9EURODESK SX4882 User Manual

Fig. 4.1: Post EQ channel insert

◊In this arrangement you might find that compression tends to soften the perceived amount of EQ applied. The solution? Apply more EQ. This creates a real “pressure” sound, great for high energy music such as dance. (For a more subtle approach, use the desk insert points word for word.)

◊Using a group insert to effect post EQ processing precludes the use of POSTPROCESSING AUX SENDS without some serious re-patching.

5. Subgroup and Direct Outputs

5.1 Subgroups

The principal routes to the multitrack are via the SUBGROUP OUTPUTS. There are four stereo (or eight mono) subgroups, numbered 1 to 8. All main channels can access all of them, as can the STEREO AUX RETURNS 1 and 2. (For this reason it is usually wise to bring your best two FX processors back on these returns (or A-channels, for that matter), so that they can easily be sent to tape. (See also section 6.1 “Aux masters”.)

Why are there 16 subgroup output jacks on the EURODESK when there are only

8 subgroups? Well, each subgroup output is duplicated, so that the EURODESK can interface with up to 16 tracks via the group outputs without having to re-patch.

As well as always functioning as subgroups for track laying via the SUBGROUP OUTPUTS, groups can be routed directly into the main mix bus for

submixing. Main mix routing is handled by switches

S 37

and

S 38

.

S 37

routes an odd numbered group to the left bus, while

 

sends an even

S 38

numbered subgroup to the right bus. That’s fine for stereo submixes. If you want a pair of mono submixes instead, also press the MONO buttons ( S 35 and S 36 ). Now these subgroups feed into the center of the main mix stereo image, i.e. equally to L and R. You could have the first subgroup feeding into the left hand side, while the second one appears in mono, but we can’t think of many real situations where you’d want to do this.

Subgroup SOLO ( S 33 + S 34 ) follows the mix assignment. E.g.: If the main mix is selected, then that stereo subgroup will be monitored in stereo. If mono is also selected, monitoring is in mono.

◊Try inserting compression / de-essing / an exciter / a gate across grouped signals (e.g. backing vocals, drums, layered synths).

Fig. 5.1: Stereo subgroup channel schematic

◊Try merging a dry signal with a little wet, then compressing the sum heavily. Though the reverb proportion will be low when a signal is present, the resultant reverb tail pumped up by the compressor at the start of each silence will give the illusion that the reverb was massive alt the time. (The listener will be left wondering how the singer could sound so clear in such a wet acoustic!)

◊EURODESK insert points are, of course, simultaneously inputs and outputs. Get them onto a patchbay, where they can appear as independent sockets, and do away with all these fiddly Y leads that always seem to be the first to get knotted in the flightcase.

(See section 8 “The patchfield”.) Now it is possible to do the following incredibly useful patch without having to make up what would amount to a ring-to-tip, tip-to-ring stereo patch lead.

Fig. 5.2: Using insert to add channel EQ to subgroup output (while keeping the number of line inputs unchanged!)

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