Can you use XR16 as an audio interface?
Introducing the XR16 Digital Mixer
The XR16 is a 16-channel digital mixer from Behringer that can be controlled with an iOS or Android tablet via WiFi. Some of the key features and capabilities of the XR16 include:
– 16 Midas-designed mic preamps with XLR and 1/4″ inputs, phantom power, pad switches, and more (source)
– 6 additional balanced 1/4″ line level inputs
– 16 channel USB audio interface for multi-channel recording and playback
– Automix technology to help optimize gain staging (source)
– Built-in WiFi module for wireless control from iOS or Android devices
– Motorized faders, recallable presets, built-in FX engines, and more
– Rugged metal construction weighing around 9 pounds (source)
With its flexible I/O options, wireless control, and Midas mic preamps, the XR16 provides extensive mixing capabilities in a compact digital mixer.
USB Audio Interface Capabilities
The XR16 has built-in USB audio interface capabilities that allow it to send and receive audio to and from a computer for recording, playback, and more. According to users on Reddit, the XR16 can function as “an amazingly powerful digital mixing solution” as well as “a straight up interface with digital control before recording”.
Specifically, the XR16’s front panel USB-A port allows you to connect it directly to a computer and send and receive up to 32 channels of audio, including all 16 XR16 mic/line inputs, stereo USB playback channels, and 14 mix channels over USB. This makes it possible to record high quality, low latency multitrack audio using the XR16 as the audio interface.
As this Reddit user describes: “The front panel USB type-A connector makes the XR16 not only an amazingly powerful digital mixing solution, but also allows recording your live shows with up to 32 channels of audio” (Source).
Interface Software Options
The XR16 is compatible with a variety of digital audio workstation (DAW) software when used as a USB audio interface. Some of the most popular options include:
MainStage – This macOS software from Apple provides a flexible live performance environment. The XR16 integrates seamlessly with MainStage for recording, effects processing, and playback. See this XR16 product page for details.
Ableton Live – This popular DAW works well with the XR16 over USB. You can route all 16 inputs and outputs between the interface and software. Latency can be an issue, so be sure to optimize buffer settings. See the X Air Series page for specs.
Pro Tools – The XR16 is compatible with Avid’s industry standard Pro Tools software. 16 channels can be accessed over USB for recording and mixing. Some users report occasional disconnects, so updating to the latest drivers is recommended. See the XR16 unofficial forum for user experiences.
Audio Interface Specs
The XR16 offers extensive audio interface capabilities via its built-in USB port. It provides 16 input channels and 8 output channels over USB at up to 48 kHz sample rate and 24-bit bit depth [1]. This allows you to connect microphones, instruments, and other audio sources to the XR16 and route them into your DAW software on a computer for recording and production work.
In addition, the 8 built-in XLR mic preamps on the XR16 provide professional-grade analog-to-digital conversion when using microphones. The preamps offer 60 dB of gain range and +48 V phantom power for condenser mics [2]. This gives you studio-quality recordings when capturing vocals, acoustic instruments, drum overheads, and more.
With its high channel count, solid bit depth, zero-latency monitoring, and professional preamps, the XR16 makes an extremely versatile USB audio interface for home studio use, mobile recording, and live streaming applications.
Setting up the XR16 as an Interface
Connecting the XR16 to a computer is straightforward. Simply use a USB cable to connect the mixer’s USB port to your computer. The XR16 uses class compliant Core Audio and ASIO drivers, so no special driver installation is required on Mac or Windows. The mixer will show up as an audio interface device in your DAW or audio software.
To configure the XR16 as an interface in your software, you’ll need to select it as your audio device and set the input and output channels. The XR16 offers 16 input channels and 2 output channels over USB. Make sure to set the sample rate and buffer size appropriately in your software and on the XR16 mixer. Lower buffer sizes reduce latency but require more processing power.
You’ll also want to make sure the audio routing is set up correctly on the XR16. The USB Sends page allows you to route mixer channels to the USB output. This feeds those mixer channels to your computer. The USB Returns page lets you take the stereo USB input and route it to XR16 channels or mixes. This returns computer playback to the XR16.
Once everything is connected and configured, the XR16 will function just like any other USB audio interface when linked to your recording software.
Routing Audio via USB
The XR16 digital mixer is capable of routing audio to a computer DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) over USB. The USB capability allows the XR16 to function as a basic multi-track audio interface (source).
To route audio channels to a DAW for multi-track recording, connect the XR16 to a computer via USB. Then in the XR16 interface or desktop app, assign the mixer channels you want to record to the USB outputs. The USB outputs will appear as inputs in your DAW, allowing you to record each channel individually. The number of simultaneous tracks that can be recorded depends on the specific system capabilities.
It’s important to be aware of latency considerations when routing multiple tracks over USB. Using low buffer sizes can minimize latency but may increase the change of artifacts or glitches in the recording. Adjusting buffer size and testing latency is recommended to optimize the system for clean multi-track recording.
Latency Considerations
Using the XR16 as an audio interface introduces latency, the time delay between an input signal entering the mixer and it being audible again in software like a DAW. This is due to required ADC/DAC conversion and the buffer of the USB audio driver.
The XR16 buffers the incoming audio stream and transfers it in chunks over USB, rather than streaming audio in real-time. The buffer size determines this chunking and is directly related to latency – a larger buffer means lower CPU load but higher latency, while a smaller buffer creates lower latency but may increase risk of audio drop-outs if CPU is overloaded [1].
Optimizing for the lowest latency and minimum dropouts requires tweaking the audio driver settings and balancing buffer size with computer CPU/RAM resources. On older or underpowered machines, higher buffer sizes around 512 to 1024 samples may be required to maintain stable operation as an interface.
Lower latencies as low as 128 samples are reported from high spec Windows machines, allowing near real-time tracking and overdubbing. Macs tend to operate with slighly higher latency [2].
Mixing Capabilities
While using the XR16 as an audio interface, you retain the ability to mix audio from external sources with your DAW’s tracks. This capability is a major advantage of the XR16, as it provides a seamless workflow for live performances 1. The built-in effects, EQs, compressors, and more remain active for processing both internal and external signals.
So if you want to mix your electronic drum tracks from your DAW with the live drum kit on stage, the XR16 makes it easy. Simply route the audio interfaced from your DAW to channel strips 9-16, while miking your drum kit through channels 1-8. Then mix and process everything together using the XR16’s interface.
This capability even extends to adding external hardware effects using the XR16’s send/return loops, allowing creative sound design while tracking or performing live. So while leveraging the XR16’s audio interface functionality, you don’t lose any of its core mixing features.
Using Insert FX Plugins
The XR16 offers a variety of built-in effects that can be routed as inserts on input channels or used on aux sends and busses. This capability allows the XR16 to be used as an audio interface with effect processing in a DAW (digital audio workstation).
To route audio to the insert effects in a DAW, first connect the XR16 to your computer via USB. The XR16 should appear in your list of available audio interfaces. Create a track in your DAW and set the input to the desired XR16 channel. Then on the XR16, navigate to the Channel Processing page and select an effect insert for that channel. The incoming audio will now be routed through the selected effect insert before reaching your DAW track.
There are 16 insert effect slots available across the 16 input channels on the XR16 (Sweetwater). Effects like reverb, delay, chorus, pitch shifter and more can be utilized. This allows for studio-quality sound processing and effects to be applied to your audio interface recordings.
Summary
In summary, the Behringer XR16 digital mixer does have audio interface capabilities via its built-in USB connection. By using a compatible DAW like Behringer’s own X AIR EDIT software, Ableton Live, or a third party plugin like Loopback, the XR16 can function as a 16-input/14-output audio interface.
Setup is straightforward by connecting the XR16 to a computer via USB and selecting it as the audio device within your DAW. Audio can then be routed bidirectionally over USB. The XR16 provides high quality 24-bit audio up to 48kHz sampling rate. Latency can be an issue, but by optimizing buffer sizes and using DAWs designed for low latency monitoring, usable results can be achieved.
In addition to operating as an interface, the XR16 retains all its mixing, routing, FX, and processing capabilities. This makes it a versatile production tool for both live and studio use. While not primarily designed as an audio interface, the XR16 flexibility allows it to serve dual purposes when needed.