Digital mixer, again.

[Arpangel]

I’ve been looking at "scenes" saving and recalling them.
I’m wondering if this is going to be as useful as I thought it would be, in reality, it’s a bit different.
I never work on more than one mix at a time, and when that’s finished, the decks get cleared and I move on to the next one, so there’s no need to actually save mixes.
The only way this could be useful for me, is in setting up instrument and microphone "templates" for recording, with favourite effects chains as part of the scenes, for different instruments, that would reduce set-up time.

[Mike Stranks]

Don't get hung-up on 'scenes'... they're but one of the many benefits available to users of digital mixers.

For myself, I had one 'scene' which was basically my starting-point settings for any mix. The only reason I had that, too, was just to be sure that I hadn't overlooked resetting some tweak that I'd used that wouldn't be required at the starting-point for the next mix. But others here will doubtless be finding 'scenes' invaluable in their live work...

Just 'cos something's there it doesn't mean it has to be used... I've never used the 'auto-park' feature on my car...

[Hugh Robjohns]

The only way this could be useful for me, is in setting up instrument and microphone "templates" for recording, with favourite effects chains as part of the scenes, for different instruments, that would reduce set-up time.

Exactly that. What a handy feature, and something no analogue desk provides!

[Arpangel]

The only way this could be useful for me, is in setting up instrument and microphone "templates" for recording, with favourite effects chains as part of the scenes, for different instruments, that would reduce set-up time.

Exactly that. What a handy feature, and something no analogue desk provides!

It's the first thing I’ll set up when I get home, what I’m wondering now, I’m going through the manual is it possible to have effects "per channel" what I mean by that is does every channel have its own dedicated effects section, or is it one central effects unit that serves all channels? the latter would be a severe limitation.

PS

Looks like it’s got eight effects units, that’s not bad.

[Aled Hughes]

The only way this could be useful for me, is in setting up instrument and microphone "templates" for recording, with favourite effects chains as part of the scenes, for different instruments, that would reduce set-up time.

Exactly that. What a handy feature, and something no analogue desk provides!

It's the first thing I’ll set up when I get home, what I’m wondering now, I’m going through the manual is it possible to have effects "per channel" what I mean by that is does every channel have its own dedicated effects section, or is it one central effects unit that serves all channels? the latter would be a severe limitation.

PS

Looks like it’s got eight effects units, that’s not bad.

I think the effects can be configures as either per-channel inserts, or as a global send effect.

[Arpangel]

The only way this could be useful for me, is in setting up instrument and microphone "templates" for recording, with favourite effects chains as part of the scenes, for different instruments, that would reduce set-up time.

Exactly that. What a handy feature, and something no analogue desk provides!

It's the first thing I’ll set up when I get home, what I’m wondering now, I’m going through the manual is it possible to have effects "per channel" what I mean by that is does every channel have its own dedicated effects section, or is it one central effects unit that serves all channels? the latter would be a severe limitation.

PS

Looks like it’s got eight effects units, that’s not bad.

I think the effects can be configures as either per-channel inserts, or as a global send effect.

That’s correct, some can be used only as inserts, some sends.
Look! I’m making progress! and embracing new technology, aren’t I good!

[Bob Bickerton]

Thinking about scenes - sure if you're running Les Mis' you can assign 80 or 90 different scenes......

But in your case I would set up a few scenes as templates - easy recall for your favourite set-ups!

(not familiar with your desk so labels might be different - sometimes templates are different and called shows)

Bob

[Arpangel]

Thinking about scenes - sure if you're running Les Mis' you can assign 80 or 90 different scenes......

But in your case I would set up a few scenes as templates - easy recall for your favourite set-ups!

(not familiar with your desk so labels might be different - sometimes templates are different and called shows)

Bob

They are scenes Bob, the thing is, I rather like those scribble strips, they’re handy, but if I haven’t got room for this desk, I don’t think the Compact and Producer have them?

[Aled Hughes]

Thinking about scenes - sure if you're running Les Mis' you can assign 80 or 90 different scenes......

But in your case I would set up a few scenes as templates - easy recall for your favourite set-ups!

(not familiar with your desk so labels might be different - sometimes templates are different and called shows)

Bob

They are scenes Bob, the thing is, I rather like those scribble strips, they’re handy, but if I haven’t got room for this desk, I don’t think the Compact and Producer have them?

The Compact has them, but not the Producer.

If you want smaller, maybe look at the Midas M32R as well. It’s essentially an upmarket X32 Compact, and works pretty much the same way.

[Arpangel]

Thinking about scenes - sure if you're running Les Mis' you can assign 80 or 90 different scenes......

But in your case I would set up a few scenes as templates - easy recall for your favourite set-ups!

(not familiar with your desk so labels might be different - sometimes templates are different and called shows)

Bob

They are scenes Bob, the thing is, I rather like those scribble strips, they’re handy, but if I haven’t got room for this desk, I don’t think the Compact and Producer have them?

The Compact has them, but not the Producer.

If you want smaller, maybe look at the Midas M32R as well. It’s essentially an upmarket X32 Compact, and works pretty much the same way.

I think size is going to be the only deciding factor in this, I’m already warming to this X32, the Compact, and Producer just don’t have enough inputs, Midas neither.
I don’t really want to have to faff around with input boxes, it’s a shame, as the Compact, and Midas 32r are the perfect size for me, if they had 32 inputs I’d buy one today.

[Aled Hughes]

Thinking about scenes - sure if you're running Les Mis' you can assign 80 or 90 different scenes......

But in your case I would set up a few scenes as templates - easy recall for your favourite set-ups!

(not familiar with your desk so labels might be different - sometimes templates are different and called shows)

Bob

They are scenes Bob, the thing is, I rather like those scribble strips, they’re handy, but if I haven’t got room for this desk, I don’t think the Compact and Producer have them?

The Compact has them, but not the Producer.

If you want smaller, maybe look at the Midas M32R as well. It’s essentially an upmarket X32 Compact, and works pretty much the same way.

I think size is going to be the only deciding factor in this, I’m already warming to this X32, the Compact, and Producer just don’t have enough inputs, Midas neither.
I don’t really want to have to faff around with input boxes, it’s a shame, as the Compact, and Midas 32r are the perfect size for me, if they had 32 inputs I’d buy one today.

The input boxes aren’t a faff really, especially if you’re going to keep them set up in the same place. It’s a single Cat5 cable to the desk, configure the desk once to see those inputs and off you go. Saves space, you can place the mixer where you want it, and have the stagebox out of the way to reduce cable clutter.

[S2]

I have the Producer which I use for one of the bands I'm in. Slight overkill really, but I really like the scenes feature. We play in the same places a lot so it's nice to save the room setup for each venue and then recall it with the odd tweak the next time we play.

I use an A & H Zed 12fx for a smaller band and there is always a little thought involved when going from one to the other, especially if I haven't used one of them for a while.

But it's a great desk - even without the scribble strips and only 16 inputs. Far more portable for the live use we do than the Compact or the full size.

[Arpangel]

The input boxes aren’t a faff really, especially if you’re going to keep them set up in the same place. It’s a single Cat5 cable to the desk, configure the desk once to see those inputs and off you go. Saves space, you can place the mixer where you want it, and have the stagebox out of the way to reduce cable clutter.

Hmmm? what would I be looking at? to give an extra 16 inputs? I’m not familiar with Cat5 shenanigans, and would they appear as an extra layer on the X32?

[Aled Hughes]

The input boxes aren’t a faff really, especially if you’re going to keep them set up in the same place. It’s a single Cat5 cable to the desk, configure the desk once to see those inputs and off you go. Saves space, you can place the mixer where you want it, and have the stagebox out of the way to reduce cable clutter.

Hmmm? what would I be looking at? to give an extra 16 inputs? I’m not familiar with Cat5 shenanigans, and would they appear as an extra layer on the X32?

https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/digital-snak ... gL-1_D_BwE

Gives 16 ins an 8 outs to a Behringer X32 or Midas M32 range. There is also a Midas equvalent that works with both ranges too.

They essentially take the place of the additional connections on the bigger X32- you can assign them ti be on channels 17-32 or however you like (obviously, having less faders, they are on a separate layer on the mixer itself)

It’s important to note that the desks are all the same internally, and can ‘see’ the same amount of inputs and outputs. It’s only the amount of onboard connections and faders that changes. They all have the same capabilities under the hood.

[ef37a]

Don't want to upset you Mr A but did you consider one of these ?...

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/soundcraft-ui24r

Mike C seemed to think it was the dog's whatsits.

Dave.

[Aled Hughes]

Don't want to upset you Mr A but did you consider one of these ?...

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/soundcraft-ui24r

Mike C seemed to think it was the dog's whatsits.

Dave.

I have one. If it ticks your boxes it’s a great piece of kit. Not as many inputs as the X32 though, and it is (stupidly) fixed at 48kHz operation as an interface. Also, it’s more limited in terms of FX engines as they can’t be placed at inserts (you could work around it with routing, but it would be fiddly…)

[DGL.]

The input boxes aren’t a faff really, especially if you’re going to keep them set up in the same place. It’s a single Cat5 cable to the desk, configure the desk once to see those inputs and off you go. Saves space, you can place the mixer where you want it, and have the stagebox out of the way to reduce cable clutter.

Hmmm? what would I be looking at? to give an extra 16 inputs? I’m not familiar with Cat5 shenanigans, and would they appear as an extra layer on the X32?

It gives you more sources to choose from, not any extra channels on a FS X32. Basically any channel can take it's input for a few different sources, these can be the onboard inputs, the card inputs or from the AES50 network.
In the routing section you choose where each channel gets it's input from and with the V4 firmware that can be from anywhere for any channel.
So I could have CH1 coming fromany of the onboard inputs, CH2 coming from an input on either AES50 A or B, and CH3 coming from the card (i.e. an input from the USB interface).

AES50 Supermac works in the same way as a regular snake except the transmission is digital, the pre-amps are in the stagebox, and the cable required is just shielded cat 5e (must be shielded with ethercons at ether end that are connected to the shield), in the world of AES50/Supermac this gives you 48 channels each way at 48Khz.

Naturally if you have one of the smaller X32's then a stagebox is needed to access all mixable channels (well you could use inputs from the card slot).

[Dave Rowles]

I went for the Midas DL32 when getting more inputs for my X32 Rack. Purely because of the upgraded Pres, which do make a difference, and the flexibility. Works brilliantly as a stage box. Once I'd set the X32 to see it, it automatically uses the DL32 as the inputs first as long as the DL32 is on.

[Sam Spoons]

I use scenes for different recording and/or mixing scenarios, I have different ones for live mixing, studio band or acoustic recording etc.

You have sussed out the fx capabilities I think but yes, 8 stereo fx slots which can br use as inserts or send fx (with some limitations).

I love the LCD scribble strips, best thing since sliced garlic baguettes, they were the main reason I ought my X32 Compact rather than an A&H Qu16.

The S16 should work flawlessly and give you the extra physical inputs the Compact lacks compared to the full sized X32.

[Arpangel]

It’s here, in the basement, no time to even look at it yet.

[Arpangel]

I use scenes for different recording and/or mixing scenarios, I have different ones for live mixing, studio band or acoustic recording etc.

You have sussed out the fx capabilities I think but yes, 8 stereo fx slots which can br use as inserts or send fx (with some limitations).

I love the LCD scribble strips, best thing since sliced garlic baguettes, they were the main reason I ought my X32 Compact rather than an A&H Qu16.

The S16 should work flawlessly and give you the extra physical inputs the Compact lacks compared to the full sized X32.

It’s too big, it’s going to displace too much stuff, I could accommodate it, but it would upset my "cockpit" approach to playing, and become the centre of operations, my synths need to be in that place.
A Compact with an S16 would be OK, does the S16 show up in the X32 as another layer?

[Luke W]

A Compact with an S16 would be OK, does the S16 show up in the X32 as another layer?

You assign it via the "Routing" menu, so you can pick which block of channels you'd like to see the inputs from the S16 on.

[Dave Rowles]

You can assign input sources as a block of 8. So in your case it'd probably be inputs 1-8 and 9-16 desk pres, then inputs 17-24 and 25-32 S16 pres.

You can then assign any of the inputs to any channel. This is a little bit inflexible which is one of the major gripes against the desk, but I find, in reality, that I've rarely come across a situation where it would've been useful to have more flexibility.

[Arpangel]

OK so it doesn’t give me extra hardware inputs just more choice of inputs from the ones already on board?