Digital Mixer Showdown* : RCF M18 v Behringer XR18 review - Which should you buy ? *Not Sponsored

All this equipment was purchased with my own money. This is not a sponsored video like many, the opinions are my own honest feedback based in my experience using them live in the heat of the night.

Amazon Affiliate links :
Soundcraft UI24r

Behringer XR18

I'm an Amazon Affiliate member, they've a great returns policy. If you found my video useful and are considering buying one, if you happen to click on the link I'll earn a small commission but you won't be charged any extra, this helps me invest more time in creating more and better reviews. I bought all 3 units myself.

If you’re a function band or conference engineer, digital mixers controlled by a mobile device are the way to go. Find out which one, between the RCF M18 and XR18, I chose to keep, (Hint : major plot twist)
#RCFM18 #XR18 #RCF #Soundcraft #UI24r #Behringer #LiveSound.

To clarify, the overheating years back caused the desk to shutdown repeatedly in the middle of a live gig, took me 3 shutdowns to understand why it was happening.

As this is my first review it was a bit nerve racking to say the least, I'm not used to speaking to a camera and I don't like it at all, so discovering now afterwards that some fellow musos have found it somewhat useful has been a big buzz. I spent many hours editing out my awkward "ums" and "eh's" to get the video to sound more coherent and less jarring to anyone listening, hence I do about one review a year 😄 coz it takes so much time, lighting, multiple takes etc. so it's great seeing your comments good or bad. I hope you found this overview from my own "live musician's perspective" useful. Thanks for watching.

[toneranger]

Hi folks, if I can get 200 likes I'll do a UI24r review so please hit the like button 👍🏻. Thank you for watching and I hope this helped if you were considering going digital. It's been over 2 years since I made this video and it was fun but jaysus was it alot of effort, hence few reviews since. I spent so long editing out dozens of "ums and ehs" to make it listenable. All my gear is paid for by me so you're getting an honest and unbiased opinion, and that's all it is, just my humble opinion based on my personal use 😄
The UI24 has increased a staggering 70% from 715eur when I bought it then 2 years ago, to 1200eur today, that is crazy. COVID, supply chain issues and chips and processors shortage has contributed to this. All the best for 2024.
Slava Ukrayini 🇺🇦

[everythingisopen]

excellent, thanks a lot, you're way ahead of me so all points brought up are appreaciated

looking at the Soundcraft 12ch now, might be a match

[MrAndy]

Hi there .good reviews.Just to let you know you can mute the FX on the m18 .on the main page of the mixer app on the right hand side above the MAIN OUT volume you will see the RCF logo. Click on the logo and you will see the options for main mix. you can MUTE FX there.also you could assign FX to a DCA in the settings tab and mute that DCA on mixer page.I use a cheap 2 button footswitch (button 1 mute FX and button 2 PLAY next track) to make it even easier.Theres a play button for usb tracks as well under RCF logo which might be handy.

[djs]

I tested and use: Midas, Xr, M18 rcf and now I m using UI24R Soundcraft. Man....I tell everybody very seriously, the best sound in quality, dynamcs(!!), noise (!!!), is RCF M18. THE BEST ! And I m very happy that I still have it and not sell it. I have Ui24R for few points: conectivity PC, touchscreens, inside DSP and more buuuut I m very very sad with noise and poor quality sound and dynamics compare to RCF m18.

[blueslsd]

Hi Sound engineer and musician for 40 years and I have both. RCF I use for a live gig each week and the X Air in the studio. Both over 4 years. RCF wifi is pants but I think X air is the same. Used an external Router and this has now just failed in the RCF. I have to use the internal wifi. Not had an issue so far with X air. Interface on X Air is has all you will need, though but runs on more gear IE Linux, Mac, Android and Ipad. Great Vid though.

[BangBangSystems]

I’m using de ui24 in de studio and live. Really creat mixer. Using it with a touchsceen. And with a double antenna i experience no wifi problems.

[fireflamezdjflamez]

Mixing station is the third party app it is amazing .💯% solid and and very intuitive

[antwanfilikian]

Thank You Very Nice REVIEW, I do have a Question Dose Behringer XR 18 Have feedback Buster on all chancels ? I thank You In ADVANCE :)

[vicadaja]

Great reviews very detailed.i juts don't understand why the black and white camera filter.i would have loved to see the color on each of the mixers.

[vicadaja]

Please do a review on the soundcraft ui24r.youe thoughts after working with it.thank you so much.great review

[JamoMw]

Thanks for this great help. Your review was clear and well structured

[geraldh.]

Thank you for doing the comparison, much appreciated!

I’m currently trying to figure out what to buy... The RCF does not have Automix functionality, which the Behringer does. Since I’m looking for a mixer for voice discussions I guess the Behringer is the only one which could do the job :-)

[jerryhamilton]

Now after using the Soundcraft, I am curious what your thoughts are. There are some negatives on the internet concerning reliability and noisy preamps. I am not concerned so much about WiFi because most all of these type units seem better if directly connected or using an external router. I am more concerned about the build quality, preamps, and other thoughts you may share. Thank you for the time you took to review these products and your brief opinion, if only a reply to this comment, is much appreciated. Thanks.

[RoCkSlAvE]

Sounds like you should have tested the cheaper xr16. The usb to pc was one of my deal breakers too, only I'm on the other side of that fence! Running music from a thumb drive would be a nightmare for me, also, connecting to a pc for recording purposes, the fact the xr18 does 18 in, 18 out was definitely one of the main reasons I chose this model. The xr16 only features the basic usb a input for playback and stereo recording you seem to prefer.

[sharisses]

Now that you’ve used the SoundCloud for multiple years, what is your experience comparing it to the M18

[romerbass]

Great comparison. One thing I didn't get: Does the RCF can record multitrack and play it back in order to mix the band after recording a song or having a guide recording that can be used for any gig instead doing a live soundcheck at the venue?

[bernardblanken]

Does the soundcraft Ui 12 have compressor, delay and chorus on all channels ?
I am torn between the M18 and the sound craft .

[lonngrentaljaard]

Hi there, thank you for the review. We use the M18 for church purposes. For some reason, whenever we do playback from the usb there is always a slight buzz present. When playback is stopped the busz goes away. Would you have any idea why this is happening? Thanks.

[alexmcallister]

I have the M18 and lately the built in WiFi is intermittent. It won’t even work with an external router . It’s effectively useless . Really disappointed

[TheBluesine]

you mention the problem of heat getting out of rack cases, especially thru the brackets on the front, , , with all cases you can remove the cover on the back so its not really an issue. ALSO, you complaining that the Behringer XR18 has usb B out and not a regular usb out... There is a simple reason if you investigate Like you said, It is because it can be used as a multi track recorder ... what doesnt suit you could suit other