Main Mix - Behringer DDX3216 Operating Manual

Channel level meter
Each fader has a channel level meter assigned to it. Depending
on the active fader bank, this meter reads the pre-fader or pre-
processing levels (inputs), or the post-fader output level (outputs
such as bus, aux and FX). Normally, the channel meter follows
the fader bank settings and reads the level of its associated
fader. However, it can also display the levels of a fader bank
preset in the METERS menu. For example, the meters can read
channels 1-16, while the faders actually control channels 17-32.
Always use the highest levels possible, but make sure that the
red CLIP LED does not light up. Clipping can be the source of
unpleasant digital distortion in the input/output sections of a digital
console, where the signals are converted into analog or fixed-
point digital signals.
CHANNEL CONTROL
The channel controller above the faders is basically assigned
to the same channel as the fader located below it. Depending on
what has been selected in the CHANNEL CONTROL bank, it can
adjust up to nine different parameters of the channel (pan or the
send level for one of the four aux or FX sends). The eleven LEDs
grouped around the controller read its current position.
The channel controller functions are not enabled for all
channels in the various fader banks. For example, the bus output
have no aux, FX send or pan controls. In this case, the channel
controllers are inoperative, their LEDs do not light up.
SELECT switch
Use the SELECT switch to select a channel for on-screen
editing, and for pairing or grouping several channels. Normally,
only one channel can be selected at a time. When you select a
channel that belongs to a channel pair, the SELECT switch of the
other channel starts flashing. Now, all changes made to the
selected channel will affect the other channel as well. When
you select a channel that belongs to a group of channels, only
the fader setting will be transferred to the other group channels.
AUTO/REC switch
The AUTO/REC button controls the dynamic automation (see
chapter 11 "DYNAMIC AUTOMATION"). When automation is off
(AUTOMATION menu via SETUP switch), the AUTO/REC switch
activates the SNAPSHOT SAFE function, which is indicated by a
flashing green LED in the switch. A channel in SNAPSHOT SAFE
mode remains unaffected when you load a stored snapshot
(RECALL).
SOLO switch
The SOLO switch sends the signal of the selected channel to
a solo bus that is routed to the control room and/or phones
outputs. The MAIN MIX signal is unaffected by this switch. Both
PFL (pre-fader listening) and AFL (after-fader listing) modes are
available and displayed in the MONITOR menu. For solo to function,
the SOLO ENABLE switch in the main channel strip must be
pressed and the 2 TK TO CTRL R switch must be off. All channels
(even those muted) can be soloed.
The solo function is available for all input channels, effect
returns, master busses and aux/FX masters. Any number of
input channels and FX returns can be routed simultaneously to
the solo bus, but only two output channels (master bus and aux/
FX master). When you select a third channel, the first channel
soloed will be disabled automatically. More information on the
solo function can be found in chapter 6.2 "Solo function".
MUTE switch
The MUTE switch mutes the channel. The GROUP function
allows you to create MUTE groups. Muted channels can still be
soloed. The MUTE switch has two operating modes: pre or post-
fader (PREFS page in SETUP menu). When CHANNEL MUTE
AFTER FADER is on, the MUTE switch is effective only on the
post-fader send signals or the post-fader bus routing. When
CHANNEL MUTE AFTER FADER is off, all sends and the entire
bus routing (both pre and post-fader) are muted.
2. CONTROL ELEMENTS AND CONNECTORS

2.4.2 Main Mix

Fig. 2.13: MAIN fader
MAIN fader
The MAIN fader controls the level of the stereo main mix, which
is also indicated by the MAIN meter in the display.
CHANNEL CONTROL
The channel controller in the MAIN strip works like the channel
controllers in the channel strips. It controls the BALANCE of the
left/right main signals. As long as MAIN CONTROL AS AUX/FX
MASTER is activated on the PREFS page in the SETUP menu, the
channel controller additionally adjusts one of the aux/FX master
send levels. Use one of the CHANNEL CONTROL buttons in the
left switch block in order to select the relevant aux/FX master
send (see chapter 12.3.4 "MAIN CONTROL AS AUX/FX MASTER").
SELECT switch
The SELECT switch selects the MAIN strip for on-screen editing.
AUTO/REC switch
The AUTO/REC switch controls the dynamic automation. When
automation is off, the AUTO/REC switch activates the SNAPSHOT
SAFE function, which is indicated by a flashing green LED in the
switch. A channel in SNAPSHOT SAFE mode remains unaffected
when you load a stored snapshot (RECALL).
SOLO ENABLE switch
The SOLO ENABLE switch activates the solo function, which
replaces the main mix signal in the control room or phones outputs
by the selected channel signal. When SOLO ENABLE is off, the
solo function is not available, i. e. pressing a SOLO switch in an
input/output channel will have no effect.
When SOLO ENABLE is on, the solo bus is routed to the control
room bus, as soon as you press one of the channel SOLO
switches; the LED of the SOLO ENABLE switch starts flashing.
Pressing SOLO ENABLE again will cancel all solo settings.
+
When the 2 TK TO CTRL R switch is pressed, the
solo signal is not routed to the control room output.
MON -20 dB switch
This switch reduces the level of the signal sent to the control
room output by 20 dB. When the 2 TK TO CTRL R switch is
pressed, this function has no effect on the control room signal.
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