Despite the need for boosted audio, this was a great comparison video based on actual experience with these units. Keep up the good work!

This is the best review I've heard on these devices. Thanks for producing this! I'm in shopping mode for the Behringer and the Soundcraft and this video just put me at ease as I'm leaning toward the Soundcraft - found one in mint condition for just slightly more $ than the Behringer. Thanks again, Mr. Mixalot!

Three great reviews at once. Very informational, very well done.

the soundcraft connectivity is a beast for me. it's simple and has more options for connectivity.

Thanks for this. I have owned the XR18, which performed fine for me. But I sold it and bought the Midas version called MR18. I also have an XR12 for small jobs. The MR 18 pres are more analog sounding (same pres as their concert level boards) and the unit is a bit heavier, has locking xlr inputs etc. They both work on the same software. One thing you didn't mention, which is true of both units, is the monitoring capability using Behringer's proprietary mix buss that is carried over cat5 using POE to power the artists individual mixers. I use this function myself. It basically allows up to 96 individual aux mixers (at $260 US) each. The XR and MR series also have an internal routing matrix, and more importantly, allow you to reassign aux mixes as sub-groups, to which you can apply Fairchild compression etc. So you can set up parallel compression for drums etc. Having said all that, where they fall down is on the USB. These units can record and playback all 18 channels over USB, what they cannot do is record your live show to a USB stick. The little brothers can both do that (the XR 12 and XR 16) but the XR/MR 18's cannot do it. That is an oversight, which has me looking at picking up one of the Soundcraft units for a special application that I have which requires more mic pre's but needs USB Stick recording capability. Oh, one other possible advantage for users is that the X-Touch control surface (motorized faders etc.) works when connected via the same wifi or ethernet connection (router) with both of these units. I use a wifi bridge from the back of the room and have faders and a laptop open. Some things are best balanced using several faders at once, which is nearly impossible to do on a laptop. Here is a link of a real live show using the MR18 through 2 Turbosound Ip1000's for the house. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oNmnhMWe0ZiVd30.html

WOW THANK YOU SO MUCH - this has CONFIRMED my next interface will be a soundcraft! SO COOL

Such a well presented well thought-out video, one that will help me decide what to get. Thanks!

Excellent comparison. Thank you. It is good news that all three are basically really good. I bought a Behringer XR 18. So far so good.

Very nice job. Clear , concise. Well laid out explanation.. I subscribed to your channel

Great comparison! Just wanted to say the Mixing Station App (Android) for the Allen&Heath is brilliant. Well it is very similar to the X-Air app from Behringer! Cheers

I own the UI mixer and agree 100% a PEQ on all outputs would be a God send for this awesome mixer. Great review and thanks for sharing.

Very interesting your decision. I would make the same! Good mixing with it! Best, Matthias

Nice, well rounded review. Recently I couldn't decide which of these 3 to buy when I wanted to upgrade from my ui16. Really wanted the A&H Qu-SB, but ipad-only and no physical controls freaked me out. So I checked out the specs, and... didn't get any of them! For a few more bucks the Qu-Pac jumped out at me, and its got full functionality on the front panel if wifi has a brain fart. I found I can also run the A&H app on my ipad, plus Mixing Station Pro on android simultaneously. Works a treat.

Awesome man! That was very interesting. Thanks.

I also test ran several mixers a few years ago and went with Soundcraft. I took it over a QSC TM16 and a Phonic IS16. The QSC's wi-fi constantly failed on me and QSC replaced it twice before I gave up and returned it, and the Phonic had so many issues I wont even list them here. Soundcraft UI24r as you said just has more failsafe options and does sound great with the Studer pre-amps. I have over 100 gigs with mine and using a wi-fi analyzer on my phone, I am able to choose the least busiest 5G channel and I have never had an issue with the built in wifi.

Excellent review. Very helpful. Thank you

Great Review - thanks! As an user of the Allen & Heath QU SB I totally agree with your conclusions. Open for me is still the question how reliable those Mixers are...

Thanks for the straight-up comparisons. I would have liked to see the frequency response and distortion comparison on the Behringer.

Man, I wish you had been able to do these tests on the Behringer! It would be very interesting to see how it performed!!

This was a great review! After 4 years are you still using the Soundcraft ui24? Curious to know how it holds up over time. Thanks for the info!

Awesome review, thanks for sharing.

So helpful! Thanks for making this!

A point to potentially level the playing field with the shortcomings of the A&H iPad only setup- you can wire the iPad via Ethernet to the router the A&H is networked on with a couple simple adapters. Therefore giving you a direct, wired connection to the console that is independent of WiFi. I think I will be doing this as a backup measure in case WiFi becomes jammed or fails.

Very interesting video... Maybe it would be interesting to check out also the X32 Rack and the A&H Qu-Pac (my favorite)....

The Behringer actually has 16 XLR OR 1/4" Line inputs (combination sockets, so you don't need any DIs) and is also a fully multitrack USB interface if you connect to a laptop. Works really well even with old Kindle Fires, so no expensive iPads to lose or break. I use mine for live PA work (with an external router, as the internal one is crap) and recording work (sounds great). Highly recommended and cheap as chips.

Very good comparison. Thank you.

The Soundcraft can't be use as a stage box as well? Why?

Hey great review. Is sound craft UI 24 still better and reliable.

Thanks for the video! It was very helpful!

Superb review! Thanks

Thanks for a quality review!!!

Got day I just got ui24r and had ui16 before and love user intfac on this unit.

In 2024, if anyone is deciding between the Soundcraft ui24r vs the Allen Heath CQ-20B, or the CQ series in general, I've used both. I prefer the Soundcraft. You can do a lot more with it. For example, I like to process my reverbs. Digital reverbs tend to be harsh in the high end and I like to tame it. With the Soundcraft, I can actually EQ the reverb. I use the typical Abbey Road EQ curve and it sounds great. I can even compress the reverb so that the reverb blooms when the vocal stops and is suppressed when the vocalist is singing. The Allen Heath CQ series is mostly presets. They have a variety of presets but you have no idea what the presets are doing. I like the smaller size of the CQ-20B and the GUI is prettier. Another benefit of the Allen Heath is you can record multitrack onto an SD card as opposed to a USB stick which is supposedly more reliable. I believe the CQs also allow you to record a higher sample rate than the Soundcraft. But to me none of those features are more important than the flexibility the Soundcraft ui24R allows.

Thank you so much for this review.

This is excellent. I'm wondering if you (or anyone else) has a comment around the Mackie 16DLs in comparison to this lot - primarily against the Ui24 I guess... Looking for ease of use - live use primarily...

Did you get to compare the multitrack files from Qu and Ui?

I'm using a Behringer X AIR18 mixer using it in a live and studio setup .. The last 3 years ... Works very good for my .. every weekend. Addinational info to this review .... : .... Wifi is sometimes falling out because to much 2.4GHz noise by other devices (phones .. etc .. ) This only happens when it's a big event , its is possible to connect an additional router and use 5GHz .. Standard gigs 200 - 300 vistors .. No problems at all. I'm using my phone (Advice use the Adriod app) to controle this mixer its works super .. While playing (as frontman of the band) a gig I controle this mixer and make changes during the gig form the stage .. The reverb and delays sounds great .. There is no eff on the master .. EQ is great (use also the realtime spectrum analyzer embedded in the EQ .. AWESOME .. !!!!! ) For my AMP Rack FOH system I have more then enough power so that the overhead on my mixer is never an issue Also its possible to make multitracks recording through the USB connect .. (16 channels) Works very good. To me form a feature point of view ... the multi track recording from the Soundcraft 24R is SUPER .. No additional equipment like a laptop or tablet required .. Beside a USB stick :-) The price in the EU dropped to € 385, - (incl tax) at this moment. For this prices it is an amazing device .. The Souncraft is € 748,- (incl tax) at this moment. Also a very nice piece of .. mixer :-) Kind regards Alex Manuputty AA-Soundproductions (Almere)

Hi, nice video, thanks. Does these mixer will need an app connected to play if everyday I switch the unit on/off for the same setting and same input and output connected. Suppose for a fixed installation for prayer. Will the mixer play from last setup without app? Thanks

I have owned the QSC Touchmix, two different UI series mixers, two different Behringer X-Air mixers, Mackie DL1608 and an Allen Heath QU-SB. I think the Allen Heath is to be a superior sounding mixer than any of the other surfaceless mixers. It does have shortcomings regarding the app. However, you can use Mixing Station app if you want to use an Android tablet. I use an iPad. The Soundcraft's built-in interface software is a super smart way of controlling the mixer - it's the only one with that feature. Even a Kindle with a browser app can run it - no app download required! However, I have had nothing but trouble with the Soundcraft wireless and if you go that route you MUST use an external router or you will eventually find yourself throwing it out the window! Overall, dollar-to-donuts the X-Air (I still have one) is an excellent choice for your basic band entity. Being a professional sound guy, I use pretty much only my Allen Heath SQ5 or if I don't have room for it, my QU-SB.

Do you get much sound quality difference between xr18 and soundcraft? I'm considering upgrading...is it worth it

I think the UI24s huge advantage is that it doesnt require an app, you can use it with anything that has an internet browser!

Great review. I have had the X-air 18 for years and I love workings with it. I am looking into the Ui for a customer. I have only tried the demo UI and I find the FX options very limited and also the parameter range og the effects. I pre-delay ot 50ms only. I hope that is not the same in the real product :-) Qu-SB looks great, but man,,, iOS only? The Qu-PAC looks promising. But I don't like the price tag :-)

Thank you for the great comparison video! I was hoping you could answer a question for me? Do any of these consoles support a Butterworth crossover filter on the outputs, or buses like the Behringer x32 or Midus M32?

nice review!, thanks!

I’ve used the Qu SD Allen & Heath & it’s excellent sound, easy to mix, sounds analog & the effects sound great. U definitely want an iPad.

Really enjoyed the video. I have a small AV company in South Africa and I’m considering purchasing a ui24. Have you considered doing a follow up video since you’ve had yours for awhile now. How are you getting along with yours, any issues or problems? Thanks

Have you tried the cq18t??

2020, how is the Soundcraft holding up? I hear about reliability issues with the board.

I love my XAir 18 and it also has a Linux app to! A lot of people are running the mixer on the Raspberry Pi

I had the Soundcraft UI24 and it got very hot after 20 mins..... Then I bought the XR18 and it seems to run way cooler...... Do you need too have some sort of fan setup if your using the Soundcraft?

Thanks, this is very helpful.

Great vid! An on par comparison would have been the x32 rack vs the ui24 and the a&h. Would love to see that.

Bought my Ui24 on 8-14-2021 and today 7-30-2022 I have a problem; won’t boot up, only green lights flashing, no blue light. Totally dissatisfied. I have only used this unit in my home and have never even moved it from the original spot on a shelf. $1400 for less than a year of use. I will try to reset but I am not optimistic that I will get it to work after ready about other users having the same problem that was unresolved.

OK Ben, I'm listening :-) , just make sure you tell users that the Ui24R has 10 AUX :-)

Does XR18 allows in/outs like Allen&HEath QU-SB32? Does it means that A&H can send back a processed (via some VST for example) audio to the mixer so it can be output separately through some of the inputs? Just my guess... Oh, damn... it costs like 4 XR18 :) No, I'm not that capable yet.

I bought ui24 and very glad about it. I can record multitrack without computer, use only flash card. And have 22 real channel and 4 channel through usb from my Mac... Where I can play playback and metronome or play on midi keyboard and dont use other 22 "real" channel. So, soundcraft has almost 26 channel and stereo usb channel and 10 aux

Sir soundcraft ui 24 ... Line dealy is available????

Ui24r: Is usb multitrack recording is raw or recorded with onboard effects? Can we have dry signal and processed signal recorded separately into usb?

Just wondering what you think about the Allen Heath Qu PAC? As it has a touch screen as backup ... albeit at a much higher price.

What I find disappointing about the Ui24R is it that as Soundcraft has published nothing about its MIDI control we can assume it has none. The QU-SB has SysEx, which is complicated for manual event list entries but at least channel strip functions and parameters can be addressed. The XR18 channel, aux, main, and fx faders, mutes, and pans (though regrettably not the channel sends) can be addressed by Continuous Controllers. As a result the QU-SB and XR18 allow for some highly controlled performances with mix automation using a MIDI sequencer, and it's surprising that the Ui24R apparently lacks this.

I own 3 behringer xair18 only one has acted up on me.. 1. Jacks started acting up, 1/4 wears out faster than the xlr. 2. It started turning off on me at odd times. (Only during shows, never at home) 3. Two times it didn’t work at a show after 5 years of heavy use in a rack. Had to connect mics direct to speakers.. 4. One time I tried recording a live show and the USB couldn’t connect to my DAW I tried every possible solution, at the end I just recorded everything on another interface. 5. A couple times in its last year of service, the main outs would be muted until you yelled something loud in to the mic. (Looks un pro) 6. WIFI is a joke on all xair models. I keep my gear outdoors, super hot in summer super cold in winter. That might have been a factor. But now after using the mixer at home, I can’t replicate all the problems. My new xair, only has the problem that when I accidentally leave a speaker on and I turn on the Furman, it pops really loud 5 seconds after turning on. (Makes you look un pro) I don’t think a sequencer can stop the accidental pop. All my old chairs didn’t have this issue and I tried looking at all the settings. Maybe it’s just the recent xairs after the shortage. It’s the only mixer that’s shallow enough to run 6 wireless mics on a 6u shallow rack for extra portability. I came to like that I can record live shows. I’m considering other mixers I just haven’t found one that has the same footprint or I might have to remove some rack accessories.

Three years down the track, any regret’s? Any issues with the connections and dropouts that many other users complain about?

I've been using the X18 for a couple of years now, and I'm switching to the Soundcraft. Software update 3.0 now allows you to cascade units (daisy chaining two mixers to expand to 48 channels).

We decided to go fully digital and were looking at various digital mixers, we decided on a software solution simply for the compact dimensions, that's when we found your review, we then watched a load of others, eventually we watched your video again and immediately bought the Soundcraft UI24r to replace our (huge) analog Mackie 8 bus, The review you gave was very helpful and directly influenced our decision, we also purchased the Presonus Monitor Station V2 as we will be using the UI24r in our home studio and it gives us 4 headphone outputs with separate faders and cue options, 3 sets of monitor connections and various device inputs.This will free up loads of desk space and will definitely help our work flow, Thank you and keep up the good work.

sound engineer? why quiet audio?

Thank you so much for your review. We owned the SoundCraft Ui16 for 3.5 years, and I was excited to hear that the Ui24R came out. Given that the cost is 2.5 the cost. I'm glad that you got the Ui24R. I have a wonderful experience with the Ui16 Digital Mixer. I'm glad that they finally fixed the WiFi issue. I just found out how to App'lify with a Home Icon shortcut the interface on a phone or laptop, so an native app is really not needed. It's going to make it even better. Hopefully, the Ui16 can get a makeover to be able to record a multi-track. I wonder about the Behringer X32 Rack, and the X16 confirmed that Ui16 was the right choice.

I own a X32, XR18, and a UI24R and have mixed a lot on the Mackie's, Presonus and QSC's. All are capable solutions compared to almost anything analog at that price point. I use the Ui24r as my primary mixer because it gives me a set of tools none of the others offer.

great thanx for sharing

Great! Thanks!

thank you :-)

X air I pad application did not working properly in new IOS update.

You need to normalize your audio before you upload, volume is too low!

This TDH you've heard is "analog" you mentioned.

Best lautency ??

Good video! Been using my Ui24r for the last three years without issue. Was looking to get the A&H for more inputs with its digisnake option but the requirement for iPad only has torpedoed that idea!

"hi my name is korg, I'm sort of like the leader in here"

Never had a problem with wifi mixing and an ipad for last 7 years. I mix many shows.

Why did you return the Behringer? I was hoping to see how it stacked up sonically to the other ones! :(

Wait... the xr18 is multitrack. the xr12 and xr16 are not I believe. Maybe I'm wrong it's just what I read somewhere.

The Allen and Heath is the beat choice for the parametric eq alone. Otherwise, just use an old analog if you can’t get that important feature.

You made a video about AUDIO consoles and the video sound is barely audible! 😅

Should have bought an x32 rack with a midas snake head

The Behringer is good if you use an external router. The Behringer wifi is awful.

I appreciate the video, your voice was really quiet though.

lol you said "you and Me" and I thought you said, "U-N-Me". And I'm like...which one is that?!

Nope, not going to crank up my volume 20 dB just to have some ad cut in and blow out my hearing. Bailed at :30.

I was wondering if running at 48khz caused transients on your Ui 24r? I was hoping to run at at least 96khz live and 192khz for recording!

Behringer low price but rich quality

You are a sound engineer and you did not use a tie mic ????? 😳🙄

You don't need parametric eqs on the outputs with the ui24r. I like the fact that all outputs have 31-band eqs. Each eq type has a slightly different use and tend to perform in a slightly different function. I prefer a 31-band for overall tone control and some room tweaking. I've never liked ducking feedback with a 1/3 octave eq - feedback doesn't always follow the math and taking out such large chunks of the sound spectrum can kill key frequencies in the overall mix. Sometimes, a 31-band used to take out feedback can really screw things up. I prefer parametric for feedback control. What Soundcraft put in the ui24r, in addition to the 31-band, was an extremely accurate auto-feedback canceling algorithm. The algorithm can knock out up to 10 feedback points - 5 that can be preset at soundcheck and 5 that will activate automatically during the live performance. (As a rule of thumb, if you have more than 5 feedback points, especially at FOH, there are other problems with your set up) I, like most engineers, prefer to ring things out myself, but I've been really impressed with Soundcraft's feedback control. Now I can ring out a room, or monitor, and sweeten it at the same time. If Soundcraft takes your advice, I would hope they would allow the option to use one or the other - Kind of like SC-48. BTW, normalizing and balancing your vocal against your distortion and phasing presentation would be the right thing to do. If sound guys are going to talk about sound things, we should 'sound' like we know what we're talking about - beyond the presentation. Just some advice from an old sound guy - 35 years in the field and going strong.

Subbing for the cardboard substitution 👍

in mexico, that wooden dmm box is more expensive than a couch, a month´s rent.... a sterile package.

Тоже бля сравнил, сравнил бы с ui-16, это конкурент xr-18

..."without reading the manual" :)

Soundcraft Ui24 is by far the best of these 3 with sound and money taken into account! I like Allen & Heath sound but reserving you do the Apple company and not PC is enough to exclude them totally from buying any of there products. You just dont use music with Apple products if you know what you are doing!

What???

you need a better mic

Soundcraft doesn't have midi: it's a big limit...

Great review. I would also have chosen the Soundcraft but for the auto-mixer capabilities. Working with churches and other speech related presentations the auto-mixer setup is killer. No more trying to anticipate speakers and the overall gain advantages are phenomenal.

Unfortunately, the report is a bit flat. A "shootout must have a little bit more". What about a bit details/comparisions on: - EQ, compressor - Echo, Hall, Chorus - Audio interface - Hotspot / Router / WLAN - Realtimeanalyzer - Multitrack possibilities - Media Player - Feedback killer - Connectors - also HDMI touchscreen - Extensibility - Operation - Userinterface, ..., and Mixer, Gain, EQ, at a glance, meter display - build in guitar effects - Headphone connections - Patching possibilities - Soundcheck mode - Update availability and innovations, further development, report on the current version - support - price - ... .. maybe next time. Nevertheless, of course, thanks for the effort! Greetings and best wishes for the next "big shootout"