26X32 DIGITAL MIXER Preliminary User Manual

5.Topic Guide

5.1Starting up, shutting down, and firmware updates

We recommend switching the X32 on before any active sound reinforcement system is connected. The function called “Safe Main Levels”, located in the Setup/General Preferences screen, automatically turns down the main LRC bus levels when booting the console, and also prevents any scene loading actions from affecting (specifically turning up) the main levels.

Synchronization and Sample Rate settings can also be adjusted on the Setup/Config page, but please note that changing the sample rate will require a console reboot.

◊Please Note: Settings under ‘Link Preferences’, ‘Panning Mode’,

and ‘DCA groups’ are stored with the Scene data while all other settings made on the Setup/Config page are not stored in any preset and will not be initialized either. Please verify before using the X32 that the sample rate is set correctly and if the synchronization source is selected appropriately. If set to external synchronization via one of the two AES50 ports, while no clock source is actually connected or switched on, then the corresponding small square icon in the main display’s top row would be red rather than green. In normal state you should only see

1-4 green squares in the top section depending on the units connected.

Note that if the X32 console has previously been in use by somebody else, and you feel unsure about its actual status, you can reset it to default settings in either of two convenient ways:

1.While the console is booting up and the “X32” logo appears on the screen, press and hold the “Scenes / UNDO” button, keeping it depressed until the console is fully operational and the Home screen is displayed. The console will now be in the exact same state as it was when first shipped from the factory. However, you can immediately revert back to the status the console was in before being switched off by pressing the Scenes/UNDO button.

2.You can also reset the console any time after booting by pressing “Setup/Config” -> “Initialize”.

The X32 regularly stores the console’s status to its onboard flash memory,

so there is usually nothing wrong with switching it off, and you do not have to explicitly save the current status. However, when a large number of parameters have been recently changed, storing all of them to flash can take up to 1 minute, in a “worst-case” scenario. In order to prevent any errors by losing power during this type of storage operation, we recommend using the “Safe Shutdown” function from the Setup/Global page, an operation similar to un-mounting a USB thumb-drive from your PC.

Updates:

The X32 firmware can easily be updated by plugging a USB stick into the top panel USB connector after a firmware update file has been downloaded and stored on the root level of the attached drive. Simply insert the USB drive while the console is turned off, then power on the console. While booting, the X32 will run a fully automatic firmware update, which might take 2-3 minutes longer than the regular boot sequence.

The USB socket is not suitable for other non-memory USB devices like keyboards, mice, lamps, etc.

5.2Default setup for connecting to monitoring and P.A. systems

The X32 comes pre-configured with the local XLR inputs connected to input channels 1-32, and XLR outputs 1-14 connected to the mix bus masters 1-14.

Bus masters 13-16 are connected to the effects inputs FX1-4. The Main LR (stereo) signal is normally put out on XLR outputs 15/16.

The Monitoring outputs on ¼" and XLR connectors, and the two Phones outputs (in the side-cap handles) always carry either the Monitor Source signal or any solo signal, whenever a solo button is active. Press the View button in the Monitor section to check or change the solo and monitoring preferences.

1.Power up the X32 console first, before any connected power amps or speakers are switched on.

2.Connect cables to XLR outputs 15 and 16 on the rear panel, connecting the other ends of the cables to the inputs of your P.A. system. These normally carry the main stereo bus left and right.

3.All buses or input channels that are to be put out on the main PA system must have their Stereo Bus switches on. Use the selected channel’s pan control to place the signal within the main stereo field, and the channel’s fader to set the volume.

4.Use the rear panel Monitoring outputs to connect monitor speakers or, if you prefer, use the ¼" outputs in the sidecaps to connect your head phones. You will either hear the monitor source signal, which is Main Stereo by default, or any channel with its solo button being active.

5.3How do I connect a microphone, process its signal and send it out to the P.A. system?

1.Press the Select button of a desired input channel (for example, channel 1 on the “Channels 1-16” input layer) and make sure the channel fader is down.

2.In the channel processing section in the upper left hand corner, make sure the phantom power is switched off.

3.Connect a microphone to XLR input 1 on the X32’s rear panel.

4.Press the 48V button to switch phantom power on for channel 1 (if the microphone requires it, such as a condenser microphone).

5.Use the Gain control to adjust the gain level as necessary, using the input meter as a guide.

6.Switch on and adjust the Low Cut filter as needed to remove rumble or wind noise.

7.Adjust the channel equalizer controls to sculpt the sound quality of the microphone signal.

8.Adjust the channel Gate and Compressor controls as desired. Note that by pressing the “view” button in the compressor section, the main screen will switch to the compressor display for the selected channel, offering additional compressor controls beyond the dedicated top-panel controls.

9.Turn on the “Stereo Bus” switch in order to route the selected signal to the main LR, then adjust the Pan control to place the signal within the stereo field.

10.Adjust the Channel 1 fader to the 0 dB region, then slowly turn up the main LR fader until you hear the mic signal amplified through your P.A. system.