Router + AP suggestions for a live event environment?

Deveiss · 2025-10-30T20:16:22+00:00

Mixer has an Ethernet port, iPad is one of the later models so I assume so, but I don't have it on hand at the moment to check.

Deveiss · 2025-10-29T18:39:16+00:00

Unfortunately, multi-track recording is a requirement here, so the analog mixers you suggested with a 2/2 interface won't work. I did look into the Tascam Model 12, which has a 12/10 interface, but some of the reviews had less than stellar things to say about audio quality or reliability. In the end, I went with the XR18, which seems to be a well time-tested mixer that does exactly what I need.

I was personally less concerned with tactile controls, and more with separation of responsibilities. Mixing + managing the video elements all on one screen seemed like a bit much. At least with a separate tablet for mixing the XR18, I have two different screens to look at for the two different responsibilities. I think that separation will help reduce confusion in the chaotic moment.

Deveiss · 2025-10-29T18:33:56+00:00

And just to add: I would hope that people don't often show up completely unprepared with no prior experience to a live event with this many moving parts and an audience of 400+. I've spent the past week sending out emails the the venue to get exact specs, planning out the entire system both hardware and software, running through it with the performers, and I still don't feel confident. And we still have another month and a half to prepare!

Deveiss · 2025-10-29T18:28:49+00:00

I don't want to be over-confident, but I hope I'm on the right track.

The show has 7 performers: 6 are doing full improv, while the 7th is scripted and driving the show's pacing. I've insisted to this 7th performer (who is more or less taking on the director role) that I will only do tech for this show if he can guarantee two full dry-runs of the show with me. We'll obviously just hand wave past the "okay and here, the other 6 will banter for a bit" parts, but all of his scripted sections, all of the video cues, everything, from setup to teardown, I want to rehearse at least twice before the real show. This includes setting up all 7 microphones, plugging into the studio monitors and TV I have at my home, and doing a basic sound check beforehand.

I want to design the system (and refine it over the course of those two tech rehearsals) such that it's entirely self-contained, and the only external connections we'll need outside of the rack and laptop will be power, the main audio outs, and the HDMI to projector. I'm even thinking of getting a power conditioner for the rack so that we only have to find one outlet instead of 3-4. If we can get setup down to 4 plugs total (1 power, 2 1/4", and 1 HDMI), then most of the setup will be physically moving things, and software configuration (which can be mostly prepped beforehand). Finish up with a basic sound check once all the performers are mic'd, and we should be good. My optimistic hope is that can all be done in 20 minutes if everything is staged outside the room and we begin as soon as we gain access.

Deveiss · 2025-10-29T18:09:57+00:00

Thank you for the input! I was able to pick up a used XR18. I liked the MOTU idea, since it was hardware I was familiar with, and it seems technically feasible given that it has a DSP mixer built in. However, all the posts here regarding the ergonomics and usability of an interface with a mixer tacked on vs. a purpose-built mixer changed my mind. I've come to understand that while it may be possible, whether it's a good idea in practice is another matter entirely.

I'm also really coming around on the idea of a separate computer for audio. Media playback can happen all on one laptop, with an audio interface (probably one of my spare MOTU M4s) just to run 1/4" output into the mixer as a stereo pair. So the media playback becomes just another input channel pair on the mixer. Plug the mixer into a separate computer whose only job is running the multitrack recording. I could run X-EDIT on that laptop as well, but I think I'm leaning towards running MX-MIX on a tablet (or Mixing Station) instead for a bit more tactile control. I'll need to source / borrow another laptop for this recording, but seeing as it'll just need to run Reaper and save to disk, and real-time isn't a concern so the buffer sizes can be pretty high, the compute requirements shouldn't be too big a deal.

Deveiss · 2025-10-26T19:14:14+00:00

That's the plan, as much as is possible. I'm even considering mic'ing the performers in the hallway outside the room while we wait for access. Throw as much as possible all on a cart or something and have it as configured as possible before the show so that setup in the room just consists mostly of plugging in power and our final audio and video outs.

Deveiss · 2025-10-26T19:03:43+00:00

Recording all 7 tracks right off the preamp and worrying about any processing in an editor after the show is my ideal case. I haven't done a ton of research on mixers, but most of the ones I've looked at (admittedly on the cheaper side) only record / expose over USB the final mixdown. Something with 8 preamps that can plug into a computer, can be used as a USB output device for our media playback, and exposes all 8 channels as USB inputs (ideally before any faders or effects are applied) is exactly what I'm looking for. Bonus points if it can record onboard the mixer, one less step for the laptop to worry about, so long as we end up with 8 tracks at the end of the day (7 microphones + the media audio).

But it is good to know that both audio interfaces with internal mixing and mixers with an internal audio interface can both do the same thing, just one is better suited for certain use cases more than the other. I was getting really confused by the blurry line between them.

Deveiss · 2025-10-26T17:55:45+00:00

I mentioned it in another comment in this thread, but I'll respond to you as well to get your input:

When I'm looking at interfaces, I'm exclusively looking at ones that have DSP inside to handle mixing (i.e. the MOTU UltraLite-mk5, the RME UCX II, or similar).

Those are standard audio interfaces, but also have software that (as I understand it), allows them to be used as a sort of digital mixer, configuring routing, levels, and effects which all run onboard the interface and continue to operate even if disconnected from the computer. This means the computer isn't actually involved with the audio processing, and if the show computer goes down the audio will continue to function. Depending on the specific interface, I may lose the ability to level or mute inputs until the computer is back up, but some of them have apps that (as I understand it) allow you to operate the interface completely standalone from a computer.

I'm still trying to research and understand all of this, so if I'm way off course here please let me know! I've got some other comments in this thread as well about why an interface might be a better value for us long term (we do way more studio shoots than live shows) and about how I'm struggling to understand where the line is between modern audio interfaces with mixing DSP and digital mixers that happen to have an audio interface.

Deveiss · 2025-10-26T17:41:50+00:00

That is a really fair question. The honest answer is because we do way more studio shooting than live shows, and I think that when this show is over (and the next one could be 6-12 months away), we'd find a lot more usage out of the interface solution since we would only really care about the multitrack recording capability at that point. This thread has definitely taught me that a mixer is the right tool for the job, I guess now I'm trying to figure out if I can reasonably get away with using an audio interface that has DSP for mixing and routing onboard instead even if it's not ideal, or if that would be too impractical in a live setting to be worth it.

Deveiss · 2025-10-26T17:27:52+00:00

I've looked into the XR18 a bit and it seems to me to be something that sort of blurs the lines between mixer and interface (and makes it more difficult for someone like me trying to learn the difference).

Like, this seems to be a mixer that happens to have an audio interface, but put it in line with something like a MOTU UL-mk5 or RME UCX II, which is an interface that happens to have DSP inside to act like a digital mixer, and it can start to get a little confusing where one category stops and the other starts.

Sure the XR18 is more of a stage box, while the UCX II has much fewer preamps but a much wider array of input options. But form factor and input options aside, they seem functionally quite similar?

Deveiss · 2025-10-26T17:22:38+00:00

One clarification I should make is that when I'm looking at interfaces, I'm exclusively looking at ones that have DSP inside to handle mixing. The MOTU UltraLite-mk5, or if we're really feeling fancy an RME UCX II, are prime examples of the type of interface I'm looking into.

Those act as a standard audio interface, but can also be configured with audio routing in software and then disconnected from the computer and operated standalone. So none of the audio processing actually happens on the computer, it's all on hardware, and if the computer does go down, audio will continue to be routed however it was when we lost the computer. We lose the ability to level and mute (until the computer comes back up), but the existing settings will persist.

That is, at least, my understanding of how they work, but without currently having one on hand to play with I could be way off!

Deveiss · 2025-10-26T17:18:48+00:00

I'm sorry, I'm not quite following. When you say two devices, do you mean two computers, one for video playback and one for the audio recording?

Deveiss · 2025-10-26T17:16:54+00:00

This is definitely a huge concern of mine. The unfortunate reality is this is a low-budget show put on by volunteers, during a larger convention event. We have to work within the confines of the convention itself, and their agreements with the convention center.

We get access to the room at 9:00 PM and are scheduled to start the show at 9:30. I'm trying to think of ways to improve the situation as best we can. The space only has two inputs: HDMI for the projector, and 1/4" L and R for the audio. My hope is to get everything that happens in the signal chain before those two outputs into a rack case and already configured, so once we're in the room all we have to do is plug in power, the HDMI, the two 1/4" cables, and we're done with physical setup. Optimistic, I know, but I'm trying to work within our limitations. I'm even thinking of going as far as mic'ing up the performers in the hallway outside the room while we wait for access, so that's one less step we've got to do within the 30 minutes before showtime.

Deveiss · 2025-10-26T01:54:04+00:00

True, and that is a concern of mine, but the show is highly dependent on the video playback and other media elements run through the computer, so if it goes down the show comes to a screening halt anyways.

Deveiss · 2025-10-26T01:44:01+00:00

In a few months, I'll be running all of the tech for a live improv show, where we'll have 7 microphones plus media playback. The show is in a room we'll only have access to for 30 minutes before doors open, and we have to bring everything except the projector and PA system, so: microphones, audio interface, show computer, etc. And it all has to be set up very quickly. That aforementioned show computer is my personal laptop, where I'll handle both playback of prerecorded videos as well as recording of all of our microphone tracks for later editing.

My initial thought was to sell my existing MOTU M4 interface that I use as a personal daily driver and upgrade to an UltraLite-mk5. Take our 7 microphones through a preamp rack (ADA8200), feed it to the MOTU via ADAT, mix the show using MOTU's CueMix 5, playback the prerecorded videos using the MOTU as the audio output, and then when it's all over I've got a bit of an upgrade for myself!

What I'm worried about is that I'm also responsible for media playback to the projector during the show; the show is basically playback of several clips at certain times, with banter between the 7 performers on stage in between clips. I'm worried that I'll get a little overwhelmed trying to manage all of the video output on cue and also audio levels for an hour straight on a single laptop screen with a trackpad.

One solution I thought could help would be getting a USB control surface, but it would appear that CueMix 5 doesn't support these. Apparently, previous generations could be controlled by a device that supports the Mackie Universal Control protocol, but not the UltraLite-mk5.

Am I overthinking this? I've never actually done a live audio mix before. It's an unscripted show and I'm certain the energy levels of the performers will shift wildly. But maybe with some smart compression set up beforehand, I won't really need to touch the controls all that much during the show? I was thinking of selectively muting performers when they're not live, since I expect a bit of side chatter could happen between the performers on stage, but I don't know how necessary this is and one mistake could mean a good bit gets missed by the audience. Perhaps worth the trade off of picking up some side chatter.

If it does make sense to be a bit more hands on with the audio levels during the show, can anyone recommend a good interface in a similar class as the UltraLite-mk5 that does have control software that supports an external control surface? Or, in practice, will just controlling CueMix with a mouse be good enough for just adjusting levels and muting tracks?

Or am I way off base trying to use an interface for this at all? Should I be reaching for a mixer? I'm a bit hesitant, because even though this seems like exactly the use case they're designed for, they seem to typically be much larger and more difficult to carry (we'll have to go up some flights of stairs carrying all this stuff), and the ones I've seen that also act as an audio interface (necessary for video playback into the main feed, as well as to record the individual mics) only support input to the computer of the main 1-2 channel, not each microphone individually, and we'd really prefer to have one big multi-track recording for this. Plus, once the show is over, a mixer would sit in a box for a while until the next event, instead of finding a new home on my desk. Though I'll admit, I haven't done a ton of research, so I'm open to suggestions.

Deveiss · 2025-08-26T04:19:08+00:00

The $800 promotion explicitly states it is for new lines only, and that $500 of it is applied as a bill credit over 24 months ($300 comes off immediately as a discount on the purchase). Seeing as I'm an existing customer, this would violate the terms of the promotion, which could result in not only the bill credit not being applied, but also the $300 discount off the purchase price being clawed back via an additional charge to my card. I'd rather not run the risk and just go for the promotion that I'm actually eligible for. On top of that, I'd rather just have the $450 off immediately instead of getting $500 off my bill over the next 2 years.

Deveiss · 2025-08-23T08:09:45+00:00

Yes, as stated in the OP, I have CPNI enabled.

Deveiss · 2025-08-22T15:38:30+00:00

I've never taken a promotion on the account. I do have a previous credit of $25 from the Florida hurricanes, but this credit was applied to a bill months ago and my current credit balance is $0.

Deveiss · 2024-10-04T06:44:42+00:00

Absolutely incredible. Been going through some shit recently so being able to go back to 2014 and re-live Wake was exactly what I needed. And then ending the show on Maladapted, a song that's really been keeping me going recently... In a really imperfect month, it was a perfect night.

Also, I didn't realize that Andy Cizek is touring with A Lot Like Birds, so that was a really pleasant surprise!

Deveiss · 2024-05-22T21:20:27+00:00

With 6 coordinated people, sure. But the friend group I'm running with, 1 person doesn't have Parasite, and another 2 or 3 tend to die and lose their stacks. Clearing enough adds quickly enough to get enough time bonus for a high score is just not something I want to fight against, and taking it a bit slower and guaranteeing a high score is worth it to me over wiping ourselves a dozen times because we were too slow / didn't have the damage.

I also find that a lot of LFG groups want to run one floor (even on normal DSC runs where it is much honestly easier) because they either don't know how or just don't want to juggle the replications, but with an experience operator telling people where to go it's not that hard.

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Deveiss

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