Backpanel connections

Master Outputs

The MX Modular backpanel includes balanced XLR outputs for the Master Out, providing high-quality, professional-grade connections for your main stereo outputs.

Master Out: Left (L) and Right (R)

• Two balanced XLR outputs are dedicated to the Master Out:

  • Left (L) Output: Delivers the left channel of the master stereo mix.

  • Right (R) Output: Delivers the right channel of the master stereo mix.

Key Features

• These balanced XLR outputs ensure optimal audio quality, offering:

  • Noise rejection for long cable runs.

  • High headroom (+26dBU) to handle professional-level signals without distortion.

  • Compatibility with a wide range of professional audio equipment, such as speakers, amplifiers, and recording devices.

Monitor Outputs

The MX Modular backpanel includes monitor outputs for connecting external monitoring equipment. These connections are designed for straightforward and efficient integration into your setup.

Monitor Output Left (L) and Right (R)

• Unbalanced Outputs: The monitor outputs use standard mono jack connectors for simplicity and compatibility.

• Left (L) Output: Provides the unbalanced signal for the left monitor channel.

• Right (R) Output: Provides the unbalanced signal for the right monitor channel.

TRS Connectors

The MX Modular backpanel features several TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) connectors for routing signals to and from external devices, offering flexibility and high-quality audio routing for various functions. All connections are balanced and stereo.

Master Insert Send and Return

• Master Insert Send: Routes the main stereo mix signal to an external processor (e.g., compressor, EQ).

• Master Insert Return: Receives the processed signal from the external processor and integrates it back into the master mix.

Bus 1 and Bus 2 Insert Send and Return

• Bus 1 Insert Send: Sends the signal from Bus 1 to an external device for processing.

• Bus 1 Insert Return: Receives the processed signal and routes it back into Bus 1.

• Bus 2 Insert Send: Sends the signal from Bus 2 to an external device.

• Bus 2 Insert Return: Receives the processed signal and routes it back into Bus 2.

AUX 1 and AUX 2 Input Send and Return

• AUX 1 Send: Sends the AUX 1 signal to an external effects unit or processor.

• AUX 1 Return: Receives the processed signal back into AUX 1, blending it with the internal FX or other sources.

• AUX 2 Send: Sends the AUX 2 signal for external processing.

• AUX 2 Return: Brings the processed signal back into AUX 2 for integration with the main mix.

D-Sub Connectors

The MX Modular’s backpanel is equipped with 4 D-Sub connectors to streamline connectivity for balanced inputs and direct outputs, ensuring high-quality signal routing and integration into your setup.

Inputs: Channels 1–8 and 9–16

• Two D-Sub connectors are dedicated to the balanced inputs for channels 1–8 and 9–16.

• These inputs allow for seamless connection to external sources, ensuring a clean and professional audio signal path.

Direct Outputs: Channels 1–8 and 9–16

• The remaining two D-Sub connectors are used for the direct outputs of channels 1–8 and 9–16.

• The direct out signal is taken just after the 500-series module, providing a clean post-module output.

  • This means any processing applied by the 500-series module is included in the direct output, but the signal bypasses further routing or summing sections, giving you a pristine signal for external recording or processing.

Insert Send and Return D-Sub Connectors

In addition to the inputs and direct outputs, the MX Modular backpanel features 2 additional D-Sub connectors for managing balanced insert sends and returns, providing flexibility for integrating external processing gear.

Insert Send: Channels 1–8

• One D-Sub connector is dedicated to the balanced insert sends for channels 1–8.

• This allows you to send the signal from each channel to external processing devices, such as compressors or EQs, before it continues through the console.

• The insert send signal  is taken after the 500-series module.

Insert Return: Channels 1–8

• The second D-Sub connector is used for the balanced insert returns for channels 1–8.

• This ensures the processed signal from your external gear is cleanly and efficiently routed back into the console for further mixing or routing.

RCA Connectors for turntables and Ground Pin

The MX Modular features RCA connectors for channels 1-8 (4 stereo connectors) designed for connecting turntables with unbalanced RCA outputs only. 

Key Features of RCA Connectors

• Unbalanced Connections: Specifically designed for turntables with no internal preamp and with RCA outputs.

• Direct Routing to 100 Series Modules:

  • The RCA connectors are wired to interface directly with 100 Series modules (e.g., the M-101 Phono Preamp).

  • A dedicated cable routes the RCA phono signal directly to the selected 100 Series module, bypassing the corresponding 500 Series slot entirely.

• Third-Party Module Bypass:

  • When using the RCA connectors, the signal does not reach any third-party modules inserted into the 500 Series slot.

  • This ensures that RCA-connected devices remain isolated from the 500 Series signal chain.

• Ground pin

  • There's also a dedicated ground pin to connect the ground of your turntable(s) when using the RCA input.

Usage Scenario

This setup is for use cases of connecting a turntable to the M-101 Phono Preamp, allowing for optimized signal flow directly into the module without interference from the 500 Series mechanism.

Warning: Line Level sources like CD Players should use the DB25 Line Inputs.

CV IN Section

The MX Modular features a CV IN section designed to integrate with control voltage (CV) signals, providing expanded creative possibilities for supported modules.

CV IN Inputs

• 5 Stereo Mini Jack Inputs: These inputs are labeled to correspond to specific module slots:

  1. CH 1-2

  2. CH 3-4

  3. CH 5-6

  4. CH 7-8

  5. Extra Slot

• Each input allows you to route CV signals to compatible modules for advanced modulation and control.

Current CV-Compatible Module

• M-104 Dynamic Filter: At the time of writing, the M-104 Dynamic Filter module responds to CV signals, allowing control of its filter frequency. This functionality opens up creative modulation options in both studio and live performance contexts.

Future Expansion

• More modules supporting CV integration are planned, ensuring that the CV IN section becomes an increasingly versatile feature over time.

Summary

The CV IN section provides 5 stereo mini jack inputs for integrating CV signals into the MX Modular, enabling real-time modulation and control of supported modules such as the M-104 Dynamic Filter. With additional CV-compatible modules on the horizon, this section is designed to grow with future capabilities.

Sidechain Input

The MX Modular includes a stereo mini jack sidechain input, enabling external sidechain control for supported modules. This connection provides additional creative and dynamic processing options.

Sidechain Input Features

• Single Stereo Mini Jack:

  • A dedicated stereo mini jack input is available to route an external sidechain signal to the console.

• Global Sidechain Signal:

  • The sidechain signal is distributed across all slots, making it accessible to any installed module designed to respond to sidechain input.

Future Module Compatibility

• While currently no modules explicitly utilize the sidechain input, future modules are planned to take advantage of this feature. These modules will be able to respond to the global sidechain signal for advanced processing, such as dynamic compression or rhythmic gating.

Summary

The sidechain stereo mini jack on the backpanel is a forward-thinking feature, providing a global sidechain signal for all module slots. It ensures compatibility with future sidechain-responsive modules, paving the way for enhanced creative workflows.

Control Link In and Out 

The MX Modular features Control Link In and Control Link Out DB-15 connectors designed for interconnecting multiple units, enabling seamless integration and expanded functionality.

Key Features of Control Link

• Daisy-Chaining Consoles:

  • Use the Control Link In and Control Link Out connectors to daisy chain multiple MX Modular units or future MX Modular Expanders.

  • This setup allows you to expand the system while maintaining a unified workflow.

• Programmable Mute Groups and Solo Synchronization:

  • The programmable mute groups and solo system are synchronized across all connected units, ensuring consistency in operation.

• Leader-Follower Configuration:

  • The first MX Modular in the chain automatically becomes the leader console.

  • Subsequent consoles are designated as followers, with their LCDs displaying an F to indicate follower status.

Use Case

This connection is ideal for larger setups requiring multiple consoles, whether for live performances or complex studio environments, as it ensures that all connected units work together seamlessly.

Summary

The Control Link In and Out (DB-15 connectors) enable daisy-chaining of multiple MX Modulars or expanders, synchronizing programmable mute groups and solo systems while maintaining an intuitive leader-follower configuration. This ensures smooth operation across expanded setups.

Expander IN 

The MX Modular includes an Expander IN D-Sub connector designed for future system expansion, enabling seamless integration of additional consoles.

Key Features of Expander IN

• Bus and AUX Integration:

  • The Expander IN D-Sub connector is used to connect the bus routing and AUX sends of future MX Modular Expander consoles to the leader console.

• Scalable System:

  • This connection allows for easy expansion of your setup, ensuring that all busses and AUX paths are synchronized and accessible across multiple consoles.

Future Compatibility

• The Expander IN connector is reserved for use with upcoming MX Modular Expander units, providing flexibility for larger, more complex setups.

PFL Link 

The MX Modular includes a PFL Link mini jack, designed to share the Pre-Fader Listen (PFL) bus across consoles with expanders in a connected setup.

PFL Link for Console / Expander setup

• Shared PFL Bus:

  • The PFL Link connects the PFL buses of multiple MX Modular expanders with the leader console, ensuring seamless monitoring across units. Use a standard stereo mini-jack cable to achieve this.

  • Any channel routed to the PFL bus on any of the expanders will be audible through the headphone outputs of the leader console.

PFL Link for Console / Console setup

• Shared PFL Bus:

  • To connect the PFL bus of 2 leader consoles, a special link cable is required to ensure the proper operation of the PFL Bus. The link cable is available in the rodec.com shop or e-mail info@rodec.com

  • Any channel routed to the PFL bus on any of the 2 leader consoles will be audible through the headphone outputs of the leader console.