Input/Output Routing; Multi Outputs; Assigning Signals To The Multi Outputs; Input Routing - Behringer DDX3216 Operating Manual

8. INPUT/OUTPUT ROUTING

8.1 MULTI outputs

Your DDX3216 is equipped with four freely assignable analog
MULTI outputs. These outputs are on balanced 1/4" TRS
connectors with a nominal level of +4 dBu, but can also be
connected to unbalanced phone connectors. The MULTI outputs
allow you to send any signal from the console via one of the
analog outputs (e. g. for monitor mixes, as analog FX sends,
monitor paths, etc.). By default, the MULTI outputs are assigned
to aux 1-4.

8.1.1 Assigning signals to the MULTI outputs

The signals routed to the MULTI outputs are controlled on the
MULTI page in the I/O menu.
Fig. 8.1: MULTI page in I/O menu
On this page, internal mixer signals can be assigned to the
MULTI outputs, using four lists (one per output). To edit an
assignment, turn or press the corresponding master controller
and scroll the list of available options. The selected signals are
then routed to the MULTI outputs.
The settings in the I/O menu are stored as part of a snapshot
automation. When you recall a snapshot, however, the routing
for the MULTI outputs will be loaded only if checkbox "I/O
ROUTING" below "Recall also" is checked (see chapter 10.3
"Loading snapshots").
8.2 Input/output routing
Your DDX3216 features a flexible input/output routing system.
In combination with the optional I/O modules, the routing section
also provides digital format converter and digital patchbay
functionalities ("router"). You can convert signals from one digital
format to another, and route them from any input to any output—
all in the digital domain. Naturally, all settings are stored with a
snapshot automation, so that even the intricate routings of a
complex recording or mixdown can be restored within a few
seconds.

8.2.1 Input routing

The 32 channel signals on your DDX3216 can come from a
variety of signal sources: analog inputs, I/O modules, and even
mix busses. The inputs are assigned in blocks of eight, which
enhances the flexibility of your DDX3216 considerably. Below
please find just a few examples of what is possible:
1. For a 24-track mixdown, you could use 24 digital input signals
from a digital recorder, and still have eight analog inputs
available for synthesizers, analog effect returns, etc.
2. To apply some extra processing to submixes using the
busses, you could assign channels 1-16 to the 16 analog
inputs, and channels 17-24 to the digital inputs of an I/O
module. These could then be mixed to busses 1-8. Then,
assign busses 1-8 to channels 25-32, so as to transform
these channels into 8 master busses complete with EQ
and dynamics. Finally, channels 25-32 could be routed to
the aux paths for monitoring or mix down via the stereo
main mix. Busses 9-16 could be used to feed a P. A. system
or recording machine.
3. For a live gig with recording, you could assign channels
1-16 and 17-32 to the analog inputs 1-16 to make completely
independent recording and P. A. mixes. The aux sends would
still be available for several independent monitor mixes.
The input routing is controlled on the INPUT page in the I/O
menu (press the I/O switch in the left switch block, until the
INPUT page is displayed), with the help of the four left master
controllers. Various audio signals can be assigned to the 32
channel strips by using this four-groups-of-8 configuration (see
table 8.1).
When you have changed any settings, the new assignments
will be finalized only after pressing ENTER.
The right side of the display shows the assignments for the
internal direct outputs (DI 1-32). If busses 1-16 or AUX/MMR are
selected for one or several groups of 8, these signals are not
assigned to the direct outputs. Only when you select the analog
or digital inputs (via an I/O module), will the signals be assigned
simultaneously to the direct outputs.
The settings in the I/O menu, including the input routing, are
stored as part of a snapshot automation. However, when
recalling a snapshot, the input routing will be loaded only if the
checkbox "I/O ROUTING" below "Recall also" is checked (see
chapter 10.3 "Loading snapshots").
+
Be careful when assigning master bus outputs to
the input channels! For example, if you assigned
busses 1-8 to channels 1-8, you could return e. g.
channel 1 to bus 1, which would lead to internal
feedback problems.
Abbreviation
AN 1-8
AN 9-16
MOD1 1-8
MOD1 9-16
MOD2 1-8
MOD2 9-16
BUS 1-8
BUS 9-16
AUX/MMR
Tab. 8.1: Available signal sources for the 32 channel strips of
The primary task of the AUX/MMR option is to provide channel
processing functions (equalization, dynamics, etc.) for the aux
sends. For instance, you could use this option to assign aux
sends 1-4, the left/right main and the left/right solo bus to channels
25-32. In this case, channels 25-32 should be routed to busses 9-
16, while busses 9-12 are routed to the MULTI outputs to give you
four aux paths with a complete set of channel processing functions.
The output routing system is a virtual "digital patchbay" for the
outputs of optionally available digital I/O modules. In this way, you
can route almost any mixer signal to the outputs of an I/O module.
Below please find a few examples of what is possible (the
possibilities are almost endless):
1. Live recording: The 16 outputs of an I/O module are assigned
to channels 1-16, i. e. you can make a 16-track recording
of the input signals fed into the console, eliminating the
need to use the busses, and ensuring that "clean" signals,
without equalization or compression, are recorded. If back-
up is required, you can assign two I/O modules to the same
output—even if they are using different formats.
8. INPUT/OUTPUT ROUTING
Fig. 8.2: INPUT page in the I/O menu
Sources
Analog inputs 1 to 8
Analog inputs 9 to 16
Inputs 1 to 8 of I/O module 1
Inputs 9 to 16 of I/O module 1
Inputs 1 to 8 of I/O module 2
Inputs 9 to 16 of I/O module 2
Outputs of master busses 1 to 8
Outputs of master busses 9 to 16
Aux 1 to 4, main L a. R, solo L a. R
the DDX3216

8.2.2 Output routing

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