Introduction; Digital Vs. Analog; Concept; Architecture - Behringer DDX3216 Operating Manual

1. INTRODUCTION

Thank you very much for expressing your confidence in
BEHRINGER products by purchasing the DDX3216.
The BEHRINGER DDX3216 is an enormously powerful and full-
featured digital mixing console based on 24-bit technology.
Despite its compact size, the standard version of this console
offers 16 complete inputs, four aux sends, four effect sends, 16
busses, four on-board effects processors and comprehensive
routing options. Optionally available expansion modules
(AES/EBU, ADAT ® and TDIF) allow you to upgrade your DDX3216
with 32 digital inputs and 32 digital outputs, so as to connect four
digital 8-track recorders or 24-track hard-disk recording systems.
The twelve ultra low-noise microphone preamplifiers featuring
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24-bit CRYSTAL A/D converters can be enhanced by means of
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additional ADAT or TDIF-compliant 8-channel A/D converters to
make sure that your DDX3216 provides enough connection
options even for major-scale live applications. What is more, the
DDX3216 features static and dynamic automation functions
("snapshots") to record parameter changes.
Your DDX3216 is equipped with a large number of ergonomically
placed control elements, which you can use to operate a variety
of functions in a very intuitive way. For example, the console
has 17 faders controlling the levels of 32 input channels, 16
master busses, four aux sends and four internal effect sends
as well as eight effect returns from the on-board effects
processors. The knob, or channel controller on each channel is
even more flexible, as it is always assigned to the same channel
as the fader below it, but it can control any of nine different
parameters on that channel—channel pan or the send level for
one of the four aux or four FX sends. The display with adjustable
contrast gives you a clear picture of various functions, such as
EQ, dynamics, routing, delay, etc. The six master controllers
below the display control the parameters as shown in the display.
To give you maximum flexibility and enable you to work quickly
and intuitively with the DDX3216, we designed the user interface
so that it resembles that of an analog console. The faders made
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by ALPS are motorized, i. e. are automatically set to the correct
position. The channel controllers have LEDs around them
showing their current position. The switches above the faders
are always assigned to the same channel as their faders, and
give you direct access to the solo, mute and select functions. In
addition, there is even a dedicated automation switch per channel.
So, even when the display is used for other control functions,
up to six parameters can be controlled simultaneously using the
rotary controls or master controllers. You will find that the user
interface of your DDX3216 can be operated even more quickly
than that of a huge studio console with hundreds of controls!
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This manual first describes the terminology used,
so that you can fully understand the DDX3216 and
its functions. Please read the manual carefully and
keep it for future reference.

1.1 Digital vs. analog

For quite a long time, the mixing of audio signals has been the
domain of analog mixing consoles. Not only were digital consoles
extremely costly and hence beyond the means of ambitious
amateurs or free-lance owners of project studios, but they were
also looked down upon for lacking the warmth of analog devices.
While digital technologies have found widespread use in effects
processors over the past few years, their prices have gone
down and the concepts of digital mixing consoles have been
reconsidered. Latest research findings in digital signal
processing have made it possible to improve the quality of digital
consoles to such an extent that they are now challenging their
analog competitors. Which benefits do digital mixing consoles
offer?
1. Flexibility in signal processing and routing: since most of
the signal processing is done in the software domain,
designers can let their imagination run free. The functions
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implemented in an analog console are determined by the
hardware used, so that later modifications and updates
are usually impossible. The functionalities of digital mixing
consoles, however, can be expanded with the help of
software updates.
2. The mixing results become "predictable": unlike analog
consoles, which use a sophisticated set of analog com-
ponents to realize a specific audio result, digital signal
processors always give you predictable results, because
audio signals are processed with the help of so-called
algorithms (calculation rules) based on mathematical formu-
las and equations. The designers of such algorithms can
use a wealth of sound possibilities greatly exceeding those
of analog circuits and devices.
3. No noise generation during signal processing: since the
entire signal processing takes places in the mathematical
domain, once the signal has been converted from analog
to digital in the A/D converter, no further noise will be
added in the console. The only noise sources in digital
consoles are preamplifiers and A/D converters of poor
quality, and of course noise-affected signals on the input
will be processed with all the noise components they
contain, while "clean" signals will stay clear throughout
the entire console. Analog consoles, however, always
suffer from the basic noise floor produced by their com-
ponentry, which inevitably adds noise to the audio signal.
4. Since all parameters and operating steps are realized in
the form of discrete values, they can be easily stored and
automated—in the analog world this feature can be provi-
ded by sophisticated and costly consoles only.
A weak point of many digital consoles is their operating concept.
Often, the entire console and all its functions must be operated
from just a few control elements. As you will see in this manual,
it can be done differently. The DDX3216 allows you to operate
each single parameter quickly and intuitively using separate and
dedicated controls. Seeing is believing!
In its basic version, the DDX3216 is equipped with 16 (+ 2)
analog inputs and ten analog outputs, and can be expanded to
32 inputs and 32 outputs (16 at the same time). Each expansion
card contains 8 or 16 digital inputs/outputs for the integration of
digital multi-track or hard-disk recorders, samplers, MIDI modules,
external digital effects or additional A/D and D/A converters.
Expansion cards are available for the standard digital formats
AES/EBU (8 I/O), ADAT
The analog interface section of your DDX3216 comprises 12
mic/line inputs; inputs 13-16 are exclusively designed for line-
level signals. An analog 2-track input allows you to connect a
2-track master recorder and can be assigned to inputs 15 and 16.
The main (XLR, balanced), control room (1/4" TRS, balanced),
phones and four multi outputs (1/4" TRS, balanced) are analog.
The multi outputs are wired to busses aux 1-4, but can be used
individually for any one of the 28 busses available on the DDX3216
(bus 1-16, aux 1-4, FX 1-4, solo L+R and main L+R).
The standard configuration of your DDX3216 also includes a
digital S/PDIF input/output. The digital input is fitted with a sample
rate converter to avoid synchronization problems, and can replace
input channels 13/14. The digital output carries a digital version
of the main output, e. g. to connect a DAT recorder.
When fitted with one of the optional I/O modules, inputs 17-32
become really useful, as they have all of the functionalities of
inputs 1-16, except for the channel delay feature. Also, with an
I/O module fitted, full use can be made of the console's 16 busses
and comprehensive routing facilities.
1. INTRODUCTION

1.2 Concept

1.2.1 Architecture

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(16 I/O) and TDIF (16 I/O).