X32 for Installed/Commercial Sound

[S&L]

the x32, your chance as professionals to ask for what you need in the range.

this was on the soundforums.net, posted by Mr Behringer and since we have been discussing capabilities lately, I thought some may be interested and some may even want to contact behringer with their wish list: they do seem to be monitoring most of the big forums, including the blue room

 

 

X32 for Installed/Commercial Sound

Dear all,

 

since the introduction of the X32 Rack and Core models, we have received tremendous feedback from contractors and installed/commercial sound customers who asked for accessories.

Today I am reaching out to understand what you would like us to offer in terms of expansion cards, break-out boxes, accessories etc, and even application-specific iPad apps. We are also considering to open up the system and invite 3

^rd

party app developers to design customized app’s so we can dramatically expand the X32 system beyond the current iPad remote control version.

 

Since the X32 is a very powerful mix-engine, it can be used both as fixed matrix mixer but even potentially as an open architecture mixer with new firmware.

 

We’re also currently looking into developing real-time, low-latency distribution network solutions with up to 160 channels over Cat5.

 

As usual, your input is highly appreciated.

 

Warm regards

 

Uli

[plinque]

Dear Ulli,

Bullet-proof reliability is what I'd like. In the meantime, my hard-earned cash is going to Roland :-)

[Shez]

What makes you think that these aren't bullet-proof reliable? From this and other forums, I'm aware of only two catastrophic failures (dead PSU) out of the more than 30,000 units now out in the field.

I'm sure you're aware that there are many people who would gleefully shout from the hilltops about any failures of these new Behringer products - the absence of such shouting is a pretty good indication of the lack of problems.

[S&L]

What makes you think that these aren't bullet-proof reliable? From this and other forums, I'm aware of only two catastrophic failures (dead PSU) out of the more than 30,000 units now out in the field.

I'm sure you're aware that there are many people who would gleefully shout from the hilltops about any failures of these new Behringer products - the absence of such shouting is a pretty good indication of the lack of problems.

 

+1 evidence please?! my own experience is the desk, flight cased, can take a fair amount of throwing around in trucks and still boot up every time - is there a console at that price point with better reliability and similar features? a great deal of the professional PA houses are now taking these on and I am seeing more and more widespread use every day and a service back up that we have seen first hand on the blue room as quite frankly staggeringly good at this price point!

 

Let's keep on topic with new feature requests.

[Alec]

Android remote control app.

 

Interestingly, I had my first tech rider which had the X32 on: "Preferred desks: Yamaha M7-CL, LS9, PM5D, Midas Pro series, Soundcraft VI series, Behringer X32 or any other professional digital desk." The tide is turning...

 

(Still hacked off that you have to have an iThing for remote control, mind!)

[Shez]

I believe there are apps on the way for both Android and Linux. In the meantime, you can run Xcontrol on a tablet PC - no need for a fondle-slab B-)

[the kid]

I am inclined to think that the "suggestions" are via sound forums rather than here.

[Dave SA]

• Blue Room technical forum
• > Technical
• > Sound .... ??

[TimmyP1955]

Comments/suggestions for XiControl (which is a lot better than Yamaha StageMix):

 

Balance/Pan: A numerical display would be nice, so that one can match one channel to another. (The double-tap for center is nice.)

 

Channel Selection: As with Yamaha StageMix, you have the channels available in fixed blocks of 8. This does not always work best - on "my" LS9, the six vocal channels are in two different blocks of eight. On Presonus SL-Remote, one can slide the display sideways so that the desired eight channels are displayed - this is far preferable.

 

FX: The list of available FX is spread across too many pages. Make the icons smaller - no fewer than twelve per page, sixteen would be better. Or as an alternative, make it possible to re-arrange the icons so the user can have his favorites on the first page.

 

FX Returns: I don't see a way to link the L and R faders of each return. This is a must have.

 

FX: I understand that only four can be fed by buses, and the rest have to be inserted. Not good.

 

Manual: Can't find one. Novices might like to have it. I would as well.

 

Meters: Nicely done! I think there's room to make the Gate meters a little taller, but that's not really an issue.

 

Naming: The Apple style roller works efficiently only if the items are in alphabetical order. As is, it can take a lot more time than it would to manually type in a name.

 

Scenes: I might prefer a double-tape, but the Drag-to-Go looks pretty good. Perhaps the user could be give the option in setup?

 

 

 

Console comments/suggestions:

 

Dynamics - Compressor: I'd like to see two sidechain filters. I did this in the analog world and it worked extremely well (one to keep the comp from responding to mic proximity boost, and one to help it respond to mix presence peak). If it means disabling the gate to free up DSP, that's fine, and most channels don't need the gate anyway.

 

Dynamics - Compressor: Even more than the above, I'd like to see a triple band compressor (as above, screw the gate).

 

Dynamics - Compressor: I’d like to see it possible for the sidechain input to be selectable pre high-pass, post high-pass, or post-EQ. (Running the current compressor post high-pass would make it work a lot better.)

 

Dynamics - Gate: I don't see anything in the manual that explains the filter types 1,2,3,4. One assumes that this is octave bandwidth, but is it?

 

EQ - Hardware: I'm very disappointed that you went with LS9 style EQ controls as opposed to M7 style. But what's done is done.

 

EQ: I'd have preferred high-pass and low-pass to low-cut and high-cut, but oh well.

 

FX: I've not seen the FX display on the surface - I suspect that my comments about the display in XiControl will apply?

 

FX: I'd like to see a simpler tap delay than those offered - mono with one output tap only, and controls for time, feedback, and high frequency rolloff.

 

FX: I'm very disappointed that all FX are not available on all engines - at least reverbs should be available on all engines - if the unit is used as a monitor console, it is likely that all will need to be reverbs, so that one can be dedicated to each of eight stereo mixes.

 

Headamp: The Phase button should be labeled Polarity, as that is technically correct.

 

Quick Start Manual: The PDF is two pages wide. Bit of a nuisance to scroll around after they are zoomed enough to be legible.

[S&L]

Balance/Pan: The double-tap for centre is nice

--- am I the only one that didn't realise this?!

 

you have the channels available in fixed blocks of 8. This does not always work best

--- feel free to shoot me down here because I'm onbly getting occasional desk use and learning routing via the pc app but I'm fairly sure you can individually re-assign individual inputs to channels

on the software it works like this...select channel, select home, select config tab, select input number for the fader channel. I assume it's broadly the same on the physical console. the purposes of selecting inputs in batches of 8 is to route from the network, physical input or other device. once you cave selected your inputs I'm pretty sure you can use the above to patch each input to your desired individual fader, so you can re-ordr all your physical inputs to suit your workflow if you can't get a t a stage box or if different stage boxes contain signals you would like side by side on the faders.

 

FX Returns: I don't see a way to link the L and R faders of each return. This is a must have.

--- there is a youtube video showing a fast way of linking and un-linking channels but there would appear to be another longer way via the app, which you should be able to mirror on the physical desk.

selecting an individual fx rtn channel (same layer as aux ins) and select home. on the home tab of home (if that makes sense, it shows the link button. on the app its a double click to link and unlink, I assume on the physical desk you would youse number one knob to de-activate and activate (they are linked by default on my app). the screen asks you when linking if you want to link fx1rtn L&R etc

 

FX: I understand that only four can be fed by buses, and the rest have to be inserted. Not good.

--- given that you have gates and compressors separately for each channel and can insert into any mix bus - eg insert a graphic into a monitor bus, in what scenario would you require a 5th or 6th effect that isn't a gate or compressor and can't be resolved by 'inserting in bus'? I'm trying to think of a practical application but perhaps someone with more experience could enlighten me?

 

Manual: Can't find one. Novices might like to have it. I would as well.

--- here: http://www.behringer.com/assets/X32_M_EN.pdf

though I am starting think there are that many tips and tricks and different ways of getting the same solution that Paul White or someone should write and x32 guide book.

(by the way does anyone use the bus dials next to the main screen?..I found sends on fader sooo much easier after coming from an analogue desk. this is part of what sold the desk to me)

 

Naming: The Apple style roller works efficiently only if the items are in alphabetical order. As is, it can take a lot more time than it would to manually type in a name.

--- agreed - I would love a keyboard and mouse on usb connectors for this and for other menu alterations. our work around has been to have a small notebook hooked up, do the typing on the app and then sync. maybe that's the point - with an ipad or laptop do you need to type directly anyway?

 

Dynamics - Gate: I don't see anything in the manual that explains the filter types 1,2,3,4. One assumes that this is octave bandwidth, but is it?

--- not sure if I am looking at the right thing but select channel, home, gate tab and you can see a choice of 2 high shelves, 2 low shelves and 5 band widths centred on the dialled in frequency. since it's labelled Q and relates to band widths then one assumes it must be octaves but it would be nice to have it spelt out for novices like myself.

 

as a part timer with little digital experience, I may be missing the point here, hopefully if I'm wrong wiser heads than mine will put me right.

 

with regard to the comment above about soundforums, I know Joe Sanborn is heavily involved with the x32 and is a recent member here - is there any way we can 'tag' him so that this thread and any suggestions reach the ears of behringer?

[Shez]

• Blue Room technical forum
• > Technical
• > Sound .... ??

I think the reference is to the monster thread on soundforums.net, where Uli originally posted that letter.

[plinque]

What makes you think that these aren't bullet-proof reliable? From this and other forums, I'm aware of only two catastrophic failures (dead PSU) out of the more than 30,000 units now out in the field.

I'm sure you're aware that there are many people who would gleefully shout from the hilltops about any failures of these new Behringer products - the absence of such shouting is a pretty good indication of the lack of problems.

I worded that badly... The mixer itself is very good from the little time I've had with it, and the reliability so far seems to be good, too. No documented horror stories so far that I'm aware of.

Like most people, I've been burned by Behringer in the past.

So Behringer will be given no slack or leeway (by me anyway). With X32 they must keep their focus on maintaining consistent quality and ensuring QC is always done before product leaves the factory, not by the end user.

 

 

 

[TimmyP1955]

you have the channels available in fixed blocks of 8. This does not always work best

--- feel free to shoot me down here because I'm onbly getting occasional desk use and learning routing via the pc app but I'm fairly sure you can individually re-assign individual inputs to channels

 

...I want my channels where I want them! :-) I'd have to put my playback channels to the left of my vocals, but as I seldom use the playback except for break music, I don't want them there. Silly to have to move them to be able to use the remote efficiently (especially when another maker has a better remote).

 

 

FX Returns: I don't see a way to link the L and R faders of each return. This is a must have.

--- there is a youtube video showing a fast way of linking and un-linking channels but there would appear to be another longer way via the app, which you should be able to mirror on the physical desk.

 

...How to link faders is explained. However it does not appear to apply to FX returns so far as I can tell.

 

 

FX: I understand that only four can be fed by buses, and the rest have to be inserted. Not good.

--- given that you have gates and compressors separately for each channel and can insert into any mix bus - eg insert a graphic into a monitor bus, in what scenario would you require a 5th or 6th effect that isn't a gate or compressor and can't be resolved by 'inserting in bus'? I'm trying to think of a practical application but perhaps someone with more experience could enlighten me?

 

...Snare verb. Tom/hat verb. Small verb. Large verb. Short delay. Long delay. Flange/chorus/etc. Can't insert the snare verb 'cause it would be mono (or I'd have to use 2 channels for the snare). Can't insert the tom/hat verb 'cause there'd be no individual control over the reverb level. Can't insert any of the others 'cause depending on the song, any given channel could require any given FX (save for the first two above - but one never knows). Hence they must all be fed by "aux buses".

 

 

Dynamics - Gate: I don't see anything in the manual that explains the filter types 1,2,3,4. One assumes that this is octave bandwidth, but is it?

--- not sure if I am looking at the right thing but select channel, home, gate tab and you can see a choice of 2 high shelves, 2 low shelves and 5 band widths centred on the dialed in frequency. since it's labelled Q and relates to band widths then one assumes it must be octaves but it would be nice to have it spelt out for novices like myself.

 

...I don't have a channel to select - I have only my iPad and the manual. They should tell me everything I need to know before I turn on the console.