Calling All Behringer X32 Users!: Using S16 to expand INPUTS and OUTPUTS

[organworthyplayer337]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place. Mods, feel free to move it where you feel is best.

If I have a X32 Rack (16 XLR ins, 8 XLR outs) and I want to expand my ins/outs, can I use a Behringer s16 to do so? I know it has the AES50 compatibility, but every set up tutorial has made it seem like the S16 was to be used in a different way.

I apologize if this is a confusing/dumb question. Any input is appreciated,

Thanks!

 

[s0c9]

You can use the SD8, SD16, S16 and S32 for expansion, or as stage boxes.
I have an SD8 in the same rack as my X32R..giving me 24 physical inputs and 16 physical output busses.
Connect via AES50 (network) cable, set up the routing table on the X32.
Done.
Oh… test all inputs/outputs.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

You can use the SD8, SD16, S16 and S32 for expansion, or as stage boxes.
I have an SD8 in the same rack as my X32R..giving me 24 physical inputs and 16 physical output busses.
Connect via AES50 (network) cable, set up the routing table on the X32.
Done.
Oh… test all inputs/outputs.

Thank you! I bet those combo/Hi-z inputs are handy on that SD8

 

[s0c9]

Thank you! I bet those combo/Hi-z inputs are handy on that SD8

Not really.. we seldom use/need 1/4" inputs…
All are XLR

UPDATE: The band uses slightly less than 16 channels. I added the SD8 to enable running 7 stereo IEM mixes..if needed, vs needing 8 more input channels

 

[organworthyplayer337]

Not really.. we seldom use/need 1/4" inputs…
All are XLR

UPDATE: The band uses slightly less than 16 channels. I added the SD8 to enable running 7 stereo IEM mixes..if needed, vs needing 8 more input channels

Ah ok makes sense.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

I have a random question: if I want to come out of a laptop and send tracks and click (tracks panned left, click panned right) into the X32 - could I just use a 3.5mm to dual XLRM and go straight into the X32's XLR inputs?

I've heard that X32's XLR Ins can handle both mic and line level inputs, but I want to make sure before I purchase the cable. Trying to avoid having to purchase a nearly $200 stereo DI right now

 

[s0c9]

I have a random question: if I want to come out of a laptop and send tracks and click (tracks panned left, click panned right) into the X32 - could I just use a 3.5mm to dual XLRM and go straight into the X32's XLR inputs?

I've heard that X32's XLR Ins can handle both mic and line level inputs, but I want to make sure before I purchase the cable. Trying to avoid having to purchase a nearly $200 stereo DI right now

Assuming you have open channels..yes.
You can also use 3.5mm to RCA and use the RCA connections on the back if you want to save inputs. X32 inputs are XLR ONLY unless you add a stage box like an SD8 or SD16. The S16/S32 are XLR only.
You can also hookup a USB cable from PC to X32 and route inputs that way.
IIRC..the USB inputs can be routed to mix busses.

 

[kittywithabanjo]

You can also use the Midas DL16/DL32 which gives you the Midas preamps

 

[kittywithabanjo]

Assuming you have open channels..yes.
You can also use 3.5mm to RCA and use the RCA connections on the back if you want to save inputs. X32 inputs are XLR ONLY unless you add a stage box like an SD8 or SD16. The S16/S32 are XLR only.
You can also hookup a USB cable from PC to X32 and route inputs that way.
IIRC..the USB inputs can be routed to mix busses.

You can also use the Aux ins, and if you want to have faster access you can route them to any fader meaning you use 1/4" to Aux 1 and 2, you then can route those Channel 15 and 16 (as an example) if you dont want to have to worry about jumping to the aux in tab while your mixing.

I have a friend who plugs in his keyboards this way instead of using a DI. (I prefer DI method myself).

 

[organworthyplayer337]

‍

I'm back! I might make a new thread but I'll see if I can just piggy back off of this one...

So here's the situation;

The place I am playing at has a X32 at front of house. Up until this point I have been using a mic splitter and splitting the signals on stage, sending another signal back to FOH through an analog snake and keeping a copy for myself that was used to mix monitors (through the X32 rack).

Since there is a X32 now; is it possible to run a Cat5e cable out of the FOH's X32 into the AES50 port on the back of my X32 rack? My goal is to receive all channel signals for personal monitoring.

There is no digital snake/stage box involved, it would be a one-to-one connection between the house x32 and my x32 rack.

Thanks

 

[kittywithabanjo]

The 1st question is will the venue even let you hook up this way.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

The 1st question is will the venue even let you hook up this way.

They will!

 

[kittywithabanjo]

You can do it,I imagine you have to do some internal routing there are a few Youtube videos out there on this, I think its fairly common, one used for Mixing one for monitors.

 

[s0c9]

Theoretically it should work, but I've never tried it. You'd need cat5/6 cable from FOH X32 back to your X32R. The FOH routing would need to change to send everything to AES50-S or B, then input routing on X32R changed to accept AES50 Inputs.
Might be more of a pain than bringing the splitter??

 

[Wasnex]

‍

Since there is a X32 now; is it possible to run a Cat5e cable out of the FOH's X32 into the AES50 port on the back of my X32 rack? My goal is to receive all channel signals for personal monitoring.

There is no digital snake/stage box involved, it would be a one-to-one connection between the house x32 and my x32 rack.

AFAIK, either mixer can function as the stage box for the other. So if you have X32 Rack and an S16 on stage, you can patch everything on stage and configure the system so the X32 at FOH sees all of the input and output channels. If you don't have an S16 on stage I guess you have to go the other way to have enough channels.

From the X32 Rack OM

If I remember correctly there is some potentially confusing interaction between the channel input gains (head amps).

Here an older thread that I think get's into the channel gain configuration/interaction: For those of you using the X32 Rack as a Stage box...can you take a moment... (prosoundweb.com) Of course sometimes firmware update change the way things work, so maybe the thread is no longer relevant.

I have not done this with a Music Tribe console. I have done it with Yamaha consoles. One console was designated as the master and controlled the gain of the headamps. We chose to set the FOH console as the master. We had ClearCom, so if I had problem with levels at the monitor desk we could work it out.

I suspect getting everything configured and working the way you want will be tricky. But after you get through the growing pains, it should be great.

Good Luck!

 

[organworthyplayer337]

AFAIK, either mixer can function as the stage box for the other. So if you have X32 Rack and an S16 on stage, you can patch everything on stage and configure the system so the X32 at FOH sees all of the input and output channels. If you don't have an S16 on stage I guess you have to go the other way to have enough channels.

From the X32 Rack OM
View attachment 4707428

If I remember correctly there is some potentially confusing interaction between the channel input gains (head amps).

Here an older thread that I think get's into the channel gain configuration/interaction: For those of you using the X32 Rack as a Stage box...can you take a moment... (prosoundweb.com) Of course sometimes firmware update change the way things work, so maybe the thread is no longer relevant.

I have not done this with a Music Tribe console. I have done it with Yamaha consoles. One console was designated as the master and controlled the gain of the headamps. We chose to set the FOH console as the master. We had ClearCom, so if I had problem with levels at the monitor desk we could work it out.

I suspect getting everything configured and working the way you want will be tricky. But after you get through the growing pains, it should be great.

Good Luck!

Thanks for this info! Kinda frustrating that there are not a clear instructions on how to do this. The manual has a more complex example where it is hard to figure out what principles they are trying to get across because there is so much going on. I figured it would involve setting the X32R as the slave and set it's inputs to the AES50. Not sure what would need to be done to the FOH master.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

Theoretically it should work, but I've never tried it. You'd need cat5/6 cable from FOH X32 back to your X32R. The FOH routing would need to change to send everything to AES50-S or B, then input routing on X32R changed to accept AES50 Inputs.
Might be more of a pain than bringing the splitter??

Once figured out, it's definitely less of a pain than bringing the splitter. Cuts down on set up time by a lot, weight of rack case, no more snakes, etc. Basically, instead of having to make 18+ connections, it'll be one. Plus I'll be able to monitor more than 8 channels (cause my splitter is only 8) and I will be able to monitor signals that were originally plugged in at FOH (that I couldn't rout into splitter).

Aaaaand I'll be able to move that equipment into my studio

 

[s0c9]

Once figured out, it's definitely less of a pain than bringing the splitter. Cuts down on set up time by a lot, weight of rack case, no more snakes, etc. Basically, instead of having to make 18+ connections, it'll be one. Plus I'll be able to monitor more than 8 channels (cause my splitter is only 8) and I will be able to monitor signals that were originally plugged in at FOH (that I couldn't rout into splitter).

Aaaaand I'll be able to move that equipment into my studio

Definitely pluses to getting it working, tho it's something I would get working in advance.. not on gig night!
Just in case there are issues..

 

[Wasnex]

Thanks for this info! Kinda frustrating that there are not a clear instructions on how to do this. The manual has a more complex example where it is hard to figure out what principles they are trying to get across because there is so much going on. I figured it would involve setting the X32R as the slave and set it's inputs to the AES50. Not sure what would need to be done to the FOH master.

Behringer manuals are often "not great". Probably best to Google research. Read and participate in relevant threads in relevant web communities.

As you are configuring the system, consider journaling what you are doing. That way if you screw something up, you can consult your notes and undo it. Also after you figure it out and get everything working, I suggest playing around with it before gigging and then writing a good continuity sheet. The idea is you want to be comfortable stepping through the menus and feel really comfortable before you take the risk of using it live.

Over time you will forget how you got everything to work, which is why the continuity sheet is important. If the system glitches or breaks down, and you may have to redo the configuration, and you don't want to have to start from scratch.

Write the continuity sheet for yourself as if you are trying to teach someone who has no understanding of the technology. In addition to directions on the setup process, consider writing narratives that explain problems to expect, how to overcome them, and why it's necessary.

I have not worked with a Berhinger mixer, but I did try and help another tech with configuring input and output channel assignments on an X32 Rack and one or two S16s. He had spent several hours on it and the mixer would not take the desired configuration inputs. From what I remember, the board would only hold 8 channel assignments. When we tried to input the next 8 channels they would overwrite the original 8.

I went through the manual steps with him and had the same problem. I gave him a few ideas, and about 15 minutes later he got it to work. I don't know if he changed his process, or if the mixer had some sort of digital problem that cleared. If he figured out a certain step in the process that varied from the manual, probably a good idea to write it down and explain why the step is necessary.

 

[s0c9]

Behringer manuals are often "not great". Probably best to Google research. Read and participate in relevant threads in relevant web communities.

As you are configuring the system, consider journaling what you are doing. That way if you screw something up, you can consult your notes and undo it. Also after you figure it out and get everything working, I suggest playing around with it before gigging and then writing a good continuity sheet. The idea is you want to be comfortable stepping through the menus and feel really comfortable before you take the risk of using it live.

Over time you will forget how you got everything to work, which is why the continuity sheet is important. If the system glitches or breaks down, and you may have to redo the configuration, and you don't want to have to start from scratch.

Write the continuity sheet for yourself as if you are trying to teach someone who has no understanding of the technology. In addition to directions on the setup process, consider writing narratives that explain problems to expect, how to overcome them, and why it's necessary.

I have not worked with a Berhinger mixer, but I did try and help another tech with configuring input and output channel assignments on an X32 Rack and one or two S16s. He had spent several hours on it and the mixer would not take the desired configuration inputs. From what I remember, the board would only hold 8 channel assignments. When we tried to input the next 8 channels they would overwrite the original 8.

I went through the manual steps with him and had the same problem. I gave him a few ideas, and about 15 minutes later he got it to work. I don't know if he changed his process, or if the mixer had some sort of digital problem that cleared. If he figured out a certain step in the process that varied from the manual, probably a good idea to write it down and explain why the step is necessary.

Phone Pics of pre-change settings are great too… so you can reset!