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 2 | Use Group Outputs, XLR? |
NOTE: This 1970's model is a different model than the recent "Series... |
Details | |||
| Avid | Venue D-Show |
Formerly branded as Digidesign. This control surface has no inputs or... |
Details | ||||
| Crest | Century LM20 | Details | |||||
| Avid | Venue Profile |
Formerly branded as Digidesign. This control surface has no inputs or... |
Details | ||||
| Yamaha | LS9-16 | 8 analog "omni" XLR outputs plus card slot |
The Yamaha LS9-16 has 16-mic/line inputs, 8 analog "omni" XLR outputs,... |
Details | |||
| Yamaha | LS9-32 | 16 analog "omni" XLR outputs plus card slot |
The Yamaha LS9-32 has 32-mic/line inputs, 16 analog "omni" XLR outputs... |
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| Midas | PRO2 | yes |
The PRO2 comes in two form factors (the PRO2C is more compact). Eight... |
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| Allen + Heath | GL3300 | 1/4", post fader | 1/4" | no |
Internal mod can switch DO pre/post (requires solder), default is post... |
Details | |
| Soundcraft | Vienna | 1/4", switchable pre/post EQ? | 1/4" | yes |
Aux 8 knob is switchable to become gain control for DO. (A seperate "... |
Details | |
| Presonus | StudioLive 16.4.2 | 16 ch on DB25 pre-insert balanced | 1/4" |
Built-in FireWire for "up to 32 channels of recording and up to 18... |
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 | |
| 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 | |
| Midas | Venice | TRS balanced, on mono inputs only, | 1/4" on mono inputs only, TS/RR |
Direct Out is post-fader post-EQ by factory default. Internal... |
Details | ||
| Midas | Verona | TRS balanced, "impedance balanced" on mono inputs only, post EQ pre mute by factory default, internal jumper mod for pre EQ/pre insert. 0dBu. | 1/4" on mono inputs only, TS/RR, Pre-EQ. "Multi Function" channels are different, see manual. | no |
DO factory default is post EQ pre mute, internal jumper sets DO pre EQ... |
Details | |
| Allen + Heath | GL2200 | 1/4" TRS impedance-balanced, pre-fader (switchable internally to post), on mono inputs only. | 1/4" on mono inputs only, TS/RR. | no |
Internal link option involving re-soldering of circuit board links... |
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 | |
| Panasonic | DA7 | Digital only | 1/4" send-return unbal TS/RR, +4 10kOhm, pre-EQ, pre-fader | no |
Insert is pre A/D converter. DO is digitally routable to card slots.... |
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 | |
| Yamaha | MG series | no | 1/4" TS/RR, post-EQ, pre-fader | no |
More MG models:... |
Details | |
| Allen + Heath | GL2800M | Mic level passive splitter, XLR out | 1/4" TS/RR, post-HPF, pre-EQ | Has a built-in microphone-level passive splitter on each channel ("Y", not... |
Price It |
Details |
