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 | Vi4 | XLR/DB25 | XLR/DB25 |
Digital console. The "Local Rack" comes stock with 16 analog outputs on... |
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 | 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 | |
| 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 | ||
| Soundcraft | Series 2 | Use Group Outputs, XLR? |
NOTE: This 1970's model is a different model than the recent "Series... |
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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | ||
| Avid | Stage Rack | Stock with 8 XLR male outputs, expandable to 48 out (multi-use as direct outs, aux, main, group, matrix), switchable pre/post fader | Stock with 8 XLR male outputs, expandable to 48 out, stock with 48 in (multi-use as direct outs, aux, main, group, matrix), switchable pre/post fader | yes |
Formerly branded as Digidesign. This provides inputs, mic preamps,... |
Details | |
| Avid | Mix Rack | Stock with 24 outputs (16 XLR male, 8 TRS), expandable to 40 out (32 XLR, 8 TRS) (multi-use as direct outs, insert, aux, main, group, matrix), switchable pre/post fader | Stock with 24 outputs (16 XLR male, 8 TRS), expandable to 40 out (32 XLR, 8 TRS). Stock with 56 in (48 XLR mic/line, 8 TRS line) (multi-use as direct outs, insert, aux, main, group, matrix), switchable pre/post fader | yes |
Formerly branded as Digidesign. This is a combination of the Stage Rack... |
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 | ||
| Midas | XL-3 | See Notes | TT patchbay? |
The XL-3 has 16 mix sends on each mono channel (8 stereo sends on each... |
Details | ||
| Soundcraft | Delta Theater | Post-fader | Switchable pre/post EQ | Details | |||
| Rane | MLM103 | On balanced Euroblocks, post-EQ. | No | no |
PRE/post MIX LEVEL DIRECT OUTPUT buttons: “in” position= Direct Output... |
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 |
