Metering; Input/Output Channel; Channel Strip; Input Switching - Behringer EURODESK SX4882 User Manual

In remix mode 48 channels are available, all with EQ and access
to the aux buses. There are six additional stereo FX returns,
giving a grand total of 60 separate line-level inputs: and that's
before you even consider using the subgroup insert points to
provide eight more!
There are six aux buses accessed by four potentiometers, two
headphone mixes and professional recording, monitoring and
talkback facilities. If you can afford to lose the extra 24 line inputs,
the MIX-B bus can also act as a separate stereo aux send, giving
eight aux buses in all.
A comprehensive set of inputs and outputs include MIC (+48 V),
line, tape (+4 dBu or -10 dBV), inserts all round, direct channel
outs and all master recorder and monitoring options. Just about
everything you'd expect from a massive console.
In addition, a 1/4" jack expander bay (INPUT ONLY) allows direct
patching into all buses within the EURODESK (except PFL and
SOLO). Hence two EURODESK consoles may be linked, or the
EURODESK coupled to ANY OTHER CONSOLE, large or small,
provided that the other console has (or can be MADE to have)
similar access (see section 19 "Expanding the EURODESK").
Last, and probably least, two BNC connectors on top of the built-in
meterbridge await optional gooseneck desk lights, available from
all good gooseneck desk light stores. A must for those darkened
auditoria, or when you're into your third consecutive night in the
studio.
2.2

Metering

The 1 to 24 channels have signal (-20 dB, L25) and overload
LEDs (PEAK, L24).
The built-in meterbridge provides 12 segment bargraph meters
for all channels and subgroups as well as for the main mix. By
the DISPLAY MODE switch (S100, top left of the master section)
you decide between CHANNEL and TAPE MODE. Your choice
will be indicated by a LED.
In CHANNEL MODE, which is the best for live mixing purposes,
the LED meters read the channel's direct OUTPUT, which is post
EQ, post mute and post fader (you may alter that to pre mute and
pre fader by the modification described in APPENDIX II.3).
In TAPE MODE the channel meters will mirror the multitrack's
meters, because they read the tape return inputs – after the
OPERATING LEVEL switch, but unaffected by anything else
happening in the channel. 0 dB is referenced to the selected tape
operating level (+4 dBu or -10 dBV).
The main mix meters double up as mono PFL or stereo SOLO
meters, or 2-track return meters, or EXTERNAL return meters (in
general, what you HEAR is what you SEE). During PFL/SOLO
only the main mix bargraph meters illuminate.
In SOLO/PFL mode a 0 dB meter reading matches an
+
internal operating level of 0 dBu (0.775 V). However,
when looking at the mix, 0 dB is referenced to +4 dBu, the
2-track operating level. I.e. if only ONE signal is present
in the main mix bus, SOLOing that signal will cause the
meter reading to increase by +4 dB.
3.

Input/output channel

3.1

Channel strip

On the EURODESK SX4882 the 24 INPUT + OUTPUT (I/O or
"normal") channels cover most of the console. Most of each strip
is occupied by the main or A-CHANNEL, accepting MIC, LINE
or TAPE inputs, depending on the positions of S1 and S3 (see
fig. 3.1 and 3.2). Each channel strip also sports a secondary
B-CHANNEL (fig. 3.6) Anything routed to a B-channel is directed
to a separate MIX-B bus. (See section 3.7 "B-channel" and also
section 6.2 "MIX-B master").
3.2

Input switching

First, look at the MIC/LINE switch S1. In the UP position it selects
MIC, in the DOWN position LINE. The next switch S3 chooses
whether A-channel looks at INPUT or TAPE. If INPUT is routed
to A-channel, TAPE is offered to B-channel. If TAPE is routed
to A-channel, INPUT is offered to B-channel. Depressing the
PAD switch (S1a) lowers an incoming mic signal by -20 dB, if
necessary.
When laying tracks, it is usual to use the MIX-B inputs for moni-
toring the signal from TAPE, while the A-channels take care of
microphones, Dl's, etc. For MIXING purposes, TAPE tracks are
normally "flipped" onto the main channels, leaving the B-channels
free for other applications, such as offering extra line inputs. These
rules are, however, made to be broken.
S23 applies to the B-channel only and replaces the normal TAPE
or INPUT source with a tap from the main channel, taken post
mute and pre fader. Now MIX-B acts as an extra stereo aux send
or extra stereo mix. You should remove MIX-B from the main mix
(via S48, master section) in this configuration.
Fig. 3.2:
+ The B-channels 25 to 48 are only routable EN BLOC to
the main mix, via S48. Therefore, the MIX-B bus can only
have one function at any one time, either as a stereo AUX
or secondary mix send (S48 UP) or as a set of 24 extra
line or tape inputs to the main mix (S48 DOWN).
The channel input level is set by the TRIMPOT (P2). Use SOLO/
PFL (S26) to bring the channel's input onto the L/R bargraph
meters under the master section of the EURODESK SX4882.
This also sends the SOLO/PFLed signal to the left and right
speakers. Channel PFL/SOLO (S26) has an associated LED
(L26). (See also 13.1 "A-channel setting up procedure" and 6.5
"PFL/SOLO".)
For level-setting (as opposed to localized listening)
+
choose to use the mono PFL rather than the post fader
SOLO bus (S95 DOWN).
+ SOLO/PFL never interrupts the mix at the main recording
outputs. It follows that aux sends and subgroups must
also be unaffected, since they can contribute directly
to the main mix.
In addition to switchable PFL/SOLO metering, a couple of LEDs
(L24 and L25) continuously monitor whether a signal is present
(-20 dB) or the channel is going into overload (PEAK). These take
their cue from three test points: input, post EQ and post fader. In
all cases the higher level wins. You do NOT want the overload
light to come on, or if it does no more than very intermittently
during a take or a mix.
Input/output channel
EURODESK SX4882
Fig. 3.1: Input
Channel input switching architecture
3.3

Input gain setting

5