9
EFFECTS: SERIAL OR PARALLEL?
Effects devices are used
either in serial or in parallel:
“Serial” means that the
entire signal is routed
through the effects device.
Examples: preamps, compressor/limiters,
graphic equalizers.
“Parallel” means that a portion of the signal
is tapped off to the device (usually via a mixer’s
aux send), processed and returned (usually via
a mixer’s aux return), to be mixed with the origi-
nal “dry” signals. Multiple signals (via multiple
mixer channels) can all make use of the same
parallel effects device. Examples: reverb, digital
delay, chorus. See diagrams below.
Dry Signal
Serial Device
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
(e.g., Compressor)
Signal Processor
(e.g., Reverb)
Parallel Device
STEREO LINE IN
These balanced inputs are designed for ste-
reo or mono, balanced or unbalanced signals,
from –20 dB to +20 dB. These TRS inputs can
be used with just about any professional or
semipro instrument, effect or tape player.
When connecting a mono device (just one
cord), always use the
LEFT (MONO)
input and
plug nothing into the
RIGHT
input. A trick
called “jack normalling” will cause the signal to
appear on both sides.
MAIN OUT
Coming in two flavors, XLR and TRS, the
main output represents the end of the mixer
chain, where your fully mixed and enhanced
stereo signal enters the real world.
The XLR balanced outputs will add 6 dB
when connected to balanced inputs, thereby
elevating signal from the noise floor by that
amount.
The TRS balanced outputs offer the advan-
tage of having no 6 dB level change to deal with,
while still providing extraneous noise rejection.
SUBWOOFER OUT
The CFX MKII mixer has an integrated
mono-summing 75 Hz 3rd-order low-pass filter.
It taps the left and right
MAIN OUT
sig-
nals, mixes them into a mono signal, then
removes all but the deepest bass information.
Patch this balanced XLR output to a high-pow-
ered mono-summed amp and subwoofer (or an
active subwoofer), and the music police will be
right over.
MAIN INSERT
With nothing plugged into these jacks, the
mix signal goes from the mix amp straight
through to the
MAIN MIX
Faders
. But when
you plug a serial device into these jacks, the mix
leaves the mixer, goes through the device and
back into the mixer’s main mix faders.
If you want to send your main mix through a
compressor/limiter or similar device, these are
the jacks for you. Since the insert is before the
mix faders, moving the fader will not alter the
signal strength sent to the compressor, thereby
preserving its compression characteristics.
These unbalanced jacks are configured the
same as the channel strip insert jacks. See
page 8 for wiring and usage information.
PHONES
FOOT
SWITCH
EFX
LAMP
12V 0.5A
MAIN OUT
L
R
11
LEFT
AUX SEND
UTILITY OUT
SUB OUT
TAPE
INPUT
TAPE
OUTPUT
L
L
R
1
2
1
2
L
L
R
R
L
R
EFX SEND
STEREO EFX
RETURN
MAIN INSERT
(MONO)
(MONO)
L
R
S
75Hz
SUB OUT
R
1
2
1
2
3
4
MAIN OUT
9
LEFT
RIGHT
10
RIGHT
12
