We were eager to get our hands on the Soundcraft Ui24R. It brings together practically every feature we are going to need in a mixer/interface, with multiple functions, across the widest variety of situations we might find ourselves in. It works for events, gigs and live shows, as well as in the studio with its powerful recording interface of up to 32 channels (I/O via USB port). The Ui24R makes multitrack recording a reality in a rack unit that can also be our live mixing console, with all the freedom of remote control from up to 10 devices (Wi-Fi/Ethernet) thanks to its Harman Connected PA environment.
This is a 19" rack-format unit (also portable with handles and usable on a desktop) capable of mixing via its own software, which we can view by connecting a screen to its HDMI output, or control from any wireless device (iPads, tablets, smartphones and even any web browser). It offers the features of a large console while taking up minimal space, making it genuinely lightweight to carry around. From rehearsal to gig, from gig to studio, mixing in a venue, at events...
As with other Soundcraft products, it benefits from the backing of its sister brands. In this case, that means 20 powerful Studer preamps, Lexicon effects, dbx dynamics and even DigiTech amp modeling on channels 1 and 2.
Connectivity
The front panel (rack view) offers 20 Mic/Line inputs: 10 of them XLR and the other ten XLR/TRS 1/4" combo.
On top of that, there are two L/R inputs in RCA format
At the bottom right we find the USB connections. PLAY (5V 40mA charging) for playback, REC (5V 40mA charging) for connecting a memory stick to record the session to, and the USB connection to hook up to our DAW.
Potentiometers in the center control the volume of the (main output) right and left speakers and the headphone volume.
The upper section offers two headphone outputs, master outputs (2 XLR + 2 TRS 1/4") + 8 aux outputs on male XLR.
The front houses one of the two Wi-Fi antennas, while the second is located on the inner (side) area of the unit, spreading the signal more evenly (2 antennas, 2.4/5GHz).
The right side has two Ethernet ports, the HDMI output for connecting a monitor (which can even be attached to the Ui24R with a small bracket) and two female USB ports (5V 40mA charging) + footswitch output and the unit's reset button.
The opposite side has the power button and the socket for the internal power supply.
Harman Connected PA
Obviously one of the great conveniences the system offers is its compatibility with Harman Connected PA, available for Mac, Windows, on the App Store and on Google Play (Android). In addition, being able to connect up to 10 remote devices to the Ui24R means that, for example, the engineer can have control from the mix position in front of the stage and/or the musicians can have their smartphones on their mic stands to control their monitor (or monitors).
As for Harman Connected PA, the software is designed to make our lives easier by letting us:
Set optimized gain, EQ and FX
Configure up to 70 parameters, with automatic recognition of the components in our system
Connect dynamic mics with the AKG MDAi adapter
Recognize and manage dbx DI boxes
Recognize and manage JBL PRX800 speakers, recalling room EQ levels and delays or defining presets per space/venue
Recognize and control our Soundcraft Ui24R
Control from computer and app, set up effortlessly (since much of the work is automatic and smart).
Tools at our disposal
The unit can be the centerpiece of our live event or gig (with up to 24 independently controlled channels, which we can also record). We can also place it at the control position of our DAW system: the core of our multitrack home recording studio.
We have DigiTech amp and cabinet modeling (amp modeling), which we can use for our guitars on channels 1 and 2, as well as 20 high-quality Studer mic preamps. Our input channels feature delay, 4-band parametric EQ, noise gate, compressor, de-esser and HPF.
We also get 8 aux buses with 31-band graphic EQ, AFS2 anti-feedback and dbx compressor, a 120-band real-time analyzer and 4 Lexicon effects buses (reverb, delay, chorus and room).
In operation
With the product in our lab, our best option was to get down to work and check the three aspects we were most curious about: sound quality; ease of connection and how intuitive the software and remote software are to use; and latency and compatibility with our peripherals and DAW.
The first step was connecting the unit. Pretty quick: power cable to its (internal) power supply, USB cable to the Mac, install drivers and apps (in this case we tested on an iPhone, an iPad and an Apple desktop) and connect to the Wi-Fi network (with Ethernet, as always, everything tends to be faster and more reliable, although it's a hassle and depends on cables). The process was quick, simple and free of surprises. Everything ready in no time. Everything running perfectly.
If you are familiar with the quality of work of the Harman Group brands, you will have few surprises in terms of the clarity of the (Studer) preamps, the effectiveness and cleanness of the Lexicon effects or the warmth and roundness of the dbx dynamics. We are talking about trust and a track record that back up this sound.
Conclusions
There is little to add given the functionality of a modern mixing system with 24 channels for live use, capable of recognizing our gear and configuring it. Add to that the possibilities in the studio as an interface I would dare to call a "beast" for its processing power and number of tracks, and that comes as an all-inclusive package, from guitar modeling to compression, effects, etc.
It is certainly highly versatile; it can be our faithful companion on any kind of adventure (rehearsal, presentation, gig, studio, etc.), it is easy to carry, it sets up in the blink of an eye and it is also very flexible when it comes to connecting devices over the network to control it.
It is a high-performance "all-in-one" for a "home" user that reaches Soundcraft's professional standards for any professional in the trade involved in audio "gigs." We loved the product, which goes for around €900 on the street (approximate market price). In fact, now comes the worst part: packing it back up and taking it out of our studio... too bad!
Specifications
Parallel multitrack recording to USB stick & DAW
20 Mic/Line inputs: 10x XLR, 10x 6.3 mm jack combo
2 RCA line inputs
2-channel USB media player (MP3, WAV, AIFF playback)
22-channel USB recording "Direct to Memory"
32-channel recording interface (I/O via USB-B port)
2 additional USB ports for controller and updates
2 Main outputs, XLR and jack
8 XLR aux outputs
2 headphone outputs
RJ45 Ethernet connection
HDMI port for controlling the mixer via monitor
Built-in dual-band WLAN & Ethernet (2 antennas, 2.4/5GHz)
Compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, Mac OS, Linux (via HTML5)
Up to 10 devices simultaneously (tablet, smartphone, PC)
Signal processing by dbx, Lexicon, Digitech
20 high-quality Studer mic preamps
Input channels with 250ms delay, 4-band parametric EQ, gate, compressor, de-esser, HPF
Channels 1/2 including Digitech amp modeling
8 aux buses with 31-band graphic EQ, AFS2 anti-feedback, dbx compressor
120-band real-time analyzer (inputs and outputs)
500 ms (approx. 170 m) of delay on the output buses
4 Lexicon effects buses (reverb, delay, chorus, room)
Build: 19" / 4U
Weight: Approx. 5.1 kg
Estimated average price: €900
