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

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In this video, Jake shares his top two digital mixing console recommendations for churches in 2021.

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[rappy]

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.

[samgonza]

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.

[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.

[BarnabY]

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.

[mendozajonathon]

Ordered the wing and S32! Soooo excited!

[jurimusic]

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.

[live]

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

[JL-hxwk]

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

[Danny]

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

[greatvalleypresbyterianchu]

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

[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!

[Archerca]

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

[olorunfemivictor]

Waiting for this for some time now. Who else?

[manfriendlychurch]

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

[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.

[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.

[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...

[henryvanweeren]

"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!

[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.

[edwartedo]

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