X Air XR16 : Such a small bundle with such a large potential

I've been waiting for Behringer to release this product since it was anounced last year. I own an X32 and digital snake so I know how good Behringer can be these days. This unit has a cut-down version of the X32 software in it and just sits on the stage like a stage box so no wires, no sound operator position. Great for gigs in small places.

I'm old-school so I like a desk with a big control surface so the concept of running the whole show from an iPad is a bit alien to me but for the amount of functionality in such a small package I don't think it can be beaten. The free app from Behringer is smart and easy to use. I'd quite like it if I could play songs from my iTunes library over the WiFi and out of the X16 but that does not seem possible.

Plugged it in, followed the easy "Quick start" guide and was up and running in minutes.

If I had the cash, I'd have probably gone for the XR18 as it has all XLR inputs (this one has 8 x XLR and 8 x 1/4" which is frustrating when a gig that needs 10 mics (I have to bring the X32 out).

For the price, this is an amazing piece of kit.