Behringer SD16/SD8 Quick Start Guide
Product Overview
The Behringer SD16/SD8 is an I/O Stage Box featuring 16/8 Remote-Controllable MIDAS Preamps, 8 Outputs, AES50 Networking, and ULTRANET Personal Monitoring Hub capabilities. It is designed for professional audio applications, offering flexible connectivity and high-quality audio processing.
Important Safety Instructions
Please read and follow all safety instructions carefully. Terminals marked with a [electrical-shock-symbol] ⚡ carry electrical current and require caution. Uninsulated dangerous voltage ⚠️ is present inside the unit. Always refer to the manual ℹ️ for operating and maintenance guidance.
- Read and keep all instructions.
- Do not use near water or expose to moisture/rain.
- Clean only with a dry cloth.
- Ensure proper ventilation; do not block openings.
- Avoid heat sources.
- Do not defeat safety features of plugs (polarized/grounding).
- Protect power cords from damage.
- Use only manufacturer-specified accessories.
- Use caution when moving equipment, especially on carts.
- Unplug during lightning storms or long periods of non-use.
- Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
- Connect to a MAINS socket outlet with protective earthing.
- Ensure disconnect devices (plugs/couplers) remain operable.
- Dispose of product and batteries responsibly according to WEEE directives and local regulations.
- Do not install in confined spaces or place naked flames on the unit.
- Use in tropical and/or moderate climates.
Legal Disclaimer & Limited Warranty
MUSIC Group accepts no liability for reliance on descriptions or statements herein. Technical specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. For warranty terms and conditions, visit music-group.com/warranty.
SD16/SD8 Controls
- 1. Mic/Line Combo Inputs
- MIDAS-designed inputs accepting balanced XLR and 1/4" TS plugs. Channels 15/16 (SD16) and 7/8 (SD8) support high impedance for direct connection of guitars and basses.
- 2. XLR Outputs
- Accept balanced XLR female plugs.
- 3. POWER LED
- Lights green when the unit is powered on.
- 4. AES50 LEDs
- Green indicates connection and synchronization; red indicates connection without synchronization.
- 5. ULTRANET Ports
- Allow direct connection of up to 4 (SD16) or 2 (SD8) P16-M personal mixers. Provide phantom power for P16-M units.
- 6. USB Port
- Used for connecting a PC to update firmware.
- 7. AES50 Ports A & B
- Connect to a SuperMAC digital multi-channel network via shielded Cat-5e Ethernet cable (Neutrik etherCON compatible). Port A is typically for the clock master (e.g., digital mixer), Port B for additional stage boxes.
- 8. OUTPUT Select Switch
- Determines which group of 8 AES50-A channels appear at the physical XLR output jacks. Allows different output signals to be sent to each unit when using multiple stage boxes.
- 9. POWER Switch
- Turns the unit on and off.
Hook-up and Routing
General Hook-up
The hook-up diagram illustrates a typical audio system configuration. It shows connections between a Behringer X32 Digital Mixer, SD16/SD8 stage boxes, P16-M personal monitors, active monitors (F1320D, B215D), a keyboard, microphones, and a guitar amplifier. Connections are made using shielded CAT5e cables for AES50 and ULTRANET networking.
Routing Diagrams
Detailed routing diagrams explain signal flow and connectivity. These diagrams illustrate how signals are transmitted between the mixer and stage boxes via AES50 (using shielded CAT5e Ethernet cables) and how ULTRANET signals are managed for personal monitoring. They also show output selection for analog XLR outputs and MIDI control configurations for standalone operation. The diagrams depict signal paths for SD8 and SD16 units, including routing from the mixer to the stage box (TX) and from the stage box back to the mixer (RX), as well as internal routing for XLR and P16 outputs.
Channel Management
Signals are routed via CAT-5e cable (up to 100 meters) between the SD8/16 and a mixer or S16/DL16. The clock source is received on AES50 Port A. ULTRANET signals (P-16) are carried on AES50-A channels 33-48. The 8 analog outputs can carry AES50-A channels 1-8, 9-16, or 17-24, selectable via a 3-position switch.
When chaining multiple stageboxes, signals from the second unit are sent via AES50-A to the next unit's AES50 Port B and are shifted by 8 or 16 channels. The output select switch is typically set to '9-16' to allow different signals from multiple stageboxes.
MIDI Control
The SD-series stageboxes can be used with an X32/M32 console or as part of a standalone digital snake. Head amp gain and phantom power settings can be remotely controlled via MIDI when used with a BEHRINGER S16 or MIDAS DL16 master unit. MIDI control is only active when preamps are not controlled via AES50. MIDI channel 1 controls the master unit's preamps, and MIDI channel 2 controls the slave unit (SD8/16).
| Mode | CC # | Value | Channel | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "In 1-16" (FOH) SN MASTER or Ext Sync w/o AES50 preamp control | Local | 80...95 | 0...19 | 1 | Controls local head amps of master unit Gain In 1-16, -2.5...+45 dB, 2.5 dB steps |
| 96...111 | 0, 127 | 1 | 48V Phantom 1-16 on/off | ||
| "St 1-16" (Stage) SN MASTER or Ext Sync w/o AES50 preamp control | Remote | 80...95 | 0...19 | 2 | Controls remote head amps of slave unit Gain In 1-16, -2.5...+45 dB, 2.5 dB steps |
| 96...111 | 0, 127 | 2 | 48V Phantom 1-16 on/off | ||
| SLAVE or Ext Sync with AES50 preamp control | - | - | - | - | No MIDI preamp control transmission or reception in slave mode, when controlled by another S16/DL16 SN Master or X32/M32 series console |
Specifications
| SD16 | SD8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Processing | A/D-D/A conversion (Cirrus Logic A/D CS5368, D/A CS4385) | A/D-D/A conversion (Cirrus Logic A/D CS5368, D/A CS4385) |
| Networked I/O latency (stagebox in > console processing* > stagebox out) | Networked I/O latency (stagebox in > console processing* > stagebox out) | |
| 1.1 ms | 1.1 ms | |
| Connectors | Programmable mic preamps, designed by MIDAS, balanced XLR/TRS combo | Programmable mic preamps, designed by MIDAS, balanced XLR/TRS combo |
| Line outputs, balanced XLR | Line outputs, balanced XLR | |
| ULTRANET outputs, RJ45 (power supplied for BEHRINGER P16-M personal mixers) | ULTRANET outputs, RJ45 (power supplied for BEHRINGER P16-M personal mixers) | |
| AES50 SuperMac networking, Neutrik ethercon | AES50 SuperMac networking, Neutrik ethercon | |
| USB port for system updates, type B | USB port for system updates, type B | |
| Mic Input Characteristics | Preamp design | MIDAS |
| THD + noise, 20 dB gain, 0 dBu out | < 0.005%, A-weighted | |
| Phantom power, switchable per input | 48 V | |
| Equivalent input noise level, XLR (input shorted) | -128 dBu, A-weighted | |
| CMRR, XLR, @ 20 dB gain (typical) | >60 dB | |
| CMRR, XLR, @ 40 dB gain | >65 dB | |
| Input/Output Characteristics | Frequency range, @ 48 kHz sample rate, 0 dB to -1 dB | 10 Hz - 22 kHz |
| Dynamic range, analog mic in to analog out (typical) | 105 dB | |
| A/D dynamic range, mic preamp to converter (typical) | 109 dB | |
| D/A dynamic range, converter and output | 108 dB | |
| Cross talk rejection @ 1 kHz, adjacent channels | 90 dB | |
| Mic input impedance XLR jack, unbal. / bal. | 5 kΩ / 10 kΩ | |
| Non clip maximum input level, XLR | +23 dBu | |
| Hi-Z input impedance TRS jack, unbal. / bal. | 1 MΩ / 2 MΩ | |
| Line input impedance TRS jack, unbal. / bal. | 20 kΩ / 40 kΩ | |
| Non clip maximum input level, TRS | +21 dBu | |
| Output Characteristics | Output impedance, XLR, unbal. / bal. | 50 Ω / 50 Ω |
| Output level, XLR, nom. / max. | +4 dBu / +21 dBu | |
| Residual noise level, XLR | -88 dBu, A-weighted | |
| Digital In/Out | AES50 SuperMac networking @ 48 or 44.1 kHz, 24-bit PCM | 2 x 48 channels, bidirectional |
| AES50 SuperMac cable length, CAT5 shielded** | Up to 100 m | |
| ULTRANET networking @ 48 or 44.1 kHz, 22-bit PCM | 1 x 16 channels, unidirectional | |
| ULTRANET cable length, CAT5 shielded | Up to 75 m | |
| ULTRANET phantom power for P16-M personal mixers | 2 powered outputs | |
| Power | Switch-mode autorange power supply | Switch-mode autorange power supply |
| Power consumption | 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) | |
| 45 W | ||
| Physical | Standard operating temperature range | 5°C - 40°C (41°F - 104°F) |
| Dimensions | 333 x 149 x 140 mm (13.1 x 5.9 x 5.5 in) | |
| Weight | 3.2 kg (7.1 lbs) | |
| Standard operating temperature range | 5°C - 40°C (41°F - 104°F) | |
| Dimensions | 333 x 149 x 95 mm (13.1 x 5.9 x 3.7 in) | |
| Weight | 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) |
* Incl. all channel and bus processing, excl. insert effects and line delays
** KLARK TEKNIK NCAT5E-50M recommended
NOTE: Please verify that your specific AES50 connections provide stable operation prior to using the products in a live performance or recording situation. The maximum distance for AES50 CAT5 connections is 100 m / 330 ft. Please consider using shorter connections where possible for gaining safety margin. Combining 2 or more cables with extension connectors can reduce the reliability and maximum distance between AES50 products. Unshielded (UTP) cable may work well for many applications, but entails an additional risk for ESD issues. We guarantee, that all our products will perform as specified with 50 m of KLARK TEKNIK NCAT5E-50M, and we recommend using cable of similar quality, only. KLARK TEKNIK also offers the very cost-effective DN9610 AES50 Repeater or DN9620 AES50 Extender for situations where extremely long cable runs are required.
Other Important Information
Online Registration
Register your new MUSIC Group equipment online at behringer.com to help process repair claims efficiently. Review warranty terms and conditions.
Handling Malfunctions
If your local reseller is unavailable, contact your country's MUSIC Group Fulfiller via behringer.com/support. For self-help, use the "Online Support" section. Submit warranty claims online at behringer.com before returning the product.
Power Connections
Ensure correct mains voltage for your model. Replace faulty fuses only with identical type and rating.
Federal Communications Commission Compliance Information
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a commercial environment. Operation in a residential area may cause interference, requiring the user to correct it at their own expense.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Important Information
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by MUSIC Group can void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
