Best Digital Mixing Consoles for Churches 2023 | $3k to $5k Budget

[@rappy007]

We just upgraded from the Qu-32 to the SQ-6 with stage box and Dante card. I’m absolutely blown away by the sound quality.

[@samgonza1975]

We have the SQ7 at our church. Highly recommend it. We also have the ME monitor system. So easy for our musicians to set up and dial in their own mix with any of the channels they want. And we still have Aux’s available if we wanted or need to use them as well. I have not personally heard Behringer or Midas in person but i have always loved the quality of A&H and tonality they give as well.

[@BarnabY07]

Hello to all from Belgium, I just wanted to share my experience with you. This is the 2nd time I've heard Jake suggest churches should prefer the SQ5 instead of the SQ6 to save on budget. I understand this opinion and agree with Jake if you have a very small group and few different outputs. This is the choice my church made. However, if you have a small configuration, I think you can choose entry-level models. Therefore, if you are thinking of buying a Wing or SQ type console, it means that you already have a more advanced configuration (4 pieces band or more). In this case, I would advise not to underestimate the value of having 24 faders as is the case on a standard size mixing console. From my point of view, 16-fader consoles are produced for space and mobility (19" rack) purpose. There are more suitable for small events such as corporate events. In addition, the context of a church is not the same as a small concert, you often end up with a few special features: - Mix Monitor from FOH ; - Use of the console by volunteers ; - Mixing a band + other additional inputs and outputs (cry room, balcony). With such peculiarities, I think that having all the faders you need directly accessible in one fader layer is very useful (input, effect return, subgroups and matrix). Tips: the SQ6 also have soft rotaries. In the context of a church, one could assign them to the main mics (vocal lead, preacher, laptop, Fx..) to easily adjust the volume or mute them. Disclaimer : Yes, some engineers work with small consoles such as the Dlive C 1500 but they don't have the constraints of a church. They usually only deal with the FOH, and they can easily use the different fader banks which is not the most easy way to use a console for a new volunteer. Thanks, Jake, for this video. There are some very good arguments. Personally, I am not sure that the wing will replace the X32 as it is more expensive and more advance tool for beginner. But I hope we will have a small wing.

[@BadgesForTheCross]

We recently went with the SQ5 and accompanying digital stage box. We absolutely LOVE it. We made the switch from an old Yamaha MG32FX. It has made a world of difference.

[@geol.tobiasadero5676]

Can you donate the Yamaha Mg32fx I will appreciate

[@jurimusic88]

Great video 👍. We bought the Wing recently. At first I wasn’t sure whether it is too complex, especially for beginners. Yes, the console has a lot of routing options, plugins etc but when you understand the system, it is much easier than the X32. Changes for example in routings are very easy and intuitiv, as Jake mentioned in the video.

[@CrownlessStudios]

We upgraded from an X32 to a Wing, and the ability to Sends-on-Fader each output has been a game changer for us.

[@JL-hx7wk]

You can even connect the Behringer wing via AES50 with the Midas DL series stageboxes, absolute killer combination.

[@985live]

We got a SQ-5 our first digital board coming from analog. I love it

[@AlecSpence]

They'll all do the job. With SQ, I'd advocate the largest size surface you can afford. SQ7 gives you 32 faders which, for most situations, will allow everything on one layer - which is a massive benefit for the volunteer mixer. Once configured, it's a very simple interface for pushing faders and adjusting monitor mixes. Diving deeper may be less intuitive, but that's less of an issue for the volunteer. Wing has the problem that X32 still massively undercuts it in price, and is very capable. Also Wing has, maybe unfairly, gained a reputation of being non-intuitive and flaky - not helped by being released too early in the development cycle.

[@mendozajonathon15]

Ordered the wing and S32! Soooo excited!

[@jean-lucbattista2492]

It's not just that you get 16 stereo rackFX on the wing, you get custom compressors and eqs on every channel without touching those rackFX.

[@Gauseltown]

Someone who has no big experience with mixing, the SQ is the way to go. Way more easy than the Wing. Routing, patching is so easy. Sound is great and you can easy can get into it. And it has all the great processing capabilities with great compressors, EQs ect...

[@greatvalleypresbyterianchu2625]

Just purchased the SQ-6 a few months ago and our tech team is loving it. Feeling very validated today. Ha!

[@mschaf9354]

Sq best Mixer for a reasonable Price. Sq 6 as foh and SQ5 as broadcast. For Live mixing is a bigger one like sq6 and 7 bether then the 5. Blessings from germany

[@rmessnerjr]

@@mschaf9354 It would depend on how many faders you normally use and adjust during a service. If you can switch pages easily then you should be good to go.

[@rmessnerjr]

Here I go replying to myself. Not only that above but also the number of mic/line inputs you need if you already have mic lines running from your platform. We have 52 mic lines already running from floor boxes and aren’t ready to abandon them. But we only use about 28 each Service. So, we’ll be going with the SQ7 because it has 32 mic line inputs.

[@henryvanweeren7233]

"I'm blown away by the sonic quality of the preamps and console of the SQ-5" 96k sample rate vs. 48k sample rate; that'll do it. That's why I purchased one for the church in 2018. To be sure, it will depend on what you have, value per dollar and how adaptable your volunteers will be. Thanks Jake!

[@TheVersencechy]

I use SQ-6 with dx168 for over 3 years , and all the feature helps alot, both live, streaming and monitoring mixing. The only flaw i notice is the stock FX only four. Other brand has more.

[@itsmatchew]

Will we be getting an in depth guide to the Wing like we did for the X32 and M32? Thanks in advance Jake, love your channel!

[@ZachSwena]

I am replacing a QU-32 with two used Soundcraft SI performer 3 mixers for a house/broadcast split. Much better signal to noise ratio and sonic performance. All for under $6k... Planning to upgrade to RME mic pre's and a daw for effects later.

[@ethanaoutdoorschannel9405]

The sq 5 is a really good sound desk, we use the sq5 for our school and for our church.

[@MatiKL]

We are buying the waves LV1. 👌🏼

[@edwartedo5109]

behringer xr18 is great for youth/kids service . easy to record multitrack.

[@Archer11ca]

We considered both of these boards and went with the Wing and mixing station.

[@PVS318]

Have you ever used a Yamaha TF series board ? The TF3 is a 24 channel board and with digital stage boxes will go to 40 channels and Yamaha gives churches a 10% discount.

[@thecoatesfamilynet]

This is good information. But, what about those of us in smaller churches with limited funds? Your 3 to 5k pricing is the total we have for everything including presentation computer and software as well as live streaming equipment. Would love a wing but we need to replace our old behringer analog that we got as a hand me down many years ago and is not providing the flexibility we need.

[@jazzeejax5816]

X32 rack might be a good budget option

[@Chunkosaurus]

You should try to find a qu-32 used or an x32 compact.

[@TMccrury]

I like the WIng. I refuse to sell it currently due to screen issue and speediness of repairs. A friend of mine has been waiting over a year to get his screen fixed. I need a fader for 1 and it is 6-9 months. I have a DL231 out for a power supply and it is has been gone for 9 months and no end in sight. Bought a new DL231 to replace the dead one and it is dead. Waiting on a call tag for the DOA device. Buyer beware.

[@Danny1995100]

This couldn’t come at a better time. Heading out to pick up a new console for our church plant today!

[@manfriendlychurch]

Just got a Wing and S32 stage box. Nice to have my choice confirmed.

[@olorunfemivictor5326]

Waiting for this for some time now. Who else?

[@baylinkdashyt]

Users should probably also look at Mixing Station, which is pretty inexpensive in the app stores, and *exceptionally* well designed -- and the only thing I know of that lets you put 16 faders on a screen.

[@benjaminmagambo3849]

In terms of sound quality, what’s your verdict, between The Wing and Allen&Heath?

[@asilva_media]

amazing video. also if you are looking for something more expensive the A&H avantis is amazing, but i also feel Midas’s quality has gone to crap when beringer (spelled that wrong) bought them, as the m32 is the most unintuitive and worst built mixer i’ve used

[@stephangamon4611]

I use the presounus 64s..

[@kevinmerino7432]

Behringer wing now costs $4200, sad but still a great option to look at

[@patriciomezcal6307]

As an owner of the SQ5, I simply don’t see myself going with anything else at this point.

[@nicweber]

Our church was hit by lightning several years ago and we had an analog Allen & Heath board that died because of it. We decided to switch to digital and got their QU series with a stage box (over X32, mainly because we had an Allen & Heath before and thought the transition would be easier if we stuck with the same brand). We JUST upgraded to the SQ5, naturally. I have no doubt that if we originally went with the X32, we would probably have the Wing right now. 👍 Both great consoles

[@JMTZS]

We are starting from scrap we need the whole system we are currently running on a pair of Bose L1s we had for gigs

[@matheosworku6746]

Thanks Jake. We are thinking about Behringer Wing but scared of the touch screen ghosting issue reported by some users. Have you encountered the issue with your console? What is your opinion on the issue?

[@luisgregoriojr762]

Yes!!! Don’t buy it!! My church has the ghosting issue. 😢😢😢

[@CraigMosheraudioengineer]

We use a Presonus Studiolive 32SC with a 16:8 stage box. That allows us 32 physical inputs, when you include the physical I/O on the console. I don't like the fact that the Wing only has 8 physical inputs. That means you are required to purchase a stage box in order to have a usable console for any band. Unlike any of the other consoles.

[@oilyoily92]

completely unrelated question - what are those light tubes in this video and where can I buy them?

[@TFaminu]

Great question.

[@SmithBill71]

Jake and those in the know. 10-15 years ago, our church had a sound system installed. This system included the Roland M-300 v-mixer, 2 REAC 16/8, I/O stage boxes (one mounted under console to utilize wired snake, one on stage), one s-4000 digital snake, and 4 m-48 personal monitor mixers. We’ve recently started having faders and buttons sticking on the mixer. The biggest issue we have is we have a lockable cabinet that’s limited in space. Also, we’d like to “up” our channel paths to more than 32 input channels. What options, in your honest opinion, do you believe we may have at this point? Thanks in advance.

[@epicdude999]

SQ5, TF5 are probably ur best bets

[@ageless9]

Do you have a video where you compare the Wing with the M32?

[@samuelgidiglo7392]

Yes. I wanna graduate as a sound technician to be the best sound engineer in my jurisdiction. My father is a great man of God in Africa, Ghana. He is building a new auditorium, so we will be installing a new system of sound equipment. How may I go about it for the best? Thanks.

[@AlihoJustusRugo]

Thanks Following

[@cwatv1343]

Thank you

[@peteryousef5177]

please i need a video how to use behringer wing ?

[@pauljosephson6076]

Thanks, Jake for this video. You just relieved my stress of choosing between an M32 and SQ6. IMHO, the WING seems like you'll need pro sound guys to handle it while the SQ6 looks more user friendly with a better learning curve. We are definitely upgrading to an SQ6 and it will be our first digital mixing gear. Thanks a mill.

[@revelationevents2323]

What do you think about the Yamaha models? How about the tf5 vs the ones you compared here?

[@reva64d]

Cons of the Behringer Wing: - Pretty bad remote control apps - Only 8 physical/analog inputs The fact that it basically requires a stage box to function for any church eliminates it for many people. Couple that with the sub par remote apps and overall bugginess, I don't think you should recommend it in this video, especially not ahead of the SQ series or the Presonus 32s which now supports dante and has frankly the best remote apps out there.

[@Marowanna]

You realize most pro boards have limited on board inputs.. The midas d heritage has 8. It's a extremely expensive board m

[@BritoWorx]

Not sure why A&H failed to use Neutrik combo jacks for line connections. Missed opportunity

[@isaacorgulloazulyoro]

Hello, Do you have any recommendation with analog mixers. Its a small chuch and we bought an used mixer and we want to buy a new one. We dont have a sound engineer but the mixer we have it was on bad shape when we bought it. God bless you ;)

[@ilosngolo4930]

Excellent

[@BlackCoinCrypto]

The yamaha TF is a great mixer... 4 years ago. Alot has changed over that time. Both our sites are yamaha, but the extra features of the wing has me taking notice.

[@BlackCoinCrypto]

What I will say is that if my guys have an issue I can talk them through the menu of the TF fixing any issue they have. That cannot be said for many other mixers especially the X32.

[@MrKevinKlatt]

Just got our first digital consol, the sq5, and a stagebox. We'll use it for house and stream mix. Do you have a beginners guide for this console? - Okay. Coming soon 🤣

[@lmars]

The Wing is so incomplete, We recommend the Yamaha or Allen & Heath over any Behringer/Midas product.

[@denniss2836]

We have an old analog board that we are changing out. We are considering the SQ7 or the SQ6 . I would appreciate your input . We have decided to go with the Allen and Heath. We are just now sure which model to choose. When it comes to electronics... I usually purchase the newest models. Also.. does anyone have any suggestions on training videos ??

[@AlecSpence]

SQ7 every time - anything that reduces/eliminates the need for layer switching is a win for the unskilled volunteer mixer.

[@bicher6914]

Hey Jake. Great video. I agree, using something that is popular has great benefits and more options. I'd do the same re the audio network waiting for the Dante cards, so you can add more devices like computers with Dante Virtual Soundcard and other brands of stageboxes.

[@markweru9612]

Great video Jake. Thanks a lot for clearing the air on this. I'm looking forward to buying an SQ6 for my church in the near future. Though from the video, I think the stage box you've recommended for the SQ (DX168) may not be compatible with the ME personal monitors as it runs in 96kHz while the ME systems run at 48kHz. But thanks for the video.

[@timteoprod]

Could get the GX4816. more inputs and ME output

[@edwinguzman6043]

Can you control the wing with a tablet or computer?

[@sandiviprod8142]

Hi brother what about the TF1 Yamaha mixer

[@calebrabion]

The M32 is on sale for $3k right now lol. Just throwing that out there.

[@KCs585]

I'm curious with your electric drum set, what is it?

[@musadadam7260]

Am impress

[@henryhogan6789]

Exactly what I need right now

[@jeremythomas1803]

same

[@jazzeejax5816]

Me three, pretty funny

[@lanbally]

How about yamaha tf series?

[@kahyyamdavis7783]

Allen n heath sq5 for me nothing else, remember this later when I have money again don’t change your mind it’s better to wait for the best, I’m an audio file that wants premium form processing

[@chooocoooleeezhang1251]

Presonus Beast!

[@zadyjohn2091]

What would you recommend to me sir

[@zadyjohn2091]

Hello I am Zady from South Sudan 🇸🇸. I am building up worship band and I want the best sound system mixer 32 channels for full band

[@quintonburton9205]

My church is considering getting an sq7. Am I right in assuming that while one sound man is looking after the house sound, another sound man could be looking after the live stream via the iPad app in a separate room? If we had headphone connected to the iPad? Know what I mean?

[@Gauseltown]

No, the MixPad App is just a remote control for the SQ. There is no audio transmitted to the iPad. You'll have to have some speakers to mix the livestream.

[@michaelsteingard]

You would need to physically route audio from the soundboard to speakers in a separate room, and then you could mix for live stream using one of the Aux Sends of the board. But you could control your livestream mix with the iPad. 💯

[@Teds1223]

Any reason for not going for something in the Yamaha TF series?

[@BlackCoinCrypto]

You can't go wrong with a TF mixer, we have 3 across our locations. I'd rate the TF over the X32. But the TF's are getting older now, and the wing has some cool features. If we do another church plant I'd buy a 4th TF because it makes life easier for our volunteers.

[@anoopkumar9006]

What ahout Midas M32?

[@reshephgani9798]

Could you please suggest digital mixer for around 1000$

[@burhanuddin127]

Go for xair 18

[@cristopheraguilera263]

So the Midas DL2 would work for behringer x32 and wing or only the wing?

[@davidostapuk]

DL32 will work with both the wing and X32 You asked about S32 vs DL32 in a different comment; Same design preamps(XLR ports), but the DL32 preamps are made with better components therefore they sound slightly better, and they are a bit cleaner(less fuzz/hum) when you turn gain up higher on mixer

[@thomasjclay]

What about presonus studiolive boards? How do you feel about them?

[@Chunkosaurus]

I don't think there is anything a presonus can do that the wing or SQ5 can't do better. In addition there are far more online resources for behringer and SQ than anything presonus.

[@tim.inside]

We have been using the wing in the church for a year now. And this is the perfect replacement for the M32, which we now have on broadcast.

[@Thomas.Hoermann71]

I am shortly before switching from Mackie to either a Wing with Midas DL32 or an SQ5 with 2x DX16/8 stageboxes. I would prefer the Wing but I am still concerned about the image of Behringer crappy build quality. Can you tell me about your experience now that you are operating the Wing for 12 months week over week? Any hardware issues came up?

[@thesoundbaptist2984]

Wow. Thank you! I think we can use those for our channel and church!

[@cbckearney]

Allen Heath SQ series with the ME 1 monitors is really good. Speedier that Beh, but lots of customizable for the MEs and don’t sleep on the remote iPad option. Invaluable to me.

[@polarberc1]

SQ7 is what we use @sacgenesis and I love it

[@rmessnerjr]

We are moving from a Soundcraft GB8 to digital. We use 11 instrument mics and 5 vocal wireless mics/lapels. These feed through 52 mic lines up to two 48-channel patch panels which feed mic lines to the Soundcraft. We input stereo sound for pre-service and choir/soloist tracks. We also input stereo audio from our ProPresenter iMac. We feed 4 AUX lines from the board to a 4-channel amp that distributes an Aviom mix to four floor monitors. We use a fifth AUX to send mono audio to our stream. Left & Right feed our amps which power the Bose main speakers. Our two 18” subs are directly fed by the Centre. A Matrix channel feeds our Hard of Hearing system. With only 48 inputs on all of these mixers, a stage box is necessary. I believe I should install that under our sound board, replacing two 48-channel patch bays. But I’d like to eliminate two Aviom outputs that feed through mic lines to our mixer’s channel 1 & 2 and then back to the 4-channel amp to our floor monitors. I’d rather have a stage box on the stage for that. Am I going in the right direction or should I seek professional installers?

[@samgonza1975]

How many channels do you actually use?

[@rmessnerjr]

@@samgonza1975On our mixer we use 16 channels for band/vocals/and pre-service music. Additionally, we use 1 for pastor’s mic, 1 for iMac input, 1 for a pulpit mic, 1 for those who bring their own smart device for their music playback, 2 for routing Aviom monitor systems, 2 for Vocal mic Fx, and 2 for additional wireless lapel mics (guest speakers). On a digital board we will free up 4 channels (Aviom monitoring, and Vocal Fx). So, I would be using 21. But that doesn’t take in our Christmas and Easter shows where we rent extra lapel wireless units. We’ve had up to 10 extra mic lines in use for that.

[@rmessnerjr]

But that doesn’t take into account our need to run our drum mics (7) into the new mixer instead of an on-stage analog mixer and swapping out an individual mic for brass/woodwinds with four individual mics. So, that would be 32 total with a new board.

[@985live]

If you get the SQ-5 it will do up to 48 channels with the right stage box. The layers are easily customizable.

[@samgonza1975]

@@rmessnerjr Ok thanks for the clarification. So you could get one stage box, the GX4816 and have that on stage. It would handle all your necessary stage in and out. Or save a little and get the 2 stage boxes. AR2412 and AB168. Difference is price and 96khz and 48khz. Keep in mind depending on which SQ you get, there is I/O on the board as well. ALL the inputs and outputs are patchable. You could use 32 from stage and the rest available on the board. I’m not an installer but I think this would meet your needs. I’d also do away with the Aviom and either switch to the ME system or simply use Aux’s. It sounds like you won’t use all of them.

[@cristopheraguilera263]

Sorry to ask again what about the Midas DL 16 is it better than the behringer s16 and how?

[@matthewyoung5980]

This is all about the preamps - the Midas DL32 or DL16 use premium Midas preamps. Sound quality is a little better than the berhinger ones

[@jeremythomas1803]

Very timely, great video

[@michaelmaasen872]

I keep seeing people say the wing costs around $3,000, but it's definitely at least $3,600. That's closer to $4,000.

[@Churchfront]

It was $3,000 when this video was made. But yeah now it’s more thanks to inflation.

[@michaelmaasen872]

@@Churchfront oof, wish I'd bought it back then!!

[@sherrokinchen5253]

The reason why the Behringer digital mixer‘s are good because they are powered by MIDAS🧐

[@bodemeleski735]

I still recommend the M32 or for medium size churches Midas Pro 1 or 2. In my opinion the Midas M32 has a amazing satisfying easy UI layout and looks astecticly pleasing and a modern design than the Berringer Wing.

[@ElijahAnderson1112]

I've run into issues using the SQ-Mix app simply with connections dropping out here and there. It's a great mixer, but this little quirk has been driving me nuts. It and a media computer are the only ones on the network, and I can have it drop out even when standing next to the access point.

[@samgonza1975]

We had this issue as well. Even with a cheap old wifi router you can get by. Just get it on it’s network and you should be fine.

[@ElijahAnderson1112]

@@samgonza1975 so that actually what I've been doing. It's not awful, just annoying at times

[@samgonza1975]

@@ElijahAnderson1112 oh but I meant with regards to the media computer. Get the SQ by itself. That’s what helped us. That’s why recommending just a cheap router. Ours is literally 10 years old. Lol

[@ElijahAnderson1112]

@@samgonza1975 thanks for the idea, it makes it a little inconvenient though simply because I am trying to route audio to it for a live stream as well... I just need to wait for an update probably!

[@christiaanbarry]

To you this is a low budget!! ... Come to South Africa where most churches aint so fortunate to afford a R45 000 mixing console

[@BlackCoinCrypto]

I hear you bro...When it comes to digital mixers it is low cost. Personally I'd love an SSL but they are x 20 the price of wing. Give us some perspective please, what is the average hourly wage in US$ where you are?

[@mickellyrodrigues2191]

You'll should try the soundcraft ui24r

[@TimmyP1955]

I use the uI regularly. It lacks the problem solvers that the XR18 has.

[@MGort-bb8op]

Good video. Very nuanced. However, I don't understand why you didn't mention the Midas stageboxes. They are more expensive than Behringer but have a significantly better sound. (Many say even better than A&H). S32 / DL32 is about 400, - difference. Nice video!

[@Churchfront]

I did mention the Midas stage boxes

[@TheMrfuzzyface]

I would argue that the difference in sound isn't as significant as is thought.

[@MarkAMensah]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5KUgIukbdp3rLc - This was where Presonus was in comfortable lead... and Oh... Dante Bridge is available now. so Jake what will it be? Still the Wing?

[@Churchfront]

Yeah wing still is my favorite. It’s been a long time since that video.

[@johnukah6738]

Presonus has a major drawback for me, no port for flash drive.

[@quintonburton9205]

What about the A&H Qu series?

[@Churchfront]

not a huge fan

[@joshjealouse4320]

Our church uses a Qu24. I wish the SQ line had been out when it was purchased as for the bit of extra money the sq line is much more flexible. I do find it very user friendly for people coming from analog that don't want to take the time to get used to digital however.

[@joelgamez7239]

Does the wing Consol have the app capability the same as theMidas and X 32?

[@Churchfront]

Yes, it has an app now. Not the most amazing app, but functional.

[@firkletalan5459]

Why is it always for churches? I dont get it.

[@juliuscaesar2729]

The

[@Iron_Sharpens_Iron]

The behringer wing is an absolute waste of money. Presonus studiolive siii would be a better option by far