X32 Discussion

re: X32 Discussion

Did some music and vocal listening comparisons, and the X32 preamps definitely are Not Midas preamps.

Sorry for off topic, but I would like to ask the forum, because I'm curious about this "Preamp-Thing".
I was quite surprised, when reading in this and other US sound/recording forums, that lot's of people seems to be convinced or concerned,
that the micpre preamp design has such a big influence to the overall sound. This topic is actually hardly ever addressed in German pro audio forums, that's why I'm asking.
Anyway, my very own personal opinion is, that the impact of micpres is generally overated.

How to build a propper micpre is common knowledge since the golden 50s. Sure, there are different designs and they do sound different.
But the differences are so subtle to me, that I never would think about it for a second during a live show.

What I belief: The PA system, mircophones, the artist and room acoustic - these things have a hundered times more impact on the general sound of a show, than the build in micpres in a desk.
Even the quality of the artist catering has more impact in my eyes!
Like I said, my very own opinion.8)~:cool:~:cool:

Basically I don't care at all, what preamps are build in the X32. I did some X32 measurements with a friend of mine, and these Preamps are close to that what's physically feasible.

Maximum out is +21dBu, maximum Input (before analog clipping) is +23dBu, minimal THD, straight frequenzy response and lot's of headroom (72dB)-->



To me the X32 Preamps are definite not to blame, when the show sucks soundwise.

What do you think?
Christian
 
re: X32 Discussion

Great news - looks like the public beta for Xcontrol is available on the Behringer X32 downloads page!!!

Christian, is this the software (XControl) that you used/tested earlier to control the X32 wirelessly? So all you would need is a wireless router, and a PC tablet, and you can then control the console from anywhere in the room using the wireless tablet, is that correct? What was your experience doing this? Was it easy to control the volume faders while mixing on the remote PC tablet? Thanks for any additional info you can provide!
 
re: X32 Discussion

Got my X32 today, and I must say it's quite spectacular. Specially for the cash. Unbelievable really.
BUT....

Is there no way to save anything to USB besides channel & routing presets, and recordings?
As in, how do I save my show? Is that possible? I must be overlooking something...can't believe that wouldn't be possible. How do you transfer between consoles if you have to.

NEVERMIND...found it, not very intuitive to be honest. SCENES - view - utility is what you need. Is that only way to get to that screen?

In the scenes menu press utility.
 
re: X32 Discussion

Christian, is this the software (XControl) that you used/tested earlier to control the X32 wirelessly? So all you would need is a wireless router, and a PC tablet, and you can then control the console from anywhere in the room using the wireless tablet, is that correct? What was your experience doing this? Was it easy to control the volume faders while mixing on the remote PC tablet? Thanks for any additional info you can provide!

Correct! I do have on old IBM/Lenovo X41 tablet PC with an 12,1" display. I used this also for remote controlling my SAC rig. It works very good with the X32! Only thing is, that I need the taskbar to hide, to see the Xcontrol surface complete. No big deal, I can work with it. I use the D-Link 815 router, wich has 2,4 & 5GHz, is cheap and the connection is stable. Even when it drops out, you can instantly reconnect with no audio artifacts or any other odd things.The desk doesn't mind. I use this mainly for walk the venue and setting up monitors on stage during soundcheck.
 
re: X32 Discussion

Correct! I do have on old IBM/Lenovo X41 tablet PC with an 12,1" display. I used this also for remote controlling my SAC rig. It works very good with the X32! Only thing is, that I need the taskbar to hide, to see the Xcontrol surface complete. No big deal, I can work with it. I use the D-Link 815 router, wich has 2,4 & 5GHz, is cheap and the connection is stable. Even when it drops out, you can instantly reconnect with no audio artifacts or any other odd things.The desk doesn't mind. I use this mainly for walk the venue and setting up monitors on stage during soundcheck.

Really wish the screen was able to be re-sized, but that is more of a preference.
 
re: X32 Discussion

Really wish the screen was able to be re-sized, but that is more of a preference.

Certainly not more than an inconvenience, you can just adjust screen resolution on the laptop or PC to suit.
To me it looks ok, but no "Wow!" from me yet, I'll reserve that for the functioning editor and a remote that lets me do everything.

One thing that I would like to hear a concensus on is the way you set the faders. I like to be able to click where I want the fader to move to instead of having to drag the fader. On the Xcontrol, when you click, the cursor will move to the fader so you can drag it, nifty as such, but not my preference when doing setups. Good for live mixing though, you don't want too many jumping faders in a live mix. What does the forum think?
 
re: X32 Discussion

Certainly not more than an inconvenience, you can just adjust screen resolution on the laptop or PC to suit.
To me it looks ok, but no "Wow!" from me yet, I'll reserve that for the functioning editor and a remote that lets me do everything.

One thing that I would like to hear a concensus on is the way you set the faders. I like to be able to click where I want the fader to move to instead of having to drag the fader. On the Xcontrol, when you click, the cursor will move to the fader so you can drag it, nifty as such, but not my preference when doing setups. Good for live mixing though, you don't want too many jumping faders in a live mix. What does the forum think?

When I first read your post I thought you meant while mixing live... heheheh, that would not be good.

It should be an option when editing setups pre show.
 
re: X32 Discussion

I like to be able to click where I want the fader to move to instead of having to drag the fader.

As an experienced SAC user I can asure you: You don't want that!
One click in the wrong area, and all hell breaks loose. The Xcontrol fader behave exactly like in SAC, which is in my eyes the best/secure way for live mixing.
Christian
 
re: X32 Discussion

Certainly not more than an inconvenience, you can just adjust screen resolution on the laptop or PC to suit.
To me it looks ok, but no "Wow!" from me yet, I'll reserve that for the functioning editor and a remote that lets me do everything.

Right I get that. I am just saying it would be nice to be able to adjust the size without changing screen resolution. I will be doing most of my off line editing from home and that computer has a 24" monitor and I would prefer not to have to adjust that just to see what I am doing. :)

Again purely a preference. In the case of running the software at the job site, it will be ok at the size that it is.
 
re: X32 Discussion

Sorry for off topic, but I would like to ask the forum, because I'm curious about this "Preamp-Thing".
I was quite surprised, when reading in this and other US sound/recording forums, that lot's of people seems to be convinced or concerned,
that the micpre preamp design has such a big influence to the overall sound. This topic is actually hardly ever addressed in German pro audio forums, that's why I'm asking.
Generally operated in their linear region there is very little sonic difference between competitive preamps.

Millions of dollar has been invested into advertising arguing otherwise.
Anyway, my very own personal opinion is, that the impact of micpres is generally overated.
agreed
How to build a propper micpre is common knowledge since the golden 50s. Sure, there are different designs and they do sound different.
But the differences are so subtle to me, that I never would think about it for a second during a live show.
I would refine that slightly. Transformer less preamps delivering SOTA did not generally become available until the late '70s/early 80s due to discrete device technology. Today off the shelf ICs can deliver SOTA performance without transformers.
What I belief: The PA system, mircophones, the artist and room acoustic - these things have a hundered times more impact on the general sound of a show, than the build in micpres in a desk.
Even the quality of the artist catering has more impact in my eyes!
Like I said, my very own opinion.8)~:cool:~:cool:
Speakers and microphones vary orders of magnitude more than electronic paths. Rooms matter for live SR.
Basically I don't care at all, what preamps are build in the X32. I did some X32 measurements with a friend of mine, and these Preamps are close to that what's physically feasible.

Maximum out is +21dBu, maximum Input (before analog clipping) is +23dBu, minimal THD, straight frequenzy response and lot's of headroom (72dB)-->


To me the X32 Preamps are definite not to blame, when the show sucks soundwise.

What do you think?
Christian

I think there are marketing reasons to promote the analog mic preamp technology as being different, when feeding a digital path ASSumed to be identical. The truth is probably somewhere in between.

JR
 
re: X32 Discussion

the X32 preamps definitely are Not Midas preamps.

For the price, we'll sell a few, but it certainly won't take over from GLD/Pro1/etc or better offerings. LS9, Roland, etc maybe; Presonus for sure.

Caleb Dick
AVE

Hi Caleb,
Technically they ARE Midas preamps - designed by Midas and made in the same factory as the Pro Series. I'm sure there are some tradeoffs in the preamp components to meet the aggressive price point, but as Christian said earlier, the preamps are only a very small part of the equation. Differences you may have heard are likely more than just a preamp variation, but you know this already. I'm sure they'll be at least on par with competing products, which is good enough for its market IMO.

I'm sure Behringer has no plan for x32 to take over from Pro1 or other higher quality desks. That's not the X32's market or design goal. I'll bet it will rule over the sub 10K digital products though, and even though you like GLD it will probably eat up some GLD sales a bit too.


FYI for Canada, I've been told 2 more weeks and I should have mine.
 
re: X32 Discussion

Hello

Any idea about light-socket pinout?

Thanks

Just today I bought a littlite lamp for my X32! The board takes a 4-pin, 12V lamp. 5 watt bulb. I got one with a straight plug, since the jack is on the top surface of the board. I got the 18" model, and it works great. Love the fact that it is dimmable, too. The more I work with this board, the more impressed I am with its features and ease of use.
 
re: X32 Discussion

To me the X32 Preamps are definite not to blame, when the show sucks soundwise.
What do you think?

I want better speakers and better microphones, more subs, more lights.
The rest? If it works it is probably good enough :razz:.
I believe I'm the weakest link in the chain, possibly along with the performer sometimes :twisted:, and I've certainly heard crappy sound coming out of multi million dollar rigs that can't be attributed to the quality of any component in the signal chain except for the talent and the guys in shorts.
 
re: X32 Discussion

Why would you have to connect the x32 to the external midi controller to use all 32 channels? WHy can't Behringer do it?