Behringer MX9000 User's Manual

[Page 1] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

EURODESK ® MX9000 www.behringer.com ENGLISH Version 1.1 July 2002 User´s Manual ...

[Page 2] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

2 This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage inside the enclosure - voltage that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock. This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to importan...

[Page 3] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

3 FOREWORD Dear Customer, Welcome to the team of EURODESK users and thank you very much for expressing your confidence in BEHRINGER products by purchasing the MX9000. It is one of my most pleasant tasks to write this letter to you, because it is the ...

[Page 4] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

4 TABLE OF CONTENT 1. THE MANUAL .......................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Nomenclature ..............................................................................

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5 13.START-UP ............................................................................................................................. 37 13.1A-channel setting up procedure ...........................................................................

[Page 6] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

6 1. THE MANUAL 1.1 Nomenclature Most specialist subjects are not really all that difficult provided you understand the language used, and the vocabulary of mixing is pretty straightforward. Nevertheless, it is as well to be clear about what certain...

[Page 7] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

7 enables much flexibility to be bestowed onto the tape monitor signal path, not least being its ability to pick up functions easily from the main channel. Also, during mixdown, when tape tracks are no longer monitored but MIXED, the signal path betw...

[Page 8] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

8 Why? Any amplifier circuit is limited in its transient response by the available current. In common with most desks of this size, the EURODESK has more than a thousand line-level operational amplifiers (op-amps) inside. When being driven hard, many...

[Page 9] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

9 Fig. 3.2: Channel input switching architecture + The B-channels 25 to 48 are only routable EN BLOC to the main mix, via S48. Therefore, the MIX-B bus can only have one function at any one time, either as a stereo AUX or secondary mix send (S48 UP) ...

[Page 10] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

10 3.4 Main equalizer Fig. 3.3: Main equalizer The main equalizer can be switched (S10) out of circuit for easy A/B comparisons between EQed and straight signals, or when you know that you dont want to use desk EQ at all. It is best considered in ...

[Page 11] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

11 Fig. 3.4: Aux sends + For almost all FX SEND purposes, you will want auxes to be post fader, so that when a fader level is adjusted, any reverb send from that channel follows the fader. Otherwise, when the fader is pulled down, the reverb from tha...

[Page 12] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

12 Fig. 3.5: Routing The level to the subgroup and main mix buses is ultimately determined by the channel faders. These are designed to give a smooth logarithmic taper of a type more usually associated with the name of some pretty expensive brand ......

[Page 13] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

13 their own MUTE buttons (S22). Aux sends 3/4/5/6 may be diverted from the A to the B-channel via S17. Therefore, if the B-channel is being used to monitor off-tape, some FX processing e.g. reverb and echo can still be applied. (See section 16.3 ...

[Page 14] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

14 Fig. 4.1: Post EQ channel insert + In this arrangement you might find that compression tends to soften the perceived amount of EQ applied. The solution? Apply more EQ. This creates a real pressure sound, great for high energy music such as d...

[Page 15] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

15 Fig. 5.1: Stereo subgroup channel schematic + Try merging a dry signal with a little wet, then compressing the sum heavily. Though the reverb proportion will be low when a signal is present, the resultant reverb tail pumped up by the ...

[Page 16] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

16 Fig. 5.2: Using insert to add channel EQ to subgroup output (while keeping the number of line inputs unchanged!) 5.2 Direct outputs Each of the 24 main channels on the EURODESK MX9000 has its own DIRECT OUTPUT, which is taken from a point immediat...

[Page 17] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

17 Fig. 6.1: Aux sends 6.1.2 Aux returns Next to the aux sends are the stereo aux returns (see fig. 6.2). These can be thought of as a dozen extra line inputs configured as six stereo pairs. On these inputs there is up to 20 dB of gain available. Alt...

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18 ^ Fig. 6.2: Stereo aux returns ...

[Page 19] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

19 a) Aux returns 1 and 2 Aux returns 1 and 2 have full subgroup routing matrices to enable returning FX to be sent to tape, plus main mix bus assignment. The functions for aux return 1 (mirrored by aux return 2) are: ROUTING (S49/50/51/52/ 53) LEVEL...

[Page 20] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

20 It can provide 24 extra B-inputs to the mix (S48 DOWN, S23 UP). + For live applications try using MIX-B to feed a secondary set of speakers. These could be sidefills, or even more spectacular, the rearward portion of a quadraphonic sound syst...

[Page 21] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

21 The CONTROL ROOM LEVEL pot P86 sets the level to the control room monitors. This is sourced post the main main mix stereo fader setting: otherwise you wouldnt be able to hear your fades. There is also a similar STUDIO volume pot (P82). + Owners...

[Page 22] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

22 6.5 PFL/SOLO Fig. 6.6: Solo section 6.5.1 PFL Pressing S95 disengages the stereo SOLO bus, and replaces it with a separate mono PFL (Pre-Fader-Listen) bus. Now anything at all which is SOLOed, isnt. It is PFLed instead. PFL should be used for g...

[Page 23] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

23 The built in mic (above the main mix faders) allows you to converse with artists remotely. The most important controls are the VOLUME (P99) and PHONES & STUDIO button (S99, see fig. 6.7). It is possible to route the talkback mic to any of the ...

[Page 24] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

24 PSU The chunky remote 19" racked power supply is connected via a circular multiway (DC POWER IN) at the bottom left-rear of the console. This supplies several DC operating voltages incl. +/-18 V (audio circuits), +48V (mic phantom power), ...

[Page 25] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

25 Subgroup inserts Unbalanced send and return from a single stereo jack socket, wired tip = out, ring = in and sleeve = ground/ screen. Fig. 7.5: Subgroup inserts 2-track in/out RCA sockets for use with tape recorders, etc., signal = main mix, wired...

[Page 26] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

26 Stereo outputs The control room output (monitors) main mix, MIX-B and studio output are all on a pair of unbalanced 1/4" jacks, nominal output level +4 dBu. The main mix is also available as a fully balanced pair. Phones 1/2 These are on ster...

[Page 27] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

27 A-channel line inputs The A-channel line inputs accept balanced or unbalanced 1/4" jacks, tip = hot, ring = cold and sleeve = ground/ screen. Mic inputs These are via XLR-type connectors, wired pin 1 = ground, pin 2 = hot and pin 3 = cold, fo...

[Page 28] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

28 7.2 Plug soldering guide You will need a lot of cables for a lot of purposes. Heres how they should look: ...

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29 ...

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30 8. THE PATCHFIELD Nomenclature clarification: s FIELD = entire patching area s BAY = a unit of 48 jack sockets arranged as 24 outs over 24 ins If you really want to make the most of your home studio, invest in a patchfield. We know that you will ...

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31 Fig. 8.1: Example of patchbay configurations ...

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32 Bay 8: L7 & R8 equals the L/R recording input to the 2-tracks. On Bay 8 we have hard-wired these to recording outputs 1 to 6 in order to drive all recorders simultaneously. Copying from any 2-track source to all recorders may be done by patchi...

[Page 33] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

33 9. EQUALIZATION The variable parameters of the channel A and B equalizers on the EURODESK MX9000 are described in sections 3.4 and 3.7. Few people buying the EURODESK will need to be told how an equalizer works. But how to get the best out of it? ...

[Page 34] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

34 + Look at the extraordinary width of the frequency sweep of the upper mid EQ -300 Hz all the way up. Set to maximum boost and play about with the frequency in real time. I bet youII get some stunning filter sweeps. Try it on drumloops  great...

[Page 35] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

35 11. IMPEDANCES AND TUNING Electronic inputs tend to have impedances measured in tens of kiloOhms. Outputs, on the other hand, are generally two or three orders of magnitude less. This is just as well, otherwise a signal at an output might find t...

[Page 36] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

36 Well, all other things being equal, the amount of mains hum picked up by a cable is independent of the signal level. Speaker lines run 50 or more volts, enough to diminish the effect of mains radiation to vanishingly small even with no screen. (In...

[Page 37] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

37 13.1.2 Initializing channel for gain-setting 1) Set GAIN (P2) and all aux sends (P12,13,14 and 15) to OFF (fully counterclockwise). 2) EQ switch (S10) UP (off). 3) LOW CUT switch (S11) ON for microphones, OFF for signals with desired low frequency...

[Page 38] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

38 of digital recorders dont want you to hear this! If you really want to take your recording level to the limit (and fully exploit digitals 96 dB dynamic range), youll have some calibrating to do. You could run a tone at 0 dB from the mixer...

[Page 39] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

39 14.1 Sends Fig. 14.1: Send routing In a dance production, effects are often of paramount importance in creating interesting/evolving sounds, and aux sends are usually all dedicated to this purpose. Also, it is not unusual for a vocalist to be draf...

[Page 40] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

40 Fig. 14.3: Slightly more complicated auxless headphones mix Alternatively: If you need to hear the harmonies, but theyre putting the vocalist off key, youll want to be able to delete channels from the headphone mix. If you still dont want...

[Page 41] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

41 Channel 24 is of course the MIC input. A compressor might be patched into the channel 24 insert. Keep this channel free until the mix absolutely demands its services, just in case you want to add in any last minute singing, or any last minute anyt...

[Page 42] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

42 15.2 Headphones While auxless headphone monitoring (see section 14.2) is still an option (and a pretty good one), a small general purpose studio might require a more straightforward way of working using one or two discrete headphone mi...

[Page 43] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

43 Channels Source Route Destination 1 Kick Direct out Track 2 2 Snare Direct out Track 3 3 Hi Hat Direct out Track 4 4 Tom 1 Subgroups 5 and 6 Tracks 5 and 6 5 Tom 2 Subgroups 5 and 6 Tracks 5 and 6 6 Tom 3 Subgroups 5 and 6 Tracks 5 and 6 7 Tom 4 S...

[Page 44] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

44 16.2 Very tricky headphones In a multi-musician scenario youll probably want as many different headphones mixes as you can muster. With the current channel/group/track assignments it is possible to set up four independent, or semi-independent, ...

[Page 45] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

45 Channels Source FOH FX Wedges / monitorin g 1 Kick Subgroups 1 and 2 / MIX-B - Aux send 1 and 2 2 Snare Subgroups 1 and 2 / MIX-B Aux send 4 Aux send 1 and 2 3 Hi Hat Subgroups 1 and 2 / MIX-B - Aux send 1 and 2 4 Tom 1 Subgroups 1 and 2 / MIX-B...

[Page 46] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

46 18. LIVE CONCERT WITH 24-TRACK RECORDING Stereo (quadraphonic) P.A. with sidefills, three infills, two wedge mixes, four FX and simultaneous 24-track recording. Channels Source Tape route Destination 1 Kick Direct out Track 1 2 Snare Direct ou...

[Page 47] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

47 Channels Source F.O.H. FX Wedges Infills 1 Kick MIX-B - - Subgroups 1/2, 3/4 and 7/ 8 2 Snare MIX-B Aux send 4 Aux send 1 and 2 Subgroups 1/2 and 3/4 3 Hi Hat MIX-B - - Subgroups 1/2 and 3/4 4 Tom 1 MIX-B Aux send 4 - - 5 Tom 2 MIX-B Aux send 4 ...

[Page 48] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

48 19. EXPANDING THE EURODESK MX9000 19.1 Connections The EXPANDER PORT is input only, and provides access to all but the PFL/SOLO buses. Since the nominal internal operating level of your EURODESK MX9000 is 0 dB, and that at the jack outputs +4 d...

[Page 49] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

49 21. BOUNCING Sometimes you want to play back from one or more tracks, route the signals to a new track or pair of tracks, and re-record. This process is commonly referred to as bouncing. Examples would be when reducing 4 lead vocal take tracks dow...

[Page 50] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

50 23. INPUT/OUTPUT CONFIGURATION Nominal level Balanced Attenuation EURODESK internal +4 dBu - - XLR microphone input - Yes Trimpot / PAD switc h Line A input +4 dBu Yes Trimpot Line B / tape input +4 dBu / -10 dBV Yes Gain switch Aux sends +4 dB...

[Page 51] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

51 24.1 Aux sends > post EQ All channel aux sends are post mute and pre fader. If you want to convert these to post EQ, carry out the following modification to each channel. You will find a corresponding printing on the PCB (see fig. 24.1). 1. Dis...

[Page 52] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

52 25. SPECIFICATIONS Main channel strip Mic input electronically balanced, discrete input configuration Mic E.I.N. (22 Hz to 22 kHz) -129.0 dBu, 150 Ohms source -117.3 dBqp, 150 Ohms source -132.0 dBu, input shorted -122.0 dBqp, input shorted Distor...

[Page 53] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

53 Aux returns gain range off to unity to + 20 dB Aux sends max. out +22 dBu General Distortion (THD & N) 0.007 %, @ +4 dBu, 1 kHz, bandwidth 80 kHz below 0.02 %, 22 Hz to 22 kHz at normal operating levels, any input to any output, bandwidth 80 k...

[Page 54] Behringer EURODESK MX9000 User´s

54 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 ...

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