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EURORACK MX3242X
4.3.7 Looming problems
Loom wiring is an art unto itself, and it is worth taking time out to get it right. First off, it is important to avoid
earth loops (a looped wire acts an aerial, picking up hum and electromagnetic radiation). Think of a tree.
Every part of that tree is connected to every other part, but only by one route. Thats how the total earth
picture for your entire studio should look. Dont take the earth off your power cable plug to reduce audible
50 Hz mains hum. Rather you should be looking at disconnecting the signal screen somewhere (one or
several audio cables).
It is good practice to ensure that all screens are commoned at the Patchbay, in which case all unearthed
equipment would pick up earth from this point via a single screen (more than one route = an earth loop), while
mains-earthed equipment would have all screens cut at the equipment end.
Some quality equipment has an independent signal and mains earth. In this case at least one screen should
carry earth to the equipment. Sometimes the only way to find out is suck and see.
Take care to ensure that using the Patchbay does not disturb the studios earth architecture. Always use
short as possible patch leads with the screen connected at both ends.
Having designed mains hum out of the system, make up your cable looms from the Patchbays outwards, and
use cable ties, flexible sheaths, multicores, etc. to keep the back of your racks tidy.
4.4 Expanding the MX3242X
When the EURORACK is your main mixer, you may find that you run out of inputs as your system expands.
It is possible to expand your mixing system by combining two or more mixers.
4.4.1 Expander Port
The easiest way to expand your MX3242X is to connect another MX3242X or additional modules (such as our
RX1642 which will be available soon). The BEHRINGER RX1642 is a 19" 1 HU Line mixer which provides 8
stereo inputs on balanced ¼" phone jacks. The signals passing through the RX1642 can be routed both to the
Subgroups and to the Main Mix bus. With its Main Mix outputs, the RX1642 can also be used as a separate
Line mixer. One of its special features is an EQ integrated in the Main Mix section, which allows you to
process signals independently of the MX3242X.
Fig. 4.8: Expander Port connectors
To link several consoles simply connect the Expander Port output to the Expander Port input of the next
console. The last console in the chain acts as master mixer. This last console controls all Aux Send,
Subgroup, Mix-B and Main Mix signals of the other linked mixers.
Fig. 4.9: Connecting several consoles via their Expander Ports
4. APPLICATIONS