X AIR vs Smart Assist
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
X AIR
Control mixing, processing, and effects for compatible digital mixers from your iPad. Offers simple and advanced modes for managing input channels, buses, and internal effects. Prepare shows offline in demo mode.
- Control input levels and preamp gain
- Manage snapshot, DCA, and mute groups
- Full EQ control with RTA support
- Metering overview for all levels
- Edit gate, dynamics, and bus sends
- Full FX editing for internal effects
- Create custom presets and mixer scenes
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BEHRINGER X AIR iPad app for X18/XR18/XR16/XR12 DIGITAL MIXERS X AIR allows you to control the mixing, processing and effects functions of BEHRINGER's X18, XR18, XR16, & XR12 Digital Mixers right from your iPad®. X AIR Version 1.5 delivers simple and advanced control features for the X18, XR18, XR16 & XR12 consoles. The user interface is providing access to mixing 18 input channels to 12 buses and editing 4 internal stereo effects processors, with highest professional audio quality, yet hiding away most of the underlying complexity. Switching to 'Advanced' mode offers full access to many more parameters of Sends, Gate and Compressor sections, when needed. You may also use the application in demo mode for offline show preparation, when no mixer is available. KEY FEATURES * Control all Levels for Inputs 1 – 18, incl. Preamp Gain, Low Cut, Phase, Phantom, Stereo Link * Control all mixer internal snapshot memory, DCA groups, Mute groups and Automixing * Full EQ Control – fine-tune the 4-/6-band parametric or 31-band graphic equalizers with RTA support * Metering Overview – all levels at a glance * Control bus send levels of input channels conveniently from their channel faders * Detailed Preamp/Configuration, Gate, Dynamics, EQ and Bus Sends editing pages * Full Effects editing GUI screens for all 61 internal FX types * Gate and Dynamics offer either simple preset-based control or advanced, in-depth parameter control * Create custom presets for each component of your X AIR processing, or entire mixer scenes on your iPad * Control background music or stereo recording on USB drive with XR12 and XR16 mixers REQUIREMENTS X18/XR18/XR16/XR12 mixer firmware V1.15 or higher recommended iPad with iOS 12.0 or higher
Smart Assist
This app simplifies the setup and operation of wireless microphone systems. It offers automated configuration, monitoring, and access to all system settings via a smartphone or tablet. Get your wireless system up and running in seconds with intelligent setup and helpful resources.
- Automated setup and operation
- Bluetooth connectivity
- System monitoring
- Access to all system settings
- Frequency allocation and naming
- Firmware updates
- Support hub with tutorials and manuals
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Evolution Wireless Digital Smart Assist makes the setup and use of Sennheiser Evolution Wireless Digital simple and fast. Use your smartphone or tablet to connect via Bluetooth for an efficient setup and overview of your new wireless system. Smart Assist provides automated setup, operation and monitoring Smart Assist becomes the "engineer in your pocket." After installation of the app, you'll only need another 60 seconds to have your system set up and running, including pairing and automated frequency allocation. Intelligent setup automatically creates reliable wireless connections, no wireless expertise required Aside from instant access to all system settings, you'll find a brand-new support hub with video tutorials and detailed manuals to help get you started. Stay current with firmware updates accessible directly within the app. Mobile access to all system settings centralizes control, eliminating the need for complicated menu navigation on every device Automated setup of receivers and transmitters, frequency allocation, channel naming, muting and battery status are now only one tap away. Easy frequency allocation and naming of all wireless channels keeps systems organized Always stay on top of all your wireless systems, even when using 15 channels at the same time. Our coloring and naming feature helps you to exactly identify each channel. The optionally available color coding set helps to tag the hardware as well.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Smart Assist at 2.9 against X AIR's 1.7. Smart Assist also leads on review sentiment (39% vs 13%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). X AIR's advantage is ratings volume (637 vs 38). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Smart Assist holds the better App Store score, 2.9 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: X AIR has 637 ratings behind it against 38, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 13% of X AIR's written reviews are positive against 39% of Smart Assist's.
X AIR ships an update every 2 months, Smart Assist every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.
| Parameter | X AIR | Smart Assist |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.7 (637 ratings) | 2.9 (38 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 13.3% of reviews | 38.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 637 — better | 38 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 103 MB | 81 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Music Group Research UK Limited | Sennheiser electronic SE & Co. KG |
Customer experience
X AIR
Smart Assist
Bugs and requests
X AIR
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashes when accessing EQ, effects, or setup menus
- Custom layer settings not saved
- Incorrect channel assignment when loading EQ presets
- Demo mode crashes when accessing channel EQ
Requested features
5 requests- Add tap tempo button
- Improve fader control and responsiveness
- Allow locking of bus functions for band members
- Add option to keep iPad from sleeping
- Display numbered scale next to meters
Smart Assist
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
X AIR
No in-app purchases
Smart Assist
No in-app purchases








