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XENYX X2442USB/X2222USB/X1832USB/X1622USB User Manual

MIC

Each mono input channel offers a balanced microphone input via the XLR 

connector and also features switchable +48 V phantom power supply for 

condenser microphones. The XENYX preamps provide undistorted and noise-free 

gain as is typically known only from costly outboard preamps.

◊ 

Please mute your monitor system before you switch on phantom 
power. Otherwise potentially damaging thumps will be sent to 
your speakers. Please also note the instructions in chapter 5.5 
“Voltage supply, phantom power and fuse”.

LINE IN

Each mono input also has a balanced line input on a ¼" jack. You can also connect 

unbalanced devices using mono jacks to these inputs.

◊ 

Please remember that you can use either the microphone input or the 
line input of a channel, but not both at the same time!

INSERT

◊ 

Insert points enable the processing of a signal with dynamic processors 
or equalizers. They are sourced pre-fader, pre-EQ and pre-aux send. 
Detailed information on using insert points can be found in chapter 5.3.

◊ 

Unlike the X2442USB, the X1622USB, X1832USB and X2222USB have 
their insert points located on the rear of the console.

GAIN

Use the 

GAIN

 control to adjust the input gain. This control should always be 

turned fully counter-clockwise whenever you connect or disconnect a signal 

source to one of the inputs. 
The scale has 2 different value ranges: the first value range (

+10

 to 

+60 dB

) 

refers to the MIC input and shows the 

amplification

 for the signals fed in there.

The second value range (

+10

 to 

-40 dB

) refers to the line input and shows its 

sensitivity

. The settings for equipment with st andard line-level signals (-10 dBV 

or +4 dBu) look like this: While the GAIN control is turned all the way down, 

connect your equipment. Set the GAIN control to the external devices’ standard 

output level. If that unit has an output signal level display, it should show 0 dB 

during signal peaks. For +4 dBu, turn up GAIN slightly, for -10 dBV a bit more. 

Fine-tuning of a signal being fed in is done using the level meter. To route the 

channel signal to the level meter, you have to press the SOLO switch and set the 

MODE switch in the main section to PFL (LEVEL SET).
Using the GAIN control, drive the signal to the 0-dB mark. This way you have 

a vast amount of drive headroom for use with very dynamic signals. The CLIP 

display should light up only rarely, preferably never. While fine-tuning, 

the equalizer should be set to neutral.

LOW CUT

Additionally, the mono channels of the mixing consoles have a high-slope 

LOW CUT

 filter for eliminating unwanted, low-frequency signal components 

(75 Hz, 18 dB/octave).

COMPRESSOR

Each mono channel features a built-in compressor which lowers the dynamic 

range of the signal and increases its perceived loudness. The loud peaks are 

squashed down and the quiet sections are boosted. 
Turn the COMP knob clockwise to add more compression effect. The adjacent LED 

with light when the effect is engaged.

2.1.2  Equalizer

All mono input channels have a 3-band equalizer with semi-parametric mid 

bands. All bands provide boost or cut of up to15 dB. In the central position, 

the equalizer is off (flat).
The circuitry of the British EQs is based on the technology used in the best-known 

top-of-the-line consoles and providing a warm sound without any unwanted 

side effects. The result are extremely musical equalizers which, unlike simple 

equalizers, cause no side effects such as phase shifting or bandwidth limitation, 

even with extreme gain settings of ±15 dB.

All Models

Fig. 2.2: Equalizer of the input channels

The upper (HIGH) and the lower (LOW) bands are shelving filters that increase 

or decrease all frequencies above or below their cut-off frequency. The cut-off 

frequencies of the upper and lower bands are 12 kHz and 80 Hz respectively. 

For the mid range, the console features a semi-parametric equalizer with a 

filter quality (Q) of 1 octave, tunable from 100 Hz to 8 kHz. Use the MID control 

to set the amount of boost or cut, and the FREQ control to determine the 

central frequency.

2.1.3  Monitor and effects busses (Aux Sends)

X1622USB

X2442USB

Fig. 2.3: Aux Send control MON and FX in the channel strips

Monitor and effects busses (AUX sends) source their signals via a control from 

one or more channels and sum these signals to a so-called bus. This bus signal 

is sent to an aux send connector (for monitoring applications: MON OUT) and 

then routed, for example, to an active monitor speaker or external effects device. 

In the latter case, the effects return can then be brought back into the console via 

the aux return connectors.
All monitor and effects busses are mono, are tapped into post EQ and offer 

amplification of up to +15 dB.