Need Volume Control Over Your MixBUS? | Two Different Pre/Post Fader Settings

There are two different settings that pertain to Pre/Post Fader settings in the X32/M32 console. This is a quick discussion on the differences between the two and how they will impact your mix or your capability to control volume leaving the console.
➡️ Videos Mentioned
Pre fader vs Post Fader (original discussion) - • Pre Fader vs Post Fade...
My Live Stream Setup - • X32 One Console, One S...
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[@arthurjackson3337]

This really helped me understand the difference between the input and the output side. I knew their had to be a difference but couldn’t figure it out. Your video helped bring everything home.!!! Thanks so much!!!

[@AllamHouse]

Thanks for the encouragement. I’m glad you found the info helpful. Let me know if you have other questions.

[@sean_gruber]

SUPER helpful, thanks! Exactly what I needed explained.

[@AllamHouse]

Thanks for the encouragement. Let me know if you have other questions.

[@heathercollins4432]

This is more of what is needed in understanding the X32.....also needed - lots more info on the mysterious science of routing..... thanks...

[@AllamHouse]

Yeah, I completely understand your sentiments. Here is a video I did a while back on the routing screen that might assist, but each situation is different which is why I offer consultations to come alongside engineers to build their specific setup. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqHIooWrhaycaLs

[@heathercollins4432]

@@AllamHouse - Thanks!!! That's good to know!!! ☺

[@HighRoad317]

Excellent content!!! My church has 2 front and 2 rear speakers I am in the process of getting these routs plumbed correctly to the main fader…. It’s fun.

[@AllamHouse]

I'm curious, when you say two speakers up front and two in back... I assume the fronts are for your main PA (house sound), but what do the back ones do? Do they point towards the stage for the musicians or are they further back in your house sound to support listeners in the back of the room? Just curious to make sure you get things set properly.

[@coolmixes]

Cool. I have the X32 & the XR 18 with the XR I want to set up an 1 Aux for bass amps out Aux2 for Mids , Aux 3 for Highs & aux for 4 full range while aux 5 will go to monitors pretty much everything post accept the monitors.

[@AllamHouse]

This sounds like an interesting setup. Are the "Bass amps", mids, highs and full range all pertaining to your main house mix or are you doing something else creative with your setup?

[@barrycrocker3736]

How do I figure out where my livestream mix is being routed?

[@Jonah21360]

Hey, I’m having issues with my x32 when I turn up my live feed(Facebook/youtube buss) sound, the volume goes up on my live and in the church speakers. Which makes me have to keep my live volume low so the sound wont screech in the house speakers. I am new at this and learning. Thanks

[@AllamHouse]

This sounds like the Bus is set to go to the LR Bus. To fix this, select the Bus and look to the left of the screen and find the LR Bus (or Stereo Bus) button. If it is orange it will go to the LR and if it is not orange it will not go to the LR.

[@ransfordfearon8780]

Great video. no audio sound leaving behringer x32 compact to the 3 floor monitors . The monitors are connected t0 two amplifiers and are working properly . Audio sound is going through the Behringer x32 to the 2 main speakers but not through the monitors. can you help me?

[@AllamHouse]

This sounds like a routing issue or just that things are muted. Here are my starting steps for troubleshooting. 1) Confirm that at least one channel is unmuted both for the house mix and then select the Bus, hit sends on fader and confirm it is turned up and unmuted in the Bus as well. I usually just use some pre-recorded audio like spotify or some other general device. 2) Put headphones in the console and hit the solo button on your Bus. Use the volume knob for the headphones to confirm the sound is coming through the Bus to the headphones. 3) Check routing by going to Routing > Out and make sure the Bus is set to the desired physical output on the back of the console and also check the tap point which usually should be set to Post Fader. 4) If you have a small powered speaker you can plug it into the physical output on the back of the board to confirm everything is working. Otherwise, begin going down the chain to confirm your amplifier is receiving signal and plug a single speaker into the amp to confirm it is working. Multiple speakers might be wired incorrectly and negating sound from the amp. If you need specific one-on-one help to ge this fixed sooner, just fill out the contact card on my website and we can start a conversation outside of KZbin. sound.allamhouse.com

[@aaronfox915]

Great great Video. Will watch again. But wanted to clarify. If all my musicians have wireless IEMs and a phone app to control their own mixes then I want to set everything on the mix buses on the X32 to prefader correct? --Both the mix buses config and routing output as prefader? Thanks again. This is still a bit confusing for me because there are so many places to adjust the pre and post fader option. There is even a section if you select an input channel and go the the sends tab. Thanks for helping.

[@AllamHouse]

This is a great question and you are so close. The MixBUS Config needs to be set to Prefader so the FOH fader changes don’t impact the IEMs. The output from the console for each MixBUS needs to have a tap point set to Post Fader so that the BUS fader will act as an overall volume control for the IEM. I hope that helps.

[@aaronfox915]

@@AllamHouse so helpful. Thank you. One more follow up question if I may, do I set the bus sends to prefader on the sends tab when the input channel is selected as well? That was the other place I have seen an option to change pre and post fader option. Much appreciated.

[@AllamHouse]

I only change my tap point settings with the BUS selected... choosing Pre Fader or Post Fader (or other desired option). The second place would be in the Routing > Out section where I am choosing the tap point for leaving the console. If you select an input and go to Home > Sends and make a change it will be for that input only and this can change the BUS setup to be Custom if you aren't careful. This means you have some inputs as pre-fader and others as post-fader and that is typically too much to keep up with across an event. I hope that makes sense.

[@aaronfox915]

@@AllamHouse Yes it does. Thanks!!

[@arthurjackson3337]

Regarding this subject, what would be the difference between “Post EQ” and “Pre Fader” since they are both before “postfader” in the tap points? Can you answer this question for both the input Chanel configuration and the “patch /out” tab for the mixbus tap points?

[@Dawgley]

if I lower the gain of a channel such as the guitar using the gain knob . will the guitar volume(gain) also lower in the musicians in ear monitors which i have set as mixbus prefader.

[@AllamHouse]

Yes, the gain is the first thing to happen to every input and any change will impact everything downstream. Your compressor, FX, main mix, MixBUSes, P16, etc will all be impacted.

[@Dawgley]

@@AllamHousethanks for the reply. i recently did a whole reset of the gain of my whole sound system for the band. I lowered the peak from we were peaking at -3. and now we are peaking only at -18 to -12. now the band has complained that some instruments in their ears are now quieter. question is the only way to boost volume on their in ears is by turning up the volume control on their IEM beltpack and sliding up the mixbus faders? tia

[@AllamHouse]

I see. Step 1 is always setting proper gain structure which it sounds like you have done that. Step 2 is to make sure you have enough signal going into the bus (many faders being near unity). Step 3 for me is usually to connect my IEM to the headphone out on the console and solo the bus mix to make sure I am getting a good clean signal. Step 4 is where I go to the stage and connect directly to a headphone amp. Turn up the volume on the headphone amp as much is necessary, but not more than necessary. Step 5 is add in any headphone extensions or wireless packs as needed. Ideally, your noise floor is low enough that you don't have hissing in the IEM and you have a clean enough signal to support the needs of the musicians.

[@princedavid6241]

Question: If your inputs are pre-fader and your routing output is post fader, will the FOH mix after the output of the Matrix Bus you used as an example?

[@AllamHouse]

I’m not sure I understand your question. Inputs will jump directly to the Main BUS as Post Fader. That being said, if you have a Bus setup for mixing that has inputs sent to it (instead of directly to the Main BUS) Pre-Fader, this means that any changes you do with the faders for the Main BUS will not impact the Bus mix. This is used for IEMs and some live stream applications. That is the bus configuration being Pre-Fader, but also have other tap point options. Once you have a mix in this Bus you need to send that Bus out somewhere (Monitor, IEM, etc). Of this Bus is leaving the console you can set the tap point for the output as Pre-Fader, Post Fader, etc. where Post Fader will allow you to use the Bus fader to adjust volume control of the output.

[@princedavid6241]

@@AllamHouse haaaa I got you now. When you say tap point could you please clarify what you mean?

[@AllamHouse]

The tap point is describing where the signal is “tapped” when it is sent to the BUS. You can choose to grab Post Fader, Pre Fader, Pre-EQ and others.

[@princedavid6241]

@@AllamHouse Thank you

[@youarethealgorithm]

I’m doing what your saying but my channel fader does nothing. No matter if I’m pre or post fader on the channel or the buses.

[@AllamHouse]

You have to go to Routing > Out and set the actual output tap point to Post Fader to have the BUS fader control the overall mix volume output level.

[@solidrockseventh-dayadvent5205]

hey allen can u come at my church to help me set up our beringer x32

[@AllamHouse]

I'd love to be able to help you out. Go to my website and fill out the connect card and we can start a conversation outside of KZbin and discuss the details. sound.allamhouse.com