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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | XL-3 | See Notes | TT patchbay? |
The XL-3 has 16 mix sends on each mono channel (8 stereo sends on each... |
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 | 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 | PRO2 | yes |
The PRO2 comes in two form factors (the PRO2C is more compact). Eight... |
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 | |
| 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 | |
| Crest | X-Eight | 1/4", post-EQ, post-fader, post-mute (ground-compensated) | Separate 1/4" send and return, TRS |
Insert send can be used as a post-HPF, pre-EQ output. A TRS plug in the... |
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 | |
| Rane | MLM103 | On balanced Euroblocks, post-EQ. | No | no |
PRE/post MIX LEVEL DIRECT OUTPUT buttons: “in” position= Direct Output... |
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 |
