Market guide
Choose the control and failure plan
Decide what remains usable when a surface, screen or network is unavailableThe useful mixer is the one the real operator can control during the show. Start with people, room, access and failure response before counting effects or headline channels.
01
Operator
Match the surface to the people
A volunteer, musician mixing from stage and dedicated engineer need different physical controls, screen depth, permissions and scene protection.
- Layers
- Count the actions needed to reach gain, mute, sends and talkback during a problem.
- Access
- Keep critical controls available without crossing the stage or unlocking an administrator account.
02
Remote
Build a wired and wireless control plan
Rack mixers depend on a controller and network. Use supported routers, switches, cables and topology, and decide which wired path can recover the show.
- Fallback
- Document the minimum mix that must survive a lost tablet, access point or touch surface.
- Ownership
- Assign responsibility for network configuration, updates, passwords and spare control devices.
03
Room
Price the physical control system
Add surface, rack, stagebox, router or switch, UPS, cases, lighting, cabling, stands and safe temporary power.
- Reach
- Measure sight lines, cable paths and the position from which the show will be mixed.
- Rehearsal
- Deliberately disconnect a control link during setup and prove the recovery sequence.
Evidence used
First-party sources behind this guide
- 01Current CQ digital mixer familyAllen & Heath · checked August 16, 2026Open source
- 02DM3 digital mixing consoleYamaha · checked August 16, 2026Open source
- 03Yamaha DM3 reviewSound On Sound · checked August 16, 2026Open source
- 04Ui24R product and support recordSoundcraft · checked August 16, 2026Open source