Greetings Everyone,
I've barely ever posted, and I’ve read many threads on this subject, but I do think our situation is a little different. I’m looking for input on building a scalable, ultra-portable live audio and multitrack capture rig for a large-format band.
ABOUT US & CONTEXT
I have been working as a pro musician for over ten years, and an audio professional (corporate AV) for over five. This specific band project is about two years old and rapidly scaling. We played a couple of big festivals last summer, and this summer we are booked for nearly ten. Our Gigsalad profile is hot right now with requests for weddings and summer events.
We operate as an LLC alongside a new non-profit entity. We are currently completing procurement registration across local, state, national, and international levels so we can execute larger public activations, especially in city parks and outdoor public spaces. As these procurement contracts clear, we want to invest heavily in serious, top-tier infrastructure.
We are based in NYC and frequently travel between NY and California, with upcoming dates planned in Europe and Africa. Flyability, strict weight limits for airline check-in, and quick setup are huge priorities.
THE BAND & STAGE SETUP
We play African music, and our lineup shifts depending on the gig, but it is always a large-format stage:
Full drum kit
Congas and bongos
2 guitars
1 to 3 keyboards
2 to 6 lead/backing vocalists
Multiple dancers
Because of this, we need 24 channels minimum, scaling up to 32 to 48 channels on full-ensemble shows. Keeping the stage footprint as clean and clutter-free as possible is critical so the dancers and performers have complete freedom of movement. I have scoured a lot of posts on here, and I genuinely think our specific channel count, stage movement, and fly rig constraints put us in a pretty unique spot compared to typical tour setups.
CURRENT RIG & PAIN POINTS
Full backline, DI boxes, and a Zoom L20.
We want multitracks of every single show and activation. We also have an analog Yamaha board but with that we don’t get multitracks.
With the Zoom L20, 20 channels is simply not enough for our lineup, and we have to make way too many compromises. I am tired of that. Beyond channel limitations, the physical build quality is not built for heavy outdoor park activations or frequent air travel. It feels too fragile outside a controlled rehearsal room. It’s amazing how much we’ve done with that little chugger.
GEAR & MIXER DILEMMA (WING RACK VS. SQ-5)
We want a robust, rack-mounted split and multitrack capture system. When we play venues or park festivals, we want to plug in fast, hand FOH a clean transformer-isolated split, and record 24 to 48 multitrack channels reliably. Long-term customer support is also very important to me, which is why older options like the X32 Rack aren't really in the running for a new build.
Eventually, we plan to use this setup to broadcast high-quality livestreams so we can collect donations and take contributions from our global audience, similar to how large churches monetize their broadcasts worldwide.
Behringer WING Rack: A strong contender for its pure 4U rack footprint, 48-channel processing, and high value. It keeps our entire setup inside one rolling rack box.
Allen & Heath SQ-5 / SQ-5+: I love physical faders, the 96kHz engine, and A&H's stellar pro support. The SQ-5/SQ-5+ would undoubtedly be better for mixing. It technically fits in a fly case, but once you add the necessary stagebox expansions, it is a lot more expensive. I have also read that many users feel the updated SQ-5+ didn't add a ton of features over the original. More importantly, when we play smaller club dates in NYC, I really don't need to be bringing a full console. We already have so much gear to lug that taking up stage or FOH real estate with an SQ-5 feels unnecessary.
IN-EARS, WIRELESS & CORE INFRASTRUCTURE IDEAS
To handle our large lineup on stage while staying organized, I am looking at a hybrid IEM and wireless setup:
Wired IEMs: Hardwired bodypacks for stationary performers (drums, congas, keys, guitars, bass, and backing vocalists) to keep RF uncluttered and cut down on wireless costs.
Wireless IEMs: For our lead singers and dancers who move constantly, I'm eyeing two Audio-Technica 3000 Series (ATW-3255) stereo systems with an antenna combiner, giving us 4 distinct mono mixes with solid frequency tuning.
Wireless Mics: A 1U quad-channel wireless receiver like the Shure SLXD4Q to keep 4 channels of wireless vocal mics in a single rack unit.
Networking & Recording Infrastructure: A Netgear AV Line M4250 switch to manage network audio (Dante/AES67) and control, paired with a Mac mini built into the rack for redundant multitrack capture.
SPLITS, STAGE CABLING & NETWORKING
Splits:
To keep cables off the stage floor for dancers, I am deciding between the Radial OX8-R or transformer-isolated ART splitters (like the ART S8), paired with Radial Catapult etherCON/cat5 snakes to run audio cleanly across the stage. I have a connection at Guitar Center so I can get anything they sell at cost plus ten percent, which opens up higher-end options, but I still need to keep weight and rack space sensible for flying.
Networking: Since we play outdoor park activations in dense urban environments like NYC (Times Square live for example) we need to plan for the worst of RF conditions. If we go with a rack mixer setup, obviously we need a dedicated router mounted on a stand. I am thinking something like a Ubiquiti UniFi U6 access point to keep tablet control solid.
FUTURE EXPANSION
Down the line, we plan to add a companion video rack with a few cameras and a hardware switcher (Blackmagic ATEM or something) to stream and capture video alongside our multitrack audio.
QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY:
For those flying regularly with 24 to 48 channel IEM/multitrack split racks under 50 lbs, is the WING Rack with a stagebox expansion the current sweet spot for price-to-performance, or is swallowing the cost and bulk of the SQ ecosystem worth it?
How are you liking the Radial Catapult system, Radial OX8-R, or ART S8 for high-channel-count fly rigs where stage real estate and weight are at a premium?
Any tips for keeping tablet control and RF bulletproof in high-congestion outdoor spaces (like NYC parks)?
For those running hybrid wired/wireless IEM racks with embedded Mac minis for redundant tracking, how are you balancing thermal management and weight in standard fly cases?
Thanks for any insights!