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Mixing Station App Review – The ULTIMATE digital mixing app?
Introduction
Another review that isn’t really guitar-related but I think is useful! More and more people are using IEM systems now. With the advances in digital desks, controlling them wirelessly is the perfect option. However, which app do you use? Well, I have been using the Mixing Station App for a while now and thought I would put together my thoughts in a short review in case anyone was looking at apps to use.
This will be a bit different than a normal review. There won’t be any sound samples. However, the rest of the article will be the same. I will still go through all the features and functions, then we can talk about my thoughts, which are both good and bad. So with that said, let us dive into the Mixing Station App and talk about the features it has; believe it or not, it has some insane features!
Mixing Station Application
Mixing Station is an application that allows you to control a huge array of digital mixing desks. This allows you to turn almost any device into a full mixing desk, wirelessly! Simply connect to the desk’s Wi-Fi or cable and you are away.
At this point, I would normally talk about the controls of the product, but where the Mixing Station application really sets itself apart is its customisable features. You are able to set up custom layouts which can contain custom buttons, sliders, buttons and more! Then you can set up various custom screens and options and really make the application your own. If you want to automate your mixing then you can use MIDI with the app and run the sound using MIDI to control various aspects!
The Mixing Station Application is compatible with up to 60 mixing desks. Covering 7 manufacturers and desk types! If your desk is a mass-produced desk then there is a high chance it is supported! If you want to be sure then you can check out their website for the full list. You get brands like Behringer and Allen and Heath.
With the ability to share your settings you can be sure that anyone that is running your sound can use their own devices and be set up correctly! It also allows you to share your settings and layouts between your own devices! Combine this with the ability to save snapshots and presets you can really set up the app just as you want.
More on the Mixing Station Application
If you are using IEMs or monitors then you will be able to let the whole band control their own mix through this app. With the restriction features you can be sure they are only controlling their own mixes and not the front of house. Each band member can “log in” to the app and control their aux send. Meaning, as a sound engineer you have a few less things to worry about.
The biggest part of the Mixing Station Application is the device compatibly and screen size! I haven’t come across a device that won’t run the app! It will run on almost any device and also any screen size! You can use a big laptop for a “main desk” kind of feel or you can run it on a mobile for your personal monitor mixes!
The Mixing Station Application is free to download but you will require a licence for the desk you want to use. Prices will vary but they average out at £10 a licence (Cheaper on Mobile and Tablets). Your licence’s can be used on several devices and are a buy once and use forever licence.
The Video
This video is just going to show you some shots of how I have Mixing Station set up and showing you the various devices that I run the app on! Below I talk about how I use each device and why I have picked each device (I also have an article going over this topic). I also show how the app looks, how the controls work and what you can expect to see on the various screens. The video isn’t a full in-depth look at the app, just some quick details shots to give you an idea of the app.
I do have another article going through my favourite features in depth. I will give out some tips and tricks in a future video and explain them in more detail. That will be out very soon! For now, enjoy some nice shots of the app and a quick video just going over some features!
What are my thoughts?
The Design
What surprised me about the Mixing Station app is how you can use it on so many devices! Of course, it runs on almost anything, but it is actually usable on most devices! I have run it on a computer, iPad, and also my iPhone! Because you have the custom layouts and scaling, it runs lovely and is so usable! You can tell the team that created this really thought about how people will use it on other devices!
The overall look of the app is very “functional!” It isn’t pretty or finely tuned in regards to the UI. It isn’t bad, but it serves a purpose, and it does that well. This isn’t just the case with this app; any professional software has this! Designed to do a job, not to look amazing!
The feel of the app is very nice! It doesn’t matter if you are using it on mobile, table, or computer. The response of the controls is nice.
"The amount of desks that this app can connect to is just wild! I only use one desk, but it has so many budget and high-end desk options."
Features & Spec’s
This is where the Mixing Station app blows everything else away! Its features! This app is jam-packed with features, I mean jam-packed! To this day, I am still finding out new things it can do! Everything from custom layouts, custom buttons, even a small amount of programming for shortcuts and super custom buttons!
The amount of desks that this app can connect to is just wild! I only use one desk, but it has so many budget and high-end desk options. Now, you do have to buy a licence for the app, but I really don’t mind this. I only use one desk type, so I have only had to buy one licence! It is super affordable and transferable from device to device (except desktop). So if you only use one or two desks, then you won’t be paying for licences for other desks.
The Drawbacks
As I touched on above, to look at the Mixing Station App isn’t great on the eyes! It doesn’t cause any strain or anything, it is just “basic”. It is there to do a job and it doesn’t clutter anything up! From a tech standpoint I appreciate this! Helps with speed and navigation; however, upon first use it can be rather dull to use and maybe will come across as complicated or intimidating to some people.
Something I have always struggled with is copying your layout to other devices (I will touch on other devices shortly). On my iPad I have a nice layout that for me is easy to use and understand. Getting it to my other devices seems almost impossible and there are so many “export” options! Luckily there are plenty of YouTube videos on the app and the website is full of information (when you can find it). So it is possible to find most things out, but it isn’t as instinctive as I would have liked to hope.
More Drawbacks
As I touched on above, you do have to buy the licence for the desk you want, they are grouped and you get a few desks per licence. I am fine with this! However, if you want to run it on your desktop and you have a mobile, you will have to purchase another licence! It isn’t expensive at all and well worth it but is something to note if you are planning to run this like I am across all your devices! A mobile licence works on several mobile devices but for laptops or desktops you will need another licence.
"I have it installed on my iPhone, iPad and even an old 2010 MacBook!"
Final Thoughts
My favourite thing about the Mixing Station App is that it runs on almost anything! I have it installed on my iPhone, iPad and even an old 2010 MacBook! All of which runs perfectly! This makes it so versatile for whatever situation you need it in. Am I running sound during rehearsals? I will pull out the MacBook and run it. Mixing my own IEM mix at a gig? I will just use my iPhone during soundcheck!
If you are someone who is going to be using this app to run sound for a band at a gig, I would highly recommend using it on a laptop! This goes against what a lot of other people might say, but having a trackpad, bigger screen, and a keyboard just makes it so much easier to use and set up. If you are running your own sound, then you might find a laptop a bit too much, and an iPad will be perfect.
It may be a bit overwhelming when you first launch it and use it; however, once you spend a few hours using it, then it all clicks into place. This is only emphasised when you start using the custom layouts and buttons options. It all becomes very familiar!
Conclusion
So that is my review of the Mixing Station App. Overall, I love it! I have tried a few other applications that do similar things, but I have to say that this app is definitely the most powerful app and once you understand it, the easiest to use. I would highly suggest you check it out. It is a simple and affordable way to gain full control over your mixing desk. If you are still unsure, then you can download the app and use the demo feature to try it out (you don’t need the mixing desk to demo it).
Saying that, I am not an expert in this app, and I make sure that I spend 30 or 60 minutes with everyone and then look up new features and tips. I am forever trying to expand my knowledge on this app. Because of this, if I find anything else worth mentioning, then I will come back to this article and update it.
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