P16 Trick for Your X32 or M32 Digital Mixing Console

In the standard setup your DAW gets audio right off of the preamp when going across USB. This is great for many situations, but what if you want to use the onboard EQ, Compression and channel strip?
This P16 trick will allow you to utilize your channel strip effects and any insert FX and have them recorded into your DAW.
Videos Mentioned:
MixBUS vs. Matrix - • MixBUS vs. Matrix | ...
Stereo Width Trick - • Mono Input Turned Into...
PreFader vs Post Fader - • Pre Fader vs Post Fade...

[@michelgagnon5284]

That video was really helpful. I bought a Behringer X32 a few weeks ago to use in a studio. I have to say that your channel has been a life saver. Thank you and keep up the good work.

[@AllamHouse]

Congrats on the purchase and thanks for the encouragement.

[@bugswako]

LOVE the P16 trick! Now I can see the benefits of how to bring all the cool channel strip features (eq, compression, gates) pre-fader or post-fader into a DAW recording environment. Thanks Dave! Bugs

[@AllamHouse]

I’m glad it makes sense.

[@DanaTucker1]

Hey Dave, once again you have knocked it out of the park. Some of the systems I setup are always pre fader for the stream. Some of them Preachers get caught up in the Spirit, look at the sound guy and say "crank it up"! Thanks again Brother!

[@AllamHouse]

Thanks for the encouragement.

[@WordupG]

Awesome, very helpful for my live looping setup. Thank you

[@AllamHouse]

That’s awesome. Thanks for the encouragement.

[@fiifierskine2969]

Thanks sir for the lesson 🤝🙏🏽🔥

[@groovywalt6037]

Awesome, huge thanks man!!!

[@AllamHouse]

Thanks for the encouragement.

[@angelvelazquez1537]

Thank You!, I cannot thank you enough, so THANK YOU again. This is something that I was wondering why cant I record into my DAW with the avaiblable X32 Processing. Well now I know!!!! Also yoiur explanation method, is fantastic, please keep up the work!!!!

[@AllamHouse]

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

[@angelvelazquez1537]

@@AllamHouse Actually I do, as you indicate, I would have to select the P16 as input, can I use for output the "User-Out 1-8" in Card tab?

[@AllamHouse]

Yes, depending on what you are trying to accomplish. Looking back at your original post you are recording into a DAW and using the onboard channel strip to alter the sound prior to being recorded into the DAW. It sounds like you have that part working and we can call that the "INPUT" to the DAW. This only takes up 16 of your 32 possible channels to send across USB to your DAW so you can also use your 16 Buses to either send individual instruments for further refinement or build additional mixes to be recorded like maybe parallel drum compression or background vocals, etc. To do this you can either go to Routing > Card and select your outputs in the desired slots of the Card section or you can go to Routing > User Out and design a custom patched setup that you would then select in the Routing > Card area to actually send it out the USB to your DAW. I hope this helps. If you need one-on-one support you can fill out the contact card on my website (sound.allamhouse.com) and we can find a time for a call.

[@joetrujillo1028]

Excellent video

[@AllamHouse]

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

[@fiifierskine2969]

Nice thanks 🙏🏽🔥🤝

[@BackbeatProductionsLLC]

This is great, thank you! How can you expand it to use more than 16 channels? I'm about to buy an m32r and DL32, and I have almost 16 channels on my drums alone. Would love to see how to expand to even 24.

[@AllamHouse]

This series of consoles is limited to 16 outputs along with 16 special outputs in the Ultranet (P16) area. This ‘trick’ is a way that you can record the 16 channels with the channel strip included and is designed more for something like a recording studio environment. You could use the other 16 outputs (tapped pre-fader) to send into a DAW for recording and this would give you 32 channels of inputs with channel strips to be able to record. This is great, but will NOT work if you want to also use the board live at the same time. I guess the question is what exactly are you trying to accomplish? The answer will determine how to best use the console to its fullest.

[@claycollinsmusic]

You also have tap points on your 16 outputs to give another 16 channels but of course some of those might be taken up with speakers monitors etc. but you have a potent ion of 32 out with tap points for recording

[@AllamHouse]

You are exactly right. In a studio environment you can get even more creative with the USB outputs using BUSes to utilize channel strips and effects before going out USB.

[@claycollinsmusic]

@@AllamHouse For sure! But even more than that on the routing you have outs 1-16 that give you tap points just like you get on the P16 outs which gives you 32 channels of processing out to your DAW while preserving all 16 busses. Its one of the main reasons why I love using an X32 Rack for broadcast. They are cheap and work great. There really is a lot of processing power on those X32s when you use them to their fullest:-). I do have a question for you. I have noticed that if I apply an insert effect on a channel, lets say a Ultimo Compressor (1176), If I place it after the channel EQ and compressor (which is the default setting) it will be NOT included in the P16 out pre fader tap point BUT would be included if I place the insert before. Do you know why this is and do you know of any workaround?

[@claycollinsmusic]

By the way. Love your videos thank you so much for all your knowledge and insight.

[@AllamHouse]

That is interesting. I’m planning to dive deeper into the P16 use as a possibility for my church so I’ll be in the studio next week looking at all of these specifics. If I notice the same scenario or a workaround I will post about it for sure.

[@mcpribs]

Though I use an XR18, I too build the broadcast mix from the post fader sanctuary mix, due to only having one sound person, but I do not send it to a DAW. I would like to, but was curious how to mute the vocal effects for just speaking moments. I use a mute group in XAIR, but if using vocal effects inside the daw (which would then be broadcasted) they would have to be muted in both places, right? How do you handle? Thanks, and great vid!

[@AllamHouse]

That is correct that you would need to mute the FX in both locations. Mixing in a DAW is usually a spot where you will need another mix engineer. Now, that being said you do have some different options: 1) Run most of your vocal FX on the console so you can manage those and only run band FX in the DAW. 2) Build your entire mix in the console and just use the DAW for mastering 3) Do everything in the DAW like you hope to and setup a hot-key (similar to a mute button) to allow for quick interaction of the DAW to mute certain FX or BUS.

[@DarrenLeBlancx]

With how highly configurable this mixer is, I'm surprised that we can't select prefader or post fader for sends on USB. Idea: what about using the AES50? Do you know if the AES50 to USB converter would allow for configuring what gets sent to the computer?

[@AllamHouse]

Are you referring to the Klerk Teknik DN9630? I have never used it, but I believe (based on its design) that is it going to send a signal right off the preamp. It’s worth a shot to test it out if you have access to one.

[@DarrenLeBlancx]

@@AllamHouse yes, that's what I was thinking. I was going to buy one to give it a try because we use the P16 for me for my monitors and want to get a post fader send to a Livestream computer. Doesn't sound like it you think it will work huh?

[@pauloespadinha2754]

Great video ! Thank you so much .. One question about the p16 trick? Is it possible in the same time with a daw to record all p16 direct outs and send them back on same x32 channels as a closed loop ? Thank you

[@AllamHouse]

The short answer to your question is No, you can’t set it as a closed loop. Each channel will control one input option so in your example your mix comes into the console on a channel which is controlling a preamp to allow you to set gain. Once the signal goes through the DAW and is coming back to the console it will need to route to a different channel to have digital trim applied (similar to gain). As a solution, you can route the return audio to a different channel which provides some of what you are looking to accomplish. Now, while this will work and provide the DAW plugins you might be looking to use, the audio will return with some delay based on the processing speed of the computer (also keep in mind USB is a slow transfer tool). I have a video linked below that walks through part of this process from the computer to the DAW and back for using DAW FX which would be impacted less by the latency. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2fHp56DmcSno9k One last thing to know is there is a tool that can do exactly what you want to do called Waves Multirack. It is a tool that many large operations use and it does run (with minimal latency) the closed loop option and all the outboard plugins you own as an option.

[@pauloespadinha2754]

@@AllamHouse Thanks for your fast responding. So, if i understand well could you please confirm me that if i return the 16 channel back from the daw on any assigment x32 inputs it'll not be possible. Correct ? Thanks

[@AllamHouse]

You would bring Channel 1 into the console on input 1, then send it to the DAW. You would send that channel out of the DAW on output 1 and then map USB 1 into Channel 17 on the console. If you do this you have an opportunity to run channels 1-16 into the DAW and bring those 16 channels back to the console on 17-32. I hope that helps to clarify.

[@pauloespadinha2754]

Ok.. perfect and thanks a lot !

[@jeffpyzocha5474]

This is awesome, however I do have questions. I am using cakewalk and I have an xlive card. I want JUST COMPRESSION on channels 1-6 ONLY then to my DAW. I assume, swapping the order of processing, (gate,then compressor THEN EQ) in that order, and then under the p16 tab in routing, just have it as pre eq correct and not sure if I want direct out or something else? Thanks!

[@AllamHouse]

I would follow the setup and have it as Pre-Fader so you get everything except the fader sent to the DAW. If you only want the compressor engaged then just turn the EQ (and possibly the gate) off. There is no need to change the tap point in your P16 send settings.

[@jeffpyzocha5474]

@@AllamHouse cool, thanks buddy. The other issue I'm having though, is I must be doing something wrong, but I'm pretty sure I followed your instructions on this video precisely and then when I go to record into cakewalk, when I do the p16 trick, my first eight channels don't get recorded into my daw. Now when I go over to the p16 tab I only do the first six channels on my x32, as I just want compression on my bass drums and snare drum. I have two mics on each bass drum. If you're by any chance on facebook, I could send you a video message in better detail and explain what I have going on, if you can help buddy. I really appreciate it.

[@AllamHouse]

If you need to start a conversation outside of YT you can fill out the contact card on my website at sound.AllamHouse.com. My assumption is that the settings at Routing > Card are not set for your P16 weather directly or through USER routing options.

Thank you for this useful knowledge, i am also using x32 producer now, i already understand how to record but i want to know more how to mix after recording with x32 because i saw some people can do That's with their daw and I also want to make the most of the equipment at my home studio. Hope you reply soon, thanks a lot.

Like mixing a song with outboard gear after recording, can I do it with my x32 with I/O setup on the DAW. I'm using Logic Pro X

instead of just being able to adjust the fader & Pan by learning the keys on the DAW, I want to interfere with both EQ, Comp, Insert Fx...

[@AllamHouse]

You can setup the console as a DAW control and it can map across USB. It ends up pushing midi signals into the computer to control the DAW. I have never done this setup before so I don't have any good resources or knowledge to share, but I did have a friend that explored this at his church as a DAW control tool. His challenge was he had to reset everything every time he wanted to do it and since he ran live events twice a week it became too cumbersome. He was using Presonus StudioOne DAW so I'm not sure if Logic will have a better interface or not. Good luck with the searching.

@@AllamHouse Thanks for sharing, I'm also looking for the best fit for my current job, wish you every success

[@kojoXAppau]

I have a question, with the p16 you can pan each channel anyway you see fit, but if you have an ear system on a bus and you want to pan the left singers to her left hear and right singers to her right each for the vocal channels on her bus how would you do that

[@AllamHouse]

The P16 is like a mixer so you can send it mono signals and then the de I e allows you to pan them. If you send vocals to a mono bus and the mono bus to the P16 (for monitoring) the bus can be panned on the P16, but that pans the entire bus. If this doesn’t cover your exact question, please try to re-ask it.

[@kojoXAppau]

@@AllamHouse thank you

[@billydacue195]

could you do this channel by channel using pre fader and get all 32 channels with eq and effects to the DAW

[@AllamHouse]

The P16 only offers 16 channels to be transmitted so that is your limiting factor. With this in mind you can record 16 tracks and then reconfigure to record another 16 tracks. With a DAW you can get creative, but the P16 is limited to the 16 channels implied in the name.

[@merlijnduynstee]

I've used this "P16 trick" to get 16 channels of my band to our DP48 post EQ. Somehow it never found a way to get post-EQ tabs directly on the AES50 output tab.

[@AllamHouse]

A few things to note: 1) The trick side of this is used when trying to use the channel strip (EQ and comp) to send out USB to a DAW. 2) Input channels will be added into mixes (main or bus) that would go across AES50 to a digital snake to ultimately go to a monitor or a main speaker to be heard. 3) The Ultranet is designed to send signals either pre-EQ, Pre-Fader (normal) or Post EQ so that the DP48 can use the onboard EQ, compression and tools to build the desired IEM mix for the performer. If you have other questions, feel free to re-ask and I’ll see if I can help.

[@duffyandpaula]

When you set up this way for recording, is it still feeding the onstage P-16s?

[@AllamHouse]

It could send these same 16 channels out the Ultranet Network to actual P16's on stage. This little "trick" is more designed to offer the use of the onboard channel strips for recording into a DAW, but if you have a P16 connected it would get these same signals.

[@tjblackartist]

2 Questions. I’m able to record in with all the effects including my analogue gear (as inserts) into my daw. 1. How do I use both my outboard analogue gear AND the built in effects inserts to record on the same channel? So say I’m recording a vocal on channel 1 using my analogue 1176 compressor as an insert, but I want to add an effect that’s built into the x32 on that same channel. Is this possible? I’m using my 1176 analogue compressor on aux 1 as an insert into channel 1. 2. Once I have my channels all recorded into my daw I’d like to use my x32 not only as a controller (which I can already do) but also to mix with and send that mix (as individual channels) back into my daw. Is that possible? I sure I could use like channels 17-32 to return the mic off of the x32???

[@tjblackartist]

Example: I’d like to use my analogue 1176 compressor to mix with on certain channels and then send those channels (post mixed) back into my daw. I hope I’m making sense.

[@AllamHouse]

I’m not ignoring this question, I just need to sit down at my board and see if there is any way to do what you are asking. The X32 does not have an insert spot like an analog console used to have. You will probably need to use the AUX In/Out to facilitate this setup.

[@tjblackartist]

@@AllamHouse Thanks for your reply. So I do use the aux in/out for my analogue compressor. I run it as an insert on my track. But it won’t let me use the onboard effects in conjunction with my analogue gear.

[@AllamHouse]

Ah, I see. The easiest thing to do is pick a channel and change the source to (say) Aux In 1 so the outboard gear will come in and then be routed to a channel where you then have the onboard channel strip and can insert an FX rack as desired.

[@tjblackartist]

@@AllamHouse oh so basically use two channels. I see. I’ll try that. Yhanks

[@richardgutierrez2864]

This video helped but I have some questions can I contact you?

[@AllamHouse]

Feel free to fill out the contact card on my website to start a conversation outside of YT. sound.AllamHouse.com

[@i.g3629]

Can you daisy chain two p16 without the P16D?

[@AllamHouse]

Yes, the P16 has a through-put cat5 connection so you can send your signal into one and then out of that one to the next one with no signal loss. Many people avoid this and use a switch when they run POE to power their units across the Cat 5 connection or to have flexibility from each unit and not have to rely on the others they are plugged in to.

[@randyhobbs1514]

M32, going to H4 to 4 dp48's. I could use some help with routing. Do you have a video on this?

[@randyhobbs1514]

H4 is hub 4.

[@AllamHouse]

The DP48’s should connect directly through AES50 and take a direct copy of your inputs out to the DP48. The Hub4 should just be a network switch designed for this infrastructure. I’ll assume you have a stage box and your inputs are coming in to the console from AES50a (Routing > Input). You then connect AES50b to feed the DP48. You need to set Routing > AES50b to have the same settings as your Routing > Input tab.

[@randyhobbs1514]

Ok, thanks. I think we got it. It's taking me a bit to grasp the AES50 routing where you broadcast it out to the 48's but I'll figure it out.

[@AllamHouse]

Sorry for the delayed reply, this comment got stuck in some random "review" section of YT. From what I understand the DP48's are just small mixers so the AES50 connection will look similar to what you would send out to a second broadcast console. Many times it would be a straight 1 for 1 mapping of your inputs, but I do not have a DP48 to connect and check the functionality. I'm glad it sounds like you were able to figure it out on your own.

[@randyhobbs1514]

@@AllamHouse Thanks! Well, sort of. I'm sure it's very simple. I tend to make things harder than they are. But I'm slowly getting it. Thanks for your very helpful videos. Between you, Drew Brashler, Churchfront and a few others I have learned a lot. Now, how to get in our guitarist mind and figure him out. He has too many 'toys' on his pedal box. Strange voices are showing up in his vocal mix. Fun stuff. Thanks again!

[@Johanngeorge]

good day, I have a question about a crowd mic. What is the best position for a crowd mic? I want to use it mainly for the live stream. Must it be at the front facing the crowd or at the back facing the stage?

[@AllamHouse]

Yes is the answer... which is not a good answer, but realistic. I plan to do a video soon on my jump into crowd mics and how we have them setup (along with how they sound). I only have two mics so I setup one on stage (behind my PA) facing the congregation and a second at the sound board facing the stage. I have one panned slightly left and one slightly right. It's currently still more of an experiment to evaluate which location offers the most and then I will end up with both in that desired location.

[@dashwoodaudio2976]

Hi Dave I own a Xair18. would this trick work for my setup?

[@AllamHouse]

The Xair18 actually offers the selections of tap points in the USB outputs. Go to "In/Out > USB Sends" and there you can set the specific tap points for each output.

[@dashwoodaudio2976]

@@AllamHouse hi ok ty. I see what you mean. I will give that a try . I will let you know how i make out cheers for now ty for your time.

[@dashwoodaudio2976]

@@AllamHouse hi I have tried it out, and it works good. However when i insert my reverb It always seems too much., and I have automated panning on some add lib vox tracks. the reverb was always there but no panning was captured... How can I get my automated panning captured? my currant signal flow is this: from my DAW Via USB Returns spilled out across my mixer. then once have applied any processing on my X18 I then send a channel(s) to a stereo bus, then I physically patch the output back into my channels L R panned then I send the returned input to the DAW. VIA USB SEND. No tap points needed,, all my effects are captured.... including my automated panning I have set up in my DAW. This seemed to work. Thank you for your time. Its always appreciated, I look forward to learning more, and to hear from you soon cheers!!

[@AllamHouse]

If I read this right, hare using a reverb as an “insert effect” as opposed to a “send/return effect”. If you do an insert effect with reverb you will need to make sure the wet/dry mix is turned way down and usually only add about 10-13% reverb otherwise it will be too much. Usually people go the route of a send/return effect that uses a bus to send and this allows to have control over the amount of reverb and then you can add it into your mix by using the internal returns. This video is a discussion about these different types and the principles can be applied to your Xair. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZenfqZnmsidmtk

[@dashwoodaudio2976]

@@AllamHouse hi ty for your time. Actually I was using the "send, and Return method" What I just learned form you is "what the "mix Knob " is for, and why I was getting to much reverb." lol lol ty. Ty for the Video link. cheers.

[@hugocajina9233]

I lost stage monitor when I connected p16 to digital snake, can anyone guide me on what I should do to get stage monitors back

[@AllamHouse]

Was your stage monitor connected to a specific output and fed by a MixBUS (most common setup)? The P16 is a standalone setup that will allow you to connect an internet cable to the console and the P16 and provide 16 channels of input from the console. You can determine what items (inputs, Aux, FX returns, MixBUS, etc) feed these 16 channels by going to Routing > Ultranet and making your choices. Then, most people will connect some in ear monitor headphones to the P16 to build a mix. If you made changes in the routing section you might have inadvertently changed your routing to your stage monitor.

[@hugocajina9233]

Thank you, I resolved. Previous person had a amplifier with attached mixer which was causing interference.

[@mizaelbautista6151]

can u send vocals effects on p16 ?

[@AllamHouse]

Yes, you can setup busses to take your FX into the P16. If you are using it for teal P16 needs (IEM) it is usually good to make two channels into stereo FX that your musicians can use.

[@mizaelbautista6151]

can u make video how to do that please i will appreciate it!.

[@fiifierskine2969]

Please how can I contact you personally?

[@AllamHouse]

You can fill out the contact card on my website at sound.AllamHouse.com