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APPENDIX II
FUNDAMENTALS OF INSERT POINTS
(or, how to get the most to and from your AuxPander)
An insert point is a dedicated output and input to and from a single point on a mixer. Typically, each channel on a mixer
has an insert point at or near the input. It is typically used to “insert” a signal processor (such as an equalizer, compres-
sor, gate, reverb, delay, or modulator) into the signal path of that channel. (See Figure 5.)
Insert points use two signal paths: an output (insert send), which leaves the console and an input (insert return), which
comes back from the processor and continues down the input strip. Any device with a line-level input and output can
be “inserted.” For example, a compressor might be inserted on a vocal microphone or a gate might be inserted on the
snare drum channel. Likewise, the AuxPander is inserted on the inputs of a mixing console.
First Things First:
What You Need to Know About Mixing Consoles
Before you start plugging into any open connector on a mixing console, you should probably know a few things about
mixing consoles—besides the fact that they’re big, expensive, and have all sorts of knobs and buttons on them. Here
are a few important mixer components.
INPUT
TRIM
PFL
METERING
INSERT POINT
FADER
CONSOLE
MIX BUS
INPUT
OUTPUT
SIGNAL PROCESSOR
TYPICAL MIXING CONSOLE INPUT CHANNEL
FIGURE 5
A: The Input Strip
The typical mixing console consists of columns of identical input strips (or channels), one for each audio signal input.
Input strips carry signal from the microphones, instruments, or line level devices that are connected to the mixer down
through a series of controls—knobs, buttons, and faders. Some controls affect the signal flow (where the signals go),
such as a pan control for a stereo submix. Others control the gain (or signal level). There may also be controls for
processing the signal, such as an EQ or a limiter.
The input strip is also where you find the insert point. You can think of the insert point as a way of “lengthening” the
input strip by adding more processing.
