Can I Live Stream And Multi-Track Record Over USB | M32/X32 Discussion

I often get a question about how to multitrack record and run stream audio across USB. Let's dive into this topic and do a general setup to show you the concepts of how this can work on the Behringer X32 and Midas M32 consoles.
** NOTE **
Please make sure you save your scene on the console BEFORE you update firmware. Your current settings per channel will be cleared. You can reload your scene after update, but make sure to save your scene before updating.
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[@AllamHouse]

*** NOTE *** Please make sure you save your scene on the console BEFORE you update firmware. Your current settings per channel will be cleared. You can reload your scene after update, but make sure to save your scene before updating.

[@asedri08]

This is like me writting the title of this video because I'm looking for this answer . Thank you Allan I can't say how much your videos are helping us right now

[@AllamHouse]

I’m glad you found it helpful.

[@123innovate]

Awesome video! So very, very helpful. Your videos are so easy to understand. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@AllamHouse]

Thanks for the encouragement.

[@danielalexis9409]

Hi Dave, as always, this is very helpful. Thank you so very much.

[@AllamHouse]

Thanks for the encouragement.

[@VaughnJESW]

Thank you very much! This is exactly what I need to know how to setup properly (except I'm using 2 S16's instead of local outs). I'm looking forward to seeing the next part of setting everything up in the DAW (I use Reaper).

[@AllamHouse]

Thanks for the encouragement.

[@kevinldaniel]

THIS WAS A BLESSING!!!

[@AllamHouse]

I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@anthonymignot253]

Thank you so much Dave for your videos. They help me to stay afloat!! My question is how this would look when setting up in a DAW? If your moving your kick and snare out of the first two outputs for streaming then what are you routing to your DAW in the first two channels. Can you still route channels 17&18 user outs to channels 1&2 in the DAW? I hope this question makes sense. I’m also using reaper. (Pretty much all the same). Thanks 🙏🏽

[@AllamHouse]

So it all works the same, unless you are using all 32 inputs which will require you to not record two of them. My example is using channels 1-16, but the same is true if you are using 24,25, or even 30 inputs. Tour live stream will move across USB 1&2 which means you have to reroute your first two inputs to go out two remaining USB channels. In your example of 17/18, you would have channels 3-18 routed normal and then channels 1/2 would be mapped to go out USB 19/20. In your DAW you just need to map accordingly.

[@anthonymignot253]

@@AllamHouse thanks so much!

[@SimpleRanch]

I have thoroughly enjoyed your channel and we are actually implementing some ideas you have given us. I appreciate it! On a side note, what church do you serve at? I would love to check out the online stream.

[@AllamHouse]

Thanks for the encouragement. I’m the Worship Director at Area 10 Faith Community. We have a team of about 35 volunteers that serve once on a month rotation. Roughly four bands, tech teams and sound engineers. We have our challenges like every other church. Guitar batteries that die after the first song, lights that decide not to work sometimes and a team that I’m continually stretching people to try new things. It’s a fun adventure.

[@SimpleRanch]

@@AllamHouse Awesome! Thanks for the quick reply. We are working on building our volunteer base and currently have about 25 volunteers but that stretches throughout all of our ministries in the church.

[@josephirungu9266]

Hi Dave thanks for the videos they are really really inspiring and of great help! A quick question, can I have fx going into the singers mics for the FOH and not into the stream mix bus and still maintain the set up you've shown on this video?

[@AllamHouse]

If you use an ‘Insert’ FX like a de-esser or a nice compressor it will be heard in the house and stream. If you want to use a delay FX for the house, but bot in the stream you can do that by not turning up the delay in the stream. Do you have something more specific in mind?

[@josephirungu9266]

@@AllamHouse Thank you so much Dave, tried it today as you explained and it worked perfectly.

[@lucasbarrientes]

Dave, first of all let me say that your videos have been super helpful, thank you! I have a quick routing question that we can seem to figure out. We currently have a front of house mix happening on our X32. We're taking the usb signal out to a MacBook pro in another room that is allowing us to mix the raw inputs in logic with some pretty cool waves plugins. When I have my headphones on or listen through some small studio monitors, I'm achieving the desired mix. Here's where we've hit a wall. How do I get that mix to either our ATEM or directly to Wirecast?? Or should I be sending the signal back to the X32 which would then be mix bused in our ATEM? (how would we even do this?) We currently have to mix buses with a separate mix than front of house that's going directly into our ATEM which goes into Wirecast. The goal is to be able to mix in logic sending that final mastered mix to our live stream. We sincerely appreciate ANY advice or direction you can send our way. Blessings!

[@AllamHouse]

You can run your mix back into your console and then push it out to your ATEM. I've never used Logic, but I assume it is similar to StudioOne where I mix post production. I setup a Stereo Bus in my DAW (not the master bus, but a different stereo bus) which my mix lands in. I then send this back out as a Pre-fader mix to USB 31/32. I use the User Inputs on the X32 to route USB 31/32 (inputs) to Aux1/2 faders. Then I can route these to Aux channels (as a linked pair) to go out a set of XLR's or if you have the ATEM Mini you can use some of the 1/4" or RCA outs on the back of the console.

[@lucasbarrientes]

@@AllamHouse ahh... sounds like we are so close to making this happen, but at this point it’s way beyond my pay grade-lol! I’m going to try to follow our instructions, but if we can’t figure this out tomorrow, can I reach out to you again? Thanks for the response and for the direction. 👊🏽😎

[@AllamHouse]

Yeah, you are pretty close. If you get stuck, I do handle phone calls at a reasonable consulting fee. If you end up needing to go that route, just jump to my site and fill out the contact card. sound.allamhouse.com/

[@lucasbarrientes]

@@AllamHouse thanks!

[@FrankMurray913]

I appreciate this video. I’m using protools with M32. How do we route this in detail.

[@AllamHouse]

Here is a video I just released that covers this exact question. You will have to modify the DAW portion slightly to work with ProTools, but the concepts and soundboard setup are all lined out in this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaG9oaaFlNFnh9U

[@zcb27]

thank you so much for the video. theoretically couldn’t you alternatively setup a virtual audio cable on the computer to take internal audio from the DAW and route it to OBS (or similar)? that might introduce latency but at least might be an option for people using all 32 channels. just to confirm though, if we were to use one computer for recording and another for streaming then i wouldn’t have to worry about this right? the system in place when i started at the church was using XLR outs to go to an audio interface connected to the streaming computer. definitely not the ideal situation but we’re getting a new board next month and i’d rather just connect an additional computer via USB to record for a few weeks rather than mess with settings if it’s easy like that

[@AllamHouse]

If you are on a MAC you. Can route internally from the DAW to your streaming software, but not on a Windows machine (that I am aware of).

[@zcb27]

@@AllamHouse perfect thank you! i really appreciate all the videos :)

[@sejoymathews3687]

Great Video and thank you for this. Tried it on the X EDIT and Its crazy confusing.

[@AllamHouse]

Yeah, the User routing on Edit is a little confusing the first few times you approach it. I do handle consulting if you would like to jump on a call and get it all setup quickly. Just fill out the contact card at sound.AllamHouse.com.

[@jrivera1989]

God bless you Dave!, awesome video. I have a question. this can be done using the same computer for streaming and multitrack recording?

[@AllamHouse]

Yes, the console only offers one USB output so you would need to run your DAW and stream off the same computer

[@jrivera1989]

@@AllamHouse awesome!, Thank you!, my x32 setup are mixbus for the stream audio. Do you think this setup will work for me? Sorry for my ignorance I’m new for this kind of stuff. Thanks again for your time.

[@AllamHouse]

Yes, this will work for you since you will route your MixBUS stream our USB 1/2 and then map the remaining channels to your needs. This video will walk you through step by step.

[@jrivera1989]

@@AllamHouse Thank you, I appreciate your help! 👍🏻

[@mia4279]

So in the case I only want to record the Pastor's output to my usb, I would (from your list as an example) select channel 13 and 14 for "stream L and R" then add Voice 1 and 2 to channel 17 and 18?

[@AllamHouse]

You can go this route if it meets your needs. You could also go with multitrack recording so you actually record all of the inputs that you choose, into a computer and then you can work with those recordings just like in a recording studio. No effects, compression or EQ from the board will be recorded if you follow this video, but it will give you a raw recording which allows you to be creative in post-production. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYHVkpqQlN1qg7M

[@SimpleRanch]

When you are doing the user outputs, is AES-50A when you have a digital snake?

[@AllamHouse]

Yes, AES50 is most commonly used with a digital snake.

[@Felix_116]

I have a second x32 as for livestreaming, connected from S32 digital from 'B' to behind console to 'B' . With output aux with two channels into scarlette interface. could you guide me which youre videos will work for this?

[@AllamHouse]

I'm not sure I understand exactly. It sounds like you have a S32 stage box connected to Console 1 (X32) and then you have another Console 2 (X32) That you are getting signal across AES50B. I'm not sure what your question is or what you are trying to accomplish next. Also, I'm not sure why you need the Scarlette in the mix, but maybe more information from you will help me understand.

[@chetorch]

Hello Dave, great videos, they've helped a ton! Quick question, and maybe I'm a bit slow. I've watched this video a couple of times already and still don't quite understand. I have 2 buses set for streaming, L and R. I need to map 2 inputs to those buses? Why is the stream channels set on 1 and 2 and not set to 17 and 18?

[@AllamHouse]

It sounds like you are looking at the USB routing that is sending from the console to your computer. Your DAW is designed to pickup audio from all USB channels where your streaming software is only (by default) going to pickup USB 1/2. Doe this reason we route your stream across USB 1/2 and then use the remaining channels to send into your DAW for multitrack recording at the same time. I hope that helps you further.

[@chetorch]

@@AllamHouse thanks, When you say the streaming software uses channels 1 and 2 by default, do you mean there is a way to change the channel? In your example the kick is on channel 1, can you plug into channel 17 instead so all the channels don't need to be remapped at the console.

[@AllamHouse]

I’m realizing that I’m making assumptions in my first reply. Here are some questions To get a better grasp on your setup and intentions. 1) What streaming software are you using? VMix, OBS, etc 2) Are you sending your mix across USB to get into your stream or are you using XLR or maybe an AUX Out on the back of the console (1/4”)? 3) Are you attempting to multitrack record while streaming?

[@chetorch]

@@AllamHouse 1) I'm using OBS 2) I am using USB to get the stereo mix from the x32 into our computer 3) I am trying to find a way to do virtual sound checks listening to the affected stream audio signal since I use plugins for stream only. we have 2 different worship teams at church. I play bass in the youth band and am not able to manage the band stream audio while playing. I have the other bands mix setup better than ours, that being the main reason I'd like a way to record and be able to playback the multitrack recording while being able to listen to it from the stream computer. Thanks so much for all the help brother, its a great blessing :)

[@AllamHouse]

Ok, this context helps a lot. I would start with just multitrack recording a rehearsal or service. Then, you can push the tracks back through and solo your stream mix on the console into tour headphones. You will want to go into the Monitor settings and make sure “exclusive last” and “MixBUS AFL” are checked. This will give you the final mix (after any EQ, Comp, Limiter plugins in the board) into your headphones. If you are running plugins in OBS, then you will record your tracks (like a normal 32 channel capture), replay them into your console, but make sure the outputs are all the same (IE: Card Out 1/2 are still your stream mix). Then plug your headphones into the OBS computer and go to Advanced Audio Properties in OBS and choose “Monitor and Output”. This will send the audio out the headphones to hear the final stream mix. You can also record in OBS instead of stream, although the encoding process can degrade the sound a little.

[@JayBratton31]

Hey these videos are great thanks, I'm just running into problems with gain staging for my DAW. If I turn up the lead mic or something else, sometimes I'll clip inside my DAW. I don't want my house mix to effect my DAW mix. Any ideas?

[@AllamHouse]

You want to set gain according to the instrument to normalize the inputs at the console level. Everything will trickle down from there... internal FX, monitors, stream, everything. Here is a video I made previously that discusses my approach to gain staging kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4PNgWZ_gKuZp68

[@JayBratton31]

Appreciate it man!

[@freddyhendrik8767]

Can you please tell me how to play the recording back to the X32 with channel 1 & 2 be the bass drum channel not the livestream channel? Thank you

[@AllamHouse]

You will need to one of two things: (1) adjust the outputs from your DAW so that your Kick and Snare go to the correct channels or… (2) Use some User Input settings in the console routing to route your channels exactly where you want them to go.

[@lostunflorin8120]

Hi Dave, with this settings how do I send music from my computer to x 32 Rack. The rack it is on the stage so I have to send it to usb but how? Thanks.

[@AllamHouse]

For that distance it would be best to use a stereo DI box to convert the signal out of your computer and run it across XLR into the board. Outside of that you might be able to find a USB to Cat5 converter that would allow you to cover the distance across Cat5. Finally, Dante (the most expensive) is a common method as well.

[@mekamatthews7242]

Okay so I'm trying to record on the SD card and send the signal through the USB to my streaming for live streaming off the X-Live is that possible and if so do you route it the same way that you routed the other the video I just watched

[@AllamHouse]

I will start by saying that I do not personally own an X-Live card, my console has the standard USB only card. That being said, I have interacted with the X-Live and I believe there is a switch to select your output from USB to SD. You still use the regular Routing > Card screen to adjust what inputs are being sent to your desired recording device, but I believe you can only record to one location at a time (ISB or SD). I think your best bet is to put a DAW on your streaming machine and record your multitracks while sending audio to your stream.

[@paulieataboy]

So where does the tap point come from using the X32 card? Does it send compression and eq or is it before that at the input gain level? Thanks

[@AllamHouse]

The X-USB card taps just after the preamp. The signal you send across USB will not be impacted by mutes, comp, EQ or faders... just a raw signal.

[@paulieataboy]

Thank you for your answer! That helps a lot

[@katherineocampo6952]

So when you open OBS it will recognize only outputs 1 and 2 , when you select X32 as the audio in ?

[@AllamHouse]

Yes, that is correct. All streaming software (by default) are only looking for a 2-track input. When you select the X-USB card it will take the USB 1/2 as the source. There are other things you can do (add on) to give you more options, but by default it is looking at USB 1/2

[@foofangye]

Thanks for the video, but once i changed it, obs doesn't recognised my mix buses for live streaming anymore, can u help me

[@AllamHouse]

1) Make sure your USB card is set to 32/32 in the Settings > Card area. 2) Make sure you have the appropriate inputs selected in OBS. (Sometimes you need to remove the Audio Input and re-add it to the show) 3) If you need further assistance, you can fill out the connect card on my website and we can work out details for a consulting call. sound.allamhouse.com

[@Ade.OluwaA]

Is this for if you’re streaming and recording on the same computer? I want to multitrack record only, and not affect the stream which is on a separate computer, if that’s possible

[@AllamHouse]

Yes, this custom setup is if you are sending a live stream mix across USB 1/2 and multitrack recording additional inputs or mixes on the same computer. Many people will setup to multitrack across USB on one computer and then send a live stream mix across AUX OUT or XLR to a video switcher to allow for all the things to happen at the same time.

[@corporatejanitors3728]

Can 2 soundcards be used within a daw ? Eg soundcard 1 for input and 2 for output.

[@AllamHouse]

Some DAWs will let you choose an input and an output card, others will not. It also depends on your machine. I wish I had a set yes/no answer for you, but I would start by researching your machine to see what others say and then choose your DAW.

[@ElNacha]

Hello again, i did all the steps, in Midas m32 but if i want to play from the computer y still getting signal in channel 1 and 2, Please help thank you

[@AllamHouse]

I would start by looking at the routing for your ‘play’ setting on your inputs. Also, make sure your DAW doesn’t have a global send pushing a main mix from the DAW across inputs 1/2 back to tour console.

[@freddyhendrik8767]

Hi, can you live stream using the usb and record using sd card at the same time (X-live)? Thank you.

[@AllamHouse]

I don’t personally have the X-live card, but to my knowledge you have to pick one or the other for recording.

[@JaredAlexanderStevenson]

How mute groups via Daw? We have speakers and ambient mics and worship team. So we would like to mute like we do in house. Any ideas?

[@AllamHouse]

You would need to use groups in the DAW to provide a mute group capabilities.

[@noelescauso5765]

hi sir, i'm using reaper DAW, how can i send my DAW to midas m32 send to obs for streaming live

[@AllamHouse]

If you are already streaming audio from your console to OBS I use this process to send the audio to/from the DAW and then over to my stream. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaG9oaaFlNFnh9U If you are running OBS on the same machine as the DAW you can do this internally on Windows, but a MAC will need a separate plugin downloaded to route the audio internally from one program to the next.

[@noelescauso5765]

@@AllamHouse thanks much!

[@Fretjoe]

OK here is a real basic question, what software is the spread sheet at the beginning of the video

[@AllamHouse]

That is just Google Sheets. Any gmail account has access to their web-based tools and storage.

[@Fretjoe]

@@AllamHouse Thanks, I have another pretty basic question, I want to record from our church X32 and take the file home to mix on Studio One. Do I need any software on my laptop or can I just create a folder and load that into Studio One? Thanks for you time

[@AllamHouse]

You do need a DAW (like StudioOne) to record the tracks and save them as individual wav files. I usually just bring my laptop that has StudioOne installed, plug a USB cable into the X-USB slot and you are ready to go. Depending on your setup you might need to alter the routing for what is going out to your DAW in Routing > Card, but if you have all local inputs it will be preset for that.

[@Fretjoe]

@@AllamHouse thanks so much for a quick complete reply I really appreciate it. My Studio One is on a desktop in my studio so I can't take that to the church lol. I have read that Reaper is a decent DAW for recording a church service and I can load that onto my laptop, do you like Reaper? By the way I am subscribing to your channel

[@AllamHouse]

I would start by checking the number of licenses you have for StudioOne. I typically have at least two license (Pro) and five for Artist. This might give you the ability to load on another device and make it all happen on software you already know. Reaper is a commonly used DAW and if you have an older device you can use TracksLive which is free and works fine for recording content.

[@slythefamilydrone]

Why not just stream a stereo mix bus and record your multitrack via USB?

[@AllamHouse]

That is a valid option, but many people are sending their stream mix into their streaming computer directly. To do this they need to use USB 1&2 which gets in the way of their multitrack. Luckily, there are plenty of options for each situation.