Stereo pairs

An X32 or M32 — and an Allen & Heath SQ — can link only adjacent odd→even channel pairs: 1-2, 3-4, … A stereo source on channels 16 and 17 can never be linked on the desk — and that is usually discovered at soundcheck. PatchSmith checks the placement while you type.

Make a pair

Tap the ST chip on either half.

• Both halves are already in the patch — a pasted Keys L and Keys R, or two rows called OH next to each other: PatchSmith links those two rows. Nothing is copied and nothing is created.
• Only one half is there: PatchSmith adds the other one next to it and names both by their side — Keys becomes Keys L and the new row Keys R — copying the mic, stand, 48 V and DCA assignments.

The rows are tagged L and R. Tap ST again on either row to unpair them; both rows stay, as two mono channels.

When the rows are in the wrong place

A pair has to sit on an odd channel and the next one. If it does not — the pasted pair is on 16 and 17, or the next channel is taken — PatchSmith names the nearest odd pair it can use and asks: Link Keys L + Keys R and move both to 15–16? Accept and both rows move, then pair; decline and nothing changes.

Live validation

The grid checks every row on every render and shows a banner above the table when something is off:

• stereo L on an even channel — the console cannot link this pair
• stereo R on an odd channel — the console cannot link this pair
• stereo partner missing on the adjacent channel

You can get there by editing a channel number by hand or by removing one half of a pair from an import. Fix the numbers and the banner goes away.

Inserting rows above a pair

Insert channel above (in the edit card) moves the rows below the insert point down by one — up to the first free channel, which takes up the shift; everything after it stays where it is. The prompt names the channels that move.

• A pair that would land even→odd moves one channel further, so it stays linkable. The channel it leaves free is named in the prompt — it does not appear out of nowhere.
• If there is not enough room below (the grid ends at 64) you get Not enough free channels below to shift and nothing moves.

Inserting above the R half of a pair inserts above its L half instead, so a pair is never split.

Removing a pair

Removing either half asks whether to remove both. Answer yes to drop the pair; answer no to keep both rows.