Playback has the power to send up to 10 audio outputs to a connected USB audio interface with a Playback Pro subscription.
This article provides step-by-step instructions on how to send Playback's 10 audio outputs directly to an X32 or M32 digital mixer, using the mixer's built-in USB Audio Interface.
Note: the screenshots will be of the M32-Edit free software, which can be used to remotely setup an M32 Digital Mixer. However, the steps can be easily followed in the nearly identical X32-Edit software (for remote control of an X32 Mixer), as well as on the physical mixer consoles. Simply locate the provided actions as physical buttons instead of options in a software (such as Setup, Routing, and more)
Introduction to X32 and M32 Mixers
The X32 and M32 are two different digital mixer series' with very similar user interfaces.
The Behringer X32 is a digital sound console with varying numbers of physical channels, audio routing, and console sizes.
The Midas M32 is a nearly identical sound console series to the X32, except with upgraded Midas pre-amps for higher quality sound recording and conversion.
Both of these console series' have options with and without physical channel faders, as well as rack mountable versions. With the proper expansion hardware, any X32 or M32 console can be connected directly to Playback without using any analog inputs.
Step 1: Connect your iOS device to the USB Audio Interface
Every variant of the Behringer X32 and Midas M32 consoles comes with a pre-installed USB Audio Interface expansion card. This USB Bus input acts as a input/output audio interface and can be used to send audio tracks to and from a connected device.
Behringer X32's pre-installed USB Audio Interface
Midas M32's pre-installed DN-32 USB Audio Interface (SD slots not included and require additional purchase)
Connect Playback directly to the USB input using an Apple official iOS Camera connection adapter, depending on your iOS device.
Once connected to the console, Playback will show a confirmation identifying the mixer as the new audio device.
Step 2: Configure the Card Inputs
All inputs and outputs through the USB Expansion Slot are identified in X32 and M32 consoles by the Card Source Inputs/Outputs and can be routed to any channel on the mixer.
Playback can send up to 10 outputs with a Playback Pro subscription, and up to 32 outputs with a Premium subscription. In order to take full advantage of Playback's output capabilities, the Card needs to be configured to receive 16 inputs from the connected USB device.
Change the USB Card's input/output configuration:
Open "Setup"
Navigate to the "Card" Tab
Change the Card Configuration to receive 16 Inputs. Any configuration lower than 16 will not use all of Playback's 10 possible outputs.
Step 3: Route the Card Inputs 1-10 to your Channel Mixer
Once the card is configured to receive Playback's 10 outputs, the actual Card sources need to be patched to the mixer.
Navigate to the Channel Input Routing Page:
Open "Routing"
Navigate to "Input" Tab
Patch Card 1-10 (or however many outputs Playback is sending to your mixer) to the desired mixer channels
In the above screenshot of M32-Edit, Card sources 1-16 are currently bulk patched to the mixer's channels 17-32. This means that channels 17-26 would be receiving Playback's outputs 1-10:
Playback Outputs 1-10 -> Card Source Inputs 1-10 -> Mixer Channels 17-26
Note: Card Source Inputs 1-10 can also be individually routed to any channel in your digital mixer from the main channel view -> select a channel -> select Config in the top left corner of the software.
Step 4: Playback Bus Routing
Using Playback's Bus Routing, you can customize which Card sources will receive which tracks from Playback. While SmartRouting will pre-determine default bus settings, any bus can be re-routed to any of the 10 possible outputs.
Configure Bus routing:
Open the Playback "More" menu in the top right
Select Settings
Navigate to the Buses Tab
Once these steps have been followed, Playback will successfully send up to 10 outputs to your X32/M32 digital mixer!
Unlock Playback Premium subscription for access to up to 32 audio outputs, Playback for Mac, and more.