Behringer Digital Mixer X32 User Manual

X32 DIGITAL MIXER Preliminary User Manual

We recommend switching the X32 on before any active sound reinforcement 

system is connected. The function called “Safe Main Levels”, located in the 

Setup/General Preferences screen, automatically turns down the main LRC bus 

levels when booting the console, and also prevents any scene loading actions 

from affecting (specifically turning up) the main levels.
Synchronization and Sample Rate settings can also be adjusted on the 

Setup/Config page, but please note that changing the sample rate will require a 

console reboot.

Note that if the X32 console has previously been in use by somebody else, and you 

feel unsure about its actual status, you can reset it to default settings in either of 

two convenient ways:
1.  While the console is booting up and the “X32” logo appears on the screen, 

press and  hold  the “Scenes / UNDO” button, keeping it depressed until the 

console is fully operational and the Home screen is displayed. The console 

will now be in the exact same state as it was when first shipped from the 

factory. However, you can immediately revert back to the status the console 

was in before being switched off by pressing the Scenes/UNDO button.

2.  You can also reset the console any time after booting by pressing 

“Setup/Config” -> “Initialize”.

The X32 regularly stores the console’s status to its onboard flash memory, 

so there is usually nothing wrong with switching it off, and you do not have to 

explicitly save the current status. However, when a large number of parameters 

have been recently changed, storing all of them to flash can take up to 1 minute, 

in a “worst-case” scenario. In order to prevent any errors by losing power during 

this type of storage operation, we recommend using the “Safe Shutdown” 

function from the Setup/Global page, an operation similar to un-mounting a 

USB thumb-drive from your PC.

Updates:
The X32 firmware can easily be updated by plugging a USB stick into the top 

panel USB connector after a firmware update file has been downloaded and 

stored on the root level of the attached drive. Simply insert the USB drive while 

the console is turned off, then power on the console. While booting, the X32 will 

run a fully automatic firmware update, which might take 2-3 minutes longer than 

the regular boot sequence.
The USB socket is not suitable for other non-memory USB devices like keyboards, 

mice, lamps, etc. 

The X32 comes pre-configured with the local XLR inputs connected to input 

channels 1-32, and XLR outputs 1-14 connected to the mix bus masters 1-14. 

Bus masters 13-16 are connected to the effects inputs FX1-4. The Main LR (stereo) 

signal is normally put out on XLR outputs 15/16. 
The Monitoring outputs on ¼" and XLR connectors, and the two Phones outputs 

(in the side-cap handles) always carry either the Monitor Source signal or any solo 

signal, whenever a solo button is active. Press the View button in the Monitor 

section to check or change the solo and monitoring preferences.
1.  Power up the X32 console first, before any connected power amps or 

speakers are switched on.

2.  Connect cables to XLR outputs 15 and 16 on the rear panel, connecting the 

other ends of the cables to the inputs of your P.A. system. These normally 

carry the main stereo bus left and right.

3.  All buses or input channels that are to be put out on the main PA system 

must have their Stereo Bus switches on. Use the selected channel’s pan 

control to place the signal within the main stereo field, and the channel’s 

fader to set the volume.

4.  Use the rear panel Monitoring outputs to connect monitor speakers or, if you 

prefer, use the ¼" outputs in the sidecaps to connect your head phones. 

You will either hear the monitor source signal, which is Main Stereo by 

default, or any channel with its solo button being active.

1.  Press the Select button of a desired input channel (for example, channel 1 on 

the “Channels 1-16” input layer) and make sure the channel fader is down. 

2.  In the channel processing section in the upper left hand corner, make sure 

the phantom power is switched off.

3.  Connect a microphone to XLR input 1 on the X32’s rear panel.
4.  Press the 48V button to switch phantom power on for channel 1 

(if the microphone requires it, such as a condenser microphone).

5.  Use the Gain control to adjust the gain level as necessary, using the input 

meter as a guide. 

6.  Switch on and adjust the Low Cut filter as needed to remove rumble or 

wind noise.

7.  Adjust the channel equalizer controls to sculpt the sound quality of the 

microphone signal.

8.  Adjust the channel Gate and Compressor controls as desired. Note that by 

pressing the “view” button in the compressor or gate section, the main 

screen will switch to the compressor or gate display for the selected channel, 

offering additional compressor or gate controls beyond the dedicated 

top-panel controls. 

9.  Turn on the “Stereo Bus” switch in order to route the selected signal to 

the main LR, then adjust the Pan control to place the signal within the 

stereo field.

10.  Adjust the Channel 1 fader to the 0 dB region, then slowly turn up the main 

LR fader until you hear the mic signal amplified through your P.A. system.