(Poor) Star Trek Design: Allen & Heath iLive 80 Mixing Console

True, it is big and heavy, but really, how it looks means nothing compared to its performance. I just purchased an iLive112 complete system, and looked at many MANY digital live mixers before I made the decision. I must ask the author: Did you actually touch the product, or just look at the pictures?

Yes, it is not "compact" compared to the large analog boards of yesterday, but look at the channel capacity. Try to fit 80 faders in the space taken up by the iLive 80. Try sitting down at the iLive and then at the other major digital live sound mixers. The iLive is FAR easier to operate. (And for those of you who have "wannabe sound engineers" or those who think they are, you can lock people out of changing whatever settings you want.)

You also mentioned Euphonix, Mackie, Sony, and Soundcraft.
Euphonix: Smaller... really? Shorter, yes. Still requires 2 people to carry.
Mackie: Not even anywhere in the same class as the iLive. Really, it like comparing McDonald's to a five star restaurant. Also, try getting one right now... not shipping until September. (and btw, I would not get anything Mackie for a year... they are in the process of switching manufacturers, and that is kinda scary, until they get to work out all of the kinks...).
Sony: Take a look at the board. Too many buttons and more confusing.
Soundcraft: While I respect Soundcraft, their digital live board was built poorly. Knobs and sliders broke off the pots easily.

The Allen & Heath iLive is a solid piece of equipment. Good luck breaking it.

I would rather pay a premium price for a product that will last longer than its counterparts.

I am not promoting the iLive, but your review does not give it a fair shot. If you are really in the market for a mixer of this class. If you are looking for a PROFESSIONAL digital live mixer, take a look at Allen & Heath, DiGiCo, Yamaha, and if you really have some major cash, the SSL digital live boards. All of these brands have excellent digital live products. Compared to these brands, the price tag of the iLive is really not that expensive.

I agree with Mark, this review has no merit! Don't judge a book by its cover.

I haven't worked with the product personally, but I'm seriously considering it as a lot of my colleagues have praised it. Moreover, the feature set and the practicality of this product is amazing.

I can't wait to use this at a gig some day.

I have been using the Ilive IDR mix rack for a couple of months now. I just use a computer for mix, since i could not afford a controller / control surface. I am pleased with the sound quality, and the array of "outboard" fx and things is amazing. Mixing on a PC is not all that fun, but you do get used ot it. Rolling up a snake is no fun either, and i have not had to do that anymore. So there are some trade offs. I agree with everyone else that the review kind of missed the target from a design and cost perspective.

But I might argue that more , or larger touch screens across the top would have looked better and might have been more useful as well. There is quite an advantage to editing you comps and gates with the graphic display. There is a "time lapse" display that shows the perforance of the gates and such. That seems like a better method to me to set up your dynamics.

Bob

can anyone help me to choose between and ilive 80 and a yamaha LS9

iLive 80, unless you like LS9's micpre...

This is the most ridiculous review of a piece of equipment I have ever read. From what I know first hand if you want a digital console at this price point, you'll most likely be inhibited to at most, 48 channels. This thing is about the same price as the SC48 which is good but I can get way more channels out of the I-Live. I've worked on the SC48, Soundcraft VI4, Midas Pro 6 and the I Live and to be honest, the I-Live at it's price and functionality makes a whole lot of sense.

Any board is going to take 2 people to carry it. If you're going to spend that much money and not have a second set of hands to help, you shouldn't have access to that kind of money.

Lastly...did the reviewer get a chance to hear the console?! My god, who cares what it looks like...how does it sound?! The Midas obviously sounded great but the FX onboard wasn't anything spectacular, the SC48 is a bit thin for my taste and the Soundcraft impressed me the most but the VI4 is more then twice the cost. The I-Live sounds great and is affordable. Do you really need anything more?

Poor review. You said earlier in the text
"First of all, you all know (or should know) Allen & Heath, otherwise saying you are into sound becomes a lie." Well if you are seriously in to sound. Then the review would actually discuss the sound. Which it does in no way, shape or form. This review could almost be considered trolling.