Duck LR but not Mix

[Dancing Brook]

It seems the ducker is set to duck for both the mains and mixes. Anyone have a quick explanation of how to change this, so only the mains are ducked.

Scenario: Dance, w/ caller and band; want to duck the banc (all Channels except CH1)) when Caller CH11 is calling.

[Mike C]

You can gang the channels to be ducked or assign the band inputs to a group and have CH.1 duck that group. Using an audio group you would need to un assign all the band channels from the main L R as they will be routed through the group.
What mixer do you have? The QU16 does not have audio groups.

[Dancing Brook]

Qu-16 & Qu-Pac

[Mike C]

Actually I have both of those same mixers!
The QU Pac does have audio groups.

[Dancing Brook]

It would be great if someone could explain in relative detail how to do both of the options (I’ve asked A&E Support; see below) as I have both a Qu-16 and Qu-Pac. Once I understand this better, I’ll document and share both options, w/ screen shots and maybe even a video.

From A&E Support:

Unfortunately, the ducking system does not work like that. it can only duck signals on input channels, not on output mix buses. For what you propose, you would need to have two input channels fed with the same signal in parallel. One with a duck inserted and the other second without. The second would then also, feed the mix output pre-fadde, so to keep it separate from the main mix bus (LR).
I hope this helps!

[Mike C]

I had my QU Pac out today and had some extra time. Just to confirm you could send all the band channels to an audio group, set the ducking on the group to be triggered by ch.1 and it will duck/mute all the inputs routed to that group.

Set a longer hold and release time for a smoother transition bringing the music back up.

[Dancing Brook]

Thank you Mike,
I feel pretty comfortable with that process for the Qu-Pac.

Still trying to sort out the option(s) for Qu-16

For the sake of others A&H Support shared:

For what you propose, you would need to have two input channels fed with the same signal in parallel. One with a duck inserted and the other second without. The second would then also, feed the mix output pre-fadde, so to keep it separate from the main mix bus (LR).
I hope this helps!

OK, well the QU-PAC has Groups, whereas the QU does not. The Groups, however, have a ducker on them. So, there will be a couple of methods here. though, the methods will be slightly convoluted. So, I think for now, we’ll just go with the first method I thought of as it will be a lot easier to follow.

To Duck main LR and not to a mix output.

That aside, I think the easiest thing you can do is to run an analogue split into two separate about channels. If you are using a USB or Dsnake input this will be easy to achieve via the routing dialogue of the I/O patch. If it’s from outboard, then you need to see up an analogue split.

Once you have attained a split of the same source to two separate channels, you run one completely dry to the desired mix, pre-fade off the input channel so it is not routed to the LR bus.

Assign Pre/Post fade sends – Hold down the ‘Pre Fade’ key and press Sel keys to toggle channel sends pre or post fader for the mix currently selected in the Master Strip. The Sel keys light green to show channels set pre-fade.

Now with the main mix feed that you want the ducker added, you simply assign the Ducker and route it solely to LR as you were.

Though, if you want to duck the band (all Channels except CH1)) when Caller CH11 is calling.

This can be done on QU-PAC using the group. Whereby, you assign all channel bar channels 1 & 11 to the group, set the duck on in the group, and set the input trigger on the group as CH 11.

and

With QU16, as I’ve explained, you will need to run the input split. There’s not really any other way.

If you are having difficulty with the terminologies or process, It might be good for you to reach out to your dealer for assistance, they can set up a demo for you.

A little disappointed they would pass the buck to a dealer, when they should just do a tutorial for the Qu-16, and the rest (all the others have groups), and then share it widely.
And more than a little disappointed that the Qu-16 (the most popular model) doesn’t have groups, even if only via software.

Regardless, any help from anyone with Ducking LR only on the Qu-16 is appreciated.

[Dancing Brook]

I had my QU Pac out today and had some extra time. Just to confirm you could send all the band channels to an audio group, set the ducking on the group to be triggered by ch.1 and it will duck/mute all the inputs routed to that group.

Set a longer hold and release time for a smoother transition bringing the music back up.

Thank you Mike C. Your explanation sent me in the right direction. An additional Note would be to turn off all off the channels you want ducked in the LR mix (assuming you want the ducker o have complete control).

Far anyone who wants a more detailed explanation for how to do this easily (for all but the Qu-16), please just ask, and I’ll throw together a quick video and tutorial. I have no idea why A&H support couldn’t provide an answer to this which is simpler (and correct) vs what I shared above.

After this weekend, I will work on the Qu-16 solution (as it is the only mixer in the Qu series that does not have stereo groups. I absolutely love my Qu-Pac.

[Dancing Brook]

I should note Mike did indicated shutting off the “Band”channels from LR earlier in the thread:

You can gang the channels to be ducked or assign the band inputs to a group and have Ch.1 duck that group. Using an audio group you would need to un assign all the band channels from the main L R as they will be routed through the group.

Thanks again Mike, and if you have a chance to sort out the Qu-16 ducking…
I will be tackling that next week.

[Mike C]

On the QU16 just set all of the band channels ducker settings the same
all using the caller’s input channel as the trigger. Copy and paste will be your friend!

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