Our Mackie 32-4 is giving up one channel at a time. I've been doing splitter boxes on everything so I can multitrack it into a computer. Since I have to replace the house board, I'd like to simplify things and get the multitrack channels into the computer straight from the board. The budget isn't set yet, but the senior pastor has been looking for a reason to buy a digital board (yeah, I've got it good here). What's going to be my reasonable option? Presonus, Roland, A&H, Behringer?

Thanks.

Presonus. Especially if you want to record from the desk. Out of all the mixers you mentioned Presonus had got the most integration betwen digital mixer and software. They have a great program called Capture which works in conjunction with the mixer all very painlessly. And that data migrates over to the great Studio One software as well all effortlessly.
 
Presonus even have a special House of Worship section in their forum. Go over there and check it all out. There are some great videos on it all as well.
 

The Behringer X32 series is pretty nice (great sound and flexibility).
Our live sound engineer has been using one on our last couple of gigs.  No complaints at all...
I realize the name might not have a lot of panache, but it's a great piece of hardware.
You can get the X32 for $2800 or less.
 
Presonus boards are also nice.
We have club based clients in Nashville and Vegas using the Studio Live series to simultaneously mix and record the live acts.  Works well...
 
You can't make a bad decision either way...
If you have the budget, you get a lot for the money with the X32 (even scribble strips).

Hey Jim...since I've (Chris H) been talking to you about the Pro studio computer, via email... this would be a good "public" question as well... Would the X32 make a decent audio interface, versus something more "conventional"
 
I'm under the impression it's a 32x32 interface...however firewire I believe.

My company specializes in audio/video integration for HOW.  We like the Soundcraft Expression Si slightly more than the others. They all have their strengths and shortcomings. All of them have solid IPad control. The Behringer shines with price point and scribble strips along with cheaper but high value options for good in-ear monitoring. The Soundcraft sounds better to my ears.   Their (SC) preamps are outstanding. Fader glow and smooth automation along with 14 aux busses put this one in front from my perspective. Speaking of in-ear monitoring - the soundcraft with its' 14 aux buss allows for some creative in-ear monitoring options using headphone amps and Ipads. Much cheaper options than going full aviom. However, if you can afford aviom, it's sweet...  The PreSonus and the Behringer are both fine consoles and we install / intergrate a lot of those into HOW. In my opinion, you are in a win-win with any of these 3.

mixmkr
Hey Jim...since I've (Chris H) been talking to you about the Pro studio computer, via email... this would be a good "public" question as well... Would the X32 make a decent audio interface, versus something more "conventional"
 
I'm under the impression it's a 32x32 interface...however firewire I believe.

 
Hi Chris,
The X32 can be used as an audio interface... and it's solid.
That said, I wouldn't expect the ASIO driver to perform as well as RME when pushed hard at small ASIO buffer sizes (ultra low latency).  Same can be said for the Presonus units... as well as the Midas analog boards that have integrated USB/Firewire.
 

First and foremost: Make sure you plan for the future, this is a BIG investment.
 
One important feature I find, is a mixer with full metering on all channels. With a variety of people expected to run the board, this helps a lot. You'll also have to decide whether you want to have mic cables run from the mixer to the stage, or whether you want to have a stage box and an ethernet cable run to the booth. (I would assume you have the former and keeping things that way might be easier, but it might be a good selling point, because you have fewer losses and less chance of getting interference using an Ethernet feed.)
 
I believe you will find that the Roland system is probably the most mature when it comes to HOW systems. (Has the most integrated options)
 
On the Presonus, it appears that the output to the firewire 800 card is pre-fader only.  Note: Firewire 800 - your computer will have to be compatible to make full use of the mixer feed. There has been a lot of discussion about good and bad firewire interfaces.
 
The Roland system can either record to their dedicated recorder, or through their REAC system up to 40 channels. Hard to tell whether they are pre or post fader only, or either. The schematic seems to elude to it, but their manual is mute on the subject.
 
Don't know about the X32.
 
The Soundrcraft products, will let you do either pre or post fader through a MADI card. (Note: It doesn't look like the MADI card is an option on all digital products, though) You would also have to start with the more expensive Si series to get full metering. The "expression" series does not have this.
 
Beyond that, is having a remote wifi connection to control the board through an iPad (or similar) important. How many gates, compressors, and reverb effects do you want available?
 
If you need to hire a consultant - DO NOT hire one who also sells equipment. You'll almost always end up with what they have to offer and not necessarily what you really need. Again, this is a BIG long term investment, don't take it lightly and don't let board members talk you into something they'll regret later. Churches have a long rich history of doing sound over and over and almost never getting it right.
 
Good Luck,
 
Bruce

I totally agree on the X32, our church got one back in June and it is excellent.  Best digital mixer for the money!  Because of the ability to run to a stage box, our snake is one Ethernet cable to the back of the room.  We ran it through the roof and put in a wall plate, making it very accessible.
 
You cannot get a better digital mixer at this price point with this many features.  There are better boards, don't get me wrong, but you are going to pay 10K or more to get them.  If you have 10K in your budget to spend on a mixer go for one of the better boards, but if you're on a tight budget like most churches the X32 is the way to go.
 
The X32 mixer is rock solid.  I love the fact you have little LCD windows for every channel that you can color code and label,  No more tape on your mix board!  A nice LCD panel to view all your effects setting, and everything.  Remote control from a PC or iPad.  Motorized faders at this price point!
 
This blows away the PreSonus Live mixer IMO.  No ability for digital snake, no ability for digital monitor stations, non motorized faders.  No good display to view your effects settings, and usability is horrible.  It's a good mixer, but it's lack of user-friendliness and $1000 extra.
 
The Power Play system, if you use in ear systems is invaluable.  We used to have a full AVIOM system, and we dumped it for the Behringer Power Play, because it's integrated with the X32.  I realize the preamps in the AVIOM are better and we had the older AVIOM where they have made some improvements in the new one, but I much prefer the powerplay. The mixing board for the powerplay is smaller and more discrete.  The stand attachment clip was included with the power play (it was an additional order to get one with AVIOM).  There's a limiter on the power play so you don't blow your eardrums out if you're using in-ear monitors.  You can EQ each channel as well as volume controls.  Just a lot more flexibility than what the AVIOM had, and it's ALOT CHEAPER!
 
I plan on getting the X32 compact for my home studio at some point.  Just a great mixer, I can't say enough good things about it.  This was a game changer in the market place.
 

I should also point out the X32, can record USB or FW and the Audio interface is in an expansion card, so it can be upgraded, or you can just record to a USB stick that will do a stereo bus mix right from the mixer.

One consideration about most of the boards mentioned is that you need operators with at least average skills and understanding or the willingness to dig into a manual and learn the gear.
 
In many church settings the operators are volunteers who really wouldn't know the first thing about some of the complexity involved in using these boards.
 
Going digital simply for the sake of going digital may or may not be beneficial. There should be good reasons for making the move. Mackies have been good products for years. IOW simplicity might be better in some settings.
 
At my church I wasn't in the decision loop at the time or I would have seriously considered those options. Instead a small sound company talked a few people into a deal where we traded out nice Mackie for an Allen-Heath board. We had all of our channels and the Mackie was working fine so all we got was new. We lost a few things instead because they trusted these people. Sonically nothing changed . We lost phantom power when the Mackie board went away. The Allen-Heath board has less sends. We spent money and took a few steps back. This is what happens when the decision makers don't have a clue. I was told that we are sorry and the next time we will ask more questions.......yeah so until then we are stuck with this for the next 10 or 20 years.