Elite Core monitoring system?

[rePete]

Hi,

We're in the midst of our iem system search. First implementation will be for the band, wired with individual mixers at each position, six to start off. We would prefer, I think, 16 input channels.

I was wondering if anyone has heard, seen or has any knowledge of Elite Core? They have a product that looks robust and according to them, sounds great.

I was looking at Behringer, but I just can't commit without seeing one of those.

Thanks for all the input.

Pete

[Arlin]

Above link is wrong. Here is the correct link: Elite Core personal mixing.

No experience, but it looks like a really, REALLY interesting option to me.
Feature set is reduced compared to Aviom & Roland M48, but that might be a good thing IMO. Makes the system very easy to setup, learn, and use. One look and anyone can probably figure it out on stage in about 2 seconds.

Main things Elite Core is missing:
1: No Preset Store/Recall: Can't store & recall mix settings at the personal mixer. While this might be a big drawback for some, I don't exactly see it that way. The PM-16's use of 'real' knobs makes it much more easy & intuitive to use, but makes recall automation impractical.
2: Analog input only. No direct digital cards (a la yamaha mini-ygdia). This would be nice, but not totally necessary.

I've said it before, and I will say it again: I am waiting for a personal monitor system that just uses a straight-up standard digital audio transport like Ethersound or Dante.

[Brad Weber]

Apparently Elite Core manufactures their personal mixer products themselves but they were designed by Pivitec, the latter being some of the same people who previously were with Aviom, including one of the co-founders of Aviom.

I believe that the Elite Core personal mixer products just received all the requisite approvals and went into production around a month ago, so there are probably few people with much experience with them. A six mixer, 16 input system seems to be around $3,700 excluding cabling, headphones, etc.

By the way, the Pivitec system does use Ethernet AVB, however it is a bit different in that the personal 'mixers' have no physical controls at all, not even a power switch, and all mixing and control is accomplished via software run on an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.

[Frank DeWitt]

Originally Posted by Arlin

I've said it before, and I will say it again: I am waiting for a personal monitor system that just uses a straight-up standard digital audio transport like Ethersound or Dante.

Agreed, it would be nice if a "Standard" would rise to the top and also apply to digital snakes and FOH mixers.

Our system takes a different track. We send audio only to each persons IEMs and they control there individual mix over a private wireless network using laptops or tablets.

Frank

[rePete]

Brad,

I got a quote from for the Elite Core from CCI. The 6 mixers, input module and hub would run about $3300. plus we would need cabling and other stuff. My estimate to get a working system with everything but earphones is about $4k.

I'm leaving the cost of the earphones to the individual user.

A similar Behringer system is $2400!

Elite Core has some interesting interconnects though too. Like their wired belt pack which will be in our system. That thing really seems to solve some problems before they happen.

I'm also looking for flexible, lay flat, cat5 cables for the stage. I intend these to have Neutrik Ethercons on both ends.

Thanks for the discussion. I'll keep you posted.

Pete

[Alex Crays]

We have been using this system for acouple months now an we love it. At a previous church we used Aviom for about 7-8 yrs. I can't tell you how many times we had those plastic mixers repaired. And the sound quality dos'nt compare to elite cores.

Major pluses include the ambient mic, each channel is immediate access without having to click the button for the specified channel (Aviom). Compression actually works well. The pan and volume knobs have smaller increments for finer adjustment. The headphone beltpacks are a nice idea but they will work with any system. The mixers are very solid metal boxes. They are not too heavy as to be too heavy on top of a mic stand. Xlr style rj45 connectors in the mixers are a nice option for when the mixer is dropped, and it will.

I highly recommend them. You won't be disappointed

[zimrib]

Save some money. Get some iPods and a Presonus Studiolive. Everyone can control their mix wirelessly with an iPod. Eliminates the need for more clutter and cabling on stage. You can get a Studiolive and iPods for well under 4k.

[rePete]

zimrib,

budget is what this project is all about. So to replace our existing 32 channel analog board would be $4k, 8 ipads/ipod touches or the like would be a minimum of $1000, plus wifi points for control, more wiring and some type of headphone amp for each user on the stage ..... you get my point, over $5k. We did the whole thing with cat5 wiring, connectors and equipment for around $3k.

We still continue to be very happy with our decision to go with Behringer. No issues so far.

Thanks,
Pete