X32 as a stage monitor desk

[Ozzy Stone]

Ryan you Rock
Just tried and yes it works

[Ryan Reynolds]

Ryan, I'm intrigued by your suggestion of changing the source to "Insert". But I'm not sure it will change those slots to inline type inserts.

The reason I say that is because the FX returns are different than the Aux in the same layer (3), in that there is no option to choose a source. Even though you can change the input of the first 4 slots to insert, I really think the output of those slots are tied to those Fx returns as a typical send/return type Fx. A true inline Fx becomes an exclusive Fx for that signal. The signal goes from the source (channel, or mixbus) to the Fx, then output back into that same signal path as a "wet" signal.

Paul, you are correct that the first four FX units are basically "hard-coded" to the eight FX returns. From what I can tell, for inserts on FX 1-4 the "wet" signal is actually being sent to both the source channel/bus and the FX return. However, the FX returns will no longer pass audio to the mains (or any post-fade bus) after the unit has been set to "Insert". Setting a unit to "Insert" appears to virtually bring the corresponding FX returns' faders all the way down, regardless of where they actually are (I say this because if you take a pre-fader send from the FX return, you will still get signal). As a result, the only "active" or audible signal is what is coming back into the source channel/bus, just like a typical insert.

[Jim Durbin]

Paul, when you use the 1st four slots as EQ inserts, the FX returns channels have no effect on them. They only become active when you use the 1st four racks as FX. (Bonus: you still have the 6 band PEQ as well as the 31 band GEQ!)

[Michael Berries]

Ryan: I just tried, and works, thanks!

The only weird thing, is that the signal still routed to the FX returns... (and the busses)

[Paul Vannatto]

Thanks Ryan and Jim for explaining it.

But I do have another question if this trick is used for more than one insert. Say, for example, I decide to use all 4 of the first 4 slots as Dual EQ and set each one as Insert. Then I choose to insert these into the signal paths of, for instance, Channels 2, 6, 9, Aux 2, mixbus 2, 4, 5, and 8. How does the X32 know which insert is assigned to which input? And how would I remember the signal paths, short of sending a signal through each one, one at a time, and see which input of the 4 Dual EQ has a signal?

I think for now, I'll stick with the excellent parametric EQs that are built into each inputs.

Paul

[Chase McKnight]

Dear Paul,

The X32 does know where the inserts will be; this will be shown within the Config page of the selected source. For example, If you insert a GEQ that's on the top (or Left) input of Effects Bank 1 on Channel 2, it will be represented as "FX1L: GEQ2" within the Config page of Channel 2. You would then push the 4th encoder to engage the Insert.

However, this isn't represented within the Effects page though. The only identifier would be the source's Config pages.


Kind regards,

[Paul Vannatto]

Thanks Chase, I see it now.

What would be nicer - have an option to make the first 4 slots to function the same as the second 4 slots and have the Fx Return channels turned off, like channel 7 on the Matrix layer. Then the signal path would be easy to follow. When doing live sound, you need to have a firm grasp of signal path at all times.

Paul