Using the x32 Rack as an IEM Mixer, and Stage Box for FOH

The x32 Rack is a full mixer, just without the normal control surface. Perfect for mounting in a case on stage so the band can connect and use it for InEarMonitors.
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www.CrazyAmazingDesigns.com
This is the place to learn all about what I have to offer. Download my "QuickStart ShowFile", and "x32 Master Routing File" from the shop. I also do Training and Consulting so check out my calendar where you can schedule a zoom session.
Questions/ Comments: [e-mail]
Video 1: USER Input and Output Routing ( • USER Input and Output ... )
Video 2: Routing I/O with AES50 & Stage Boxes ( • Using AES50 to Send an... )
Video 3: Using an x32 Rack as a Stage Box & Independent Mixer (This Video)
Video 4: MultiTrack Recording and Playback on x32 ( • MultiTrack Recording &... )
More x32/ Audio Videos Coming Soon! Consider Subscribing to find out when they release.
00:00 - What is the x32 Rack Mixer
00:41 - Why do we need a dedicated mixer, can’t we just mix IEMs from FOH?
01:30 - Explain the Hardware setup.
02:01 - Helping Teams and Individuals do Church and Event Production with Excellence!
02:24 - Hardware
03:27 - Load "x32 QuickStart ShowFile" on Rack & FOH Console. Good place to start.
04:26 - Setup Rack to Receive channels from Stage Boxes S16*SD8. (AES50-B)
06:29 - Setup Rack to send channels to FOH. (AES50-A)
07:57 - Setup Rack to send MixBus 1-16 Outputs to StageBox Ports.
08:31 - Setup FOH to Receive channels from Rack. (AES50-A)
09:37 - Recap (but not the end)
10:02 - How to Setup Sample Rate and Clock Source on x32 Rack.
11:16 - How to Setup Gain Control on x32 Console and Rack Mixer.
12:39 - Configure Additional Outputs from x32 Rack, Hardware.
13:38 - Setup Networking on x32 Mixer.
13:56 - Thanks for Watching!

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

Have you used the x32 Rack Mixer in this way? Share with us your thoughts.

[@RevJorgeDiaz]

We use our x32 Rack as our mobile mixer for outdoor events where it doesn’t make sense to bring our x32 compact. But your video got me to thinking… At front of house we have a Dante card and our X32 compact receives its inputs from the S32 digital stage box. Could we put a Dante card in the X32 rack to send all 32 channels from the front of house and use the X32 rack as our IEM console? Doing so would free up eight mix buses since we run stereo in-ears. Thoughts?

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

@@RevJorgeDiaz Yes, You could use the x32 rack for IEMs, You woundn't even need a dante card in the x32 rack, just utilize AES50 between the x32s. Create a Scene for Sundays, and a scene for Mobile Sound. Then switch between them when you take the rack out of the building. You could receive audio channels from FOH, and connect 8 stereo IEMs to the x32 rack mixer. -Nathan R

[@RevJorgeDiaz]

@@CrazyAmazingDesigns i appreciate your help!

[@HeikkiSaari]

Finally someone who covers this topic clear and throughout. Thank you! :) There was one thing I was missing though: Routing the FOH talkback over to X32 Rack and from there to MixBuses for the IEM and the UltraNet. :)

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

Glad you found the video helpful. Those other topics you mention are a little out of the realm of this video, but might be great topics for future content. I would encourage you to think through the logic of the routing you're trying to do. -Nathan

[@arayapokey]

Excellent explanation, I appreciate the help!

[@aj.holden]

Thank you so much for this. I recently updated the firmware on my X32 that I use for running IEMs and spent hours trying to figure out how to route mix buses to outputs on my S16. Your videos have absolutely saved me 🙌

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

Awesome! I love hearing stuff like this, It’s the reason I create content like this. -Nathan

[@charlo17]

Great video. I will need help setting up mines.

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

I do offer Training via Zoom at CrazyAmazingDesigns.com :) -Nathan

[@ConorITC]

Thank you for a very informative video. In this set up is it possible for both the x32 compact and x32 rack to have independent gain control?

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

No, because that's not possible. Two mixing consoles receiving inputs from the same stage box can't have independent gain controls. You can set it up so both mixers can adjust the gain, but they won't have independent control. -Nathan Robb

[@Threedaysextension]

Hi! Thanks for this video. Are able to make a simpler version. Our church is trying to set up X32 Rack with HA8000. Just need to know routing and set up individual mixes without touching FOH mix. Thanks

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

Hi! I do have 2 other videos that look more in depth at Local and AES50 routing. -Nathan R

[@carlijordaan4715]

Hi. I'd like some advice. We use a X32 Rack only with s32 stage box. With only the MX32 App for mixing. I've been trying to figure out the routing since we added the s32 but I cannot seem to get my head around it. Both the rack and the s32 is on stage. I'd like to use all the outputs but they should not mirror, for example, I want to use all the 8 outputs on the rack plus the additional 16 from the s32 without them mirroring. Thus making it 24 output channels all together available. These is what I'd like to achieve by importance (we struggle most with IEMs) 1st - I would like to use the the first 8 outputs on my S32 for IEMs mixbuses (because we have an 8 channel amplifier, for the IEMs attached to our S32). 2ndly our Mains LR, runs from the Rack channel 7-8. (I don't mind where it runs from, but that is whete it currently is) 3rdly we have our Live Stream running from the Rack too, from the Aux out (RCA) channel 5 and 6 which will also be a mix bus. 4thly depending on what's left and we want all the rest to be Extra IEMs. My understanding is: I'd only need 2 mixbuses for FX. If I only have 16, then that would mean there is 14 left. 2 will be for the Livestream(Aux RCA 5-6), leaving 12 left for IEMs right? So we will have: 8 IEMs with the Amplifier 4 IEMs without 2 Mixbuses for Live streaming 2 FX mixbuses Making it 16 Mixbuses altogether. So if I had 24 outputs altogether and 16 goes to mixbuses. Then there would be 8 left right? So my outputs would look like this 16 Mixbuses 2 for Main LR THUS, having 6 outputs left altogether right? Okay so how can I route all this correctly?

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

Hi, The x32 Rack can do 16 MixBus outputs even with the 24 available output connectors. If you only need 2 Mixbus for effects then you only have 14 unique mono mixbus available for IEMs, or 7 Stereo.

 Nathan

[@airlinepilotonewheelguy2800]

This is fantastic. My band uses an X32 rack, usually for both FOH and IEM's, but we're going to start playing in various venues with house sound setups, using various brands of FOH mixers... Will we be able to use our X32 rack for IEM's, and send a cat5 cable to FOH mixers that are not Behringer? I hope so, because I really hate the idea of buying mic splitters and a million patch cables.

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

Hi!! This is a larger conversation, You are better off with a Split Snake for this application. That way your inputs can go into your x32 rack for IEMs, and also go to FOH for the venue system. This also means that both FOH and you have independant gain control. Even if they do have an X32, they might not have the technical knowledge to re-configure there console to receive an ethernet cable with AES50. -Nathan Typically touring bands bring all there own gear to a venue. Everything from House Speakers, to a FOH console and Engineer, stage snake, IEMs, and all the gear to connect the band to the system. That or they bring just the instruments and the house provides everything. If you are visiting several venues or churches, you should ask them to send you or put together a "rider document." A rider is part of a performance contract between the artist and the venue. It typically includes all the technical and hospitality requirements that an artist or band specifies for a concert. This can cover everything from stage setup, sound and lighting requirements, to food and dressing room accommodations. This really helps with clarity, so that both parties know what's expected. Thanks for your question! -Nathan R

[@onlinegee]

Hello. thx for the cool Video. I have only 1 question @CrazyAmazingDesings, whats your way to send L&R from FOH Desk to the Stagebox? Digital or analog?

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

Hi, We use the AES50 Protocol with a Digital Stage Box to send I/O from the stage. Also a Dante digital audio network is something we use. Nathan

[@pickinandgrinnin]

Does the FOH mixer need to be a Behringer/Midas to receive the sends via AES50? Are there any other consoles that receive this protocol?

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

Only the X32 and M32 series devices do AES50.

[@patrickjud4399]

Hello! Thanks for the Video…. buuut i‘m confused….. why do u change the user output 1-4 to ouput 9 to 12 ….. i don’t use the Outputs from my s16 i want to use every output from my rack as a monitor 1/2 stereo IEM 3/4 stereo IEM 5 mono IEM 6 mono IEM 7 floor wedge 8 floor wedge output 7 & 8 from my SD8 are L/R Main

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

You can use Output connector 7/8 on your SD8 to send Main L/R. If you want to still use your MixBus 7&8, then you need to route those to different XLR out ports. This can be easily done through the "USER OUTs". Email me if you want to talk about it more, or book a time on my calendar to connect over Zoom. -Nathan R :)

[@wohnermedia]

Can you really control the Preamps of the S32/DL32 and SD8 from FOH (through x32 Rack) with one single Cat cable to FOH?

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

Yes you can control the x32 rack Pre-Amps on Stage from an x32 at FOH. As for a Stage Box connected to the x32 rack, you'd have to test it. I think so though, the x32 rack can be setup to control the stage box and the x32 at FOH controls the x32 rack. -Nathan R

[@wohnermedia]

@@CrazyAmazingDesigns Thanks for your answer! You say I'd have to test it, but isn't that what you show in the video? Or did I misunderstand something?

[@incaroads001]

I don't currently use one of these, but I seem to recall that the XR18 software allows you to lock the performers out of the main mix and restrict them to their own sub-mix for in-ear monitors. Wouldn't that solve the problem of a performer accidentally adjusting the main mix? Perhaps the software for the X32 does not have this lock-out function. Buying and additional rack unit just for monitor mixes is not only costly but also complicates the setup. Additionally, Since you're passing audio via AES from the rack to the main mixer, isn't there a chance that your main mix might go out (e.g. broken digital cable) and leave the monitor mix in place? It seems like you should be feeding everything directly to the main console and then feeding from there to the monitor mix in the rack. Losing the monitor mix is one thing. Losing the front of house is another. What have I missed?

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

Hi, I’ve never used the XR18 but there are ways around this issue. The MX-Q app allows for MixBus control of a console without allowing control of the main mix. What you are saying about loosing the monitor mixer vs foh console makes sense. However I have used this setup a lot and not had issues. I’ve used the monitor console as an audio interface for the tracks machine, IEMs, Passthrough for the PA. After service In our mobile setup, I switch scenes and use the x32 rack to play music in the PA, so as we unplug FOH we can still play music till the last speaker goes out. Basically If that x32 rack goes down, there will be solid issues and I have chosen that this is not something I will avoid. Thanks for watching my video and sharing your thoughts. -Nathan R

[@incaroads001]

@@CrazyAmazingDesigns thank you for answering. God bless.

[@love2cad]

Is possible to use the X32 Rack as a means to offload both in ear outputs and mic inputs to free up space on the main console? We have run into a situation where need a few more channels for instruments and my thought is to use the Rack to provide a mixed mono or stereo signal back for house mixing.

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

Hi! The x32 Rack is capable of 16 Mixbus outputs, so you could take the same inputs from the main console and let the band mix their IEMs. The x32 Rack works really well for that. -Nathan Email me if you still are having issues, YT didn't show me this comment until I hunted for it.

[@BjorgenEatinger]

There is only 1 problem with this (or so I think). Since you are using the X32 as your "stage box", and it only has 16 input channels, only those 16 inputs can be used for the monitor mix. The other 16 channels of the 32 total would not be usable. That's why it's probably better to go ahead and include a DL32 in the rack as well, so that you can get ANY channel, including the AUXs into the monitor mixes.

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

The DL32 is a nice upgrade because it’s Midas and has the better Pre-Amps. The goal of this video is to show how the routing is done, you can easily add more inputs or change the setup to use a DL32 or a DL16 and still use the 16 from the x32 rack. That’s a nice setup, so you can keep the wireless mic connections in the back of the rack. -Nathan R

[@DrumPeearl]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKq1aauwYq2ViNU If there are2 stereo wireless in ears transmitters they are plugged directly to the 1to4outputs into the rack, why did you select USER -1-4 and 5 to 8 ?

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

Because then I have more options, more flexibility. For example, I don't have to use Outputs 1/2 and 3/4. I could use 5/6, 7/8 if I wanted to. -Nathan R

[@xntricity6446]

Thanks for this breakdown. This may interest you also, Kebu uses this as his central mixer for stage performance kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKC1YYF8pc9gjZY

[@boallmon324]

Sounds very confusing

[@CrazyAmazingDesigns]

It sure can be. What questions do you have?