13
EFFECTS: SERIAL OR PARALLEL?
You’ve heard us carelessly toss around the
terms “serial” and “parallel.” Here’s what we
mean by them:
“Serial” means that the
entire
signal leaves
the mixer (
INSERT
send), is routed through the
effects device, and returns to the mixer
(
INSERT
return). Examples: compressor, lim-
iter, graphic equalizer. Line-level sources can
also be patched through a serial effects device
before or after the mixer.
“Parallel” means that a
portion
of the signal
in the mixer is tapped off to the device (
AUX
SEND
), processed, and returned to the mixer
(
AUX RETURN
) to be mixed with the original
“dry” signal. This way, multiple channels can
all make use of the same effects device.
Examples: reverb, digital delay.
AUX RETURN INPUTS
This is where you connect the outputs of your
parallel effects devices (or extra audio sources).
They’ll accept just about any pro or semipro
effects device on the market.
To learn how sig-
nals are routed from these inputs:
.
To wire
your own cables:
.
Mono:
If you have an effects device with a
mono output (one cord), plug that into
L
in-
put of an
AUX RETURN
and leave the right
input unplugged. That way, the signal will be
sent to both sides, magically appearing in the
center as a mono signal.
SUB OUTS
These
1
/
4
" jacks are usually patched to the in-
puts of a multitrack deck, or to secondary
amplifiers in a complex installation.
To learn
how signals are routed to these outputs:
.
To wire your own cables:
.
Double Busing
How on earth do you get four jacks to
feed eight tracks? To feed an 8-track deck
with only four
SUB OUTS
, simply use four
Y-cords:
•
SUB OUT 1
feeds tracks 1 and 5
•
SUB OUT 2
feeds tracks 2 and 6
•
SUB OUT 3
feeds tracks 3 and 7
•
SUB OUT 4
feeds tracks 4 and 8
Tracks in record mode will accept the signal,
and tracks in safe mode will ignore the signal.
It’s that easy.
PATENT PENDING
4
3
2
1
INSERT
INSERT
INSERT
LINE
INSERT
MIC 4
MIC 3
MIC 2
MIC 1
BAL
UN-
BAL
BAL
UN-
BAL
BAL
UN-
BAL
BAL
UN-
BAL
LINE
LINE
LINE
O
O
+6
PHANTOM
POWER
120 VAC 50/60 Hz 20W
315mA/250V SLO-BLO
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
MIC 16
INSERT
INSERT
INSERT
INSERT
INSERT
INSERT
INSERT
INSERT
INSERT
INSERT
INSERT
INSERT
MIC 15
MIC 14
MIC 13
MIC 12
MIC 11
MIC 10
MIC 9
MIC 8
MIC 7
MIC 6
MIC 5
SUB OUTS
C-R OUTS
MAIN INSERT
TAPE
TAPE
MAIN OUT
AUX SEND
DIRECT OUT
AUX RETURN
3
R
L
MONO
R
R
R
R
L
R
L
R
L
R
L
L
L
L
1
4
2
5
1
2
3
4
3
1
6
4
2
7
5
3
8
6
4
1
2
BAL/UNBAL
BAL/UNBAL
BAL/UNBAL
BAL/UNBAL
BAL/UNBAL
BAL/UNBAL
INPUT
OUTPUT
(MONO)
R
L
(MONO)
(MONO)
(MONO)
BAL
UN-
BAL
BAL
UN-
BAL
BAL
UN-
BAL
BAL
UN-
BAL
BAL
UN-
BAL
BAL
UN-
BAL
BAL
UN-
BAL
BAL
UN-
BAL
BAL
UN-
BAL
BAL
UN-
BAL
BAL
UN-
BAL
BAL
UN-
BAL
LINE
LINE
LINE
LINE
LINE
LINE
LINE
LINE
LINE
LINE
LINE
LINE
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF
FIRE REPLACE WITH SAME
TYPE FUSE AND RATING
CAUTION:
Dry Signal
Processed
Signal
Insert
Send
Insert
Return
Dry Signal(s)
Dry Signal(s)
Aux
Send
Aux
Return
Wet Signal
Channel Path
Mix
Stage
Output
Section
Processed
Signal
Signal Processor
Signal Processor
Serial Device (e.g., Compressor)
Parallel Device (e.g., Reverb)
