not reaching over and adjusting much after the sound check..
Hopefully, someone can find this explanation helpful.
YMMV
PS: at one point I was wireless IEM, but Presonus 16.4-> P16I -> P16M -> Wireless IEM.
I have cat5 (ultranet) from mixer/P16I ->P16M. Wireless xmitter on top of case, P16M on top of that. Power supply to each and stereo cables to xmitter from P16M.. PITA to set up and tear down,
I'll take what I have now over that.. ANY day !!