How to Clear an Unwanted Source on the Behringer Wing

The Behringer Wing is a powerful digital mixing console with a unique approach to source management that might be different from other sound boards you’ve used. One of the most important things to understand is how the console manages source settings independently from channel strips. If you remove an audio source from a channel strip but don’t clear it from the routing, the board retains the source’s attributes—such as naming, phantom power settings, and gain structure—at the source level.

This article will guide you through clearing unwanted sources on the Behringer Wing, ensuring that your inputs remain well-organized and free from any lingering settings applied to previous sources.

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Understanding How the Behringer Wing Manages Sources

On most digital mixers, channel settings—including name designation, gain, EQ, and phantom power—are tied to the channel strip itself. However, the Behringer Wing keeps much of this information at the source level. This means that a source retains its label and configuration even when it is no longer assigned to an active channel strip.

For example, if you assign Electric 2 to a channel strip, give it a name, apply phantom power, set gain, and use it for a week, its attributes remain even after you remove the channel assignment.

This can create confusion if you later decide to use that input for something else. Let’s say you now want to assign a violin to the same input that was previously labeled as Electric 2. When you go into routing and assign the new instrument to the same physical input, the previous name and settings remain unless you manually clear them.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Clearing an Unwanted Source

If you want to completely remove unwanted sources, including their labels and settings, follow these steps:

Step 1: Identify the Unwanted Source

1. Press the Routing button on the Behringer Wing.
2. Navigate to Sources (this shows all assigned sources, including their attributes).
3. Find the source that you no longer need (e.g., Electric 2).
4. If the source is assigned to an input, you’ll see its properties such as name, phantom power, and gain settings.

Step 2: Removing the Source from the Channel Strip

1. Press View on the channel strip where the unwanted source is assigned.
2. Navigate to Config.
3. Unassign the source from the channel by selecting an empty input or disabling assignment.

At this point, the source is no longer assigned to the channel, but the Wing still retains its attributes at the source level.

Step 3: Clearing the Source from Routing

To completely clear the source so it no longer appears with the previous attributes:

1. Return to Routing.
2. Locate the input source that needs to be cleared (e.g., Input 7).
3. Press the Initialize button.
4. The system will ask for confirmation—select Yes to proceed.

Once initialized, the source is wiped clean:

• The custom label is removed (e.g., “Electric 2” disappears).
• Phantom power settings are reset.
• The gain and other attributes return to default.
• The channel is now “empty” and ready for reassignment.

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Why This Process Matters

Failing to clear sources properly can lead to confusion, especially when reassigning channels for new instruments or microphones. This process ensures that a previous source’s settings don’t interfere when configuring a new source.

For example, if Electric 2 had phantom power enabled and you later connect a dynamic microphone to that same input, the microphone could be damaged if phantom power remains active. Initializing the source removes this risk.

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Final Thoughts

The Behringer Wing’s approach to source management offers flexibility but requires an understanding of how it stores attributes separately from channel strips. When you no longer need a source, ensure that you:

1. Unassign it from the channel strip.
2. Initialize the source in the Routing section.

By following these steps, you keep your mix clean, organized, and free from unnecessary settings that might carry over unintentionally.

Use the Initialize function with caution, as it completely resets the input source. But when used correctly, it simplifies patching and prevents old settings from interfering with new inputs.