Behringer X-Touch

I think it's been a year since this has been announced:
 
http://www.behringer.com/EN/products/X-TOUCH-COMPACT.aspx
 
I appreciate Behringer are slow to get their products made... 
But it just goes to show, if it's too good to be true.... it probably is right?

Looking at the page that's just preorders - early 2015 sounds pretty vague to me :).

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Uli Behringer 
Dear all,

allow me to clarify. 

The X TOUCH controllers should be shipping in Q1. We're sorry it took longer than expected but we did a redesign to make sure they will also work with our new X AIR digital mixers. 

This will not only allow you to control these mixers with your iPad or Android tablet, but the X TOUCH will now provide full tactile and motor fader control.

If you are at Namm, please drop by as we have working samples there.

I hope this helps.

Uli

This quote and another from Behringer on Facebook on Jan.6 (basically stating that more news is coming during NAMM 2015 and afterwards) Leave something to be desired from a buying public stand point. It was also stated from someone at NAMM that the demo's were not "working" demo's

I guess I "should" not be bothered by the quote above where in "clarifying" Uli stated "The X TOUCH controllers should be shipping in Q1". As definitive as that sounds, there is a disturbing lack of clarity in the statement. 

The word 'should' meaning the past tense of 'shall' which is defined as:
1. plan to, intend to, or expect to
Neither of which are commitments to a specific goal. Also the shipping process in this case has many layers. An example would be this:

If the shipment of X-touch controllers take place by March 31st (still Q1) from a factory in China (6 to 8 week lag time); They would then go to distributors (unload, inventory, process and ship) which lets say adds a 2 to 3 week turn around for arrival at dealers. Dealers then have to process and ship to consumers (1 to 2 weeks). 

So if this is the case using the projected maximum values in the scenario, we (customers) "should" see our units sometime in July. Now there is nothing against the law in this but in looking at the statements made to date and the spirit by which they seem to be made... It may not be criminal but is definitely misleading, wrong and Whatever... I digress.
  

If I read the 'Uli' letter right, the redesign for X-air was a must - better safe than sorry there.

LunaTech
Hello Super,
 
I guess but it seems backwards design because the X-Touch was announced first as a pretty much universal controller for controlling DAWS but with special links into the X32 series (RTP). My point is why would you not design your later product along the same lines of compatibility as opposed to redesigning an earlier line to a latter one. Not very efficient to me. Unless earlier designs are all being abandoned for the new one.. But I have not heard of any such design redo's for the popular X-32 line unless its the ability to see the Air series on the network for connection. Still to me this could be a firmware update as opposed to a redesign. But again.. I digress.

I think the key was that Behringer saw a missed opportunity and weighed it against letting it pass and decided not to. Neither choice was optimal but the latter was best of the two.

Hello,
Just got word from my gear rep (top tier reseller) that they received word from Behringer that the X series has been indefinitely delayed with no ETA for delivery or if mass production would even begin. He went on to used the dreaded term vaporware. Very disappointed in hearing it 3rd party... I guess we we see what Uli and team have to say about this in time..... Especially in light of his posted comments on GS that I mentioned earlier.... Guess I could use an SM7b......

I'm guessing they aren't going to make anymore announcements till it's ready. I'm thinking they might have run into issues making it work with X-AIR.

Now that's information!!!! Thanks :)

Hello,
 
Here is what they are telling customers on their Facebook Page from yesterday. All I can say is ... WOW....just.. WOW
 
Gary Voigt:
How about an update on the X-Touch...? After repeated requests, Behringer hasn't responded - Uli committed to having it out 1st quarter. That's over.
 
BEHRINGER:  
Dear Gary, apologies for the delay. Due to the importance of the X AIR mixers, we have put all our efforts into these mixers. However we have a fully working unit at PL&S tradeshow.

At least they are willing to give status reports. I can think of a few companies that would rather remain silent.

The main site says it's for sale now apparently?.

Hmm this is such horse.
Check the link on #1 which implies it is shipping. One of the distributers states Oct 2015

Sweetwater now has the Behringer X Touch in stock. The compact is supposed to be in soon.
 

azslow3
And to add my 1 cent.
 
Let say X-Touch is released... How it is going to communicate with SONAR? The only way is Mackie Control plug-in. From this forum you can find some "happy users" of SSL and ICon. Does someone think that Behringer is going to imitate MCU better then other?

Would be interested in feedback if anyone picks one up. It's on my list barring any major issues.

It's technology directly lifted from the X32 (which is now a tried/true solid solution).
If anything, I'd be leery of first manufacturing batch.
Lots of issues with early manufacturing batches with products from China, Mexico, and the US.
Got one of the new 5150-III LBX heads... and the power section crapped out after a couple days.
Had the same type of issue with the 6505 mini head.  Both were first batch units...
 

fireberd
Based on posts in the Sonar section of the forum, this unit does not appear to be "100% Mackie" compatible.  As they are talking about what needs to be modified and how to modify the parameters.  Same as the BCF2000.

From PMs with BlackWave, it IS "100% Mackie" compatible and works without problem with stock MackieControl Sonar plug-in. There are just some misleading labels on some buttons. Note that Sonar layout for MackieControl and LC/ MCU (Pro) layouts are also a bit different (Sonar had overlay for buttons, which you can see in the help file).
 
The device is obviously not like BCF is that respect, X-Touch has all MC controls as well as touch sensitive faders. And so, unlike BCF, there is no need to do any (potentially problematic) mapping inside the firmware.