QSC TouchMix 8 Vs. Soundcraft Ui16: Reviewed & Compared

Choosing the right mixer when there are so many on the market these days isn't easy.
Especially when many of them are built for one specific need but being marketed as an all-rounder 🙄
But not to worry, I've got ya!
I have taken a deep dive into two beasts in the audio-mixing game and gone head to head with them: QSC TouchMix 8 vs. Soundcraft Ui16.

We're looking at things like:
  • Sound Quality: This is the heart of the matter, right? How each mixer holds up in delivering crisp, clear audio. Are we talking about a mixer that makes your tracks sound like they're live from the garage, or are we hitting studio-quality sound?
  • Ease of Use: Nobody wants to spend hours figuring out which button does what. I’ll break down the user interface of both QSC TouchMix 8 and Soundcraft Ui16. Are they plug-and-play easy, or will you need a PhD in mixology to use them?
  • Features and Functions: Ie. What's under the hood? Let's find out what sets them apart.
  • Durability: No matter your reason for buying, you want something that's gonna last, not fall apart after a few light sessions.
  • Price Point: Yep, money talks. When it comes to prices, we need to see which mixer gives us more bang for our buck. Is the higher price of one justified by its features, or is the other a hidden gem at a bargain price?
  • Customer Reviews and Feedback: What's the word on the street? Sometimes real-world use tells a different story than what the sales page says.

QSC TouchMix-8

I Got My Hands on the QSC TouchMix-8: Still Impressed

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I got my hands on the QSC TouchMix-8 when it first came out, and man, it's still a game-changer. This little beast replaces racks of EQs, compressors, and gates. The best part? Everything's super easy to access. You don't need a cheat sheet for menus because there's no annoying digging through sub-menus. Plus, the noise level? Ridiculously low, perfect for on-location gigs or filming.

Power and Portability

If you're thinking of going mobile with this mixer, keep in mind the AC adaptor is proprietary, supplying several different voltages. While you won't need a gas generator, rigging an outboard battery means getting a 12-volt, 17-amp AGM battery and a mini sine wave inverter. Trust me, this board's powerful enough to lay down all your tracks on an optional SSD drive for processing through your favorite DAW.

Touch Screen: A Mixed Bag

Now, let's talk touch screen. The sensitivity can be a bit frustrating at times, and the graphics could use a higher resolution, especially for the RTA. An LED screen update would be nice, particularly for outdoor gigs.

Reliability Issues

One thing to note – there have been a few issues with the aux sends and the board freezing up. I've also noticed some lag when moving the virtual faders on the built-in touch screen, which can be pretty annoying. But remember, no mixer is perfect.

Sound Quality and Effects

The sound quality? Spot on. The effects are top-notch, easily rivaling other portable digital consoles in this range. The mic pres are good, and the compressor lets you dial in precisely. It’s a bit bright, but the dynamics are stellar.

Overall Verdict

Despite its few quirks, the QSC TouchMix-8 is a fantastic, powerful mixer in a compact package. It's got big power and a small footprint, making it a solid choice for those needing a robust feature set in a portable design. Just be prepared to deal with that touch screen and keep an eye on those aux sends.

Soundcraft Ui16 Remote-Controlled Digital Mixer

I got my hands on the Soundcraft Ui16 Remote-Controlled 16-Input Digital Mixer about a month or two ago, and let me tell you, it's been an interesting ride. This mixer has its highs and lows, and I'm here to give you the full scoop.

The Good: Features and Flexibility

The Ui16 is packed with features that can make any tech-savvy sound person drool. First off, the ability to control it from a tablet or phone is a total game-changer. It makes sound checks a breeze, especially if you're running solo. The mixer comes with a range of inputs and outputs, offering ample flexibility for various setups. The built-in effects, including Lexicon reverbs and dbx dynamics, are top-notch, giving your sound that professional edge.
The mixer's wireless functionality is a big selling point. Although I did encounter some range issues, these were easily fixed with an external router or booster antenna. And hey, the built-in WiFi works decently enough for most situations.

User Experience: A Mixed Bag

Now, the interface… it's HTML-5 based, responsive, and packed with features. But, there's a learning curve, especially if you're new to digital mixers. The navigation can be a bit quirky, often redirecting you to the bootup screen, which can be annoying. And the manual? It's got some errors, so don't rely on it too heavily.

I did try connecting it to various devices. It worked seamlessly with my Android and iOS gadgets, but older computers might struggle. A tablet is definitely the way to go for the best control experience, as phone screens can feel cramped.

Performance and Sound Quality

Sound-wise, the Ui16 delivers. It's quiet, efficient, and the sound quality is impressive for its price range. I've used it in a church setting and for small events, and it's been great in both contexts. It's also surprisingly easy to use once you get past the initial setup.

WiFi Woes and Workarounds

The WiFi issues some users have reported are real. If you're planning to use this mixer actively during a performance, be prepared for potential dropouts. However, if you set your levels and leave them be, like I do, you might not even notice. And yes, investing in a better antenna or positioning the mixer wisely can mitigate these issues.

Verdict

Overall, the Soundcraft Ui16 is a solid piece of equipment with a few quirks. It's not perfect – the WiFi can be finicky, and the interface has its idiosyncrasies – but the quality and flexibility you get at this price point are hard to beat. If you're willing to tackle a slight learning curve and can handle the occasional WiFi hiccup, this mixer could be a great addition to your audio setup. Just remember, it's more suited for scenarios where constant tweaking isn't necessary.

Head 2 Head: QSC TouchMix 8 or Soundcraft Ui16

Rolling with the QSC TouchMix-8


Buckle up, because we're diving straight into this compact dynamo. The QSC TouchMix-8 is like a Swiss Army Knife – it's got everything you need, and it's all neatly packed into a small package. This little beast has the power to replace racks of EQs, compressors, and gates without breaking a sweat. And the best part? Everything is super easy to access. You don't need an Einstein brain or cryptic cheat sheet for menus because there's no annoying digging through sub-menus. Plus, if you're worried about noise level, worry not! This mixer stays as cool as cucumber even during on-location gigs or filming.

Power and Portability


Let's talk about its portability – the AC adaptor is proprietary, supplying several different voltages. So while you won't need a gas generator (thank heavens!), rigging an outboard battery means getting your hands on a 12-volt, 17-amp AGM battery and a mini sine wave inverter. But trust me when I say that this board has enough juice to lay down all your tracks on an optional SSD drive for processing through your favorite DAW.

Touch Screen: A Mixed Bag


The touch screen? Well, it's not all rainbows and unicorns. The sensitivity can be a bit of a drama queen at times, and the graphics could use some makeup – higher resolution would be nice especially for the RTA. An LED screen update would be like winning the lottery, particularly for outdoor gigs.

Reliability Issues


Despite its charm, it does come with some baggage – there have been a few issues with the aux sends and the board freezing up, like a deer in headlights. I've also noticed some lag when moving the virtual faders on the built-in touch screen, which can be as annoying as a mosquito buzzing in your ear. But remember folks, no mixer is perfect. Every rose has its thorns, right?

Sound Quality and Effects


But let's not forget about its sound quality – it's spot on. The effects are like a Picasso painting, easily rivaling other portable digital consoles in this range. The mic pres are good, and the compressor lets you dial in precisely like an expert marksman. It’s a bit bright like a sunny day but the dynamics are as beautiful as a symphony.

Overall Verdict


Despite its few quirks, the QSC TouchMix-8 is like that reliable friend who always shows up when you need them – it's fantastic and powerful. It's got big power and small footprint, making it an ideal choice for those needing a robust feature set in a portable design. Just be prepared to deal with that touch screen and keep an eye on those aux sends.

The Soundcraft Ui16: A Rollercoaster Ride


Next up is the Soundcraft Ui16 Remote-Controlled 16-Input Digital Mixer. This little number comes packed with features that would make any tech-savvy sound person drool. The ability to control it from your tablet or phone is revolutionary – sound checks become easier than eating pie! The mixer has a variety of inputs and outputs offering flexibility for various setups.

User Experience: A Mixed Bag


The interface can be a bit of a diva though. It's HTML-5 based, packed with features but has a learning curve steeper than the Eiffel tower. The navigation can be quirky, often redirecting you to the bootup screen. And the manual? Don't count on it too heavily – it's got errors.

Performance and Sound Quality


When it comes to performance, the Ui16 doesn't disappoint. It's quiet, efficient, and delivers amazing sound quality for its price range. I've used it in a church setting and for small events, and it managed to impress in both scenarios.

WiFi Woes and Workarounds


However, the WiFi issues are as real as Bigfoot sightings. If you're planning to use this mixer actively during a performance, be prepared for potential dropouts. But if you're like me and set your levels and leave them be, then you might not even notice.

Verdict


All in all, the Soundcraft Ui16 is like that one rollercoaster ride – thrilling with some unexpected turns. Its quirks include finicky WiFi and an interface with its own mind but at this price point, the quality and flexibility are hard to beat.

The Winner?
After weighing up these two heavy hitters in the audio world, I'm going to have to crown the QSC TouchMix-8 as our winner today! Despite some touch screen sensitivity issues and minor reliability concerns with aux sends, its power-packed performance, stellar sound quality and effects give it an edge over Soundcraft Ui16. The QSC TouchMix-8 is ideal for those who need a robust, feature-rich mixer in a portable design without having to worry about WiFi connectivity. On the other hand, the Soundcraft Ui16 is a good option for those who don't mind dealing with occasional WiFi hiccups and are comfortable with a steeper learning curve. However, if you value performance, sound quality and ease of use above all else, then the QSC TouchMix-8 is your best bet.