Best Tablet Controlled Mixer : Mini Wireless Mixers Up To 12 Channels

What is a Tablet Controlled Mixer?

A tablet controlled mixer is typically a knobless, faderless mixing board that uses a tablet to control it’s parameters via a Wifi (or other) network connection. These digital mixing boards are often referred to as wifi digital mixing boards or simply wireless mixers. The beauty of this type of mixer is that you can take a tablet into the crowd and mix from front of house, without needing long wires or a multichannel audio snake! Another benefit of this type of mixer is that it’s possible to let band members each have their own personal monitor mix. They can control their own mix via a tablet or a cell phone. This option is of course limited to the number of independent outputs that the mixer has. Another benefit of a tablet controlled mixer is that they typically give you more control over the mix! The manufacturers of these mixers aren’t limited to the number of knobs, buttons and faders on a physical board. The control surface is a tablet or computer screen with limitless options. Multi-Band Parametric EQs, 31 band EQ with RTA, independent compressors and limiters on each channel, and multiple independent effects processors are just a few of the goodies these mixers offer. There are actually small versions of this type of mixer that have just a few inputs and outputs. These wireless mini mixers are perfect for smaller acts simply wanting easy access and flexibility. I purchased several of these to test and have a favorite that I now use on a regular basis for live shows, practice and recording. Now let’s compare the Behringer XR12, the Midas MR12, the Soundcraft Ui12, and the Mackie ProDX8 and find out which is the best tablet controlled mixer for your needs and budget!

Behringer XR12 Tablet Controlled Mixer

See larger image Behringer X Air XR12 12-Input Digital Mixer with 4 Programmable MIDAS Preamps for iPad/Android Tablets (Electronics) New From: $329.00 In Stock

The Behringer XR12 Tablet Controlled Mixer is the baby of Behringer’s XAir mixer lineup. It has four Midas designed microphone preamps, six 1/4″ balanced inputs and two 1/4″ instrument inputs. The XR12 also has ample monitoring capabilities for a wireless mixer at this price point. Two balanced XLR main outs (Left and Right), two 1/4″ balanced auxiliary outputs, and a 1/4″ headphone monitor output on an independent bus are also included! Digital i/o is limited to a USB input that can host a USB thumb drive for 2-channel recording or playback. The Behringer XR12 also comes with numerous options for mixer control. A Wifi router is built in, an ethernet port is also onboard as well as Midi i/o for full digital control by physical controllers, Macs, PCs, Linux, iPad, iPhone and Android! Under the hood the XR12 doesn’t disappoint either. Four effects engines, full dynamics on each channel, a 31 band EQ with RTA or a 6 band parametric EQ on the main bus are all at your fingertips. The software inside the XR12 is the very same software used in the larger XAir mixers. The XR12 also comes with rack ears for those who want to rack mount their investment.

I purchased a similar Behringer wireless mixer, the Behringer X Air XR18. I was impressed with it’s flexibility, ease of use and the sheer number of channels and buses at my command through such a tiny piece of gear! I had planned to use it for live shows and for recording, since it also doubled as an 18 track USB audio interface. For live performance it worked just fine, but for recording, the preamps were too noisy for my purposes. I’d be more apt to use the smaller model (XR12) strictly for live performance. Ultra quiet preamps aren’t a must for live performance and I will say the preamps were less noisy than the Soundcraft Ui12, but it was close. At it’s price point it’s certainly an awesome piece of gear, but don’t expect to get boutique quality, noiseless quality. Another downside of the Behringer XAir wireless mixer lineup is the quality of the internal WIFI. It works, but can be finicky and sluggish. Be prepared to purchase a small WIFI access point if you plan to use the XR12 in a live situation. Another option is to use a wired network connection, it works flawlessly, but is a bit of a hassle if you’re used to the ease of WIFI. This mixer can also be used to Auto-EQ your mixes!
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Midas MR12 Tablet Controlled Mixer

After I sold my Behringer XR18, I began looking closer at the Midas XR12. My main gripe with the Behringer wireless mixers was the quality of the preamps. My hope was that the acclaimed Midas preamps would solve the noise issues. Midas is a legendary name is pro audio mixers and the sound quality of the MR12 did not dissapoint. The MR12 looks almost identical to the Behringer XR12 and in many ways they are the same. The software GUI looks identical with the only difference being the Midas branding. It was a seamless upgrade as far as actually using the Behringer XR18 versus using the Midas MR12. In fact, after much research, I found that the biggest differences lie inside the Midas MR12. The entire circuit board, inputs, output and preamps are completely upgraded. It’s a night and day difference in the quality of the components and I can certainly tell with my ears! Ultra low noise preamps and the internal components make a HUGE difference. I’ve upgraded and purchased upgraded equipment from Black Lion Audio before and that’s the best way to explain the difference between the Behringer XR12 and the Midas MR12. I feel like I sent off a Behringer XR12 to Black Lion Audio for a $500.00 upgrade! Well worth the approximately $200.00 price difference in my opinion.

The general run down of the specs of the MR12 is the same as the XR12, except you get four awesome, high resolution Midas preamps and quiet operation from inputs through the internal routing and effects all the way back to the outputs! My research also revealed that the effects engines, while identical in look to the Behringer branded GUI are the very same effects engines used in the Midas M32 digital console! The Midas MR12 has the same input and output channel count, USB 2-channel recording or playback, onboard Wifi, ethernet, midi and rack mount as the Behringer XR12, but with the truly pristine sound quality of a Midas product. I was so impressed, I’ve kept the mixer for live use and for recording, not via USB, but as a preamp! Another thing to note is that the Midas MR12 does suffer from the same internal WIFI issues as the Behringer XAir series mixers. I purchased a small, portable Wifi Router and it works flawlessly! This mixer can also be used to Auto-EQ your mixes!
Comparison Chart | View On Amazon

Soundcraft Ui12 Tablet Controlled Mixer

See larger image Soundcraft Ui12 Remote-Controlled 12-Input Digital Mixer (Electronics) New From: $419.00 In Stock

The Soundraft Ui12 is similar to the previous wireless mixers because it has advanced software and effects capabilities.  The minimalist format of the mixer is also similar.  Reminiscent of the stage end of an audio snake.  The number of inputs is slightly different because the Ui12 provides four XLR combo inputs and four XLR standard inputs as opposed to the four XLR combo inputs and eight TRS inputs of the XR12 and MR12.  The last of the Ui12’s channels are dedicated to a pair of RCA inputs and stereo USB playback.  The Ui12 has an on board Wifi router and an ethernet jack for connection to a separate network switch or router.  The Soundcraft Ui12 has two software capabilities that the XR12 and MR12 do not have: dedicated Digitech amp modeling and DBX feedback suppression.  The amp modeling is nice for direct plugging any electric guitar or bass to dial in that perfect sound!  Built-in feedback suppression on the main outputs is also a nice feature for any live performance.  Another feature that sets this mixer apart is that it can be controlled by any phone, tablet or computer that is HTML5 compatible.  I actually owned the Soundcraft Ui16 and found all of it’s capabilities impressive and easy to use.  I did return the unit because I thought it was too noisy.  I’m not sure if it’s an issue with the preamps or outputs, but I tried numerous combinations of inputs and outputs and all were plagued with too much background hiss for my liking.
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Mackie ProDX4 Cell Phone Controlled Mixer

See larger image Mackie ProDX4 4-Channel Wireless Digital Mixer (Electronics) New From: Out of Stock

The Mackie ProDX4 is a completely different take on the mini wireless tablet controlled mixer.  In fact, it’s designed to be controlled by either an iPhone or an Android phone instead of a tablet!  There is also a Larger version of the ProDX4, the Mackie ProDX8.  The ProDX4 provides two XLR combo inputs with a 1/8″ stereo input for tablets, phones or media players.  Bluetooth is utilized for both mixer control and music streaming via either an iPhone or Android app.  When it comes to the software, the ProDX4 was built with simplicity and ease of use in mind.  All of the bells and whistles of the previously reviewed mixers aren’t included, but the basics for dynamics and mixing certainly are.  Each channel has a three band EQ, low pass filter and compression.  16 effects including reverbs, delays and chorus are also available for each channel.  The outputs also have a graphic EQ for added control over the mix.  All mixer settings can be controlled from a single knob on the front of the mixer.  Now how’s that for wireless simplicity. The Mackie ProDX8 has all the same features as the ProDX4, but with four more XLR combo inputs!

I purchased a Mackie ProDX4 for use with my Bose L1 Compact and I’m extremely impressed! It adds all of the missing options I needed for use with my L1 Compact in one tiny package. If you’re a singer songwriter looking for great sounding effects, wireless control and bluetooth audio for your performances, this is the mini mixer for you!! The sound is pristine. Wireless control is easier than I imagined it would be and the bluetooth audio can either be from the same phone or a different device. Pick this little unit up for a wonderful wireless mini mixing solution. You won’t be disappointed!
Comparison Chart | Read Amazon Reviews

The Best Tablet Controlled Mixer Up To 12 Channels

Based on my experience and study of these wireless mixers, I believe the Behringer XR12 is the best tablet controlled mixer with up to 12 channels for the money.  I also really like the Midas MR12 because of it’s higher quality preamps and effects, but believe that for most live music performance, the XR12 will more than do the job.  At it’s price point it’s an absolute bargain!  Based on my personal experience with the Soundcraft Ui Series wireless mixers, I was impressed with the it’s capabilities and ease of use, but disappointed by the noise introduced by the mixer.  With regard to the Mackie mini mixers, I’m actually more intrigued with the Mackie ProDX4 because of it’s size and price. This tiny wireless mixer may be the perfect solution to breathe new life into my Bose L1 compacts!  Stay tuned for more wireless tablet controlled mixer reviews and be sure to check out my other comparisons at BestProAudio.com! | Check Out the Behringer XR12 on Amazon!

Tablet Controlled Mixer Feature Comparison