Behringer X32 DCA Groups and DCA Spill - Midas M32 and X32 DCA Tips and Tricks - w/ New DCA Spill

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

A while back I did a quick 'first look' at the new DCA Spill function in the X32/M32 newer firmware, but never really circled back to the full topic of DCA's on the X32, and how to implement DCA Spill into the workflow. So that's what this video is. I'm assuming a lot of users are familiar with subgroups due to their paths to the X32 platform (though at this point, I guess a lot of people may be coming straight to the X32/M32 as their first real mixer). So, there's a quick review of subgroups at the start in order to better explain how the DCA's are different. After that, DCA's are explained, and some ways they can be implemented as workflow efficiency tools these days. And that's one place the DCA Spill comes in, as discussed in the video. Let me know of ways you utilize DCA's to work more efficiently. I only scratched the surface and hopefully gave users enough info to think outside the box. Feel free to share the video on social media. FB, Reddit, Twitter. Thanks! For anyone wanting more information about setting up and using subgroups, my DCA's vs Subgroups video for the XR18 actually translates really well to X32 and M32 users. It's here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rme3fJSjZ6toZrM Amazon Affiliate Links- Behringer X32 on Amazon: amzn.to/35oCcyo Midas M32 on Amazon: amzn.to/3ovhi8n Behringer XR18 on Amazon: amzn.to/2LfTpmO Midas MR18 on Amazon: amzn.to/3q4Z4Li Stellar XT (Narration) Mic on Amazon: amzn.to/38xE7Tr Gator Cases G-TOUR ATA Style Road Case - Custom Fit for Behringer X32 with Dog House and Heavy Duty 4" Casters; (G-TOUR X32) on Amazon: amzn.to/3rTss8j Software used in video is X32-Edit (PC version but there is also a Mac version) and is available for free download from Behringer's website. Concepts also work on the surface, and on the Android and iPad apps. If your console doesn't have the DCA spill feature, then likely you have not upgraded firmware and have missed a couple of revisions. The latest firmware should be available for DL at the Behringer and Midas websites. Suggested videos: 5 Typical Mistakes Behringer X32 and Midas M32 Users Make: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoGalYJoj8ZpmNk 5 Typical Mistakes Behringer XR18 and Midas MR18 Users Make: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5rPh3emaJ50b8k X32/M32 Gain Staging and Signal Flow (Soundcheck Basics Series): kzbin.info/www/bejne/bX6tZKWcn5x7hMU How To EQ A Snare Drum: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXq3n3VmnbZsl9U ----------- Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/livesoundproduction/

[@daviddurnill8243]

It is good to know what the other videos are thanks

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

0:00 Intro 0:53 Subgroup Review 1:45 DCA Tutorial 5:47 DCA Spill Discussion

[@flashanddancedj]

Thats looks awesome for an upcoming run i have... I mostly Use DCAs for Drums, Vox, subs and Tracks

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Cool!

[@spotlightdjofbedford]

Thanks, that DCA spill looks handy

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

It is. It's a nice feature to have. I'm glad they added it. Another tool in the toolkit for workflow options. They weren't "first to market" with it. The idea has been around for some time, but it's cool they went ahead and took the time and effort to implement it in the X32/M32 platform, even so many years after the console release. They're still updating the consoles and modernizing the features even this late in the product's cycle.

[@daviddurnill8243]

There are so many small thing these boards can do it is nice to have a refresher on some of the small features

[@kidsaloneband]

@@AlanHamiltonAudio if I'm understand it correctly, essentially the DCA spill allows us to create layers that make more sense than 1-8, 9-16 etc.... Once you select the DCA, but move the faders within it, it's not actually effecting the DCA but rather the main faders themselves (and thus their levels within all DCAs), is that correct? (Goodbye Mixing Station, hello x32 edit!)

[@adamsonlinearrayspeakersha87]

Nice.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

Thanks!

[@daviddurnill8243]

It is good information

[@donaldburns4462]

Would like to see a video on one to one patching on version 4 behringer x32 Still having a little problem understanding that

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

What part about it? What specifically?

[@christopherheadcase6886]

Um.. question. On a rack or compact there are only 6 outputs and the 2 main L&r outs.. can the other mix buses still be used as subgroups to go to the main L&r without affecting the other 6 outputs?

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

I would think so. It's not like a subgroup needs a physical output. I don't have a rack or compact to test that though... But I expect they should be available to use as subgroups without physical outputs.

[@RodSaylor]

Hey Allen, I’m really enjoying and appreciating your walk through videos. I have a quick question, I’ve been unable to find a proper answer for. I have set up a DCA group with 10 drum channels, and for a reason 8 cannot figure out, when I mute the DCA group, it mutes the reverb effect being sent to my stereo IEM mix bus. I also noticed that when I increase the DCA level, the FX level sent to my in ear mix bus increases as well, I’m sure I’m just missing a small step somewhere. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

The FX sends (by default) on the channels are Post Fader. So they will go up or down when the DCA changes because the DCA is (essentially) an extension of each channel fader assigned to it. Turning the DCA up or down is the same as turning a channel itself up or down (when it's assigned to that DCA). One quick fix is to make the FX sends (or the ones on the channels feeding the FX in your ears) pre fader (on any channels where this matters to you). The caveat is that typically, you want the FX tracking with the channel fader to maintain the same balance of dry vs wet in the house. Changing the send to pre fader will lock the reverb/FX in place regardless of what the channel fader does. So if this is OK for your FOH mix (IOW, you find an effect balance compromise you can live with) then your mon verb will not change either (won't change with channel fader movements... which is also essentially what the DCA is doing (even though you don't actually see the channel fader(s) moving with the DCA changes). If you haven't seen my video on FX routing in the monitors, it talks about some routing options, and considerations and compromises that might work for you, plus how to avoid the issue entirely. I don't think it discusses DCA's, but if you watch it and keep in mind what I said above, it should click in. LMK if you have any questions. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5C7pJmKi5hprLc

[@RodSaylor]

@@AlanHamiltonAudio thank you Sir, I think I’ll just comprise with it, I like being able to have the effect ride up and down in the mains. Most of my issues have stemmed from smaller venues, where the DCA for drums comes down to compensate for the room size. Since I’m doing the mix from behind my drum Kit, I’m just trying to get it as consistent as possible.

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

​@@RodSaylor Yeah, compensating for drums and room size is a perfect example of why post fader is the normal default for effects. You wouldn't want to knock the drums back 6dB in the house and leave the reverb still where it was. IOW, 6dB less dry signal, yet the reverb stays were it was. "Hellllooooooo canyon!" That said, if it's only the drum verb giving you issues, you could assign the drum verb pre fader on the drum channels, and ADD the drum verb return to the drum DCA. At that point, your mons would stay consistent, and your house dry/verb drum mix would stay the same because the DCA is simultaneously controlling both things when you use it to turn down (or up) the drum mix as a whole.

[@macinglis17]

Spill what!?! Wow

[@cli23]

Such a good explanation.

[@bldriver7453]

At 2:10 Theres pre EQ, post EQ, pre fader, post fader and subgroup, what is the difference ? I don't understand still. To my knowledge, Pre EQ means before EQualizer , pre fader means before fader so if you move the fader nothing happens to the signal, but what the heck does selecting subgroup do ?

[@AlanHamiltonAudio]

It sets the send to post fader (so that it includes everything) AND sets the send level at a fixed level of unity (can't be changed). If you unassign the channel(s) from L-R (that you want in the subgroup), and have subgroup on and enabled, and that subgroup bus assigned to L-R, then you can group whatever instruments you want into that bus as a subgroup (IOW a subgrouping, sub-mix, master bus, for those instruments/sources). ...And which then feeds from there (as opposed to directly from the channel) to the L-R main outs. For example, you could put your drums in a subgroup... get the drum mix you like... Now, if you want to turn them up or down, you don't have to move every fader, you can just change the 1 fader of the drum subgroup. You can use a DCA instead for this, but the DCA is like a remote control, whereas the bus/subgroup actually has audio pass thru it and so you can add bus compression or other things to the bus (compression being the most popular choice).