Multiple P16/Ultranet networks
Hi Jared,
Checkout the table on page 19 of the S16 Quick Start Guide (downloadable on our website and included in the S16 box). You will notice that different S16 modes will route different signals out the S16's ULTRANET port. It sounds like you may have it on a mode that routes AES50 1-16 instead of the traditional AES50 33-48 that corresponds to the P16 out tab on the X32. Hope it helps!
Best,
John DiNicola
Senior Specialist, Product Support
MUSIC Group
BEHRINGER
So a few weeks ago during one of the webinars I asked Behringer whether it is possible to have separate, simultaneous P16 networks by using the Ultranet port on the X32 and the Ultranet port on an S16 (as opposed to having the Ultranet ports mirror each other). (I'm precluding the somewhat obvious "solution" running analog outputs into a P-16I module.)
I was told that "No, the S16 Ultranet port mirrors that on the X32." [Not a direct quote.] While I guess that their answer is true with the "traditional" settings on the S16, I'd like to propose that a better answer to my question is "Yes, with caveats." The caveat is a judicous use of the blocks of eight on both half of the inputs and half of the outputs. The general concept is very similar to linking analog consoles.
So here's my illustrative example: An ensemble that wants to monitor up to 28 inputs or mixes, split into 2 groups of 14. Let's call the first group the rhythm section and the second groups the ]vocalists. Let's assume that they want to use IEM's, so we'll keep everything in stereo. X32 with two S16's. S16 'A' is connected to the AES50-A port on the X32 and is used by the rhythm section, and S16 'B' is connected to the AES50-B port on the X32 connected and is used by the vocalists and solo instruments. I think that connecting the two S16's directly/independently to the X32 is crucial. I've starred the steps that are different from the two S16's.
Configuring S16 'A':
--Set S16 'A' to any mode that returns AES50-A ch33-ch48 through the Ultranet port (Seq. 1, 2, or 3).
**--On the X32->routing->"aes50-a"->"Output 33-40" select something you want eight of, say in this case "AEs50 A1-8," which are the first 8 inputs into S16 'A.' We'll patch something into these 8 channels that we want the direct outs of, like 3 guitarists, a bassist, and two stereo keyboards.
--Inputs on 9-16 on S16 'A' are connected to the the 8 drum mics.
--On the X32->routing->"aes50-a"->"Output 41-48" select "P16 1-8."
**--On the X32->routing->"p16 out" assign Digital Output "P16 Out 07" to "Mixbus 01" and also "P16 out 08" to "Mixbus 02." Mixbus 01 & 02 should be a stereo monitor mix of the vocalists and solo instruments that are patched on S16 'B.'
**--On the X32->routing->"p16 out" assign Digital Output "P16 Out 01" to "P16 Out 06" freely as you like. In this example, you might choose kick, a mix of the rest of the kit, click track or stereo track if you're using it, and a couple lead vocals from the other group.
Configuring S16 'B':
--Set S16 'B' to any mode that returns AES50-A ch33-ch48 through the Ultranet port (Seq. 1, 2, or 3).
--On the X32->routing->"aes50-b"->"Output 33-40" select something you want eight of, say in this case "AEs50 B1-8," which are the first 8 inputs into S16 'B.' We'll patch something into these 8 channels that we want the direct outs of, like 8 vocalists (a couple lead plus BGV's).
--Use inputs 9-16 of S16 'B' to connect 4 solo instruments and a string quartet.
**--On the X32->routing->"aes50-b"->"Output 41-48" select "P16 9-16."
**--On the X32->routing->"p16 out" assign Digital Output "P16 Out 15" to "Mixbus 03" and also "P16 out 16" to "Mixbus 04." Mixbus 03 & 04 should be a stereo monitor mix of the rhythm section that's patched on S16 'A.'
--On the X32->routing->"p16 out" assign Digital Output "P16 Out 09" to "P16 Out 14" freely as you like. In this example, you might choose the four solo instruments and a stereo mix of the string quartet.
The stereo mix of the rhythm section and the stereo mix of the vocalists and solo instruments each may have to be actively mixed. In particular, if there are more active soloists connected to S16 'B' than you have available channels to send over to the rhythm section then you'll need to actively mix the stereo monitoring channels that go from the vocalist/instrumentalist section over to the rhythm section.
I don't think that you have to be tied to using direct outs. Given the trouble that Jared had, I think that you can intercept channels that assigned to the returns for a particular S16. Another possibility would be "Aux 1-6/Mon" or one of the card groups.
You can also set up a third P16 mix using the Ultranet port on the X32, but it's a bit more complicated to explain. One of the P16 groups of eight (like "P16 9-16") could do double duty for a return from the other sections, or one of the groups of 8 from the above paragraph selected.
Anyway, I think that those who find that having "just" 16 channels on the P16 a bit confining might be able to scratch their itch by running multiple Ultranet/P16 networks.
~:-D~:grin: 
