We previously used and hired out Allen & Heath's excellent T112 and T80 digital sound mixing desks from their iLive range. The T112 desk has 28 channel strips in three banks, assignable over four 'layers', providing up to 112 channel strips. The more compact T80 mixing desk has 20 channel strips used over two banks in four 'layers', providing up to 80 channel strips.

The desks are available from Mainline with an iDR16 or iDR48 Mixrack - this replaces a conventional stage box. The Mixrack provides the majority of the system inputs and outputs, and centralised effects processing. iDR16 has 16 analogue inputs and 8 outputs, while the larger iDR48 provides 48 inputs for higher channel count requirements, plus 24 outputs.

A set of inputs and outputs are also available at the T112 desk. These can be used for background music CD player, iPod, etc., or for your favourite analogue outboard effects unit, if you really need it (you probably won't - there are up to eight digital effects buses already available, plus every channel has individual gating and compression!).

One of the great advantages of digital desks over analogue is saving and recalling settings: prepare and save an entire show configuration beforehand onto a USB stick, then load the show into the desk when you reach the venue. Save and recall 'scene' settings for each band or act during sound checks and rehearsals. No need for a separate desk or complete re-patching between support band and main act.

Another great advantage over analogue and even some higher-end digital desks: the iLive T series mixing desk and Mixrack are connected using a 'digital snake', a single CAT5 data cable. This enables a faster setup, faster load out, and reduces costs with no need for any heavy multicore conventional 'snake' cables.

Sorry! iLive is no longer available to hire from Mainline, but please contact us about hiring from the newer Allen & Heath dLive range