X32 Discussion

re: X32 Discussion

I've just been in touch with DV247 again and the salesperson I've been dealing with as per usual has been a great help. They've chased Behringer for an update and the good news is stock isn't too far off from hitting the UK. I'm therefore hoping I'll get mine in September as opposed to November which has been hinted at previously.

“At present you are still in line to receive your initial shipment of X32 at the same time as our distributor in the UK.

I'm aware of the various websites discussing availability of X32, unfortunately most of them are only focussing on the time when we first showed the X32 under glass at NAMM 2011 and not when Behringer actually announced that it was available for shipping. The first units will arrive in the UK over the next five to six weeks.

Due to a slight problem with the implementation of SAP we have been experiencing some minor delays in shipping, which will result in X32 being available in the UK in September as opposed to August which we advertised on our website as the official launch month.
 
re: X32 Discussion

Due to a slight problem with the implementation of SAP we have been experiencing some minor delays in shipping, which will result in X32 being available in the UK in September as opposed to August which we advertised on our website as the official launch month.
Click to expand...
SAP, as in the business-crippling software that have caused the whole wold's industy to grind allmost to a halt?
 
re: X32 Discussion

Mackie Control emulation....can anybody tell me if:

- banks are easily scrolled? (I'm guessing they must be)
- select, mute, solo work?
- transport controls?
- jog wheel emulation?
- vpot emulation? Select between track/send/pan/plug-in/eq/instrument

Just wondering if I'll be able to replace my Mackie Control w Extender or not. Can probably deal with just 8 faders although I'd rather have 16, but I don't know if I can deal with not have a a jog wheel, transport controls, pan.
 
re: X32 Discussion

Joshua Bessom said:
Mackie Control emulation....can anybody tell me if:

- banks are easily scrolled? (I'm guessing they must be)
- select, mute, solo work?
- transport controls?
- jog wheel emulation?
- vpot emulation? Select between track/send/pan/plug-in/eq/instrument

Just wondering if I'll be able to replace my Mackie Control w Extender or not. Can probably deal with just 8 faders although I'd rather have 16, but I don't know if I can deal with not have a a jog wheel, transport controls, pan.
Click to expand...

Hi Joshua,

by now, the Mackie Control emulation can do this-->

[TABLE="width: 707"]
[TR]
[TD]Layer
[/TD]
[TD]DCA channel1
[/TD]
[TD]DCA channel2[/TD]
[TD]DCA channel3[/TD]
[TD]DCA channel4[/TD]
[TD]DCA channel5[/TD]
[TD]DCA channel6[/TD]
[TD]DCA channel7[/TD]
[TD]DCA channel8
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]DCA[/TD]
[TD]Bank up[/TD]
[TD]Bank down[/TD]
[TD]< Channel links[/TD]
[TD]> Channel
rechts[/TD]
[TD]Up[/TD]
[TD]down[/TD]
[TD]Left[/TD]
[TD]right[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mixbus 1-8[/TD]
[TD]Record Ready[/TD]
[TD]Record Ready[/TD]
[TD]Record Ready[/TD]
[TD]Record Ready[/TD]
[TD]Record Ready[/TD]
[TD]Record Ready[/TD]
[TD]Record Ready[/TD]
[TD]Record Ready[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mixbus 9- 16[/TD]
[TD]Mute[/TD]
[TD]Mute[/TD]
[TD]Mute[/TD]
[TD]Mute[/TD]
[TD]Mute[/TD]
[TD]Mute[/TD]
[TD]Mute[/TD]
[TD]Mute[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Matrix + Main C[/TD]
[TD]Stop[/TD]
[TD]Play[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Rewind[/TD]
[TD]Forward[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Record[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

I hope you get the picture. In addition it can fader/volume rides with the 8 DCA Faders, you have solo with the DCA Solo buttons and with the new firmware, the scribble strips of the DCA section will display the channel names from your DAW.

Christian

[TABLE="width: 707"]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
 
re: X32 Discussion

So, different layers have to be selected and only one button sends the control? That seems odd....
The solo, mute and select buttons don't just perform those functions? And what of the assignable encoders, do they send any control information? Would be great to be able to use all those encoders / buttons!

BTW thanks Christian, very helpful - I appreciate it very much. I'm surprised nobody has made a video of this functionality yet. I'm sure like myself a lot of people are wondering.
 
re: X32 Discussion

I'm surprised nobody has made a video of this functionality yet. I'm sure like myself a lot of people are wondering.
Click to expand...

I would like to do this, but I have a major repair on my house to do. The roof is leaky and I need to replace some primary structures as well:-(

And yes, I forgot the assignable controllers! These can send midi comands as well, but I didn't look into it by now.
Christian
 
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re: X32 Discussion

Joshua Bessom said:
So, different layers have to be selected and only one button sends the control? That seems odd....
The solo, mute and select buttons don't just perform those functions? And what of the assignable encoders, do they send any control information? Would be great to be able to use all those encoders / buttons!

BTW thanks Christian, very helpful - I appreciate it very much. I'm surprised nobody has made a video of this functionality yet. I'm sure like myself a lot of people are wondering.
Click to expand...

I am thinking seriously about having a X32 for my project studio. I used to be a DDX3216 owner and for the most part was pretty happy with the unit. With improved converters, pre's, and effects along with scribble strips it looks very appealing. I currently am working with a Mackie Controller Pro and Expander with Cubase. I think the X32 will work best with a DAW if you set your faders in your DAW at unity. Route all your channels from your DAW to a channel in the X32 and then route back to the same channel in Cubase. Mix your tracks with using the faders on the X32 as well as the built in effects. You can still add your favorite plug ins in your DAW as well. When your done with your mix, save the song on the X32 which will recall your settings when you go back into it.

I believe Christian mentioned the lastest firmware update will show the names for each track in your DAW on the X32.

If you need to do some automation you can use the group tracks with the DAW and automate the volume of a particular track on a song. Another option which I am not familar with is to use the X32 automation for a song. I have not heard much about how the automation works on the X32, but perhaps someone who is familar with it can chime it.

For me, this work flow of using the faders on the X32 appeals more than trying to jump between banks of DAW controls. The work flow should be smoother and more enjoyable. It may be worth having a separate transport controller like Steinberg CMC-TP (Transport Controller) | Sweetwater.com or PreSonus FaderPort | Sweetwater.com so you don't have to play with a menu screen on the X32.
 
re: X32 Discussion

I believe Christian mentioned the lastest firmware update will show the names for each track in your DAW on the X32.
Click to expand...
confirmed! ;-)

Concerning automation: The X32 has NO automation! Do it in your DAW, it is more powerfull than any console could be.
I don't quite understand, why so much people want all the X32 faders to control their DAWs. When I do a band recording I normally end up with 50-120 tracks. So even with the 16 channel faders, I would have to "jump" through the banks as well.

BTW: There is also a technical reason, why you can't use all the faders. Each Mackie Control unit eats up one entire midi port. The Midi is embedded with the audiostream of the build in recording card. This card offers just one midi port - that's it.
The R&D found at least a way to theoretical emulate more Midi ports, but this feature is not on top of their "to do" list. At least what I have heard.
Christian
 
re: X32 Discussion

I had just a Mackie control and it was ok, adding the extender made it twice as good. Yes there's still jumping through banks, but half as often...that actually makes the workflow quite a bit better for me. That's why I want all 16 faders. Would it be possible to emulate a midi interface with USB? That's what the mackie control does, the 2 mackie units connect together via midi, and usb goes to the comp. from just the master controller.
 
re: X32 Discussion

Glenn Bucci said:
I am thinking seriously about having a X32 for my project studio. I used to be a DDX3216 owner and for the most part was pretty happy with the unit. With improved converters, pre's, and effects along with scribble strips it looks very appealing. I currently am working with a Mackie Controller Pro and Expander with Cubase. I think the X32 will work best with a DAW if you set your faders in your DAW at unity. Route all your channels from your DAW to a channel in the X32 and then route back to the same channel in Cubase. Mix your tracks with using the faders on the X32 as well as the built in effects. You can still add your favorite plug ins in your DAW as well. When your done with your mix, save the song on the X32 which will recall your settings when you go back into it.

I believe Christian mentioned the lastest firmware update will show the names for each track in your DAW on the X32.

If you need to do some automation you can use the group tracks with the DAW and automate the volume of a particular track on a song. Another option which I am not familar with is to use the X32 automation for a song. I have not heard much about how the automation works on the X32, but perhaps someone who is familar with it can chime it.

For me, this work flow of using the faders on the X32 appeals more than trying to jump between banks of DAW controls. The work flow should be smoother and more enjoyable. It may be worth having a separate transport controller like Steinberg CMC-TP (Transport Controller) | Sweetwater.com or PreSonus FaderPort | Sweetwater.com so you don't have to play with a menu screen on the X32.
Click to expand...

I just generally think it's better quality wise and workflow wise to keep everything "in the box" as it were, and control it externally. Extra AD/DA conversion happening in your scenario, although I could see that setup working just fine...might try it myself.
 
re: X32 Discussion

Would it be possible to emulate a midi interface with USB?
Click to expand...
:-) There is a unused USB Port on the X32..this could be the key. But it seems, we have to wait a while for it to come.

@Joachim: Congrats man, let us know, how you come along with the desk!
 
re: X32 Discussion

Joshua Bessom said:
I just generally think it's better quality wise and workflow wise to keep everything "in the box" as it were, and control it externally. Extra AD/DA conversion happening in your scenario, although I could see that setup working just fine...might try it myself.
Click to expand...

Actually you stay in digital when you go from the DAW to the mixer and back to your DAW. I agree the less back and forth in digital and analog the better.
 
re: X32 Discussion

Joshua Bessom said:
Yeah, I realized that right after I hit "post". Oops!
Click to expand...
8O~8-O~:shock:


Work flow is very important to me, so if you just stick with mixing with the X32, it should be easier. I thought the X32 had automation but it does not. I assume it has moving faders so it will save your settings for each fader from song to song. Though it was intended more for live use, I hope they keep doing some updates that will make it equally appealing for studio use. Having the group faders is nice on the mixer. Putting a drum, guitar, and vocal group on my songs right on the unit would be nice. I would also put my Portico, and Manley pre's directly in the Aux in's to bypass the mic pre's.

Main thing for me is how good are the converters? I am sure for live it is just fine. I am hopeful that the converters will at least be the quality of the 01V960-DM 1000.
 
re: X32 Discussion

Per Søvik said:
Wouldn't be very good if they lighted up either, you would assume the mute on the channel was active and push it before realizing it was the DCA, having muted the channel in two places ;)~;-)~:wink: Maybe if the mute light could flash when a channel was DCA muted?
Click to expand...

Some other consoles do this, for example the Avid desks. Having the DCA linked channels mute flash when the DCA group is muted works well and allows for the ability to override into a regular mute as well.
 
re: X32 Discussion

Christian Boche said:
confirmed! ;-)

Concerning automation: The X32 has NO automation! Do it in your DAW, it is more powerfull than any console could be.
I don't quite understand, why so much people want all the X32 faders to control their DAWs. When I do a band recording I normally end up with 50-120 tracks. So even with the 16 channel faders, I would have to "jump" through the banks as well.

BTW: There is also a technical reason, why you can't use all the faders. Each Mackie Control unit eats up one entire midi port. The Midi is embedded with the audiostream of the build in recording card. This card offers just one midi port - that's it.
The R&D found at least a way to theoretical emulate more Midi ports, but this feature is not on top of their "to do" list. At least what I have heard.
Christian
Click to expand...
I was hoping that the X32 would have something similar to what you find on the DMX-R100, where there are a couple of modes that outputs all faders and rotaries, allowing you to record movements and/or control the DAW fader automation etc. The DMX-R100 will also respond to the same midi signals when played back. It is not Mackie control, so a template needs to be built for each DAW.

Anyway, since all movements are sent and received through the LAN port, it should be possible to make a program that can route this to and from DAW, letting the DAW take the place of the XControl as far as the X32 is concerned. Let's see how much information Behringer makes available about the remote control protocol. My programming days are very much in the past, but this might be a fun project to undertake if there are no other, more proficient takers.
 
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re: X32 Discussion

Per Søvik said:
I was hoping that the X32 would have something similar to what you find on the DMX-R100, where there are a couple of modes that outputs all faders and rotaries, allowing you to record movements and/or control the DAW fader automation etc. The DMX-R100 will also respond to the same midi signals when played back. It is not Mackie control, so a template needs to be built for each DAW.

Anyway, since all movements are sent and received through the LAN port, it should be possible to make a program that can route this to and from DAW, letting the DAW take the place of the XControl as far as the X32 is concerned. Let's see how much information Behringer makes available about the remote control protocol. My programming days are very much in the past, but this might be a fun project to undertake if there are no other, more proficient takers.
Click to expand...

Im actually looking at this desk as a possible replacement for several 01v96's I use for a monitor system. I control them remotely using MIDI, so I'm very interested in how the MIDI is implemented on this new desk. I suppose all will be forthcoming in time...
 
re: X32 Discussion

Are the balanced outputs on the X32 servo-balanced. i.e. if I short pins 1 and 3 to connect to an unbalanced input, does the output level on pin 2 automatically double?

Thanks.
 
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