Behringer Eurodesk SX4882 User Manual

EURODESK SX4882

Input/output channel

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.

Metering

2.2

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.

Input/output channel

Channel strip

3.1

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”).

Input switching

3.2

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.

Input

Fig. 3.1:

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.

Channel input switching architecture

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).

Input gain setting

3.3

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.