Ddx3216 Software Download
Start with 32 channels, 16 internal buses, 8 aux sends, and flying faders! Each channel features a fully parametric 4-band equalizer, sweepable high-pass filter, gate, compressor/limiter, and phase inversion”all simultaneously operable. The first 16 channels also offer delay. 4 effects processors put just about any imaginable effect type at your fingertips. Full-fledged dynamic and static automation functions; extensive synchronization options and MIDI implementation; a comprehensive internal I/O patchbay; full digital compatibility and functionality supported by 2 expansion slots for ADAT, TDIF, AES/EBU interfaces; and more.
Touching the metal frame of your DDX3216. Hold the interface on its edges or the two little handles. B.p65 Author: t.derks. Have you tried to download the DDX3216 File Exchange-software from the Behringer website? I had this problem too, it's fixed now! You have to connect the DDX to your computer using MIDI or the com-connection. So download the DDX3216 File Exchange software and the latest version of the DDX3216.
All are based on 32-bit floating-point processing (40-bit for EQ). Features. 32 channels. 16 internal buses. 8 aux sends. Fully parametric 4-band equalizer. Sweepable high-pass filter, gate, compressor/limiter, and phase inversion”all simultaneously operable.
First 16 channels offer delay. 4 effects processors. Full-fledged dynamic and static automation functions. Extensive synchronization options.
MIDI implementation. Comprehensive internal I/O patchbay. Full digital compatibility and functionality supported by two expansion slots for ADAT, TDIF, AES/EBU interfaces. 32-bit floating-point processing (40-bit for EQ).
First impressions after some “nights with ” First of all I have to mention that the findings I will tell about are all “6 months old”. This means -the DD3216I had for testing was one of the first ones built -the firmware was (still is at the time I’m writing this, July 2002) V 1.05 -I kept “quiet” for 6 months J. I kept quiet because I visited Behringer, with the DDX3216, 3 months ago. Told them everything I liked, what I disliked, what I think was “faulty” and what I think “could be improved via new firmware”. Until now however, I got no answers from them. So I decided it’s time to share my findings, hoping some other people with a DDX3216 could help me out on some issues, or perhaps some other people would let Behringer know what they think “could be better”.
So here I go: I’ll start with “the really negatives” J: -there was a loose screw in my unit J -in the first built DDX3216s there seems to be a problem with the signal-LED-driving circuitryWhen one connects a headphone and “pumps up the volume” a bit, there will be signal-LEDS lighting up on channels where there is NO input signal present. Seems to be a “cosmetic only” problem (no influence on sound whatsoever) but IMHO this should NOT have passed QC. (Nor R&D) -when one switches on the compressor on a channel with a “soft, sustained” signal (piano is the best source to test IMHO) and one chooses 0 attack time, and all other settings “around 12 o’clock”, one will here distortion in the sound (takes a little fiddling with the settings perhaps, but nothing too extravagant IMHO). Sounds to me as if one “hears every calculation made”. Of course, the settings used are perhaps not “musically” or even “technically correct”, but I’ve never heard another compressor sound like that with similar settings.when I connect a Fostex VC08 (20-bit Analog / ADAT convertor) to the ADAT1616 interface on the DDX3216, plain “line-level” signals are way to “loud” and are overdriving the inputs.
Since, in the digital path, there is no “gain” the only solution is to lower the output signal on the gear (synths etc). But even a CD-player (no output-pot there) is “too loud”.
Could be it’s the Fostex. Could be it’s not. I don’t know (yet).when one applies a “constant signal” (or whatever signal, but a constant one is easier to see and listenOne can use the built-in OSC.) to a channel at 0 dB, sets an FX-send on that channel at 0 dB and then goes to the “FX and AUX” fader-page, one will see the FX-input is “in overdrive”.
The red LED on the meterbar is ON. Where, IMHO, a 0dB signal with a 0 dB FX-send should give a 0dB input on that FX input, no? Seems there is a difference of approx. And when “the red LED is on” one has NO idea if it’s on “very hard” or “slightly”. The “logic” here isn’t clear to me. And since I got no answer from “the factory” yet, it keeps puzzling me. Or is this “exemplary” (“my” DDX3216 being the only one?
I didn’t get the chance nor time to test another unit) -the SMTP offset (MIDI, Timecode, needed to sync recorders etc). It isn’t “settable” and it should be IMHO. Most gear I use has a settable SMTP offset. I (and many others) use this to make a “default setting” of “T minus 3 seconds” so every synced unit has the time to get in sync before the 1H 0M. Point is reached. But, when “you fool one, you must fool them all”. So IMHO SMTP-offset should be user-definable.
As things are now, my DDX3216 is always 3 seconds “ahead” in regards to the other gear (HD-recorder, Midi-sequencer etc).the “4 built-in FX”: it would have been more “honest” to call it “2 + 2 FX”. Because only FX1 and 2 offer the “nicest” FX (stereo, reverbs etc) and FX3 and 4 are more modest (chorus, flanger, delay). Also when scrolling through the FX-library, all FX show up in the list, also on FX3 and 4. Would, again, have been more honest to i.e.
“dim” those FX witch can not be chosen in FX3 and 4. When one has “a quick view in the store” one could easily be “misled” into believing all effects are available in all 4 FX engines. OK, those were the “most negatives” I think.
There are also some “could be better” things, i.e.: -digital out on control-room signal. Not just on “main output” -the SMTP offset mentioned earlier -use of the 16 busses as “groups”. The busses should be routable to “mains” so one could use those as “groupfaders” on an analog desk. Can’t be done if I remember well.extra (and affordable, as always J) analog inputs.
“Work in progress” rumours reached me. Let’s wait and see (and hear J).the display. Could be tilt-able won’t be a “we’ll fix it in new firmware item”, I know J. Could also have been a “larger one with smaller pixels”. But of course, the price shouldn’t “suffer” from it J.extra buttons for “EZ-access” to EQ-settings. Also “not a firmware fix”, I know.the “graphic picture” of EQ and Compressor/Gate settings. It goes to “flat” when one disables EQ and/or Comp/Gate.
A matter of “taste” perhaps, but I would like the picture to stay (perhaps inverted “colour” to show the feature is disabled). “Why?” Because I would love to be able to easily see “what to expect” when I push the “IN” button for EQ and/or Comp/Gate. When there are “extreme settings applied” it’s much easier (IMHO, as always) to see (and for-see) on the graphic then having to look at the numeric values.
And when pushes “ON” a, i.e., + 16 dB boost on 80 Hz or so, being “alarmed by the graphic” would be nice.About the automation. Being able to clear all automation-events on a “per channel basis” would be “nice”. And now, to end more positive: the “positives” about the DDX3216: -when compared to “the competition” (although their prices dropped since this new kid on the block arrived) the DDX3216 is very much value for relatively very little money. Ok, this picture will change when you add a ADT1616 interface, or the eventual Behringer (or third party) analog-input extension.
But even then. Great value for money (if one can live with the “negatives” I mentioned earlier or if those get fixed where possible in a “soon to come” firmware-update).(BTW, the word “soon” isn’t to be used anymore by Behringer employees I believe J).the overall sound-quality. Except for the compressor (which I can make sound “dirty”) it’s GREAT! When I demo-ed the DDX3216 using some old 6-track (six, yesfrom an old 6-track on CASSETTE-tape) recordings (first copied to a Fostex 8-track HD recorder, that one connected via ADAT to the ADT1616 on the Behringer DDX3216) When I play those recordings via the DDX3216, with “the right EQ (very easy with the DDX3216!), compression and use of (only) the built-in FX.
People get very big eyes (astonishement) and red ears (eargasms) Really. These old muffled recordings come to life and sound as if they were recorded only yesterday in a “big bucks” environment.automation: when I add some “look, the faders move” stuff to this demo, eyes (and ears, but mainly eyes J) get even bigger / more red. When I tell the audience “there is really nothing else here than the 8-track recorder and the DDX3216” They all seem to think “very interesting indeed”. When I show them the automation can also be used for “almost every setting, in real time” (EQ, FX etc): “even more interesting”. For “home studio use” I think at this moment it’s hard to beat the DDX3216, even with the “negatives” and “can be betters” I mentioned earlier.
For “live FOH” use We’ll have to wait for dedicated extra analog ins (if, when, “soon”?) because the 12 mike-inputs won’t be enough for the most of us. (IF you don’t need more than 12: go to your local dealer now and buy this beauty) Also, even if “operating a DDX3216” is very intuitive and easy, a quicker way to get to the EQ-settings (and i.e. A possibility to change all eq-levels in one “screen” without having to scroll from filter to filter) would be “nice” for live-use. But believe me, “as is” it’s a lot better on the DDX3216 than what some people are used to on “similar but somewhat older gear from a Japanese company”. That’s about it from me. I hope to get some reactions.
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Perhaps people do NOT have the same trouble I had, perhaps people having better ideas for “things that can be improved”. Perhaps even Behringer will react (best reaction form that side would be: some update firmware and an updated DDX3216 website IMHO. There should be enough “FAQ” and “hints and tips” after 7 months to update the site, I think.
And to close: don’t forget: it’s not the gear that makes the music, it’s people! LukVH, Belgium.
Lukvdh, Thanks for that great user review. I've been eyeing for my church to replace the 02R that we currently use. For the price, it seems that the DDX3216 is a good pick. I've read a few reviews on it, but I think that yours has been the most helpful to me, pointing out the truth from the marketing hype. I've got a few questions for you: 1. Behringer lists this mixer as a '32 input mixer).
Is it really 32 inputs or is it 16 (12 preamps + 4 line level inputs) and 16 tape returns? Can you route anything other than the main mix to the multi-outs? If the mixer was fully expanded with the ADAT cards, would that result in 32 channels of ADAT or 16? If you've had any experience with other digital boards, how does the sound compare to them??? We have an 02R, which sounds ok, but in 5 years things have improved in the audio world and our 20 bit 02R is really showing us its age.
I'd like to switch, but I don't want to switch for lesser quality sound, even it the DDX3216 is 24-bit. Originally posted by Rev E Thanks for that great user review. I've been eyeing the DDX3216 for my church to replace the 02R that we currently use. For the price, it seems that the DDX3216 is a good pick. I've read a few reviews on it, but I think that yours has been the most helpful to me, pointing out the truth from the marketing hype.
I've got a few questions for you: 1. Behringer lists this mixer as a '32 input mixer). Is it really 32 inputs or is it 16 (12 preamps + 4 line level inputs) and 16 tape returns? Can you route anything other than the main mix to the multi-outs?
If the mixer was fully expanded with the ADAT cards, would that result in 32 channels of ADAT or 16? If you've had any experience with other digital boards, how does the sound compare to them??? We have an 02R, which sounds ok, but in 5 years things have improved in the audio world and our 20 bit 02R is really showing us its age. I'd like to switch, but I don't want to switch for lesser quality sound, even it the DDX3216 is 24-bit. E I'm glad you liked my review:-) Here are some answers (from 'memory' because I'm not able to connect or use the DDX right now, I'm at work.) And I will not try to 're-write' the specs or the manual here: you can find those at their website.
1-When you buy a 'naked' DDX3216 it is a 16 input mixer. Only when you add an interface (the ADT1616 adds 16 ADAT-channels, there is the TDIF-interface which also adds 16 and the AES/EBU which will add 8 inputs). It will become 'more than 16 inputs'. Beware: all these interfaces are (so far) DIGITAL. There are rumours 'the company' is working on an analog-input extension.
But knowingBehringer (and I know the rather well;-). This could be 'soon' but this could be 'never'. Or perhaps 'tomorrow'. They are 'strange guys'.
So, when you add an interface you get 'more than 16 inputs'. If you don't: you have 16 inputs (indeed 12 mike, 2x2 stereo. And beware (again): the stereo-channels double as mastertape-return and S/PDif in if you need those.). With this knowlegde. Now I think of it, one could have 48 inputs (the 16 already there, add 2 x ADT1616.). The mixer however will only support 32 inputs. And beware (again:-): routing is done in 'groups of 8 inputs'.
So you can not choose '3 analog inputs + 5 from the ADT16 and 7 from the TDIF. The 16 busses really only make sense if one has some extra interface mounted. The busses can not (yet?) be used as 'groupfaders on an analog desk'. But: the 16 busses CAN be used in very very interesting configurations. (When you have an extra interface installed:-) And the '16 tape returns' you mention in your question: nononono:-) That would mean 16 (extra?) analog inputs.
Those are NOT there. (I won't re-write the specs.) It all makes sense if one tries to remember it's the A/D D/A that costs the most money in a digital desk. So to understand why they did not provide 16 extra analog tape-returns, or why the stereo-channels double as tape-return or S/Pdif, or why there aren't analog inserts on the mains etc etc: Ebery A/D or D/A would cost extra money! 2-The multi-outs: of course you can route FX and AUX to those. That's what they are there for:-) i.e.
To send a headphone-mix (i.e. With some reverb) or monitors. 3-As mentioned earlier: if you would add 2 ADT1616 interfaces, you would have the possibility to use 32 ADAT channels input and output. But (remember the 'beware':-): you can only use 32 inputs at once, and you have to choose in groups of 8 channels. So (I think) you could use i.e. 8 analog inputs and 24 ADAT inputs at the same time. Input and output routing: Always in 'steps of 8 channels', remember.
With one ADT1616 you have 16 channels ADAT in and out + the 16 analog inputs already present. Still a great configuration I think! 4- I'm one of those who claim 'in most live-situations one can NOT hear the difference between 20 or 24 or 48. So for the use you have in mind I wouldn't bother that much about 'bits'. All 'digital experience' I have is 'old':.
And the DDX3216 is much better. Although not 'perfect'. As I wrote in my 'review': the compressor can be made to sound 'ugly' (but when used 'normally' you won't hear that I believe). And that's about it really.
The overall impression I have from the DDX3216 is 'great value for money'. As always with Behringer. The only thing I think is: do these digital mixer really have to corst (still) that much money. I mean: compared to others the DDX3216 is great, but it's still not 'pure hobby material'. But that day will come:-) And of course, an analog desk with gate/compressor on every channel and 4 (2 + 2, remember?) built-in FX (and moving faders:-): even when bought from Behringer it would cost a lot more than this DDX3216. As for a comparison between an O2r and. I wouldn't dare to say anything about that.
I never worked with a O2R. And since it's twice-the-price (I believe) I would expect it (the O2R) to be 'better', even if it's 5 years old. But the 'better part' could i.e.
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Be the A/D converters. And that doesn't worry me too much, certainly not in a 'live' situation. I would suggest you download the PDF-manual form the website and 'try to understand it' (also try to 'imagine' everything they write in it, helps to get a clearer picture and helps to find the 'between the lines items':-) I also hear rumours about a firmware-update.
Still nothing official. And 'company policy' makes they won't let me beta-test, I think. Pity perhaps. But I hope I will be 'positively surprised' when the new firmware (IF. WHEN.) would contain some of the 'hints and tips' I gave them:-).