The Ultimate Behringer XR18 IEM Rig

[@alexnomundo]

I'm in Brazil, thanks for your service. We love you!

[@DrewBrashler]

Thanks so much!

[@davebrownentertainment7191]

Midas DN4816-0 is affected by any gain changes the performers make in the XR18. As a FOH sound guy, I do NOT want them making changes to my signal, or any sound coloration from the preamps, or latency from A/D D/A conversion. Good old fashioned analog splitter snake is still 100% the better way to go. But thanks for yet another informative video! :)

[@DrewBrashler]

Oh totally! As a FOH guy, I would want a physical split as well. The main purpose of the DN4816-O in this video was for the additional outputs via Ultranet, but the digital split was a little added bonus. Thanks for watching!

[@drjacus]

If You mixing from FOH speakers, I recon You do, then to compensate latency move your desk fiew feet closer ;), DN4816-0 has 0.5 ms latency, if signal is not clipping, regain it at Your console as desired. Let's move on with technology.

[@juncarlocarao3439]

Gain structure is set and forget .. for digital mixer, set the gain to -18dbfs.. then do not touch it again. Even in physical split, the audio signal going to the aux busses will be affected once there is a change in gain structure..

[@SamueleForte]

As a sound engineer myself, i could not care less of having post gain signal and 0.5ms of ad/da conversion. I don't get why everyone gets so mad about it

[@SamueleForte]

​@@drjacusagree 100%

[@JazzBusterzz]

We also use XR18 and DN4816-O for our band as IEM rig. But it happened several times that the FOH sound engineer reported that the signal from DN4816-O is too hot when I set the gain to average (and recommended) -18dB on XR18. So our solution is to set the gains to -30dB. Of course, this results in a lower signal-to-sum ratio, but it's still imperceptible for live playing. Another problem that gave us quite a hard time was occasional loud noise on some output channels on the DN4816-O. Eventually we found out on reddit that it was probably a bad masterclock synchronization. The solution is simple - turn on DN4816-O after XR18 is fully up and running.

[@abdigradationiste]

You can also add up to 2 mono ouputs while still using all the inputs. Go to the setup page, click on the monitor tab and then select Bus 5/6 as the monitor source. After that, go to the In/Out page, then go to Aux Out and you want to tap Aux 5 to Effect 1 and Aux 6 to FX 2. Auxes 1 and 2 will be the first stereo mix (Buses 1-2), Auxes 3 and 4 will be the 2nd stereo mix (Buses 3-4), Phones output jack wil be the 3rd stereo mix (Buses 5-6), Aux 5 will be a mono mix (FX 1 Bus), Aux 6 will be another mono mix (FX 2 Bus). As you already explained in this video, it's also possible to use the Main LR out as a stereo IEM mix.

[@bethesdahoc]

The knowledge and insight I gain from you are invaluable. Keep up the fantastic work you're doing! Wishing you continued blessings. BHOC

[@Gaba.Groove]

Thank you for this brother! Your vids are awesome! ❤❤❤

[@nicksonkaru4534]

Nick from Vanuatu, thanks for the informitive videos mate.

[@KENNETHCOOPER55]

Fantastic tutorial as usual, keep up the great work Drew

[@DrewBrashler]

Thanks so much!

[@timothyback4235]

There I was, wondering how to get an "alternate" output from the XR18.... Then the DN4816-O segment began and I realized you were saying "ulTRAnet!" Great video, as always.

[@DrewBrashler]

Thanks so much!

[@johnsix1749]

I want to run ultranet from my X32 Rack to the DN4816-0 then to the inputs on the XR18 so I can have eq, compression on each channel so the in ears can sound more like live music

[@vdjsparrow]

Thanks for your teaching. Please I love you to make, a video connecting x air mixer to a drive rack pa or pa+ and connect to live sessions

[@stefanvombruch5649]

Great information, as usual.

[@DrewBrashler]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AlfonsoFP]

Good explanation. Thank you!

[@alanching2317]

Good Job!

[@GeorgeElenaRempel]

Always enjoying your content watching from Bolivia ❤

[@willms7350]

Or you could use the Powerplay 16's and Ultranet and get 16 channels - creating your own stereo mix. We've been doing this in my band for 8 years- it's a great setup.

[@jackblunier]

Hey! I’m not sure if you’re aware, but for those who could benefit from this info since I’ve looked into this with my X32 a while back - You could still use P16’s with this setup to give a split to Front-of-House if you make sure to use the unprocessed signals for both. You would then be sending your 16 inputs to both the P16’s and the DN4816-O, ultimately giving yourself the control over volume and some very limited (and not good-sounding in my humble opinion) channel processing built into the P16’s, but luckily giving Front-of-House the correct signals to create their own mix. You’ll need a P-16D to split that Ultranet output on the XR18, but an added benefit could be having the ability to power each P16 over the Ethernet cables from the P16-D. If you want to run P16’s with channel processing from the XR18 and still give Front-of-House independent control, you’d need a true analog split which requires a lot of cables. I prefer this setup the most though because it not only gives you the best in ear mix, but it also gives the Front-of-House engineer true mic level signals before the audio reaches your gear. They’ll be happy because they don’t have to change their settings too much and in case something goes wrong with your gear, they can still keep the show going. Hope this helps someone, if not you, who might be looking into this too! :)

[@jmsiener]

This is more or less the setup I built for our string band. I’m using a transformer isolated analog split but otherwise pretty similar. We’ve had lots of issues with RF interference from the Sennheiser XSW system. Wondering if a larger combined antenna setup would alleviate these issues but otherwise it’s been a great setup

[@Gaba.Groove]

Are you getting drop outs from the XSW? I have the same unit.

[@jmsiener]

@@Gaba.Groove oh yeah, we were having all sorts of interference with our two transmitters. Ended up buying the larger external antenna by Sennheiser and that sorted 95% of all of our issues. We’re using a passive combiner to put the two transmitters on the same antenna. We went with the B band and honestly I can’t tell you what’s better. Both bands available in the US are filled with garbage. For us the B band where we live is largely occupied by our PBS affiliate but then the A band is polluted by different local channels. I’d say have half the frequencies in either band are taken up with other nonsense. Depending on where we play it’s better or worse. If we’re downtown in our town near the PBS transmit site it’s terrible but south of downtown, AOk. Love playing festivals in the middle of nowhere because the rig normally works flawlessly. RF is magic and the only way to really control that magic is to spend a shitload of money.

[@Gaba.Groove]

@@jmsiener 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@jacksoncollins1525]

You can actually use the XR18 headphone send for 2x mono Aux sends instead of losing 2 of the ultranet output channels.

[@ИгорьЛеонтьев-щ7ц]

Hi Drew! It's a interesting idea, but I think it`ll be better, for common case, to get Behringer HA6000 instead Midas DN4816-0. Because you can mix stereo Main and mono buses for 6 IEM stereo mixes inside.

[@drjacus]

DN4816-0 is more of digital snake, not headphone amp/mixer.

[@DrewBrashler]

That is also a great idea!

[@grayancyagra5334]

Waiting this kind of great video on studiolive III mixer

[@DrewBrashler]

Don't worry, I'll be making more PreSonus videos soon!

[@emileballard4417]

i realy like the xr18 i also have one the only downside is the amount of auxes but allot of mixers (cheap) have 6 auxes. i would love to give all my band mates a stereo mix but its not possible. its a big differnce stereo or mono.

[@johnsix1749]

you are playing on stage in mono

[@sebastianbechtel884]

Nice Video, thanks for your explanation. Maybe you can show how to connect a XR 18 via the Klark DN4816U to the Behringer Wing, to get more Inputs.

[@DrewBrashler]

Oh man! That is quite an interesting thought. I'll have to add that sometime! The only downside is that you would have to have a computer or tablet ready to adjust the gain on the XR18, but if you had the same setup every time, you wouldn't have to do much adjustment. Cool idea!

[@chrisgraham5517]

Hey Drew, @drewbrashler I have an X-32 rack and a X air 18. I want to use the air for IEM and the rack for FoH. Do you have a course or video that shows how to do that ?

[@FatJoey]

So we won't be able to use any FX to the IEM if we use FX send as IEM too, right? Some musician or vocalist do want some FX in their mix. Or am I missing something here? 😅

[@DrewBrashler]

It is all tradeoffs. You would have to decide where the priority is in this case. But you can always do a IEM's from the FX sends and then leave 1 or 2 FX for use with effects.

[@seanwalsh999]

@@DrewBrashler Good point as there are 4 FX channels, so there would be two left over, cool, beans, thanks for posting.

[@FatJoey]

@@DrewBrashler yup..thank you for sharing.

[@JeremyLeech]

Love the x air 18! I use it for my in ears. And I use your presets!

[@MichaelNatrin]

Great info!

[@DrewBrashler]

Thanks!

[@Ilham3101]

Combining this setup with waves superrack performer is the ultimate ultimate rig 😅

[@DrewBrashler]

HAH! Nice. Well I guess I'll have to make another video! 😅

[@BeniaminKis]

all nice and dandy, but this only works for small bands. Our band needs 6 mono and 5 stereo IEMs, so we use an x32

[@MikeJannino]

So, doing this, going into the aux mixes on your mixer app and changing the volume of elements you don't want in that ear is how you'd mix the stereo field?

[@antslivesound]

Great vid…. A very important piece of information is that the outputs are LINE level, post gain. A FOH guy should catch this but still probably a good idea to mention it.

[@DrewBrashler]

Oh yeah, I did mention it at 05:55 in the video. Mixing FOH mid show and having gains being adjusted would be a nightmare!

[@antslivesound]

​@@DrewBrashler Hi Drew. You definitely did mention it int he video. I meant that the band should probably mention it to the venue. For instance, if a band comes off the DN using an XLR snake to feed FOH, as a FOH person my first thoughts would be, "ok maybe these are MIC level splits", until I did my due diligence and traced the snake back to it's line level source. As an alternate solution a split snake would also do the job, and would be an exact split, pre gain.

[@bendickinson9173]

If you were planning to use the Main outputs to a Bose PA instead of FOH type situation, could you configure the Midas outputs as stereo sends for additional IEMs? Someone mixes the Main Outputs to the PA for audience, and then the band does their own mix for IEM...

[@mmatthewias280]

Why wouldn’t you just get p16 personal monitors. Seems like that’s the ultimate IEM rig… everyone has instant control of their own mix and is the simplest setup as well.

[@ayay5340]

Hey,thanks for this suggestion. When using multiple P16 with a P16D switch,Is the routing on XR18 the same as done in Drew's video or is there somewhere config to be done?

[@joseignaciogonzalez1823]

In the same way, I can use AUX 1-6 from XR18 for my floor monitors and then use the Midas DN4816-0 for IEMs. right?

[@fernandolcoto]

I have a network for the equipment and another network for the users. Between the networks there is a firewall. I need to know which TCP/IP ports should be allowed on the firewall. Do you know what ports?

[@mkbmkbmkb]

Great video. Planning on buying this Midas thingy. Question: using the Main outputs as the 4th stereo IEM, how would that 4th member control their own mix from their phone? As far as I can tell, the X Air app only allows you to select from the aux buses. So the 4th member would have to bring a laptop or just sacrifice the ability to change their mix?

[@DToneQuest]

so what is going out to the house? do you have to have other equipment for recording, streaming etc out to house?

[@VanMusicful]

What case did you purchase? Really sleek

[@mati-fena]

The midas dn4816-o is out of stock everywhere in USA 😣

[@RebornDrummer]

Drew can you do a video on this same kind of video with the x32

[@DrewBrashler]

What do you have in mind with the video? A ultimate IEM setup for the X32 kind of thing? Thanks!

[@sterlinghowell111]

Can I use the DN4888 as well like this

[@hossein_haeri]

Also what is the advantage of this over using a relatively cheap splitter?

[@DrewBrashler]

You can totally use a splitter, for a physical split rather than a digital, I think it would be a better way to do it. However you wouldn't be able to get the additional ultranet outputs without using the DN4816-O.

[@RJHN9108]

Which video switcher you are using when making all your video?

[@Hem_Panha]

Hello , Drew! I am a musician at Phnom Penh New Life Church in Cambodia. I have been watching your video for a long time. Thank you for your Sharing! Can you make a video of using X-32(FOH mixer) and X-32 Rack(Stage and IEM mixer) sharing the same input from S32 stagebox and can control both mixer individually such as Preamp, EQ... but except mute from FOH mixer, please! Because I want X-32 Rack to control sound on stage like IEM and floor monitor for rehearsal without turn on FOH mixer. But when sunday worship come I want FOH mixer could possibility control mute on X-32 Rack also, and X-32 Rack still can use to control sound on stage as well.

[@Hellemmm]

thanks! Can XR18 receive signals from ultranet? or it cen only sent to them?

[@thatotheruniverse]

Hi Drew... What is the maximum amount of stereo in-ears that can be linked to this piece ?

[@gwynnetaylor]

You can have 8 mono mixes

[@gwynnetaylor]

And 4 stereo

[@Palvader]

Just 4 stereo IEM mixes.

[@wyattlauth1453]

4 stereo or 8 mono mixes, or 3 stereo & 2 mono, 2 stereo & 4 mono, etc.

[@treydavis4139]

I would love to purchase the DN4888 but I would like to know if I can use the ultra network to get a in ear mix, and send sound to and from the mixer to the DN4888? Ps I want to find a way to use the P-16 for IEM

[@simonshawmusic]

is there any risk to the dn4816 if front of house accidentally sends phantom power back though one of the channels?

[@SamueleForte]

I don't think so because it has converters inside

[@mnelson071799]

Newbie. Is a stereo IEM mix at the XR18 compatible with a mono FOH setup? In other words does the Midas DN4816-o ignore pan settings? Or is this just a non issue?

[@ZDawg.Official]

Awesome video Drew. So I’m curious, if I used a xlr to LR 1/4 Would it still be mono.?

[@meirabass]

The answer will be: yes, it would be mono.

[@ZDawg.Official]

@@meirabass ok cool cool, thanks man🤟🏾🤟🏾

[@Palvader]

A balanced cable, whether 1/4" TRS or XLR, only tranmits a mono signal. A stereo signal always requires 2 cables.

[@francisnaval]

how can you connect this to x32?

[@sterlinghowell111]

I have 6 band members can I get 6 stereo iem mixes And still be able to send horns background vocals separate

[@DrewBrashler]

You would need to change to a different board to get 6 stereo IEM's, the X-Air only has 6 mono auxes, the stereo main LR, and then 4 mono EFX sends.

[@sterlinghowell111]

I’m asking cause I’m getting the Midas extension

[@ayay5340]

Hey @Drewbrashler thanks for making this video. If you had to do this with more than one P16 monitors and P16D switch over ULTRANET, will the routing config on XR18 be different from the one in this video?

[@alvinandakurniawan5476]

Nice very usefull

[@DrewBrashler]

Glad you liked it!

[@jumpbullmorcdoc6604]

Can i use DN4816 for IEM output stereo?

[@pealock]

Yes, just route the busses to the ultranet outputs. But you will still run into a limitation in the number of unique busses (6 mono or 3 stereo). I suppose you could use the FX busses as well but that would be a bit more complex!

[@berkayozbek8877]

we have a XR18 and we want to use digital plugins for our guitars, bass and vocals. from the DAW I mean. Also 5 stereo in-ear setups. Is it possible with this setup? If not, what would be your suggestion?

[@DrewBrashler]

Digital plugins as an insert on your channels would be no problem, you can do that via Waves SuperRack Performer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5C3eHh8g9uXhKM. For getting 5 stereo in-ear setups, you would need to swap to a different console, like the X32 Rack. The X-Air only has 6 mono auxes, the stereo main LR, and then 4 mono EFX sends. So it just isn't possible.

[@berkayozbek8877]

@@DrewBrashler Thanks! checked the video, really helpful one. If I got it right I can use more or less the same setup you show there with Gig Performer instead of Waves Super Rack, am I right?

[@DrewBrashler]

Absolutely! You can use any DAW in this manner, just make sure the buffer is small to get the lowest latency!

[@zafush]

@DrewBrashler Thank you for your educational video. Could you please comment on the following suggestion? @berkayozbek8877 I think there may be a workaround for this setup but which requires additional gear. If you use the "Behringer Powerplay P16D Ultranet" in combination with the "Behringer Powerplay P16-M Personal Mixer" (eight wired stereo IEM option). This allows you to organise three stereo IEMs from the outputs of XR18 (possibly to the wireless units) and eight stereo mixes through Ultranet connectivity. This might be an acceptable option for drummers and keyboardists.

[@alexman649]

sadly, the earliest signal tap is still post-gain... So it does'nt work as good as it should.

[@hossein_haeri]

Thank you for the video but the fact that you look at somewhere else is extremely distracting :(

[@DrewBrashler]

Sorry that is a distraction, my left eye is blind and lazy, so its not actually looking at anything. lol!

[@hossein_haeri]

@@DrewBrashler ok, then I’m so sorry for saying that. I thought you were using some sort of screen to read the texts.

[@DrewBrashler]

Hah! I wish, that would be the ultimate teleprompter! No worries man!