So if you know anything about "wireless" controlled stage box mixers, like my Behringer XR18, you know that all the great features and abilities don't include reliable internal Wi-Fi. In 2002 you'd think they could come up with an upgrade. But alas, single band and a signal that loves to disappear is what I'm stuck with... BUT NO MORE! So I just got this a few days ago and have everything working great in the living room. I'll modify and update this review as I get some real world experience with the router. For now (7/22) everything seems great and ready to rock. The XR "how to" videos out there were helpful but still left me with some head scratching and googling to do along the way. I'm not exactly a network/computer guy. But really, I figured it out without too much really trouble.
Here's a couple notes and observation for those looking to add a router for a similar purpose; especially Behringer users.
Follow the set up instructions for the router before you even think about the mixer. Since I wasn't going to use this for internet I wasn't sure if all that was necessary- but it is! Hook everything up in the order of operation described first. I did the rest on my phone by downloading the router app. Here is where you can name your network and set up a password. Called my network "AdwareVirus" (lol) just to possibly deter someone in the crowd from even thinking that it might be a good idea to try and connect to it. Who knows if that really helps, but why not? There were a few terms and decisions to make in the set up process that were unfamiliar to me. Google searching things along the way got me through it. Wrote the password on a piece of tape and put on the inside of the mixer case lid, just in case.
On top of the added dual band reliability, It's huge that this router can do what the XR18 is incapable of doing on it's own; namely using my tablet and phone to control the mixer AND maintain a hardwire connection from the mixer to a laptop at the same time! Behringer should have built in this ability but as they didn't this really makes finally buying a dedicated router for my XR18 worth every penny. Laptop simply plugs into an Ethernet port on the router and boom- I'm wired and wireless
Speaking of pennies, I saw no reason to buy the latest and greatest high priced piece of tech. Yet at the same didn't want to just grab the cheapest router out there. The AC1900 felt like a good middle of the road option and worth taking a chance on.
Since this is purely a mobile router I wanted a good, safe way to store and transport it. What I opted for was a 14" Amazon Basics laptop bag. It's a little bigger than needed but was worried the next size down would be too small. It's a nice basic bag that easily holds the router, power supply, a couple data cables and even leaves room for any other little odds and ends I might want to toss in. Really helps me feel streamlined and organized as I prep for and event/gig. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DUGZFLK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Note that I use a different XR18 in a church where it mostly lives in a fixed location. In this case we have the mixer hardwired to the building's router. This allows us to wirelessly connect to the mixer on a password protected network from anywhere in the building, on any device. that has the mixer software on it. This has worked out very well for coming up on a year now. The IT guy among us said that he preferred this route vs. introducing an additional Wi-Fi network/signal to the building as I initially envisioned.
Hope this can help another mixer owner who has realized that adding an external Wi-Fi is a necessity and not an 'it would sure be nice", option. The XR18 built in Wi-Fi is very unreliable and inconsistent the moment you step outside your living room! Some weeks it will work flawlessly and other days it barely works all (yes, do look for for the best channel but in this day and age the airways are just plain jammed). There is no such thing as a good time for you to loose total control over all you mixer functions (though some are worse than others:). If you don't choose this router the important thing is that you choose A ROUTER!
Update. I have wireless mic reception issues when using this router. Can't find a useable frequency on the shure wireless headset mic system. The powerful, installed Wi-Fi in the church building doesn't effect our wireless mics at all but when I use this router I'm forced to use all wired mics. Having trouble making sense of this. Church Wi-Fi runs on dual band as well so if there's an obvious solution I'm missing it. Annoying.
| 商品尺寸 | 24.31 x 16.05 x 3.25 cm; 412.77 克 |
|---|---|
| 产品颜色 | 黑色//白色 |
| 包装清单 | 电源适配器, 快速安装指南, RJ45 以太网电缆 |
| 制造商 | TP-Link |
| 型号 | Archer A8 |
| 保修说明 | Manufacture's 2 year warranty |
| 商品重量 | 413 g |
