QSC enters compact mixer market

Following long-term anticipation, Costa Mesa-based manufacturer QSC has announced details of its entry into the compact digital mixer market with the launch of the TouchMix Series of consoles. Described by the manufacturer as featuring an ‘advanced mode operation that offers total control over all parameters or a simple mode that provides only the most essential controls’, the range comprises two models in the shape of the 12-input TouchMix-8 and the 20-input TouchMix-16.

According to QSC, the TouchMix consoles are intended to appeal to novice users and more experienced engineers alike, with the manufacturer comparing the desks’ simple mode operation with the ‘point and shoot’ capabilities of a digital camera.

While the company is promoting the consoles’ simple mode, it nevertheless describes the compact range as offering ‘big mixer’ specifications. They include 4-band parametric EQ with both variable high- and low-pass filters, dynamics processing on each input channel, and four mix busses feeding four internal digital effects processors. In addition, graphic EQ, high-pass, low-pass and notch filters plus delay are available on both the main and aux outputs and there are eight DCA groups with mutes as well as eight mute groups. For monitoring, the TouchMix-8 offers four auxiliary output channels while the TouchMix-16 has 10.

The consoles have also been loaded with a library of channel presets that the manufacturer describes as having been ‘designed by veteran live sound engineers utilising all types of instruments, popular microphones and pickups as well as multiple types of speakers systems’. Crucially, users will have the option of benefitting from a number of onboard wizard-style guides to help in setup and operation. Among them is an effects wizard to help in the selection of appropriate effects and a gain wizard which continuously monitors and displays input clipping. Also included is a library of mixer scenes, while all user parameters of any mix can be saved, both internally and via a USB drive.

A colour touchscreen is incorporated within the design, offering access to all mix parameters, alongside the board’s physical controls. QSC has also recognised the growing trend for remote operation, releasing a Remote Control app for iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads. The app can reportedly control all of the consoles’ mixer parameters with an included USB wifi adapter that creates a network connection between the mixer and the handheld device. No external network hardware is required.

Finally, both mixers can record directly to an external USB hard drive in 32-bit broadcast wave format. Tracks can be played back on the mixer or imported into most DAW software. A padded carrying case is included for transportation.

Shipping: Spring 2014
Web: www.qsc.com