Behringer X Air XR18 for recording

The XR18 can record directly to an iPAD.
I'd go with an iPAD Pro to make sure you've got enough CPU to handle both.
You'll probably want an iPAD Pro for the screen real-estate.  
 
Using a touch-screen interface works fine for mixing.
Most times, you're making adjustments to a single channel.
 
We use an XR-18 for rehearsal.
Amazing what it offers for the money.

If your mix is "set and forget", you can actually close the mix app (just open it when adjustments are needed).
If you're going to record and mix simultaneously, I wouldn't get too crazy with the realtime mix adjustments.  
The iPAD Pro CPU is decent for what it is... but it's not near desktop performance.

I am considering the Microsoft surface go  vs the ipad.  It runs windows, has more connectivity

A side note to the Pianist.
There are actually a lot of mixer/recording to USB set ups these days. I went through a long process of comparing features and channel count etc. Then you read reviews and log on to the user groups for the products. Each has it's ups and downs. The biggest complaint was always the device loosing connection during a show or just not working. I chickened out and bought a Soundcraft analog mixer  :) I have my Tascam us1641 and a Yamaha 01v if I feel I need 18 channels at once.
 
But in the end I think the  X32 would have to be the one I would get because I just have to have those faders...
That was a big drawback for me,,, I pay $800 for a box with no controls and another $800 for an iPad???

I can attest to the need for a dedicated router, the x18 at the venue I perform at has done this because of the loss of connectivity. Still pondering the different options, plus there is a Soundcraft digital mixer that also looks fantastic for a little bit more than the X18, but less than the Presonus. Just thinking that the Presonus would do most of its duty in the studio, and allow me to also record performances and do "virtual" sound checks in live venues, as well as rehearsals. No rush for any of it, though..love getting all this feedback. PS I already have the iPad pro, and use it for backing tracks, as well as lyrics, chord charts, etc. The mixer would replace my Behringer analog mixer, which I love, but doesn't have the features and versatility of these other things.
 

Hey Cactus Music,
 
Don't let someone else's ineptitude set the standard for how difficult something is to do.  I support lots of churches that use the X32/M32 family, and teach classes on usage.  Students range from age 70 down to age 12.  
 
As for the guy fumbling to get the aux sends working correctly, he didn't need the iPad or a laptop at all, because the control screen native to the X32 Rack, and all other models that have faders is enough to fully manage the box.  
 
I have an X32 Core in addition to an full-size M32.  The X32 Core is the only product in the range that absolutely needs an external control box.  I use it for remote recordings connected to a DL151.  For redundancy of control, I primarily use a Lenovo laptop, but I also keep an iPad around just in case.  
 
Also, to the people in this thread who are considering the XR18, keep in mind that a normal laptop with an Ethernet port can control the XR18 via the X-Air app, and a concurrently attached USB port into the same laptop can record the multi-track.  I do a version of this with my X32 Core that has the SD recorder expansion card: the laptop runs X32-Edit and Waves Tracks Live concurrently as a redundant capture of the event.

While one would naturally expect the Midas M32 to differentiate itself from the Behringer X32 by offering 96kHz operation, alas, that is *not* the case.
 
Even though the external digital snakes (DL151, DL152, etc.) have 48k/96k capability, the M32 does not allow operation at 96k.  It doesn't bother me because of my 48k-centric video ambitions, but it would have been an excellent marketing bonus point for the M32, and the option to choose among the three rates would serve to elevate it above the rest of the digital mixer crowd. 
 
I even recommended an "Interface Mode @ 96K" to Midas/Behringer that would preclude the use of an effects, but would allow signal routing among the I/O, and to the computers' interface.  They didn't act on my recommendation.  

Please don't get me wrong I am a big fan of what these boxes can do and I still use my 01v which has outlived 2 dogs. I just don't trust it anymore as some controlls have become jumpy.
But it does have knobs and buttons with in easy reach. If I buy anything I think I would still want those features still.  
And you are probably right that just because someone has taken a course in audio doesn't mean they are going to be good. I just felt bad that I couldn't help him figure it out, Probably given 15 minutes I would have.  I don't think the X32 box he had had any sort of LED Screen. Looked like a patch bay to me.
 
My son has just bought the x18. He has it hardwired to a deicated laptop and is very pleased so far.
 

I haven't tried the brgr xair 18 at a gig yet.  but I am getting used to it.  A couple things.  As I mentioned earlier, I bought a Microsoft surface go.  It worked ok for the xair interface but it was sluggish at times.  I think it is just underpowered, processor wise, to try and do everything it does.  The camera and sound were great.  having the usb port and micro sd is nice.  But I would get instances where the onscreen keyboard would not pop up. ( I spent a couple hours with Microsoft support too)  I didn't buy the extra physical keyboard.  Anyway  Long story short.  ipads were on sale at Walmart for 249.  I returned the surface go and bought the ipad. saved over $100  As much as I hate to say it the ipad (at that price point )blows the surface go out of the water.   It is much snappier.  the onscreen keyboard is excellent.  NO, It doesn't have the connectivity but it does what it does extremely well.  Of course the ipad interface for xair is different. so there's that.  but it is a very cool combo.
   Oh... And I did go with an external router.
    

We just installed an XR18 in my church. I have been using it with my iPad Pro. I have seen it connected to android phone, small android tablets etc. There really is no comparison to the UI on the iPad. FYI the XR18 comes with a small controller pad, or at least ours did. The sound is much better if the person using it knows how to properly EQ
and use sends to the wedges. Problems usually boil down to user error.  It's much easier to make a mistake with it or struggle with the GUI if you're attempting to use a phone instead. 
Concerning the signal dropping out. It's only happened a few times using the built in wifi. Once I think it was because too many people were on it at the same time. I am thinking about getting another wifi access point hooked to it just in case. Really though, it hasn't been much of an issue here. Things like low batteries and being too far away can contribute.
The tech told me that the preamps were "midas designed" not really midas. Not sure what that means? I thought since Behringer owned Midas they were, in fact, midas pre amps. They sound quite good.
 
If i were going to go with the Presonus using the built in SD card for recording I wouldn't get their lower end model. There have been nothing but problems with those. Shoddy cheap construction, they don't sound very good and they haven't held up. OTOH their higher end mixer with built in SD. I've heard nothing but good things.

Can I use an ethernet connection to a laptop, set everything up and then switch it over to wifi for the band to do their own monitor mixes?