USB Inputs & Outputs | Soundcraft Signature Plus Series
Learn how to use the USB capabilities of the Soundcraft Signature Plus Series of mixers. In this video, we’ll introduce the basics of sending and receiving audio between the mixer and a computer over USB, including how USB inputs and outputs can be used for simple recording and playback workflows.
We’ll also cover how to install and use the Soundcraft USB Control Panel, along with the necessary drivers for connecting your mixer to a computer. You’ll learn what the USB connection can do, where its limitations are, and how to think about USB routing when working with recording software, playback sources, or basic computer-based audio setups.
This video is also a starting point for more advanced recording and mixing topics coming soon in our Studio Mixing Series. That series will take a deeper look at recording and mixing with Soundcraft mixers in a studio environment, including real musician tracks that you can use to practice mixing and follow along. Subscribe to be notified when this series releases soon!
Hello, my name is Tony Smith and welcome back to the Soundcraft Signature Plus Video Manual Series. In this video, we’re going to talk about the USB inputs and outputs available to these mixers. Your mixer also comes with instructions to claim a license for Ableton Lite, as well as professional plug-ins by Lexicon and Flux.
Near the last inputs of the mixer, you’ll find a USB-C port to connect to a computer. This USB port is USB 2.0, and can connect using a USB-C to C, or USB-C to A cable. Before trying to send audio over USB, make sure to download the latest version of the Soundcraft Control Panel Software from Soundcraft.com. The installer will also update the USB drivers on your computer.
Once the control panel is installed, you can use the Control Panel Software to make sure the mixer is seen as a valid audio device. You can also view various things about the mixer like sample rate. These mixers will give you 4 inputs and 4 outputs, or two stereo pairs each way.
To get audio to the mixer, set the audio output of your computer settings or DAW to be the mixer, selecting either channels 1 and 2, or 3 and 4. Once audio is playing, it can be inserted into the last two stereo inputs of the mixer. Under the gain knobs, there are additional USB level knobs, and toggles to insert the USB signal into the channels. One for 1 and 2, and another for 3 and 4. The main mix also has a USB interrupt toggle above the fader. This will replace the main mix signal with the USB input channels 1 and 2. Useful for playing some music in between breaks or set changes.
To get audio from the mixer to the computer, simply select the mixer as the audio input device and choose one of the channel pairs to act as your input signal. Channels 1 and 2 are the main mix signal sent pre-fader, and channels 3 and 4 are the group bus 3 and 4 signal, also pre-fader.
That’s all for this introduction to the USB functions of these mixers. Thanks for watching. Be sure to check back for more videos in this series, where we’ll show application-based workflows and real-life examples to help you put these features into practice. We’ll also be launching a new studio mixing series soon, with in-depth mixing fundamentals and real musician tracks you can download for hands-on mixing practice. For more news, product information, and troubleshooting tips, visit our Anytime Help Center at Help.Harmanpro.com.