GEAR REVIEW
[ AUDIOFUSION SYSTEMS | Mitch Bohannon ]
Wireless in-ear monitors over a Wi-Fi Compare that to $700-$1000 each
signal? Actually listen over your iPhone? just for a wireless UHF system, or
I have to admit, back in the day when even more money for a monitor mixing
I began to be able to mix my monitors system, and this could be an extremely
using an app on my phone, my first affordable way for a church or traveling
assumption was that I could actually plug ministry/band to add an in-ear system!
my earphones directly into my iPhone 4, My situation is most probably similar to
but that was impossible until now! many of yours… I already had a Mac
that I could use for SoundCaster. I also
Just
as
smartphones
have
made already had an iPad and everyone on
improvements since my old iPhone 4, my team except one person already
so has wireless monitoring technology! owned an iPhone 6 or newer. The only
Right before NAMM 2018, I caught a
post on Facebook about Audiofusion that
claimed they could turn your iPhone into
thing I did not have sitting around the
musician’s mix.)
church was a good Wi-Fi router that could be
It seems pretty straightforward and simple, but
dedicated for platform/monitor use only.
a wireless IEM. I reached out to Brandon there is always a trial and error period with any Leafblad about becoming a beta tester for the setup. For instance, I mistakenly did not connect Let’s talk actual use and sound quality. The
system. It was so close to NAMM that I did not my computer to the router with Ethernet cable. iPhone app is really intuitive and easy to
have time to set everything up and test it out. This mistake taxed the Wi-Fi signal too much navigate. All of the channels can be ordered
So, I just waited to be able to experience it at and audio quality suffered quite a bit. Once I and named using the Director app. Truthfully,
the show. When I did, it was evident to me that connected that one cable… voila! my 1964 Audio A6’s never sounded better!
this system would be a game-changer for many
For my current wireless UHF system, I have a
churches, traveling musicians, and ministries. For my situation, I was using an iMac to record mid-range system, nothing super expensive.
directly from the SL32 into Presonus Capture, It does have a good sound, but it also has
So, what’s this all about? First let’s start with so my USB output was taken. However, I consistent UHF ‘hiss’ even with no music being
equipment needed: a Digital Mixer or Audio happen to be using a Presonus SL24R as my transmitted. Switching over to the Audiofusion
Interface with a USB port that transmits all digital stage box. The SL24R can be used as Wi-Fi system, the clarity is really superb.
channels, a newer Mac to run Audiofusion a stand-alone mixer and it has its own USB Initially, I ran into “crackling” issues that, after
SoundCaster, an iPad (capable of 802.11ac) port on the back. I’m able to connect the Mac troubleshooting, were eliminated by turning off
for the Audiofusion Director app, a dedicated running SoundCaster on the platform and I can the Wi-Fi signal on the Gen 2 iPad. I’m learning
5GHz Wi-Fi router, and iPhones running see all channels that are plugged directly into about Wi-Fi signals… the signal is only as good
Audiofusion Performer (iPhone 6 or newer). the SL24R! This is all I need for mixing the band as the slowest device on the system. That’s
and vocals. why we’re encouraged to only use iPhone 6 or
(Thigh-bone is connected to the knee-bone): higher. Once I took that slow device out of the
Connect the mixer to the Mac by USB/Firewire/
There are many great options for in-ear
system, all audio was clean and clear!
Dante, etc., Run SoundCaster on the Mac monitoring, and this is certainly one of them. and select the channels to include in the mix In previous churches, I’ve lost wireless systems After I troubleshot all of my user-error problems,
(currently up to 16). Connect the Mac directly (microphones and in-ear monitors) due to the Audiofusion system performed as well as
to the router by Ethernet cable. Create a the FCC changes in band frequency. Those claimed! At the time of writing this, there are
dedicated private Wi-Fi network on the 5GHz instances were quite costly to my budget and plans to possibly have a second option that
band. Connect each iPhone running Performer the church… and considering that tithe money would open up 32 channels of mixing at a price
to the same network. Plug earphones into the that bought the equipment; my job is to be of $200 per individual using the Performer app.
iPhone, mix, and enjoy! (The Director app for a wise steward! The cost for Audiofusion will the iPad is optional but nice to have to label only be $100 per individual using the Performer the channels as well as hear and control each app connected to SoundCaster at one time.
90
May 2018
WorshipMusician.com
AudiofusionSystems.com
$100 per user at 16 Channels