X32 AUX Routing

[OliverATX]

Hello All!

I hope everyone is doing great!

In setting up my X32 (still very new to it) I came across an issue I would appreciate some help on.

Scenario is as follows:

Bass cabinet with 1/4 TRS OUT is going into DI BOX. DI BOX with 1/4 TRS OUT is going into X32 1/4 TRS AUX IN port 2.

I have setup X32 routing as follows:

#1) USER IN: Mapping Aux In 1-6 to Inputs 17-22 (screenshot 1)
#2) INPUTS: Channel 17-24 > User In (17-24) (screenshot 2)

My question is around #2. For the last gig I had NOT selected User In (17-24), but left it at the default, which was just AES50-A 1-8, I believe. Everything worked fine and I adjusted levels, EQ, etc. in the AUX FX section (screenshot 3). When looking at the mixer channels 1-32 view, there was no signal registered at Input 18, I only saw the signal in the AUX FX section on Aux 2 (as expected based on the routing selection in #1.

After selecting User In (17-24) in #2 I now can see the bass signal register in the 1-32 mixer view on Ch 18 (screenshot 4).

Questions:

A) Is this the correct way to do AUX routing at all?
B) If #2 is selected, I now have the option to change MIC pre input sensitivity (or EQ) either in the AUX section (Aux 2) or in the 1-32 mixer view on CH 18, or both. What is the recommended way?

Thank you!

Oliver

Screenshot 1)


Screenshot 2)


Screenshot 3)


Screenshot 4)

[Dave Rowles]

Bass cabinet with 1/4 TRS OUT is going into DI BOX. DI BOX with 1/4 TRS OUT is going into X32 1/4 TRS AUX IN port 2.

I'm struggling with this part to be honest, let alone the routing. Surely you're coming out of the XLR output into an XLR input into the desk? Otherwise, what's the point of the DI box?

I think you've got a little confused in the mapping section. The AUX ins are separate ins as far as the desk is concerned. You don't need to route them to the inputs. If you want the AUX input to come up on a channel then you need to just need to alter the input on the config page and point it to the aux in.

You'll only have trim control on the input, and not gain though. If you want gain control, then you'll need to connect the DI box to an XLR preamp input.

[OliverATX]

Dave,

Thank you for the reply. I did not realize that as long as you have the Routing> Input> Aux In Remap set to Aux Ins, you can directly assign the Aux Ins on the Channel Config page. While my routing worked it was certainly more convoluted.

I am using the DI box to 1) take down the line-level signal of the amp, which is pretty hot, 2) because the X32 rack has no TRS/XLR combo inputs and 3) because X32 rack has only 16 mic pres, most of which I am using.

Thank you for your quick response!

Best,

Oliver

[Wonks]

If it’s a standard basic DI box which just has a the standard TS 1/4” ‘in’ and ‘through’ jack sockets and an XLR output, then the ‘through’ output shouldn’t attenuate the signal at all.

You’d normally put the DI box between the instrument and the amp and take the XLR out to a mic input.

If it’s really a bass preamp with tone and level controls, then that’s more understandable.

But if it is just a basic DI box and you still have a spare XLR mic input, then I really would use the DI XLR output and run that to a mic input. The purpose of a DI box is to take an unbalanced TS line or instrument level signal and convert it to a balanced mic level signal. The jack output on the DI is still just an unbalanced TS signal, and using TRS cables doesn’t make it balanced at all.

[OliverATX]

First, one correction:

I incorrectly stated:
Bass cabinet with 1/4 TRS OUT is going into DI BOX. DI BOX with 1/4 TRS OUT is going into X32 1/4 TRS AUX IN port 2.

It should be:
Bass cabinet with 1/4 TRS OUT is going into DI BOX. DI BOX with XLR OUT is going into X32 1/4 TRS AUX IN port 2.

Thank you,

Oliver

[OliverATX]

If it’s a standard basic DI box which just has a the standard TS 1/4” ‘in’ and ‘through’ jack sockets and an XLR output, then the ‘through’ output shouldn’t attenuate the signal at all.

You’d normally put the DI box between the instrument and the amp and take the XLR out to a mic input.

If it’s really a bass preamp with tone and level controls, then that’s more understandable.

But if it is just a basic DI box and you still have a spare XLR mic input, then I really would use the DI XLR output and run that to a mic input. The purpose of a DI box is to take an unbalanced TS line or instrument level signal and convert it to a balanced mic level signal. The jack output on the DI is still just an unbalanced TS signal, and using TRS cables doesn’t make it balanced at all.

Wonks,

Thank you for your response!

Yes, My setup is a bit unusual in that regard. To clarify a few things:

I mistakenly stated TRS OUT for the DI box, it is obviously XLR out.

Also, the Bass cab direct line-level output does not have tone controls, which is one of the issues as it is very hot.

The DI box is not s standard stage box but a rackmount unit that lets me attenuate the signal from the Bass cab by -20dB.

In addition, I do not want to use one of the 16 MIC ports as I will need it in the future. Plus from a convenience perspective it is easier for me to go inside the rack from the back of the DI straight into the back for the X32.

Thanks again!

Oliver

[Dave Rowles]

Ok, I understand now on the DI front. I take it it's a passive DI then.

I only use active DIs, which need phantom and therefore need the XLR input, but I've got a Midas DL32 stage box on my X32 rack, so have the inputs to play with.

[OliverATX]

Ok, I understand now on the DI front. I take it it's a passive DI then.

I only use active DIs, which need phantom and therefore need the XLR input, but I've got a Midas DL32 stage box on my X32 rack, so have the inputs to play with.

It's actually a powered, active, rack mount DI box. It's sitting in the rack on stage and Bass cab, keyboard, synth and Roland PAD plug into it.

[Wonks]

It does sound like you’d be better off getting a suitable expansion module if you’ll soon be needing more mic inputs.

[Dave Rowles]

Ah, rack mount DI.

I never answered the second question. The answer is, if you've got access to all the things you need on the aux channel, then I'd use that as it free's up the full processing channels for other ins. However, the AUX in channels do have limited processing, so if you need gate/comp etc then I'd use one of the normal channels. I tend to use the AUX in channels only for stuff that isn't likely to need too much doing to it, so playback/returns etc.

[OliverATX]

Ah, rack mount DI.

I never answered the second question. The answer is, if you've got access to all the things you need on the aux channel, then I'd use that as it free's up the full processing channels for other ins. However, the AUX in channels do have limited processing, so if you need gate/comp etc then I'd use one of the normal channels. I tend to use the AUX in channels only for stuff that isn't likely to need too much doing to it, so playback/returns etc.

The "no FX", comp, etc. issue is not a huge deal for me. I am using the AUXs primarily for keys, synth and the bass. I am not doing much processing outside of EQ in a live setting. I am also using the DI for the bass to have an extra "raw" track on the DAW inside the rack that it feeds into during live shows. Gives me a bit more flexibility back at the PC when editing.

It is a tad unfortunate that the X32 does not have any combo TRS/XLR MIC jacks....

Best,

Oliver

[OliverATX]

It does sound like you’d be better off getting a suitable expansion module if you’ll soon be needing more mic inputs.

I have a couple of ports left So, yes, if we were to add another vocalist and/or guitarist then I would indeed have to think about expansion. Hope that is not gonna happen soon as the funds are limited after a few big purchases

Oliver

[Dave Rowles]

It is a tad unfortunate that the X32 does not have any combo TRS/XLR MIC jacks....

The X32 is a bit long in the tooth now, being over 10 years old. Everything being on XLRs is a more live sound pro-audio thing which was the market they were trying to attract. Behringer moved away from that for their more consumer models, the XR/MR ones.

Only having XLR ins is pretty common for large format pro-audio desks. While most provide a couple of jack ins for outboard, Yamaha don't have anything other than XLR on all their...rather expensive...live desks. I've got 3.5mm to dual XLR cables that sit in my live touring case for laptop playback FOH. Everything else will be on DI for balanced audio due to the distances involved to stage racks, and the likely hood of cables crossing, or running alongside, power cables.

[James Perrett]

It is a tad unfortunate that the X32 does not have any combo TRS/XLR MIC jacks....

While I'm not an X32 expert, on the face of it adding the SD8 would solve the problem of not enough inputs AND give you TRS/XLR combi connectors too.

[OliverATX]

It is a tad unfortunate that the X32 does not have any combo TRS/XLR MIC jacks....

The X32 is a bit long in the tooth now, being over 10 years old. Everything being on XLRs is a more live sound pro-audio thing which was the market they were trying to attract. Behringer moved away from that for their more consumer models, the XR/MR ones.

Only having XLR ins is pretty common for large format pro-audio desks. While most provide a couple of jack ins for outboard, Yamaha don't have anything other than XLR on all their...rather expensive...live desks. I've got 3.5mm to dual XLR cables that sit in my live touring case for laptop playback FOH. Everything else will be on DI for balanced audio due to the distances involved to stage racks, and the likely hood of cables crossing, or running alongside, power cables.

Yea, but outside of the Soundcraft UI24r, there aren't any real options in this price class as far as rackmount mixers are concerned. I am sure there are a bunch of Soundcraft fans here, but no offense, I do not like the interface and am not a fan of Web based management without having an app available at all. As far as Yamaha is concerned, I am not sure how they come up with their pricing, but it is unreal...

I upgraded from an XR18, which is while I was surprised not to have combo ports. However, with the AUX ports and using a DI it is not a big issue now.

[OliverATX]

It is a tad unfortunate that the X32 does not have any combo TRS/XLR MIC jacks....

While I'm not an X32 expert, on the face of it adding the SD8 would solve the problem of not enough inputs AND give you TRS/XLR combi connectors too.

Yes, it would! However, after just purchasing the X32 and a new drum set for my son (so he can use his old set as a gig set and we do not have to constantly break his set down) the funding for new equipment has dried up