Behringer X Air XR16 Digital Mixer: A Beginners Guide to How to Set up a Simple PA From Scratch

[@Tuteren]

Many people tried to explain this to me for years, but all failed. You held my attention and explained everything to me within 60 minutes. Great video, Thank you so much!

[@Dummatzen]

This is Bob Ross talking about mixers. I am a long time user of x32 but I am picking up an xAir 16 this weekend for smaller gigs and I must say that this video answered all of my questions on what is different from the large format console and the x air format. Thank you!

[@mikey38632]

6:30 I wanted to insert a note here. The XR12 and XR16 have a USB Music player, while the XR18 has a Stereo and Multi-track PC USB connection to record multi-track to your DAW. It does not have the music player. Also there is the X18 which is the XR18 without rack mounts and with a surface to put a tablet. Excellent video, even as a current user I'm enjoying it so far, especially how thorough it is and well-presented too.

[@nedpedersen3661]

"The XR12 and XR16 have a USB Music player, while the XR18 has a Stereo and Multi-track PC USB connection to record multi-track to your DAW." -- which is why purchasing the 12 or 16 makes no sense for recording tracks. Having bought the 12, I wound up with a "digital" mixer that processes analog inputs and takes their digital stereo mix to an analog output that feeds another audio interface required to get a digital signal into the DAW via USB. That process is as convoluted as the sentence describing it. I suppose the 12 and 16 models are meant for a small-venue performing combo with a laptop engineer.

[@krystallos81]

God bless you. I wish I would have looked this up a long time ago. I use this model for our church live streams and I still don't know everything that I should about it. We do live music once a year and that's always a headache trying to get it worked out. Thank you for this video seriously.

[@martooney23]

Incredibly informative and helpful. Sure beats the 'chest beating' videos that Behringer puked out. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@mannylee4777]

I just bought one and love the detail of this video. Thank you for taking the time to explain this. It does seem to be user friendly and laid out well, but your video will save everyone so much time in trying to figure out the where, the what and the how’s. AWESOME video.

[@chrisanderson8094]

Maybe you can help me figure out mine!

[@haeke69]

Your tutorial was incredibly detailed and so easy to follow. You made a daunting task so much easier. This is amazing thanks so much

[@lutherking1370]

Now I understand digital mixers. They seemed so complicated. I think I will love my mixer now.

[@dreamdancer8212]

Just one little tip. While a scene saves your mixer settings to your computer, a snapshot saves the setting to the mixer itself so that you can load it even if you´re using another computer, a tablet, or a phone.

[@alan93]

where is snapshot in software?

[@GonzoMallorca]

@@alan93 Turn rigth, then after 200m first floor.

[@Gaba.Groove]

Didn't know that! THANK YOU! ❤

[@Gaba.Groove]

​@@alan93Hit Save, then you will see the option.

[@tripledeluxedday]

You need to mix everything with each new live session. There is no way your presets will still good even from one day to the next.

[@terminatah500]

Great video. I'm about to buy the X18 for my rig. 🎉🎉🎉

[@jeffreyEsoteric]

This is the greatest tutorial in the history of tutorials! My Xr-18 along with the rest of the PA arrives today and I'm super excited. Now, I'll be able to get the basics up and running very quickly and enjoy the rest of the learning curve journey. Thanks SO much!

[@sharward]

Mine comes in three days. Doing my homework!!

[@vladp685]

You made it very very easy for us newbies, sir! It only took me an hour to watch this video and get myself up to speed not only on this specific mixer, but on the overall concept of digital mixing. I appreciate your efforts and attention to detail in this video very much.

[@jeffbobila]

This is one of the best tutorials I’ve seen! You put yourself in the learner’s seat to know what we’re thinking and how we can get confused! You take care of the potential confusion us newbies can get with this complicated process!

[@sharward]

Thank you for taking the time to do this. Mine is arriving in three days and I really feel confident I can hit the ground running with it upon arrival. Your style is very slow-paced and easy for a beginner like myself to follow along, yet despite the beginner level content, it was thorough and explored some of the more complex features that might otherwise go untouched for fear of messing something up. I'm sure it's not 100% and that's OK -- I'm now familiar enough with it that I can be dangerous.

[@baotran3281]

I bought the xr18 and never know how to use it, until now. This is so far the best tutorial. Thanks alot. I have not even use this xr18 unit for several years cuz I didn't know how to use it (It was collecting dust).

[@bravinneff1]

Perhaps someone else mentioned this, but at 31:40 when you talk about inserting effects to individual channels, and then you say "it gets confusing, so don't use this..." I think you are mistaken what this is for, or leading others away from a useful feature: this is the only way to dedicate the FX as a *serial* effect (or "insert" effects as they are called). It's probably not very useful for a reverb, but there are a ton of classic emulations of serial processors, like compressors and exciters, in the included FX - LA2A, Fairchild, 1176, et al. These only make sense as insert effects (or buss effects), and using this *insert* function is the only way to use them that way. Note that with each FX being stereo, with the insert FX, they give you both a stereo and a dual mono version - so you can get *2 halves* of the effects which can then be inserted to different mono channels and adjusted independently (or use the stereo version on a buss). That's why there are 2 insert destinations per FX. So added up, 4 stereo FX give you potentially 8 insert effects, allowing you to ignore the channel compressors (or EQs, etc). You might like the channel compressors just fine (I know I do), but having emulations of famous classic compressors is a sweet alternative to have. Finally, note among other things there is also a guitar amp simulator in the FX. The only way to use that in a normal way is inserted into a channel, presumably with a guitar player coming in via DI.

[@andrewbrown4249]

this was extremely helpful. I have a gig tonight and had to brush up on the software and this was amazing. thank you

[@Rebhall1]

I love the way you explained this without assuming the user is already knowledgeable. Thanks for taking the time to do this. It really cleared a lot of things up for me.

[@HighlightsVideoBlog]

THank you for this, I had no idea how to get my mixer up and running, you've made it pretty easy to follow and I get it now. So Many of the other tutorials on KZbin assume that one knows what they are referring to, so a brand newbir like me was lost. Thank you!

[@pradeepmadhavan2788]

Phenomenally good beginner’s video on the X AIR. You have a really good teaching style too. Behringer would do well to recommend your video to its newbie customers. Thanks

[@justtheblues7412]

I'm glad you like the video :-)

[@ebukasamuelsalem4460]

Av really struggled for quite a while, about two monthsgo since I bought this device without much improvement but this video addressed almost all my confusions. Am most grateful bro.

[@alisonkenisuia8290]

I reccomend this is the best tutorial for me as a beginners.

[@jpachter1]

I was intimidated by setting mine up. I just ran through your video with my system, and now I feel ready for our gig next weekend. Thanks!!

[@fabianbarbin6697]

hands down the best video for noob. hope you are able to still answer questions if they come up.

[@SavannahSP]

I feel like Saul Goodman just taught me how to use a mixer

[@okayfkay]

Thank you…now I can’t unhear it haha 😅

[@landrytshimasa2993]

Merci pour l'interpretation

[@anubiscomplex]

hahahaha! it DOES sound like SAUL

[@terryle5046]

After watching this video the X Air XRxxxx is not hard to set up any more. Thanks a bunch

[@stacypainter5486]

Thank you so much for such a straightforward and well thought out video on the this product. After watching this tutorial, I feel confident with making the purchase and investment into the mixer

[@MichaelGlazener]

Good overview. The only thing to edit is that the "Snapshot" isn't a screenshot tool. It saves your setting to the actual mixer itself so you can load the settings from any computer, tablet, phone, etc. You can save up to 64 (I believe) snapshots to the physical mixer so if you play different venues you can save the different settings and load them up when needed. If you use the non-snapshot "save" future it's only saving your settings to the current device you're using (your computer) and you can save an unlimited amount of them.

[@jmueller9288]

thank for the clarification. that will help with situations where you may not be using a computer, but using your cell phone to mix

[@Brayanswalletz]

@@jmueller9288how do I use a cell phone to mix?

[@farhange.v.2229]

Thank you for this very simply explained video, now I have a lot less thought about how to start with it. I am waiting to receive my package.

[@wwmarkiii]

Really awesome explanation for the beginner out of the gate...thanks so much for taking the time!

[@rsjrmy]

Just watched this video after opening my Xr16 air, I am good to go! Every detail covered and am excited to get recording. 👍🏼. Thanks for the kickstart!

[@brunodacosta_soundtec6036]

Im trying one X16 today for the first time, and this video had all what i want!! thank u!! cheers from Lisbon.

[@Liam_Doherty_UK]

What a comprehensive, easy to understand video. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. You’ve been a huge help in allowing me to understand this great piece of gear 👍😎

[@jonathanchartrand3351]

Good Job dude. Too many tutorials miss steps making it confusing. You touched all bases.

[@julesbaby47]

Awesome, Awesome Awesome - You explained the FX much better than Behringer does. Thank you

[@djdynamic23]

Best tutorial I’ve seen on this mixer for beginners.

[@BrandonWells]

I bought an XR16 last week and was having so much trouble trying to get my aux sends to work correctly. I had to go down a rabbit hole about why I wasn't getting any signal to my bus channels, but then I found something about making sure the routing settings were all set to pre-fader instead of post-fader and that solved everything. I wish it wasn't so hard to find a solution to something so simple because it's set to post-fader by default when you initialize.

[@pattillo21]

I'm a noob and this video was very helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this and sharing!

[@USAlien234]

😳 wow ! Dude this helped me so much. Thank you ! We had one of these and after watching your video realized we were using it all wrong. We had such trouble getting it to work right we almost got rid of it. But now next weekend I can go to practice and show everyone how to use it the right way. I really appreciate it brother I hope your staying safe out there ✌️ 😊 † ❤️

[@bradhutchinson4779]

Great video so far , about half way through. I just ordered the XR18 and wanted to get a head start. Learning a lot , thanks for putting this out.

[@tuomashelin555]

You can use the insert channels to put ( for example ) a de-esser on the vocalist channel and then you'll set up another compressor for the rest of the band (instruments) on a separate bus send. A de-esser is basically a compressor with a fast attack and fast release. Inserts give you a little more granular control over what effects are put where. Compressors and gates are useful when trying to achieve a steady signal level and to get problematic feedbacks to settle down.

[@saullapointe5448]

Thanks a lot for this video. You did a great job . That’s how the teaching of beginners should sound . You did with patience.

[@GabiM3112]

Thank you for making this video. It helped me a great deal to quickly set up a nicely operating system.

[@anubiscomplex]

Thank you so much for the step by step manual!

[@kendallgould5159]

Thank You! You have helped me tackle the FX in monitors. Your explanation on FX got me through a conundrum! Awesome!!!!!

[@johngaltfan9703]

Damn that was good. SO helpful!! I've been staring at this mixer for two weeks and finally found your channel. Thanks for posting!

[@tonderaimabvure]

The best tutorial, period.

[@skipdysart4883]

Best tutorial for rookies, like me! Thank you!

[@pierregarreaud4563]

Thank you, I got it working because of your tutorial

[@azharariff9997]

Thanks for this video! It's perfect for a newbie like me. I can understand my XR18 clearly now. Cheers!

[@cypriansankata3201]

I want to buy the Xr18 how strong is it (durability)

[@ElkinFranciscoAdarmeCornejo]

Best tutorial I've seen so far, even better than Behringers. Great job

[@rogercranford7139]

Thanks for a very easy-to-use video.just one page I really wanted to see how to use. And that is the in/out located top right between setup and utility. Not getting the aux out and the colors dots.thanks for yor input .

[@akugel4529]

The Snapshot-Button ist NOT for taking a screenshot! As you can save/load a scene as an external file, snapshots stores the whole settings inside the mixer. So you can have multiple setups saved inside the mixer itself and you can switch between them with an ipad without the need of having access to an external file.

[@DustinOuterSanctum]

This video is incredibly helpful!! I just recently picked up two Yamaha S215v mains, two Yamaha SW118v subs, and a couple of power amps to run them. I had two Fender floor monitors with a power amp for those as well. I decided to go with the Behringer XAir18 since a buddy had one. It's all just been unboxed aaaaand, talk about a bit overwhelming to someone new at this, especially getting into the stage lighting stuff at the same time! It's a massive undertaking all at once. I'll certainly be referring to this tutorial a few times! Thanks again!!

[@virangaalgewattage2873]

Best X Air how to video... I realley appreciate your effort..I do kindly ask you to do a advance settings video as well..

[@mjskiee8464]

The turorial i need as a newbie. Finally i found the right tutorial. Thank you!

[@Osssssssssssssh]

Great video. you are a good teacher easy to learn and understand well.

[@petercoyle9922]

Thank you for the video just so no one gets confused your information regarding the FX may be misleading. The Green FX area as you said is not for the monitors when you are on the Main LR page they Return Faders for each effect, whereas when you click on the Blue FX button now all your channel faders are how much of each channel you want sent to that specific effect selected and the FX bus main fader to far right is the master send of that effect. Also you are not sending an effect to a channel but sending some or all of that channels “dry” signal to the effect and then the return from the effect which is “wet” back into another channel on the mixer that can then be mixed via the FX Return Fader to wherever you need such as Mains and Monitors. Insert mode on an effect will insert that effect into a channel or channels directly at a tap point that you select and will only affect those channels

[@tronlady1]

This is what happens when Behringer market an incredibly sophisticated product to the masses, who now think they are all sound engineers! It has taken me a 4 year degree and years of study and practice to understand the basic concepts of signal flow, gain staging, DSP, effects, routing, mixing, miking, terminology etc. Now I’m having to learn about WIFI networking which is a minefield in itself. The XR18 is a brilliant idea in theory but not in practice. I’m REALLY wishing I’d have bought an X32 compact as I’m finding a lot of downsides to my XR18. This guy is obviously very lovely and a good teacher but there are inaccuracies in this like you say that could be misleading. Meanwhile I cannot get a job as a sound engineer because everyone and their uncle are doing it themselves. Cheers behringer!

[@ronniechristie2749]

Was thinking exactly the same thing when he got to the effects...

[@U2360TO]

@@tronlady1 You nailed it! I am a beginner too but this tutorial confused me even more. What I understand is that when a mixing board/sofware has internal effects, all FX sends and returns are automatically routed internally (you can route an FX send to an external effect board via aux outs though, using one of the channel inputs or pair as return. x18 has a pair of dedicated aux return inputs 17-18, which is represented by that red aux input channel, not available in x16). Hence those 4 green FX returns carrying the wet signals, coming from the 4 virtual internal effect units, to be added to any master channel like main LR or bus/monitor. One thing is not clear to me though, when I select any blue FX master, why there are still green effect returns? FX master fader controls the total amount of dry signals from all channels to the respective effect units. Where effect returns are the result of the effect units. The signal path is like Channel>Fx send>Fx master>Effect unit>Fx return>main LR/monitor Bus. shouldn't it create an infinite loop?

[@NavSrivas]

Awesome tutorial! Thanks for taking the time out and going slow and steady.

[@brianemrich2177]

Nice video. Thanks for doing this. Helped me tremendously!

[@SachithDS]

Thank you for this! We have one of them on order, so this was great to start with!😊👍

[@capinhandduo]

Very helpful for me, as a newbie. Thanks!

[@JoanTello]

Lovely stuff! Got one coming in the next few days, this has given me a lot of notion and understanding of the software. 👍🏼🔥

[@AfrazAhmad01]

EXCELLENT VIDEO! You've got a real talent for teaching

[@aboazooz1]

Well done. Thanks for the great illustration and simplicity to explain the main functionalities. I spent more than one year and not able to route the FX to my Aux and now I see it is so easy to do. Again thanks a lot.

[@jonasbarbery7193]

Using logic 10 in my studio helps. But the berringer software had a few surprises. I really like the rta

[@Danny_Zak]

Amazing stuff my friend! Had my xr18 for a few years and I've been put off using it until now! Thanks!

[@christophercharlesworth5411]

Great level of information for someone starting out!

[@jtr44]

Your video helped me immensely. Thank you

[@bradynichols4464]

This the best video ever for these!

[@AgnazarTube]

Thanks a lot for a very useful video. Really helped me to figure out with that machine

[@tylerduong1915]

Very nice that what I needed laws confused with all that junk now I understand it better TY

[@aimeiz1]

Good tutorial. Thanks. Many topics are now clear to me.

[@justingreen5942]

This video is so great and helpful. Thank you!

[@kwyatt242]

Fantastic overview!

[@Heir0]

Excellent. I have a XR12. Very helpful.

[@feedthefoxx4926]

Thanks for the awesome explanation!

[@justinplaysguitar]

This will never connect that fast. Good tip. Hard Waite it for the first time and then update it

[@Erwinweyers75]

Thanks a lot for the video ! This will help me to setup this !

[@carthynguyen9646]

Best training ever so simple so easy to understand Thanks a million

[@JoshMckinneyShow]

Thank you so much! I bought the xr18 to use for my band and this helped tremendously!!!

[@paovang6983]

Thanks for the detailed instructions.

[@expeditodealmeida2586]

Excellent video !very clear and instructive !

[@Peter38161]

Thank you very much great explanation. I am new to this, I have my music playing through the aux, however I can’t hear my microphone despite it reading on the meter. I have my headphones on for now.

[@TonyTz56]

really good in depth tutorial for the new user. Would love it if you could do one on the X Air app for ios or android!

[@B0zermusic]

Thank you for this tutorial!

[@tubetone74]

Good teacher !

[@chrismeans6750]

Thank you for this video. Very helpful. Any plans to do a similar one using the iOS app? Hope so because the ones currently on YT are outdated. The android app isn’t “close enough” to the iOS app so you can’t really “learn by osmosis” when you watch that one. But this video is GREAT for a new person using a pc. Thanks a ton!

[@yaqubaxamee9146]

thanks a lot, I'm new and i know where to start now.

[@ingmarkuhn9303]

Thank you so much for your tutorial! Really helpful! Just one question: I have 4 AUX channels on the box - and 6 AUX channels in the software? So what are Ch. 5 and 6 for?

[@grandmasterjo1]

Someone recommended me this mixer. Question. Now that the mixer has so much efx thrown in Do I need the zoom MS 70CDR ??? Thank you for enlightening me with this tutorial 👌👌👍👍 Behringer should be doing a tutorial like this

[@MrMartin2270]

Great Video! Thank you so much! 🙏🏻

[@frodhor1111]

I have the XR12 and yes for beginner it will be confusing because it work as analog mixer with digital interface. That's why some called hybrid. I think the reason this mixer have redundant button here and there is to give easy access for some purposes. By the time I get used to the interface and internal routing, I get less hassle.

[@BusulwaGodfrey]

Thank you so much sir for the video it's really helpful but how can I use a pan on this mixer to pan left and right when in the live mix

[@emilio5098]

Great video! Basic yet very essentiall. Thank you!!!!

[@downtowntumbao]

¡Mil gracias! So grateful for this tutorial!

[@jmixpro6079]

Thanks alot This was really helpfull Please i wanna know how to do multitrack recording from my XR18 to my Cubase

[@alaaroshdy101]

Thank you very much ... a very good video for a newby

[@isettech]

Notes on the recorder. It works best to play back only what was recorded on the mixer. To play MP3's simply use a phone or other MP3 device into an aux input. I use a Sandisk for just background music or a full DJ controller for events that need the power of a DJ setup. This applies to the full size X32 devices too. Don't even try to play stuff not recorded on the mixer. It generally won't work.

[@peterbenson4031]

Hi, great instructions, but can you elaborate on the inputs please? You explain that you can plug a guitar /keyboard directly into ch 15/16, but why can't you do that in the other channels? What can you plug into 1- 14?