Behringer X32 PRODUCER DIGITAL MIXER

Overview

Welcome to the X32 PRODUCER digital mixing console Quick Start Guide! This document provides an overview of the mixer's basic operations, enabling users to get up and running quickly. It encourages experimentation with the console's controls and screens, noting the user interface is designed for ease of navigation and learning. An English user manual is also available as a PDF download from behringer.com.

General User Interface Operation

The X32 PRODUCER user interface is divided into five main sections:

• Channel Strip and Monitoring
• Input Channels
• Display
• Group/Bus/Main Channels
• Various Assignments

View Buttons: Located on the top panel, these buttons allow users to switch the main color display to show information related to the section whose View button was pressed. This eliminates the need to navigate through multiple menu pages.

Utilities Page: Pressing the Utility button (to the right of the main display) offers context-sensitive functions like copying, pasting, loading, or saving settings for equalizers, naming channels, routing scenarios, and console scenes.

Page Navigation: Some display pages have more adjustable parameters than can be controlled by the six rotary push encoders. Page numbers (e.g., "1/2") indicate this, and users can switch between layers using the Layer Up/Down buttons.

Section 1: Channel Strip and Monitoring

The channel strip offers dedicated controls for essential processing parameters of the selected channel. Pressing the 'Select' button on an input or output channel directs the console's focus to that channel.

Specific sections within the channel strip (like Low Cut filter, Noise Gate, EQ, and Compressor) have buttons to switch effects on/off, indicated by an illuminated button when active.

Rotary controls have an amber LED collar indicating parameter values. If the collar is off, the control is unavailable for the selected channel type (e.g., no input gain for output buses).

The channel strip includes subsections for:

• Config/Preamp
• Gate, Dynamics
• Equalizer
• Main Bus

Each subsection has a 'View' button that displays all related parameters on the main display.

Monitoring and Talkback: Features independent level controls for headphone and monitor outputs. Pressing the 'View' button in this section allows editing of monitoring preferences, including input sources for the phones bus and monitor outputs. Independent Talkback buttons (A and B) are also present.

Section 2: Input Channel Banks

The input channel section on the left side provides 8 separate channel strips, representing six input layers:

• Input Channels 1-8
• Input Channels 9-16
• Input Channels 17-24
• Input Channels 25-32
• Aux Inputs 1-6/USB playback
• Effects Returns

Layer buttons on the left switch between these input banks. The active layer's button illuminates.

Two additional layers (Bus Master 1-8 and 9-16) allow adjustment of Mix Bus Master levels, useful for DCA Group assignments.

Each fader strip includes a motorized 100 mm fader, Mute and Solo buttons, Gate indicator, input level meter, Compressor indicator, and channel select button.

Section 3: Main Display Area

The main color display shows information about various console sections, switchable via 'View' buttons and other display bezel buttons.

The top section of the display permanently shows status information, including selected channel, nickname, icon, scene number/name, next scene, playback file name, recorder status, AES50 port status, card slot status, audio clock sync source, and sample rate. Small green indicators show connectivity. The console time is also displayed.

Editing parameters is done using the six push-encoders below the display. Circular icons indicate continuous controls, while rectangular buttons indicate toggle functions.

Section 4: Group/Bus Channel Banks

This section offers eight channel strips managed in layers, including:

• Eight DCA (Digitally Controlled Amplifier) groups
• Mix Bus Masters 1-8
• Mix Bus Masters 9-16
• Matrix Outputs 1-6, and the Main Center Bus

A dedicated Main LR output fader is always available.

DCA Groups can be soloed and muted but not selected. Their names, icons, and colors can be edited via the Setup/DCA Groups page or by pressing Utility and Select concurrently.

When using output bus layers, bottom LEDs on meters indicate when the bus is fed from pre-fader sources of the selected channel.

Section 5: Various Assignments

Assigning DCA Groups: Hold the respective DCA Group Select button while pressing the Select buttons for input channels to assign them to a DCA Group. Pressing the DCA Group Select button shows assigned channels.

Custom Assignable Controls: The Assign section has three banks of 8 buttons for 24 customizable functions. To assign a function, select the control set (A, B, or C), the control (1-8), and the parameter.

Jump-to-Page Control: A special control that navigates directly to a specified display page without altering audio parameters.

Sends on Faders Function: Pressing the 'Sends on Faders' button between the fader sections activates this function for setting send levels to Mix Buses 1-16 (not for DCA, Main, or Matrix buses).

• For Monitor Mixes: Select the monitor bus, press 'Sends on Faders', then select an input channel layer. Input channel faders then control send levels to the selected bus.
• For Checking/Editing Signal Routing: Select the input channel, press 'Sends on Faders', then select a bus channel layer. Bus faders then represent send levels from the selected input channel.

Routing I/O

The X32 PRODUCER features 16 analog XLR inputs with mic preamps, 8 XLR outputs, and 6 TRS Aux Sends/Returns. It also has two AES50 ports (48 channels each) and a card slot for 32 channels via USB 2.0.

Input signals can be patched to the internal audio engine in blocks of 8. Local inputs 17-32 are bracketed, indicating they are not physically present but can be used for show preparation.

Output signals can be assigned freely:

• 8 analog XLR local outputs (with adjustable digital delay)
• 8 virtual outputs (marked with *) for AES50 or card routing
• 6 auxiliary sends on 1/4" TRS outputs
• 16 personal monitoring channels via P-16 Bus output

These signals can also be mirrored in blocks of 8 on AES50 ports A and B (48 channels each) and the USB interface card (32 channels).

Startup and Shutdown, and Update

Startup/Shutdown: Power on the X32 PRODUCER first and power it off last to prevent unexpected noises. The 'Safe Main Levels' function in Setup/Global mutes main outputs during boot and prevents scene loading from affecting main levels.

Synchronization and Sample Rate: Settings are in Setup/Config. Sample rate changes require a reboot. A red square indicator signals potential sync issues.

Resetting the Console:

• Factory Reset: Hold 'Scenes/Undo' during boot until the Home screen appears.
• Revert to Last State: Press 'Scenes/Undo' after boot.
• Initialize: Press Setup/Config, then Initialize.

Note: Initialization does not erase show data or scenes. Use 'Initialize All Show Data' to clear scenes.

Safe Shutdown: Use the 'Safe Shutdown' function from Setup/Global to prevent power loss errors during storage.

Lock Console: Activate 'Lock Console' in Setup/Global to prevent unintended use. The display shows "X". Hold 'Home' for 5 seconds to unlock.

Firmware Update:

• Download firmware to a USB drive.
• Hold 'USB View' while powering on the console with the USB drive inserted. The update takes 2-3 minutes longer than a regular boot.
• If no update file is found or it's corrupted, the update mode remains active. Boot normally by powering on without holding 'USB View'.

Caution: Ensure adequate ventilation, especially when mounting in a road case.

Specifications

Processing:

• Number of processing channels: 32 input, 8 aux, 8 FX return, 16 aux buses, 6 matrices, main LRC
• Internal effects engines: 8 stereo/16 mono
• Processing bit depth: 40-bit floating point
• A/D-D/A conversion: Cirrus Logic CS5368 (A/D), CS4385 (D/A)
• Latency: Local I/O 0.8 ms, Network I/O 1.1 ms

Input/Output Characteristics:

• Frequency range: 10 Hz - 22 kHz
• Dynamic range (analog in to out): 106 dB
• A/D dynamic range: 109 dB
• D/A dynamic range: 108 dB
• Cross talk rejection: 100 dB
• Internal recall scenes: 16

Connectors:

• XLR inputs: 16 (Midas-designed mic preamps)
• Talkback mic input: 1 XLR (external mic required)
• RCA inputs/outputs: 2/2
• XLR outputs: 8
• Monitoring outputs: 6 (1/4" TRS balanced)
• Aux inputs/outputs: 2 (1/4" TRS balanced)
• Phones outputs: 1 stereo (front armrest)
• AES50 ports: 2 (SuperMAC)
• Expansion card slot: 1 (32 channel audio I/O)
• P-16 connector (Ultranet): 1 (no power supplied)
• MIDI inputs/outputs: 1/1
• Ethernet (RJ45): 1 (rear panel, remote control)
• USB Type A: 1 (top panel, audio/data export/import)

Mic Input Characteristics:

• Preamp design: Midas
• THD + noise (20 dB gain): < 0.006% A-weighted
• Input impedance: 5 kΩ (unbal.) / 10 kΩ (bal.)
• Max input level (non-clip): +23 dBu (XLR)
• Phantom power: 48 V (switchable per input)
• Equivalent input noise: -128 dBu (A-weighted)
• CMRR: > 70 dB (20 dB gain) / > 80 dB (40 dB gain)

Output Level Characteristics:

• Output level (XLR): +4 dBu / +21 dBu
• Output impedance (XLR): 75 Ω (unbal.) / 75 Ω (bal.)
• Input impedance (TRS): 20 kΩ (unbal.) / 40 kΩ (bal.)
• Max input level (non-clip, TRS): +16 dBu
• Nominal output level (TRS): +4 dBu / +16 dBu
• Output impedance (TRS): 150 Ω (unbal.) / 300 Ω (bal.)
• Phones output impedance/level: 40 Ω / +25 dBm (stereo)
• Residual noise level: -87 dBu (A-weighted)

Display:

• Main screen: 5", 800x480, 262k color TFT
• Main meter: 18-segment (-45 dB to clip)

Power:

• Power supply: Switch-mode, 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
• Power consumption: 70 W

Physical:

• Operating temperature: 5°C-40°C (41°F-104°F)
• Dimensions: 490 x 506 x 163 mm (19.3 x 19.9 x 6.4")
• Weight: 11.4 kg (25.1 lbs)

Other Important Information

Registration: Register your Music Tribe equipment online at behringer.com for faster and more efficient repair claims. Review warranty terms.

Malfunction: If no local reseller is available, contact the Music Tribe Authorized Fulfiller for your country via behringer.com/support. Use Online Support or submit an online warranty claim BEFORE returning the product.

Power Connections: Ensure correct mains voltage for your model. Replace fuses only with identical types and ratings.

Federal Communications Commission Compliance Information

The Behringer X32 PRODUCER DIGITAL MIXER complies with FCC Rules Part 15 for a Class B digital device. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy. If not installed and used per instructions, it may cause harmful interference to radio communications. The user is encouraged to correct interference by reorienting/relocating the receiving antenna, increasing separation between equipment and receiver, connecting to a different circuit, or consulting a dealer/technician.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to two conditions: (1) it may not cause harmful interference, and (2) it must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Important Information: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Music Tribe may void the user's authority to operate the equipment.