Value of wiring PFL/AFL

[Mikey MTC]

Hi guys,

We're about to join the D-Control club and I can't wait!

Right now I'm finalizing the XMON wiring with our tech. For conventional studio work, I can't work out what I gain by giving up a pair of outputs for the solo bus. Plus it uses more DSP. I appreciate in a live situation this would have uses but in the studio?

I'm sure I'm misunderstanding something valuable about this feature so please enlighten me. PFL and solo in place appear to be the same thing to me. I assume most of you users have wired this in? I mean, it's only two outputs.

Thanks,

[Craig F]

PFL and solo in place appear to be the same thing to me.

PFL = Pre Fader Listen = pre fader
AFP = After Fader Listen = post fader, pre panning
SIP = Solo In Place = post fader, post panning

not the same thing as all

[Mikey MTC]

PFL = Pre Fader Listen = pre fader
AFP = After Fader Listen = post fader, pre panning
SIP = Solo In Place = post fader, post panning

not the same thing as all

Thanks Craig. I knew there were differences. My question still remains as to what are the benefits of the whole dedicated AFL/PFL path which uses more DSP by utilizing separate outputs. When and why do users typically want this extra functionality?

[Craig F]

PFL is useful during tracking
SIP is what I use about 99% of the time

[wheresmyfroggy]

One use for AFL/PFL that we use regularly is for monitoring various mixes/stems during a multi-deck layback

eg when we are laying back a final to 1/2 on digi and an M+E on 3/4 plus various splits on a DTRS if you have all the mixes coming back into your session on aux inputs you can solo them without affecting the mix.

It also saves you having to solo-disable all your stems/submixes within your session if you just want to be able to solo individual tracks

[Mikey MTC]

Thanks Wheresmyfroggy. I get it now and I'll definitely wire it in. Seems totally worth it.

[Robin_Parnaby]

Not quite Craig.
PFL = Pre Fader Listen = pre fader
AFP = After Fader Listen = post fader, post panning
SIP = Solo In Place = post fader, post panning

AFL and SIP are identical except that AFL is non-destructive and uses a seperate solo bus, whereas SIP uses the mix bus and is destructive. You can imagine for broadcast guys SIP will disturb the main feed (CLM - career limiting move) so they need a seperate bus. Music guys have no need to change the path of solo'd channels and want to ensure that it sounds precisely the same as when it's in the mix.

PFL also uses the seperate solo bus.

Thanks Craig. I knew there were differences. My question still remains as to what are the benefits of the whole dedicated AFL/PFL path which uses more DSP by utilizing separate outputs. When and why do users typically want this extra functionality?