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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midas | Heritage 3000 | XLR, post-EQ, pre-fader. PRE switch makes DO pre-insert, pre-EQ AND pre-mute. | TRS, separate send and return jacks, post-EQ. PRE switch makes insert pre-EQ. INS switch engages return. | yes |
Transformer Balancing Option on DO. |
Details | |
| Midas | Heritage 2000 | XLR, post-EQ, pre-fader. PRE switch makes DO pre-insert, pre-EQ AND pre-mute. | TRS, separate send and return jacks, post-EQ. PRE switch makes insert pre-EQ. INS switch engages return. | yes |
Transformer Balancing Option on DO. |
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 | |
| Yamaha | MG series | no | 1/4" TS/RR, post-EQ, pre-fader | no |
More MG models:... |
Details | |
| Yamaha | M2000 | 1/4", switchable pre/post EQ, switchable pre/post fader | ? | yes |
Aux 6 knob is switchable to become gain control for DO post-EQ/post-... |
Details | |
| Yamaha | PM4000 | 1/4", post-fader (internally switchable to be post-pad, post-gain, pre-EQ, pre-HPF) | Separate TRS jacks, switchable post-EQ/pre-fader OR pre-EQ/pre-fader via "Insert Pre" switch | no |
Matrix and group outs are XLR. See page 89 of... |
Details | |
| Yamaha | PM5000 | TRS, pre-EQ, pre-fader, pre-mute (internally switchable to be post-EQ and/or post-mute) | Separate TRS jacks, switchable pre/post EQ via "Pre" switch | no |
See... |
Details | |
| Yamaha | MC3210M | no | no | Details | |||
| Yamaha | PM1000 | None | None | no |
Circa 1975. XLRs are pin 2 hot. |
Price It |
Details |
| Yamaha | PM3000 | The INSERT OUT jack serves as a 1/4" unbalanced +4 direct out if nothing is in the IN jack. | Insert IN is balanced, insert OUT is unbalanced |
From the manual: "INSERT IN/OUT jacks are wired in a "normalled"... |
Details | ||
| Yamaha | M7CL | Stock with 16 XLR "omni outs" (M7CL-32/48) or 8 XLR "omni outs" (M7CL-48ES). | Stock with 16 XLR "omni outs" (M7CL-32/48) or 8 XLR "omni outs" (M7CL-48ES). |
Configurable with three... |
Details | ||
| Yamaha | PM5D | 24 "Mix" outs on XLR, +4dBu; 8 matrix outputs on XLR, +4dBu. "Direct Out" configurable via software at any point to any output patch. | Yes, on separate TRS jacks, +4dBu (PM5D only, not on the PM5D-RH). Post-HPF, configurable via software to any point after that. Note: insert on/off switch. |
Two versions: PM5D (Manual Head Amp for input sensitivity and phantom... |
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... |
Details | |||
| Tapco | Mix60 | None | None | no |
Price It |
Details | |
| Soundcraft | Vi4 | XLR/DB25 | XLR/DB25 |
Digital console. The "Local Rack" comes stock with 16 analog outputs on... |
Details | ||
| Soundcraft | K2 | 1/4", post-fader, switchable to pre-fader if aux 8 is in Direct Out mode | 1/4", Pre-EQ | yes |
Aux 8 knob on all mono channels are switchable to become gain control... |
Details | |
| Soundcraft | Series 2 | Use Group Outputs, XLR? |
NOTE: This 1970's model is a different model than the recent "Series... |
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 | |
| Soundcraft | Spirit Monitor 2 | XLR "split out" (see notes), pre-EQ, pre-fader, pre-input gain | 1/4" unbalanced TS/RR, pre-EQ, pre-fader |
"Split Out" is simply a y-ed XLR jack connected directly to the XLR mic... |
Details |
