Behringer Eurodesk SX4882 User Manual

EURODESK SX4882

Subgroup and direct outputs

In this arrangement you might find that compression

tends to soften the perceived amount of EQ applied.

The solution? Apply more EQ. This creates a real “pres-

sure” sound, great for high energy music such as dance.

(For a more subtle approach, use the desk insert points

word for word.)

Using a group insert to effect post EQ processing

precludes the use of POSTPROCESSING AUX SENDS

without some serious re-patching.

Subgroup and direct outputs

Subgroups

5.1

The principal routes to the multitrack are via the SUBGROUP

OUTPUTS. There are four stereo (or eight mono) subgroups,

numbered 1 to 8. All main channels can access all of them, as

can the STEREO AUX RETURNS 1 and 2. (For this reason it is

usually wise to bring your best two FX processors back on these

returns (or A-channels, for that matter), so that they can easily be

sent to tape. (See also section 6.1 “Aux masters”.)
Why are there 16 subgroup output jacks on the EURODESK

when there are only 8 subgroups? Well, each subgroup output is

duplicated, so that the EURODESK can interface with up to 16

tracks via the group outputs without having to re-patch.
As well as always functioning as subgroups for track laying via

the SUBGROUP OUTPUTS, groups can be routed directly into

the main mix bus for submixing. Main mix routing is handled by

switches S37 and S38. S37 routes an odd numbered group to

the left bus, while S38 sends an even numbered subgroup to

the right bus. That’s fine for stereo submixes. If you want a pair

of mono submixes instead, also press the MONO buttons (S35

and S36). Now these subgroups feed into the center of the main

mix stereo image, i.e. equally to L and R. You could have the first

subgroup feeding into the left hand side, while the second one

appears in mono, but we can’t think of many real situations where

you’d want to do this.
Subgroup SOLO (S33 + S34) follows the mix assignment. E.g.: If

the main mix is selected, then that stereo subgroup will be moni-

tored in stereo. If mono is also selected, monitoring is in mono.

Try inserting compression / de-essing / an exciter / a gate

across grouped signals (e.g. backing vocals, drums,

layered synths).

Stereo subgroup channel schematic

Fig. 5.1:

Try merging a dry signal with a little wet, then compress-

ing the sum heavily. Though the reverb proportion will

be low when a signal is present, the resultant reverb

tail pumped up by the compressor at the start of each

silence will give the illusion that the reverb was massive

alt the time. (The listener will be left wondering how the

singer could sound so clear in such a wet acoustic!)

EURODESK insert points are, of course, simultaneously

inputs and outputs. Get them onto a patchbay, where

they can appear as independent sockets, and do away

with all these fiddly Yleads that always seem to be the

first to get knotted in the flightcase. (See section 8

“The patchfield”.) Now it is possible to do the follow-

ing incredibly useful patch without having to make up

what would amount to a ring-to-tip, tip-to-ring stereo

patch lead.

Using insert to add channel EQ to subgroup out-

Fig. 5.2:

put (while keeping the number of line inputs unchanged!)

Direct outputs

5.2

Each of the 24 main channels on the EURODESK SX4882 has its

own DIRECT OUTPUT, which is taken from a point immediately