Mar 04, 2016 Behringer X32 aux out routing question. You must route the MATRIX channel to an XLR output, say #9. Go to the ROUTING screen, go to the ANALOG OUTPUT list, select OUTPUT 9. Go to the OUTPUT SIGNAL list and select MATRIX 1 then the TAP list. Mar 21, 2020 It is encouraging to see Behringer continue with firmware updates, especially on such an old product. There was a major GUI re-design that makes everything easier to see and read and a major functionality upgrade that addresses what was probably the biggest complaint of X32 users: bank of eight routing. See below for release notes from Behringer.
When I first set up the Behringer X32, one of my first thoughts was, “What the heck is a matrix?”. Coming from a simple analog setup, the only Matrix I knew of was a movie released in 1999.
Laugh as you may, but I would venture to say that matrix mixes are misunderstood and underused in most churches. Good news is, once you know their application, matrix mixes are easy to understand.
Behringer X32 Output Routing
What is an audio matrix?
An audio matrix allows you to create slight variations of your main mix to use for different purposes, like routing sound to the foyer or producing a more balanced audio recording.
You can also use a matrix to combine bus sends to create a custom mix. Let’s go over a few real-life applications for churches.
Use a matrix mix to route sound to your foyer, restrooms or nursery.
When routing your main mix to the foyer, restrooms or nursery, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Sound Delay – If you can hear sound bleed from the sanctuary, you will need to compensate for the delay so it is not frustrating to the listener.
Balance Between Music & Speaking – The balance can be off between the music and pastor speaking when it comes to routing sound to another room.
Pro tools le 8.0cs3 for mac. You can fix both of these problems with a matrix mix.
Use a matrix mix to produce better recordings.
When you listen to a recording of your main mix, you have probably noticed it sounds nothing like the live sound.
The main reason this happens is because you have all kinds of noise in addition to your main mix: stage monitors, guitar amps, live drums, audience noise and the natural reverb of the room. All of this is heard in a live setting but does not exist in the recording.
As a result, the drums may be more than loud enough during a service but completely lost in the recording. Or, the recording may lack energy because you cannot hear the congregation singing. All of this can be fixed with a matrix mix.
Use a matrix as a crossover.
If your speakers or amps don’t have built-in crossovers, or you simply want to program it all from your mixer, an audio matrix is a great solution. Learn how in this post: How to Use a Matrix as a Crossover
How to Set Up a Matrix Mix on the Behringer X32
Assign the matrix mix to an output. Navigate to the routing screen and select the out 1-16 tab. Select an unused analog output. Select ‘Matrix 1’ for the Output Signal. Now, connect your speakers to the correlating XLR output on the back of your mixer (or digital snake).
Activate delay, if needed. If you can hear sound bleed from the auditorium, activate the delay by pressing the knob under the ‘Delay’ setting (activated = yellow) and use the same knob to set the approximate distance the room where the matrix mix will be heard is from the speakers in the auditorium.
Route the main mix to the matrix. Navigate to the HOME screen. Press the ‘SELECT’ button above the MAIN mix fader. Navigate to the ‘sends’ tab and bring the level up for #1 (Matrix 1) to 0dB.
Use buses to create a custom mix. There are many ways you can do this (don’t be afraid to get creative), but the most simple would be to use one bus for everything that needs to be louder in your matrix mix than the auditorium (i.e. the pastor’s microphone). To do this, SELECT an unused bus, navigate to the ‘config’ tab and set the Preconfiguration to ‘Post Fader’. Navigate to the sends tab and bring the level up for #1 (Matrix 1) to 0dB. Under the ‘MAIN BUS’ section of your mixer, make sure the MONO BUS and STEREO BUS are not selected (otherwise this bus will also go to your main mix). Finally, press the ‘SENDS ON FADER’ button and then use the channel faders to create your custom mix (i.e. increase the level of the pastor’s mic or the drum mics). Keep in mind, this is sending additional signal to the matrix mix for each channel you turn up (considering the main mix is already going to the matrix). So, be sure to keep an eye on your matrix’s level meter to make sure you are not sending a peaking signal.
Bring the matrix fader up to 0dB. Press the ‘MATRIX 1-6’ button and bring up the fader for Mtx1 to 0dB. If your matrix is close to peaking, you can use the matrix’s fader to bring it down to an acceptable level.
If needed, add EQ and compression to the matrix. Use the Dynamics and Equalizer controls to solve any dynamics or EQ problems for your matrix mix. For example, you may want to apply a low cut filter so you are not sending super-low frequencies to ceiling-mounted speakers.
Bonus:Download the X32 Matrix Setup Guide
How to Record a Matrix Mix on the X32
To send a matrix mix to the X32’s USB recorder, press the VIEW button within the USB RECORDER section. Navigate to config tab and set the signal source to your desired matrix.
If you are recording mono, be sure to also set the Right signal source to the same matrix. If recording stereo, you will need to link two matrix channels together and then set the Left signal source to one and the Right signal source to the other.
If you are using Behringer P16 personal mixers with the X32, chances are, you have run into volume problems. A majority of people I come in contact with who are using the P16 personal mixers have complained that they are not loud enough.
Good news is, the P16s have plenty of volume control. It is probably just a setting or two that is causing the problem. So, let’s go over the four things you need to check.
Make sure the gain is set properly for each channel.
Gain is the most important knob on your mixer. If it is not set properly, it messes with everything else (including the P16s). So, the first step to solving P16 volume problems is to make sure the gain is set correctly on every channel.
Here’s a post to help you out: How to Set the Gain on Your Mixer
Check the ‘tap’ setting on the X32.
On the Behringer X32, the ‘tap’ setting lets you decide at what point in the signal chain to send that specific channel to the P16. In other words, you can send a channel with or without EQ, with or without compression, etc.
On the X32, navigate to the ‘Routing -> p16 out (or ultranet)’ tab. Then, check every channel to make sure ‘Tap’ is not set to ‘Post Fader’ (unless you specifically want it to be). Basically, if ‘tap’ is set to ‘Post Fader’, when the sound tech adjusts the volume of a channel in the main mix, it will adjust the volume of that channel in the P16s as well.
Turn the P16s ‘Main’ volume all the way up.
On the P16 personal mixer, there is a button labeled ‘Main’. Press this button and then turn the volume all the way up. As you may have guessed, this is a control for the overall volume of the P16. But, so is the ‘Level’ knob at the top right of the P16.
I have found that it is best to turn the ‘Main’ volume all the way up and then use the output ‘Level’ knob to adjust the overall volume. If the ‘Main’ volume is not all the way up, you may find the output ‘Level’ knob all the way up but the mix still not being loud enough.
If everything is set correctly, the output ‘Level’ knob should be set around 2 o’clock and the mix be plenty loud enough.
Check the P16s limiter.
The limiter on the P16 personal mixer is there to protect your ears. But, if you have it set too low, it will ‘limit’ the volume of your mix.
Basically, you want the limiter to protect your ears from any loud noises that sneak through, like feedback from a vocal mic.
The limiter knob is a little counter-intuitive. If you have it turned down, it is going to limit more, but if you have it turned up, it is going to limit less.
I have found that having the limiter all the way up, which means it is limiting less, works the best. You’d think it wouldn’t limit at all in the case, but it actually does continue to limit, but only the loudest moments.
Behringer X32 Compact Output Routing
Keep an eye on the red light around the limiter, which lets you know when the limiter is activated. Basically, you just want it to flash occasionally during the loud moments. So, if it never comes on, you may need to dial it back a bit to make sure your ears are protected.
Say goodbye to P16 volume problems.
When the four things above are all taken care of, you should find that there is plenty of volume headroom when using the P16 personal mixers.