Behringer MX3242X manual

Users Manual EURORACK ® MX3242X Ve rs io n 1 .2 Ma y 2001 www.behringer.com ENGLISH[...]

2 EURORACK MX3242X This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to important operating and mainte- nance instructions in the accompanying literature. Read the manual. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS CAUTION: T o reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside; refer servicing to qualified personnel. WARNIN[...]

3 EURORACK MX3242X FOREWORD Dear Customer, Welcome to the team of EURORACK users and thank you very much for expressing your confidence in BEHRINGER products by purchasing this unit. It is one of my most pleasant tasks to write this letter to you, because it is the culmination of many months of hard work delivered by our engineering team to reach a[...]

4 EURORACK MX3242X MX3242X EURORACK ® Ultra-low noise 16/32-channel 4-bus inline mixing console with integrated VIRTUALIZER multi-effects processor. s 16 microphone input channels with gold-plated XLRs, TRS jacks, inserts and direct outputs s Ultra-low noise discrete mic preamps with +48 V phantom power and switchable low cut filter s 16 Line inpu[...]

5 EURORACK MX3242X T ABLE OF CONTENTS 1 . INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 7 1.1 Concept .......................................................................................................................................... 7 1.1.1 Architecture ...[...]

6 EURORACK MX3242X 4 . APPLICA TI ON S .. . .................................................................................................................. 2 4 4. 1 Recording situation ......................................................................................................... .............. 2 4 4.2 Live situation ..................[...]

7 EURORACK MX3242X 1 . INTRODUCTION Congratulations! In purchasing the BEHRINGER EURORACK MX3242X you have acquired a mixing console whose compact size belies its incredible versatility and superlative audio performance. Your EURORACK is built to the same outstanding quality as our top-of-the-range console, the BEHRINGER EURODESK MX9000. With its 1[...]

8 EURORACK MX3242X 1.1.1 Architecture Main input channels Channels 1 through 16 are configured as mono channels with balanced Microphone and Line connectors. The discrete vintage-type microphone preamps in high-current technology have the same excellent quality as the amplifiers in our legendary BEHRINGER EURODESK MX9000. An overdimensioned e[...]

9 EURORACK MX3242X Each of the Main input channels, the Subgroups and the Main Mix bus are equipped with 8-segment, 3-color LED level meters ( , and ), which help you set levels correctly and avoid distortion. When your MX3242X is shipped from the factory, the level meters are configured post-fader, but can also be modified to display pre-fader sig[...]

10 EURORACK MX3242X 1.2.4 Shipping Your EURORACK MX3242X was carefully packed in the factory and the packaging was designed to protect the unit from rough handling. Nevertheless, we recommend that you carefully examine the packaging and its contents for any signs of physical damage, which may have occurred in transit. + If the unit is damaged, plea[...]

11 EURORACK MX3242X Each mono channel features a balanced Line input on a ¼" jack and a balanced Microphone input on an XLR connector . Fig. 2.2: Phantom power switch The +48 V phantom power required for condenser mics can be activated with the phantom power button i n the Main section. If activated, the LED next to the button lights up. + Mu[...]

12 EURORACK MX3242X 2.1.2 Equalizer Fig. 2.4: Equalizer In addition to the Lo Cut filter, all Main input channels come with a 4-band Equalizer with two tunable midrange bands, each having up to 15 dB of cut and boost. In center detent position the EQ is off. With the EQ IN button you can activate/bypass the Equalizer, so as to allow for easy [...]

13 EURORACK MX3242X All Aux Sends are mono, post-EQ and post-mute. To make sure that the signal form the Main input channel is sent to the Aux bus, SOURCE buttons and should be up (not pressed). However, you can also split the Aux buses and use them both for the Main input channel and for the Mix-B channel. Aux Sends 1 and 2 can be set either pre o[...]

14 EURORACK MX3242X These are designed to give a smooth logarithmic taper of a type more usually associated with megabuck consoles. The performance, even at low levels, is far smoother than that of a normal budget fader. The PANORAMA control positions the output of the channel in the stereo field. Its constant-power design ensures there are n[...]

15 EURORACK MX3242X 2.2.3 Routing Fig. 2.8: Controlling the Mix-B signal Each Mix-B input channel has a PANORAMA and LEVEL control as well as a MUTE button . All signals from a Mix-B channel are routed to the Mix-B bus and are available from the MIX-B OUT jack o n the interface panel. Their overall volume is determined by the LEVEL control in the M[...]

16 EURORACK MX3242X along the channel, fed through the dynamics processor and/or EQ, then returned to the console at the same point where it left. The insert point is normalized, i.e. the signal is only interrupted when a jack is plugged into it (see chapter 4.3 Patchfield). 2.3.1 Main input channels All main input channels are equipped with insert[...]

17 EURORACK MX3242X 2.4 Main section 2.4.1 Aux Sen d b uses Fig. 2.1 1: Aux Send Main section Aux Sends are on ¼" phone jacks . Their level can be adjusted with the master controls for Aux Sends 1 through 6 located in the Main section. Beyond the center detent position (unity gain), these controls give you up to 15 dB gain, which should be mo[...]

18 EURORACK MX3242X inputs. For example, they can return the signal of a multi-track recorder (Tape Returns), or act as inputs for instruments, especially when your MIDI keyboard or rack delivers a pre-mixed stereo signal. 2.4.3 Level meters The Main Mix / PFL / SOLO level is displayed by two highly accurate 8-segment peak meters . Depending on the[...]

19 EURORACK MX3242X 2.4.6 Monitor section Fig. 2.15: Monitor section The buttons 2-TRACK and MIX-B determine which signal is sent to the MON OUTputs , where you can connect active or passive speakers (plus power amp). If neither one of the buttons is pressed, the outputs provide the Main Mix signal. The 2-TRACK button allows you to monitor the sign[...]

20 EURORACK MX3242X 2.4.8 Subgroups and Main Mix f ader Fig. 2.17: Subgroups section In a recording situation, the inputs of a multi-track recorder are fed with signals from the Subgroup outputs . The 4 Subgroups, in turn, can be fed by the Main input channels and the Aux Return buses. In this way, you can also record effect signals. The faders con[...]

21 EURORACK MX3242X A very special feature of your MX3242X is its on-board Effects Processor, which offers the same hard/software quality as our well-known 19" VIRTUALIZER DSP1024P. This effects module provides 32 different standard effects such as Reverb, Chorus, Flanger, Delay, Pitch Shifter and various effects combinations. Use Aux Send 3 ([...]

22 EURORACK MX3242X Echo: Much like the Delay effect, echo repeats the input signal with decaying intensity. However, here the echoes lose brilliance with each repetition, which simulates the trendy vintage effect produced by tape echo units that were widely used in the pre-digital era. Gated Reverb: Phil Collins song In the air tonight[...]

23 EURORACK MX3242X 3. PRACTISE 3.1 Selecting inputs 1 ) Mono channels accept Mic or Line inputs. If you are using the Mic input, make sure nothing is connected to the Line input (and vice versa). 2) Mic inputs are more sensitive than Line inputs. Do not connect microphones with Phantom Power switched on. 3.2 Initializing channels for gain setting [...]

24 EURORACK MX3242X to incrementally increase the record level until the onset of digital distortion, subtract, say 5 or 10 dB, and never exceed that level. Engage peak hold on your recorder before recording if you want to confirm that you havent. When recording to analog, the tape machines VU meters should show around +3 dB on bass, bu[...]

25 EURORACK MX3242X Mix-B inputs (Tape Return). Please select monitor bus Mix-B in the MON/CTRL section, so that you can control the tape return signals using the LEVEL and PAN controls of the Mix-B input channels. + In a recording situation the recorded material should always be monitored via the Tape Return bus. The same applies to the monitor mi[...]

26 EURORACK MX3242X Main input channels are most often used for the monitor mix, a Compressor in the channel insert would raise the signal level in soft passages and induce feedback in the monitor system. 4. 3 Patchbay A Patchbay allows to patch the audio signals of most components in your studio from a central point and send them to other units, w[...]

27 EURORACK MX3242X 4.3.4 No rma ll ed Fig. 4.3: Patchbay mode normalled Here, and in contrast to the half-normalled setup, the signal route of the rear phone jacks is interrupted when you insert a plug both into the upper and lower front jacks. 4.3.5 Open Fig. 4.4: Patchbay mode open This mode is used to connect devices such as s[...]

28 EURORACK MX3242X 2 3 4 Fig. 4.1: Example of a studio organization with four Patchbays In the first eight modules of Patchbay 1 the Subgroup outputs are directly connected to the corresponding multitrack inputs. In addition to that it is also possible to record the signals coming from a Subgroup on a different track of the multitrack. To save spa[...]

29 EURORACK MX3242X 4.3.7 Looming problems Loom wiring is an art unto itself, and it is worth taking time out to get it right. First off, it is important to avoid earth loops (a looped wire acts an aerial, picking up hum and electromagnetic radiation). Think of a tree. Every part of that tree is connected to every other part, but only by one route.[...]

30 EURORACK MX3242X With the Expander Port inputs and outputs of your MX3242X you can route the following buses to the outside world, and feed in the following external signals: PIN -N O. DOCK INPU T DOCK OUTPUT 1 AUX S END 1 AUX S END 1 2 AUX S END 3 AUX S END 3 3 AUX S END 5 AUX S END 5 4 SUB GROUP 1 S UBG ROUP 1 5 SUB GROUP 3 S UBG ROUP 3 6G N D[...]

31 EURORACK MX3242X Fig. 4.10: Partial view of pc board carrying 8 mono and 8 Mix-B input channels 4. APPLICATIONS[...]

32 EURORACK MX3242X Heres how to do it: 1) Switch off the mixing console and disconnect it from the mains! 2 ) Cut the existing pcb track. 3 ) Solder a new jumper. Fig. 4.1 1: Cut pcb track and solder jumper J1 through J8: changing Aux Send 1/2 from POST MUTE to POST EQ. When Aux Send 1/2 is set pre-fader (PRE button pressed), the signal is take[...]

33 EURORACK MX3242X (or 2x mono pre-fader monitor). If you need a stereo post-fader send, simply modify the console accordingly. Then you can, for example, drive a stereo effects device in true stereo mode. J33 through J40: changing Meters from POST F ADER to PRE FADER. When shipped from the factory, the level meters in the main input channels are [...]

34 EURORACK MX3242X 5.1.2 Gain optimization PFL (Pre-Fader-Listen) is the way to set a desk level. Master Aux Send levels are fixed at Unity Gain. As the mix progresses, more and more channels are likely to be sending to effects via the Aux buses, and its best to PFL all sends just before setting up for the final mix. Outboard Reverbs etc. shoul[...]

35 EURORACK MX3242X + Please note that both PSU and EURORACK will heat up during operation. This is completely normal and does not indicate a malfunction. 6.2 Mains connection The mains connection of the MX3242X is made by using the included power supply unit. It meets all of the international safety certification requirements. + Please make sure t[...]

36 EURORACK MX3242X Unbalanced use of mono 1/4" jack plugs Ring Balanced use of stereo 1/4" jack plugs Balanced use with XLR connectors 1 2 3 2 1 3 Input Output Tip = Signal Tip = hot (+ve) Sleeve = Ground / Shield Sleeve = Ground / Shield Tip Ti p Sleeve Sleeve Strain relief clamp Strain relief clamp Ring = cold (-ve) For connection of b[...]

37 EURORACK MX3242X 7 . APPENDIX 7. 1 Specifications Mono input channels Mic input Electronically balanced, discrete input configuration Frequency response 10 Hz to 130 kHz, +/-3 dB Distortion (THD&N) 0.007 % at -30 dBu, 1 kHz, 22 Hz to 22 kHz Gain range +10 dB to +60 dB Max. input +12 dBu S/N ratio -125 dB, 150 Ohm source, 22 Hz to 22 kHz -121[...]

38 EURORACK MX3242X 7.2 Track sheet Copy this model track sheet and use it to archive project-specific settings, so that you can restore a specific recording or live set-up if need be. Particularly for live applications with several groups or a series of similar concerts it can be of great help to have the required settings available. We recommend [...]

39 EURORACK MX3242X 8 . WARRANTY The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording of any kind, for any purpose, without the express written permission of BEHRINGER S peziell[...]