Anyone using a Behringer X32 with synths?

[Wonks]

From the current Midas M32 Product Information Document:

"Open architecture allows for future 96 kHz operation".

"192 kHz ADC and DAC converters for outstanding audio performance".

Rather disingenuous of Music Group to advertise a sample rate that will never ever be achievable with the product, just because the converter chips are capable of being clocked at that speed.

[Sam Spoons]

TBF the only companies that don't 'big up' their products to the max with such claims are (probably, I'm guessing so maybe they do too) the 'big boys' like DigiCo, Avid and Audient et al.

[Wonks]

Hmmm. If that was put on an advert in the UK, the ASA would get it taken down.

If the A/D and D/A chips aren't connected to a 192kHz clock/crystal circuit, then they aren't 192kHz converters (although they could be if used in the right circuit).

[Drew Stephenson]

"This car is capable* of 192 mph."

* If dropped head first from an aeroplane.**

** Mathematically modeled*** only, no physical testing has been done.

*** I punched some numbers into a calculator until an answer looked good.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Hmmm. If that was put on an advert in the UK, the ASA would get it taken down.

Not so sure about that!

They are happy to allow the completely meaningless phrase "up to 100% successful" on all manner of products, so I can't see them being very bothered about a device which really does have chips capable of 192kHz sample rates, even if they are being used at that rate.

And in any case, some converter chips do up-sample the incoming base-band audio to improve the filter performance and latency. Dunno if that's the case here, but it's often done in hi-fi products.

H

[Drew Stephenson]

True, and let's not forget the whole broadband industry with their 'up to XX Mb download" claims.

[Luke W]

True, and let's not forget the whole broadband industry with their 'up to XX Mb download" claims.

They are buggers for it. Something that also throws a lot of people, is that an "Mb" is a Megabit, not Megabyte.

[hangnef]

Nope, that Tascam can't do both at the same time. Very few can.

Interesting, I was considering purchasing this over a X32 Compact. Might have to re-think that.

What is the point of the USB/SD/Input switch on each channel if you can't co-mingle the inputs w/ USB?

[The Elf]

Nope, that Tascam can't do both at the same time. Very few can.

Interesting, I was considering purchasing this over a X32 Compact. Might have to re-think that.

What is the point of the USB/SD/Input switch on each channel if you can't co-mingle the inputs w/ USB?

I'm not sure what you're picking up on here. My requirement is that the mixer needs to be capable of acting as an audio interface at the same time as recording its inputs internally. Most mixers can't do that. But likely all USB-equipped mixers can mix inputs with USB - which is not what I am referring to.

[hangnef]

Nope, that Tascam can't do both at the same time. Very few can.

Interesting, I was considering purchasing this over a X32 Compact. Might have to re-think that.

What is the point of the USB/SD/Input switch on each channel if you can't co-mingle the inputs w/ USB?

I'm not sure what you're picking up on here. My requirement is that the mixer needs to be capable of acting as an audio interface at the same time as recording its inputs internally. Most mixers can't do that. But likely all USB-equipped mixers can mix inputs with USB - which is not what I am referring to.

Ah, so this is about recording rather than playback. Got it. Your Zoom L12 allowed for that, correct?

[The Elf]

Nope, that Tascam can't do both at the same time. Very few can.

Interesting, I was considering purchasing this over a X32 Compact. Might have to re-think that.

What is the point of the USB/SD/Input switch on each channel if you can't co-mingle the inputs w/ USB?

I'm not sure what you're picking up on here. My requirement is that the mixer needs to be capable of acting as an audio interface at the same time as recording its inputs internally. Most mixers can't do that. But likely all USB-equipped mixers can mix inputs with USB - which is not what I am referring to.

Ah, so this is about recording rather than playback. Got it. Your Zoom L12 allowed for that, correct?

Yes, and did a very good job of it too. It has its compromises, as this thread will show, but it is a good device, especially for the money.

[Hobbes]

Hi

Sorry to raise an old thread. I'm looking at getting the X32 rack for my studio and will be using it mostly with synths. Am I right in thinking that I need a pair of mono jack to male XLR cables for each synth - with each channel panned hard left and right to get a stereo signal?

Thanks

[AlecSp]

Sorry to raise an old thread. I'm looking at getting the X32 rack for my studio and will be using it mostly with synths. Am I right in thinking that I need a pair of mono jack to male XLR cables for each synth - with each channel panned hard left and right to get a stereo signal?

Yes, but with all the various caveats that will be made (and probably already have on this thread).

For synths with unbalanced outputs (the majority), the best way is to use DI boxes, ideally transformer islotated, to interface, but you'll likely be hoping to keep things simple and use just cables. Just remember that transformer isolated DIs give you additional protection, albeit at a cost.

For most synths, a mono jack to unbalanced XLR cable (make sure it's that) will be what you need.

For the few synths with XLR outputs, just use a regular XLR-XLR cable.

If you have a synth with balanced outputs, then get a balanced jack cable (TRS aka "stereo" to balanced XLR). You could use an unbalanced cables, but better to use balanced if the outputs are balanced.

Know your cables and don't mix them up.

Make sure you don't enable phantom power on any of your inputs.

On the X32, link odd/even channel pairs, so that they act as a whole - one fader adjusts both channels, EQ/dynamics also affect both.

[Sam Spoons]

Linked channels do still use two adjacent faders, moving one will cause the second to follow. The way around this is to use the eight DCA faders which can control any number of virtual channel faders, that allows you to control 8 stereo pairs with eight faders.

The X32 is extremely flexible, if it had combi mic/line sockets instead of XLRF mic inputs it would be even better. However you can get combi sockets on a stage box with the SD16 which costs a very reasonable £479.

[Drew Stephenson]

Hobbes is looking at the x32 Rack Sam, no faders...

[Sam Spoons]

[Dave B]

Depending on the application, saving yourself 300quid and going for an XR18 might be a slightly better option. The X32 is far more expandable, but, if you don't need the expansion and the ability to control it from the front panel, then you still get 16 inputs on the XR18 and they are combi-sockets. And it still runs as an audio interface as well as a rack mixer.

(The more I look at the XR18 - and I own one so I should look closer - the more impressed I am with the functionality compared with the rest of the range. It's quite good vfm imho)

[Sam Spoons]

Depending on the application, saving yourself 300quid and going for an XR18 might be a slightly better option. The X32 is far more expandable, but, if you don't need the expansion and the ability to control it from the front panel, then you still get 16 inputs on the XR18 and they are combi-sockets. And it still runs as an audio interface as well as a rack mixer.

(The more I look at the XR18 - and I own one so I should look closer - the more impressed I am with the functionality compared with the rest of the range. It's quite good vfm imho)

An XR18 is where I'll go should I finally need to replace my venerable (and much loved) Mackie DL1608.

[The Elf]

Although I still can't say that I'm comfortable with not having physical faders and controls, I have been very happy with the XR18. I spent some time making my perfomance software understand the XR18, so that has enabled me to have everything controlled from one place - it even opens and closes the stage mic between numbers.

And I've recorded gigs as multitrack.

So yes, the XR18 has been a great success here.