X32 Digital Mixer SOFT OVERVIEW
X32 Digital Mixer - Originally published May 26, 2015:
https://www.pssl.com/Behringer-X32-40-Input-25-Bus-Digital-Mixer
SOFT OVERVIEW By Jeffrey Jeff
Speaking from experience working with analog, digital, hybrid (analog/digital combination) and TCRM’s (touch/software controlled rack mounted digital mixer) I will not reflect on my preferred classification of consoles because I have worked in a variety of recording and live sound environments whereby each has served their purpose when needed. I am going to center this review on my appreciation for the X32 in its own right and why I feel it’s a necessary tool for a variety of further scenarios.
When I first took to the X32 I noticed a very unique organization of tools configured differently from the SSL and Soundcraft consoles I had been accustomed to over the years. Like any new mixing station the key is to take what you know, apply it and then continue to learn by digging as far as you can to unlock the full potential within. It’s a much different geography with the X32 but no loss of capability once you understand what I always refer to as establishing an “ease of maneuverability”. If you’re in the market for a new console chances are you have been around a few over the years and you have learned to adapt from one to the next. Here its just a matter getting used to a new direction.
On the face of the X32 we see the usual fader alignment sections broken into 2 groups or “banks”, which make up a full 32. Access and switching between the banks happens by selecting the buttons corresponding to those banks found on the outer left panel of the X32 (1--16/ 17--32). Moving been these two sections of input banks does have it advantages, but jointly can cause delays in productivity due to having to take extra steps about the process. Nonetheless there are validations for why Behringer/Midas made the decisions they did during the design phases of this mixer. The most appealing feature for some will be its compact size, which was a call to action to condense all of the necessary features they intended to include. Make no mistake, where one standard is modified another feature is presented.
Each channel (or technically speaking, “input position”) has a SELECT feature so the end user can get an instant view of the signal’s behavior through the onboard digital monitor screen. The display includes the volume levels, phantom power, dynamic processing enabled, “pan--pot” dispersion, and to what other destinations the signal is being sent. In addition this display allows access to the busses, FX modules, assignment matrix and where most of the further signal routing and assignments are executed. These functions can be configured directly by push button encoders and layer buttons providing for immediate fine-tuning, keeping your production moving forward -- somewhat effortlessly once you break it down and learn it.
As the title states, the X32 is a digital mixer but hybrid in the sense it can operate with an analog approach. It’s impossible to escape the digital membrane and in turn makes the mixing process a wee bit unnatural to analog purists. This is candid when we analyze some of the moving parts about the X32. For instance, though the channel faders and the gains for incoming levels can be physically ordered and free from digitally programmed automation, it is due to their motorized potential through which the proverbial “analog feel” becomes diminished slightly. Knowing this at first we’re forced to step out of our normal comfort zones and as audio engineers revisit to the master task at hand-- make it work and ask questions later. In my experience with the X32 it is a trial worth putting to the test when you consider the end result for specific mixing situations.
Here’s where its gets creative-- how do you feel about a graphic representation of the sources coming into each individual track? Originally this so called “scribble strip” area on earlier models of mixing consoles required you to lay down some sort of labeling tape of your own on provided sections and pencil in what information you needed to.
Fast forward to the future!!!!!!
The X32 gives you the option of selecting from an artistic design library of actual icons representing an array of instruments for which you are mixing and recording on each channel!
If it’s a kick drum on channel 4-- there’s an icon for that.
If it’s a guitar on channel 12-- yep, there’s an icon for that too.
This is of course a bit time consuming at first but you still have the real--estate on the bottom of the X32 to go vintage if your prefer. If you do prefer to take the time to “get digitally minded” and program the individual channels to match your common I/O configuration, future production set--up times will greatly become shorter considering how easy they are to recall from the memory built into the mixer’s memory. One can store as many as 100 presets. Want more? We always do! Knowing that you can save them all to an external device through the USB port and store a hundred more is where this feature provides endless access-- given of course that you work in the industry long enough to use them all.
This aforementioned “instant recall” feature is highly ideal for venues such as Houses of Worship and education theater departments that need a simpler approach to production sound set‐up and training methods. For the live sound venues and independent audio engineers it provides a starting point for a multitude of events. The PRESET LIBRARY is a way to keep your production set up time to a minimum and on schedule so you’re not far behind when sound--‐check time comes calling.
Looking at the rear panel of the X32, the unit is equipped with 32 XLR connector input ports and the pre‐amps are powered by MIDAS technology. Just below the XLR inputs, the console has 5 auxiliary inputs and outputs with 1?4 inch connections. These inputs allow for additional configurations for routing to the X32 any supplementary instruments or dynamic processors. The auxiliary outputs can be used for a number of different situations such as sending the mix to additional speakers or a cue monitoring system when musicians call for sub--‐mixes during in--studio recordings or live performances. In addition the AES50 Ethernet outputs (A/B) allow for networking with the Behringer S16 digital snake (limited to 2 per X32), which once employed is another advanced production application the professional sector has been employing for years. More on utilizing the AUX sections and the S16 integration can be found in the user’s manual for enhancing efficiency when routing in or out of the X32, and step-by-step instructions on the internal routing procedures as well.
As mentioned before signal routing has been made quite manageable and straight to the point once you learn how to access those points of direction. Sub--mixing thought the DCA’s (Digitally Controlled Amplifiers) is as easy as individually selecting and addressing channels individually to their respective groups. From the DCA section you can easily identify which channels fall under each group by selecting the corresponding DCA--SELECT buttons to keep your grouping techniques from becoming too convoluted. This of course takes a little getting used to at first but proves to be useful “quick--access” functionality once it’s mastered.
The FX section allows you to apply both the “internal” and “effects--Sends” methodology for processing channels individually, as sub-mixes, to the main mix overall and a number of other scenarios just by assigning the parameters directly from within the X32’s digital displayed layout. I am still plowing deeper to find out more myself on this section and look forward to sharing all of my future trials with you.
The X32 makes for setting up any sound environment requiring adequate proficiency in mixing much easier than most of its predecessors especially for those new to the practice. I wouldn’t recommend this for touring however as the “armor” (if you will) won’t be able to take quite the beating compare to that of its Midas siblings. However with proper utility casing and handling I am sure going forward I will most likely see to reverting this statement.
This soft review just scratches the surface on what features are not only obvious, but in my opinion worth pointing out to get the end user started. In further reviews I intend to break down the X32 further so I can share a closer look at the techniques used in a variety of different situations.
Most importantly and as I have conveyed to most considering the X32 for their use, is the ability to get underway quickly without the hassles of everyday technical troubleshooting that inherently comes with more complex console technology to those new to the experiences. I highly recommend if you are in the market for a 16 or 32 channel mixer that you get behind the console and see for yourself.