EllisF5

+ 1 Wi-fi is just too flaky to trust an entire show to it, with no backup option available. All kinds of stuff can go wrong...

I'd not recommenmd buying them as an investment.... you have to get the value out of them by using them. Same with digital cameras. I paid $4K for one once, now they go for almost nothing.... if I had not been able to generate a lot of sales from images taken with it, it would seem like a bad deal. Fortunately, I did, and I still condider it money well spent.

Learning a digital mixer (even this one) can involve a lot more than learning an analog desk... because not only is the operation mode very different, but it is like having several racks full of outboard gear running too.... The M20D is very intuitive compared to some! I am thinking back now to the first time I encountered digital desks.... Tascam TDM 1000 and Korg 168RC..... those things were a nightmare to operate.... and the early Yamaha's were also really hard work! Things have come a long way.

Precisely. The main outs which are labeled 'Left' and 'Right'. If you wish to take a separate, secondary feed from these - other than to your powered speakers or power amp - all you need to do is put a good quality balanced signal splitter box in-line.

Well.. in the electronics world if you buy when something first comes out, it is very, very typical to see a price drop sometime latter. Solution: wait a little while. This also allows time for reviews to filter in and for defects to be fixed or updates issued. As for channel assignments - this is all explained in the manual. You can move them around easily. You can 'hold and drag' the icons in the lower row, and you can re-assign inputs to XLR's/Jacks by just touching them. Easy. No probem at all. Fully explained in the manual.... The A&H is a good little mixer, but cannot really be compared to the M20D. The M20D is in a totally different class. Must confess I have had no problems figuiring it out or using it at all. I found it very intuitive and only had to consult the manual on a few points.

We have a pair of iPads (4th gen and Mini) + a couple of Samsung Galaxy Android Tabs, and indeed, there are many apps that have versions for both. In some respects, I prefer the Galaxy units: they have excellent wi-fi performance (often locking onto networks that the iPads can't manage to connect to at all), it is very easy and straightforward to transfer files to/from Mac (or PC), and the removable 32Gb memory card (at very low cost) is great. In fact, I ended up buying the larger iPad purely to run the Stagescape app... which bumped up the 'cost of admission' substantially.... and must deter some potential customers, at least.

The Samsung dongle does work - however... on multiple tests with several iPads (3rd Gen, 4th Gen, Air and Mini) connection speed and reliability is greatly improved by getting the dongle a short distance from the mixer casing. An extension USB cable does this very effectively. This mixer has a very heavy steel casing, and depending on the dongle's antenna and the siting of the mixer, I suspect that this close proximity could be an issue. Certainly moving the dongle away from the mixer casing solved all of our connectivity problems at a stroke.

Use an analog connection.

One other thing. I seem to get vastly improved connectivity by running the dongle at the end of a 2M USB extension cable, away from the mixer. Instead of extended searching, it usually connects almost immediately if this is done. Worth a try.

Habe you tried: 1. Forget Network http://line6.com/support/page/kb/_/live-sound/stagescape-m20d-mixer/video-reconnecting-your-network-on-an-ipad-wit-r665 2. Changing frequencies

Resolved. Was just a local frequency conflict.

I had this problem for the first time today since updating to IOS 8. Previously, you might have to use the 'forget this network' method... but it got there eventually. As of right now, it just hangs there looking...... Tried several re-starts on both devices. Nothing.

If you tried to add plugins as well, you would increase the latency even more. The M20D does what it is supposed to. It is a live sound mixer with a very useful multi-track 'record to flash media' function. The idea is you export those files to your DAW for later processing/editing. This works very well. If you want super-low latency with plugins on a recording interface, would suggest you look at the Thunderbolt equipped UA Apollo's. Recording interfaces and live sound mixers have to balance very different priorities.

We also use ours for bluegrass and traditional acoustic music, and we are equally impressed with how well suited this little desk is. Very quick to tweak things, and the iPad adjustment from the audience position is a revelation!

Stick with Class 10 cards and you should be fine.