Behringer XR18 Gain Staging and Signal Flow - Soundcheck Basics - X Air Series - Midas MR18

Tutorial for XR18 gain structure. Tips to understanding gain and its role in setup, soundcheck, and mixing on the Behringer XR18 and Midas MR18 and the X-Air series. Signal flow also addressed.
Gain staging and signal flow are some of the most important topics to understand and master for consistent band mixes. In live sound reinforcement, gain is literally the first step in your console that needs to be addressed when your stage signal inputs to the console.

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Behringer XR18 on Amazon:

Midas MR18 on Amazon:

Behringer X32 on Amazon:

Midas M32 on Amazon:

Stellar XT (Narration) Mic on Amazon:

This is a sister video to Tech Tip #10 which was demonstrating the topic using an X32. This video covers the same material, but uses an XR18 and X-Air-Edit software.

There seems to be some misconceptions floating around about how to set the gain control on these digital consoles. Part of it is from misinformation filtering in from analog consoles and some general misunderstandings, and some of it is just a lack of information leading to confusion.

I addressed this in part in a section of the two 5 Mistakes Made By Behringer Users videos specifically for the X32 / M32 and another for the XR18 / MR18 ( both linked below). Someone exclusively searching for the topic of soundchecks or gain staging / preamp setting might not ever see those though.

Behringer XR18 Gain Settings:
When it comes to soundcheck, the gain control is really the starting point for your soundcheck. It's also important to have a basic understanding of signal flow and where that gain control falls in that signal flow path. That's what this video seeks to show and teach.

I make the point in the video several times that the ideal is to get your gain set properly at soundcheck so that you can leave it alone during the performance. I also explain why that is important and the basics of how signal flow factors into this. I also seek to show you that if you absolutely HAVE to adjust the gain during the show (such as it's heavily into clipping, or getting close), that you then understand what else is happening when you touch that control to fix that. That knowledge should help to minimize some typical problems that can develop when you don't realize the bigger picture, and to stop people who are learning the ropes from getting into the habit of constantly fiddling with the gain knobs once they've been set.

The info in this video is applicable to the X32 as well, but the mix examples shown are shown using a Behringer XR18 connected via X Air Edit software. That's also true of the "Five Mistakes..." videos below, with each showing examples on the relevant console, but the X32 video is a longer video and does go into more depth.

I also recommend watching the linked videos below for more information like this:

Five Typical Mistakes Made By Behringer XR18 Users ... And How To Avoid Them

5 Typical Mistakes Made By Behringer X32 Users... And Midas M32 Users... And How To Avoid Them

Behringer XR18 / X Air Tutorials:

Behringer X32 / Midas M32 Tutorials:

Alan's Live Production Tech Tips and Info:

#BehringerXR18
#MidasMR18
#Soundcheck
#XAir

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[DavidMacVicar]

I've learned so much from watching Alan's videos! As an owner of an XR18 - I've not only learned how to use the unit, but also use it to understand sound principles and best practises. Thanks Alan!!

[bradmalinowski]

Thanks Alan. Your video tutorials are absolutely outstanding.

[intimomusic]

If your looking to understand the XR18 UI... These videos are well produced and full of honest and useful audio information. Thank's Alan - Keep them coming!

[jimsreynolds]

On the gain change during performance point: it's worth checking out the 're-gain' feature In the aftermarket Mixing Station Pro. It resets faders, sends, compressor/gate thresholds and LR automatically when the gain is reset. Brill (but beware if you are recording as it will not reset DAW levels) .

[AlanHamiltonAudio]

I did a video specifically on setting the gain/soundcheck basics on the Behringer X32 / M32 and wanted to do the same for the XR18 / MR 18 / X-Air series..
This is a sister video to the X32/M32 version. Specifically edited with visual examples featuring the XR18 for the same reason: An XR18 user might not find or click on an X32 video, or might at least prefer seeing the information explained on the same GUI they're seeing when they mix.
I know some of this info was also in an earlier video series talking about typical mistakes that Behringer users sometimes make, but anyone not a subscriber and specifically searching Google or YT for this particular soundcheck/gain type info, wouldn't necessarily hit on that earlier video


If anyone has suggestions for future videos let me know here in the comments.

Amazon Affiliate Links-
Behringer XR18 on Amazon:

Midas MR18 on Amazon:

Behringer X32 on Amazon:

Midas M32 on Amazon:

5 Typical Mistakes Behringer XR18 and Midas MR18 Users Make:

[lanceh]

Wow! I can see this is really important, and I had no clue! Glad I stumbled here!

[stevelamm]

When you say set gain to -18db on "input meter" (at @ 5:00 min) are you talking about the left meter labeled "Vox" where your red arrow points, or the "Analog input" that also says "Mic Gain" where you are making the gain adjustment? They appear to be two different scales.

[Pinkybum]

One point to note is that if you have set the levels for -18dbFS in soundcheck and set the monitor/effects and mains from this level and in the performance somebody turns up so they are way louder you WANT to turn down the gain so the level hits -18db because that will restore the balance to the full mix.

[JoonasD]

I think this video was lacking on the signal flow part. Set and forget nature of the gain is super important, but the signal flow was only briefly shown on one picture at 2:56, and even then the voiceover said "and then in some order, hits the comps, gates and your sends". ... but which order? Is the comp always there before everything? What's the difference between post-EQ and pre-fader in XR18/MR18? Can you route it differently? etc.

[MrMelodyCold]

I would like a comparison on the gain staging in the ipad app vs pc vs android, i have an ipad mini 1(idk if this is corrected in the newer versions) and the levels reporting are wrong compared with the pc

[JordanZabady]

Great channel and great videos! New subscriber.

[prodj.mixapeofficial]

Good day sir!

I'm trying build a system and of course portabilty and mobility is one concern but i'm not fan of powered boxes, scared of being wet outdoor events. I don't wan't to have a lot of analog gear for processing. I just wan't to know if the XR18 covers some of them:

graphic EQ, compressor, digital effects, delay, reverb, drive rack abilities.

Thank you and god bless, stay safe.

[johnmccormack]

Alan - I see you have had may questions regarding the iPad not showing the level numbers when checking the gain - I solely use the iPad - would you say that when doing sound check for each input, as long as they are just barely hitting the "white" signal bars, that is where you want to be, approximately? That's how I have been determining how to adjust my gain levels. Thanks -

[briangray]

At 1:00+- (showing an Input screen), what is the scale all the way to the right? It looks exactly like the dbfs scale on the left, but when the signal appears it's about 5 units lower on the right-side scale versus the left-side scale.

[hypelightsband]

Does that mean I’ll have to adjust gain levels of each input at every venue ? Or levels are supposed to be set only just once and left alone?

[joonajks]

When gain staging a mixer connected to my dslr camera, do I follow your process while connected to the camera viewing my camera signal meter?

Or do I gain stage the mixer first then connect it to the camera?

Thanks for your time!

[erickmaldonadohernandez]

a question friend ... why do you put the kit on channel 1 if it is high impedance? (Hi-z)

[DanHughes]

Just wondering, I can't get and dB numbers on my meters on the iPad app, just block meters. Are accurate dB numbers only in the X air edit on pc?

[josephfilipow]

It’s ok to have the gain on the channel cranked to 30 or 40 to get nice -18 levels?

[neilkendall]

So do you set the channel faders and master fader to unity point first, then use the gain control to set the input levels to -18dbfs? What about after that in order to balance the levels of each instrument, is that when you can move the channel faders? And for setting the output volume of the main (active) PA speakers and powered monitors, do you leave the master fader on the XR18 at unity point and adjust the volume level from the speakers and monitors?