RCF has added two larger format versions to its L-PAD 6- to 12-channel mixers. The company’s L-PAD 16CX USB (16-channel) and 24-channel analog L-PAD 24CX USB (24-channel) versions, previewed last year, are now in full production.
More details from RCF (www.rcf-usa.com):
With these new mixers, RCF are introducing a different approach to both the styling and features, with both products packaged in a metal chassis and packed with compressors and internal effects.
Respectively offering 16 and 24 channels, these 4-bus mixers boast 10 or 18 Mic/Line, 4 Stereo Input, 4 Group Out, EQ and internal effects.
The L-PAD16CX USB allows 10 ultra low noise mic inputs or 8 mono line input with insert send/return, three-band EQ with wide sweepable midrange (from 100Hz to 8kHz) on 8 channels, 4 channels of stereo inputs with 4-band fixed EQ and 4 group assignable sub-mixes, 60mm faders and four AUX sends per channel.
The L-PAD24 CX USB features 18 ultra low noise mic inputs or alternatively 16 mono line input with insert send/return, three-band EQ with sweepable mid, frequency on 16 channels, 4 channels of stereo inputs with 4-band fixed EQ and 4 group assignable sub-mixes, 60mm faders and four AUX sends per channel, the last of which is dedicated to the internal effects or additional stage monitoring,
Compatible with all audio devices, the consoles are notable for the inclusion of single control compressors (eight on the larger desk’s mic line inputs and six on the smaller) along with a preset selector, which provides access to up to 100 internal DSP internal effects, to help shape the sound.
The USB facility provides enhanced computer recording and monitoring and the user can choose from a number of option cards which bring MP3 player, MP3 Recorder/Player or Bluetooth into the console via the card slot. These optional cards expand the L-PAD’s versatility and provide access to any third party Bluetooth device.
A further bonus for musicians is the ability to capture their live mix via their laptop and DAW software, via the L-PAD’s USB connection. The USB allows two channels of 16-bit audio (Main Mix or Sub Mix 1/2) can be streamed out to the computer, enabling band rehearsals, club gigs, speech, worship events and any live performance to be recorded (since the connection is bi-directional, audio from the laptop can also be sent to the L-PAD mixer for playback purposes.
Summarises Product Manager, Sandro Chinellato, “These two mixers are aimed squarely at the gigging musician and semi-pro band. We have worked closely with our design house and our R&D resource to engineer these feature-packed models, which include original knobs designed uniquely for these products.” Both the L-PAD 16CX USB and L-PAD 24CX USB retain the same form factor and arm rests as the other models in the L-PAD series but come in a metal chassis with plastic side cheeks.
Full production models were shown for the first time at our booth (8.0, G60) at ProLight+Sound in Frankfurt (April 15-18).
This year’s Prolight+Sound in Frankfurt also saw the first production versions of our new L-PAD 16CX USB and L-PAD 24CX USB 16- and 24-channel mixers, which we previewed last year.
The consoles have now been upgraded and are packed with features. Although they have the same form factor and arm rests as the rest of the series these two new stylish mixers are notable for their metal chassis and unique pots.
Aimed at the gigging musician and semi-pro band we have thought of everything — from the wide sweepable midrange to the generous provision of compressors and up to 100 internal DSP effects.
The feature that mixing engineers will first notice is the ability to capture their live mix via their laptop and DAW software, via the L-PAD’s USB connection — whether it’s to capture band rehearsals, club gigs, speech, worship events or any live performance.
But that’s not all. Aside from providing enhanced computer recording and monitoring the console allows the user to choose from a number of option cards that bring MP3 player, MP3 Recorder/Player or Bluetooth into the console via the card slot. These optional cards greatly expand the L-PAD’s versatility — while providing access to any third party Bluetooth device. Great for playlist purposes.
