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 | MH3 | 1/4" TRS | separate 1/4" send and return. Switchable pre or post. |
The following makes more sense knowing that the signal flow is Filter... |
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 | |
| Soundcraft | Delta Theater | Post-fader | Switchable pre/post EQ | 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Roland | M-480 | None | None | no |
48 mono input (or 24 stereo in) line-level rackmounted mixer with no... |
Details | |
| Roland | RSS M-400 | 8 XLR outs, presumedly selectable as direct out or insert out | 8 XLR outs, presumedly selectable as direct out or insert out |
Most inputs and outputs are via Roland's proprietary REAC (Roland... |
Details | ||
| Rane | MLM103 | On balanced Euroblocks, post-EQ. | No | no |
PRE/post MIX LEVEL DIRECT OUTPUT buttons: “in” position= Direct Output... |
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 | |
| Midas | Legend 3000 | TRS. Also on EDAC multipin (see notes below). | TRS, separate send and return jacks. | no |
Direct Out is pre-fader, but POST-FOH-mute by factory default. Internal... |
Details | |
| Midas | XL-4 | XLR, post-fader. Switchable to pre-fader or pre-insert. | Half normalised fully balanced S/R point, switchable in/out and pre/post EQ. | yes |
"DIRECT O/P" trimpot adjusts DO level, post-fader by default. "PRE FADE... |
Details | |
| Midas | XL-200 | TRS, post-fader, internal solder mod changes it to pre-fader. | Separate TRS jacks, Pre-EQ, internal jumper makes it Post-EQ. | no | 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Midas | XL-3 | See Notes | TT patchbay? |
The XL-3 has 16 mix sends on each mono channel (8 stereo sends on each... |
Details | ||
| Midas | PRO2 | yes |
The PRO2 comes in two form factors (the PRO2C is more compact). Eight... |
Details | |||
| Mackie | Onyx 1220 | DB25, Post-Gain, Pre-Insert, Pre-EQ, Pre-Mute, Pre-Fader | 1/4" unbal, post-lo-cut, pre-EQ, pre-fader, TS/RR, on ch 1-4 only. Tip is Lo-Z, Ring is Hi-Z. | no |
DO is also sent to FireWire if mixer has optional... |
Details | |
| Mackie | Onyx 1620 | DB25, Post-Gain, Pre-Insert, Pre-EQ, Pre-Mute, Pre-Fader | 1/4" unbal, post-lo-cut, pre-EQ, pre-fader, TS/RR, on ch 1-8 only. Tip is Lo-Z, Ring is Hi-Z. | no |
DO is also sent to FireWire if mixer has optional... |
Details |
