The Mixer Output Guide
Courtesy of Silent Way Remote Audio Recording and Audio Equipment Rental.
Audio mixer inputs are well documented, but output specifications are buried in manuals. This guide to the poor neglected output describes direct outs, inserts, hidden mods and more.
There are two ways to do a live recording: use a mic-splitter with dedicated mic preamps, or hope that the direct outputs on the house board don't suck. House direct outs are risky if they're post-fader/EQ, inaccessible, bad mic pres etc. Whether you call it a console, mixer, board or desk, plan ahead with this list. Your contributions and corrections are encouraged.
TS/RR: tip=send, ring=return. A "first click" insert is a semi-direct out: an unbalanced 1/4" TS plug inserted half-way will send signal without interrupting it to the mix bus. Plugged all the way in, it is a direct out which interrupts.
Sort the list by clicking on a header. 79 mixers matched current criteria.
| Make | Model | Direct Out | Insert |
DO Gain Control |
Notes | Price It | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundcraft | Series Two | 1/4" TRS switchable pre/post fader. (0dBu, +22 max, 75ohm impedence balanced) | 1/4" insert is pre-EQ. | no |
"DIR PRE" button makes DO pre-fader/pre-mute. 40 channel model is 26/16... |
Details | |
| Allen + Heath | GL2800 | 1/4" TRS (impedance balanced) | 1/4" TS/RR, post-HPF, pre-EQ | no | Use the channel recessed PRE-EQ switches (under aux send 1-2) to change... |
Price It |
Details |
| Allen + Heath | GL2400 | 1/4" TRS impedance-balanced, on mono inputs only | 1/4" on mono inputs only, TS/RR. | no |
Direct Out default factory setting is pre-insert, pre-EQ, pre-fade.... |
Details | |
| Midas | Siena | 1/4" TRS, impedance balanced, 0dBu | 1/4", TS/RR, 0dBu | no |
Direct Out is post fader by default. Internal jumper has four other... |
Details | |
| Soundcraft | LX7ii | 1/4" TRS switchable pre/post fader. (75Ω) | 1/4" insert is pre-EQ. (75Ω) | no |
When "DIR PRE" button is off, DO is post-EQ/post-mute/post-fader. When... |
Details | |
| Mackie | SR 24•4 | no, "first click" on (-10) insert jack | 1/4" unbal, pre-EQ, pre-fader, pre-mute, TS/RR | no |
This 24-channel mixer has twenty mono input channels/faders and two... |
Details | |
| Mackie | SR 32•4 | no, "first click" on (-10) insert jack | 1/4" unbal, pre-EQ, pre-fader, pre-mute, TS/RR | no |
This mixer has 28 mic/line mono, and 2 stereo line channels. The... |
Details | |
| Mackie | SR 24•4-VLZ Pro | no, "first click" on (-10) insert jack | 1/4" unbal, pre-EQ, pre-fader, pre-mute, TS/RR | no |
This 24-channel mixer has twenty mono input channels/faders and two... |
Details | |
| Mackie | SR 32•4-VLZ Pro | no, "first click" on (-10) insert jack | 1/4" unbal, pre-EQ, pre-fader, pre-mute, TS/RR | no |
This mixer has 28 mic/line mono, and 2 stereo line channels. The... |
Details | |
| Soundcraft | 200B | none | 1/4" TRS, Ring=send, Tip=return (!) | no |
The 200B was available with 8, 16 or 24 input modules (and an optional... |
Details | |
| Behringer | XENYX 1832FX | None | TS/RR inserts on first 6 mono channels | no |
USB 2-input/2-output audio interface built-in. Aux sends: 1 pre fader,... |
Price It | Details |
| Roland | M-480 | None | None | no |
48 mono input (or 24 stereo in) line-level rackmounted mixer with no... |
Details | |
| Yamaha | PM1000 | None | None | no |
Circa 1975. XLRs are pin 2 hot. |
Price It |
Details |
| Crest | X 20R | 1/4" TRS, on first 12 channels, post fader (50 ohms ground compensated) | 1/4" TSRR, post-HPF, pre-eq, pre-fader, pre-mute. | no |
Complex internal soldering mod to make direct out prefader. Aux send... |
Details | |
| Yamaha | PM3500 | 1/4", post-fader, pre-mute (internally switchable to be pre-EQ and/or post-mute) | Separate TRS jacks, switchable on/off via "Insert" switch (also internal switch chooses pre/post) | no |
The matrix and eight group outs are XLR. See page 34 of... |
Details | |
| Allen + Heath | Zed-14 | none | 1/4" TSRR, 0 dBu, post 100Hz filter, pre EQ | no |
Insert is post-HPF, pre-EQ and operates at 0dBu. Aux sends 1 and 2 are... |
Details | |
| Mackie | 1402VLZ | no dedicated direct out. use "first click" on (-10) insert jack. | 1/4" unbalanced, post-trim, post-low cut, pre-EQ, pre-fader, TS/RR. Send= 120 ohm low impedance. Return= 2.5k ohm high impedance. | no |
Also known as the Micro Series "MS1402VLZ". See p. 26 of... |
Details | |
| Mackie | 1402VLZ PRO | no dedicated direct out. use "first click" on (-10) insert jack. | 1/4" unbalanced, post-trim, post-low cut, pre-EQ, pre-fader, TS/RR. Send= 120 ohm low impedance. Return= 2.5k ohm high impedance. | no |
See p. 25 of... |
Details | |
| Mackie | 1402-VLZ3 | no dedicated direct out. use "first click" on (-10) insert jack on first 6 inputs. | 1/4" unbalanced, post-trim, post-low cut, pre-EQ, pre-fader, TS/RR. Send= 120 ohm low impedance. Return= 2.5k ohm high impedance. | no |
This mixer has no official modifications. However, previous models... |
Details | |
| Allen + Heath | GL3800 | 1/4" TRS (impedance balanced, 0dBu) | 1/4" TS/RR, post-HPF, pre-EQ, 0dBu | no |
Direct Out has internal option jumpers for each channel. The factory... |
Price It |
Details |
