Using the X32 In The Studio

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MJKlein
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Using the X32 In The Studio

Post by MJKlein »

I know that most users of the M/X32 consoles use them as DAW controllers when mixing. I have written a bit about how I use my console as a full interface and also with the audio engines while mixing with automation. Here are links to my site that talk a bit about that, and also to the site where you can find the incredible automation system for these consoles:

https://phoenixmediaforge.com/atricles/
https://x32ram.com/
湖口鄉新竹縣台灣 Hukou Township, Hsinchu County, Taiwan
Behringer X32/Dante + Soundcraft Ghost + X32ReaperAutoMate
English/中文
This site is hosted at Dathorn: https://dathorn.com/index.php?r=489
https://www.youtube.com/@phoenixmediaforge
sam.spoons
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Re: Using the X32 In The Studio

Post by sam.spoons »

I too use my X32 Compact in my home/project studio since retiring from live sound. I will read your articles with interest.
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MJKlein
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Re: Using the X32 In The Studio

Post by MJKlein »

I intend to do some more in-depth articles and videos on just how I utilize my X32 in the studio. But honestly speaking, I don't like to spend the time editing videos, lol.
湖口鄉新竹縣台灣 Hukou Township, Hsinchu County, Taiwan
Behringer X32/Dante + Soundcraft Ghost + X32ReaperAutoMate
English/中文
This site is hosted at Dathorn: https://dathorn.com/index.php?r=489
https://www.youtube.com/@phoenixmediaforge
sam.spoons
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Re: Using the X32 In The Studio

Post by sam.spoons »

I don't blame you, it's the most tedious, time consuming task I know...
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MJKlein
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Re: Using the X32 In The Studio

Post by MJKlein »

I'm going to have to though. There are some things about using Reaper and the X32 (or WING for that matter) for mixing that may not be immediately apparent. Also, by using Dante, I can have a custom interface setup. It's 32 x 4. Having only 4 channels of audio going to Reaper conserves resources.
湖口鄉新竹縣台灣 Hukou Township, Hsinchu County, Taiwan
Behringer X32/Dante + Soundcraft Ghost + X32ReaperAutoMate
English/中文
This site is hosted at Dathorn: https://dathorn.com/index.php?r=489
https://www.youtube.com/@phoenixmediaforge
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MJKlein
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Re: Using the X32 In The Studio

Post by MJKlein »

This article explains the basics of how my studio is setup. I'll be doing a followup when I can.

https://phoenixmediaforge.com/about-me-and-pfm-studio/
湖口鄉新竹縣台灣 Hukou Township, Hsinchu County, Taiwan
Behringer X32/Dante + Soundcraft Ghost + X32ReaperAutoMate
English/中文
This site is hosted at Dathorn: https://dathorn.com/index.php?r=489
https://www.youtube.com/@phoenixmediaforge
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MJKlein
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Re: Very beginner - any source for learning X32 routing?

Post by MJKlein »

FlavioB wrote: Wed Sep 15, 2021 1:03 pm Thanks for explaining.
I'm also using my X32 purely in my studio (electronic music - synthesizers and drum machines).
I don't think your kind of setup would fit my needs, as I'd like to record all instruments independently (multi-track). The only drawback of this, would be that in case of post-processing and eliminating some parts, if the parts I'd remove would've been passed through one of my outboard send/return effects, I would not be able to remove the effect part, as it would be in the stereo channel (outboard return signal). I think I can live (for now) with this "limitation"...
I probably wasn't clear in my explanation, sorry. I'm not sure how you came to your conclusion that my setup wouldn't work for you because you record all instruments independently. You must be under the impression that I put everything together on 2 tracks and I can see how you might come to that conclusion. That's not the case. I only use the mixbus group as an input to the DAW. I record all instruments multitrack also, independently on separate tracks (and lots of them!). I can only play one instrument at a time, so having multiple card ins to Reaper wastes resources on the Dante network. I put a guitar, set of drum tracks, or a keyboard on that Mixbus group (either in stereo or mono) and I use that as an input on a track or tracks in Reaper. Nothing except what is on the group gets recorded. That means I can listen to the track on the console (not monitoring the source, but the track coming back from the DAW) with reverb or other FX and keep the tracks I record dry. Or, I can put the FX returns on that group and record them along with the instruments. Also any EQ and compression could be recorded by applying it to the mixbus group. That is especially great for adding the Leisure compressor to vocals as they are being cut. I do drums on a MIDI sync'd machine as well as keyboards, but I have a great deal of performance based recording with 12/6 string electric guitars and bass. I use drum pads and program the drum machine by playing the pads in combination with the machine pads and stock patterns.

I haven't fully documented how my studio is setup but I come from the 2" 24 track world, where I was a very busy producer in Boston in the 80s/90s. I did write a bit about how I came to build my new studio based on my analog background, here: https://phoenixmediaforge.com/about-me-and-pfm-studio/ When I decided to build my new studio the first thing that I decided was that it would not be a DAW based workflow, but a console based workflow.

With @pmaillot's X32ReaperAutoMate, my X32 is very much like working with an inline recording console in those days. While I don't use many plugins (I prefer to use the X32 for as much processing as possible) I haven't found any limitations in my studio workflow, except that I don't have a stagebox and I'm not recording full bands. Everything in my studio is MIDI connected and all synchronized with Reaper. I also have a Soundcraft Ghost analog console from the mid 90s and I use that for all analog inputs. I bring all the drum machine and keyboard inputs into the Ghost and then take mixbus outs from the Ghost into the Aux inputs on the X32. I have 32 channels on the Ghost, both Line and those legendary Ghost mic pres too.

I also have a set of Mixbuses set up as a group to feed into the Ghost. Sometimes I record something that I want to fatten up with a little analog flavor, so I send it to a Ghost line input and then push the signal very hard onto a mixbus on the Ghost, then back into the X32 on the Aux inputs. That also gives me the option of adding some analog British EQ too.

It took awhile (and a firmware update to 4.00!) to get where I am with the X32 and my studio. I have not been able to find any documentation anywhere that shows the X32 being used how I use it, and I am very puzzled as to why. Apparently, most X32 users are using it as a very expensive DAW controller and using lots of plugins. Nothing wrong with that of course, but that is not the right direction for me as a producer. I despise mousing around in a DAW (which drives new features for AutoMate!).

I suppose I should do a YouTube video about all this. But I like video editing as much as mixing in a DAW.

I realize that this became a total hijack of the topic but it is related to routing and you did ask me to elaborate on how I route signals to the DAW. I can break this post out into another topic if it's too distracting.
湖口鄉新竹縣台灣 Hukou Township, Hsinchu County, Taiwan
Behringer X32/Dante + Soundcraft Ghost + X32ReaperAutoMate
English/中文
This site is hosted at Dathorn: https://dathorn.com/index.php?r=489
https://www.youtube.com/@phoenixmediaforge
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