Tapco Blend 16 User Manual

Configuration: 
1.  Connect your mics and instruments to the mixer’s 

inputs (leave channels 15-16 unused).

2.  Connect your amplifier/speaker system (or 

powered speakers) to the Control Room outputs, 
or connect headphones to the Phones output. 
Keep the Control Room and Phones level controls 
down for now. Press Main Mix in the Control Room 
source section, (you’ll be monitoring the main mix).

3.  Assign those channels you want to record to 

subgroups 1-2, but NOT to L-R main mix (i.e., press 
down the 1-2 switch on each channel, but leave 
each L-R switch up).

4.  Use PAN on each channel to select if the mics or 

instruments go to subgroup 1 or 2. For example, to 
record a vocal microphone and an electric guitar 
at once, route the mic to subgroup 1 (PAN fully left, 
and 1-2 down) and the guitar to subgroup 2 (PAN 
fully right, 1-2 down).

5.  Press the USB SOURCE switch 

down; copies of 

subgroups 1-2 are fed to the USB’s A/D converter 
and sent to your computer’s DAW software.

6.  Sing or play, at normal performance levels and 

adjust the USB OUTPUT LEVEL knob to avoid 
clipping the USB A/D converter.

Here is where Direct Monitoring comes in:
7.  To listen to the direct sounds as you record, assign 

subgroups 1-2 to the main mix, using the L and R 
switches above the subgroup faders. Carefully turn 
up the Control Room level and/or Phones level 
a little, then use the subgroup faders to control 
the volume of what you are hearing. (They do 
not affect the signal levels sent to the computer, 
since the signals are tapped before the subgroup 
faders.)

8.  To perform an overdub and hear some previously 

recorded material (such as a drum beat) to play 
along to while recording, press the USB button on 
channels 15-16 and assign 15-16 to the main mix. 

Configuration:
1.  Follow steps 1 to 6 above to get your sounds into 

the computer, using subgroups 1-2. Do not assign 
the subgroups to the main mix.

Here is where Software Monitoring comes in:
2.  To listen through the software as you record, 

engage software monitoring in your DAW for the 
Blend 16 inputs. You will then be able to listen to 
the tracks while you are recording, including any 
software effects you might have added. This is 
done differently for each DAW, so consult your 
software’s manual if you are unsure how to do this. 
In Tracktion, you would enable “end to end” on 
the Blend 16 inputs.

3.  On your DAW, place any software effects you 

would like to “monitor through while recording” 
onto the tracks coming in from the Blend 16.

4.  Press the USB button on channels 15-16 and assign 

15-16 to the L-R, but not to subgroups 1-2.

5.  Press Main Mix in the Control Room source section 

and you will hear the signals you will record 
(through their effects) along with playback from 
any previously recorded tracks. 

Main aim:
 

Use the computer as a sound source for playback 
during a live performance, or as the main sound 
source for their DJ set.

Configuration:  
•  Setup your mixer for your live show as you normally 

would, but leaving channels 15-16 unused.

•  Open your music software on your computer and 

configure it to output to the Blend 16.

•  Press the USB button on channels 15-16.  The 

output of your computer will now feed these 
channels.

•  Using the channel 15-16 controls, route the 

incoming audio from your computer to the Auxes, 
Effects sends, subgroups, and/or Main L-R as 
needed, just as you would any other channel.

•  If you would also like to record your show, you 

can send your main mix back to your computer 
for recording. Be sure software monitoring is NOT 
enabled in your DAW or you might get a feedback 
loop and could damage your ears and speakers.

Laptop

Channel

15 and 16

Main Mix

Ch 15-16

Faders

Subgroup 1-2

USB

Main Mix

Laptop

Subgroup

Faders

Subgroup 1-2

USB