What the mixer sends over USB

ShowRecorder records whatever the mixer sends to each USB Channel, and saves it as a Stem. The mixer decides where in each channel that signal comes from. That spot is the tap point.

You set the tap point on the mixer, not in ShowRecorder. A change applies to your next Take. Takes you already saved stay as they are.

Which one to pick

Mixing later in a DAW? Start with Input or Pre EQ.
Want the live EQ and compression, without your fader moves? Pick Pre fader.
Want the recording to follow the live mix, fader moves and all? Pick Post fader.

What each choice records

The names, and which choices you get, vary by mixer. So does where the gate, compressor and low cut sit relative to each tap point. Your mixer's signal-flow diagram shows the details.

Input

The signal right after the preamp, before the channel EQ, dynamics and fader.

The most freedom when you mix later. Nothing from the live mix is baked in.
Sounds raw next to the live mix.

Pre EQ

The signal before the channel EQ and fader. On some mixers, the low cut or gate comes earlier and is included.

Your EQ choices stay open for later.
Sounds a little less finished than the live channel.

Post EQ

The signal after the channel EQ, before the fader.

The EQ is baked in. Fader moves are not.
Closer to how the channel sounds live.

Pre fader

Everything on the channel up to the fader, so the live processing is in and the fader is out.

The live channel sound without the level rides.
A good middle ground when you liked your live EQ and compression.

Post fader

The channel after its fader, with every level ride.

Sounds most like the live mix.
A fader left down stays down in the recording. You might get little or no usable audio from that channel.

Before the show

Check your preamp gain

Preamp gain comes before every tap point. If a signal clips at the preamp, it's clipped in every choice above, and an earlier tap point can't fix it.

Auto-gain is a Pro feature on an XR18 or MR18, and only in the public beta on the X32 and M32. It sets the mixer's preamps, so its changes reach every tap point too, even Input and Pre EQ.

Check what mute does

Whether a muted channel is recorded depends on where your mixer's mute sits relative to the tap point. If the tap point comes before the mute, the channel keeps recording while it's muted. If it comes after, you record silence.

Record a short test

Use the exact routing you plan to use for the show:

Start a Take.
Move a fader, switch the EQ on and off, and mute a channel.
Stop, then listen to the Stems.

That shows you exactly what your mixer and firmware send.