
On some models, the headphones and control room share the same level control; on others, there’s a separate control for headphone level.
Some models have two headphone jacks. The two jacks on the
Studio Output (8-Bus)
The Studio Output normally feeds an amplifier and speakers (or powered speakers) in the studio, so that the musicians can hear a playback without coming into the control room. These carry the same signal as the Control Room outputs, but have an independent level control so you can adjust the playback volume to suit the listeners.
The
WARNING: When you have mics live in
the studio, they’ll also be live in the studio monitors if the Studio output control is
turned up. In the extreme case, you’ll get feedback, but you don’t want to record the speaker outputs ei- ther. When tracking, be sure to turn the Studio Level control down between playbacks.
The Studio Output jacks can be used with a second amplifier and speakers in the control room, so you can compare the mix on your high grade monitors with the boombox speakers the rest of the world listens to. To switch between the two, turn one level control down and the other one up, or easier, use an external monitor A/B switch.
Mix B Output (8-Bus)
The
Channel Inserts
The channel INSERT jacks allow you to break the channel signal path right after the mic preamp stage and its associated TRIM control (the
MIXER ANATOMY: CHAPTER 2
You can also insert a signal processor such as a delay, flanger, or reverb unit in the channel path to process the source coming into that channel. This is sometimes called a “serial” effect hookup since it’s in series with the signal path.
Since most people who need only a small mixer, don’t have racks full of processing gadgets, our smallest mixers don’t have Inserts on every channel. The larger ones do.
The INSERT jack is a 1/4" TRS type, but in this instance, the two jack contacts are used as an output (send) from the preamp and an input (return) back into the remainder of the channel strip. Switch contacts built into the jack provide a “normal” connection from send to return when there’s no plug inserted. When you push a plug all the way in, this connection is broken, and you have access to the channel insert points through the jack.
The tip of the plug connects to the SEND, and the ring connects to the RETURN. Since we’re using only one contact of the jack for each connection, connections to and from the INSERT are unbalanced. The send is a low impedance
You can buy an Insert cable off the rack at your local music store, or build one. Here’s how it’s wired:
| ring |
| SEND to processor | |
tip | (TRS plug) | “tip” | ||
sleeve |
| |||
This plug connects to one of the | “ring” | |||
mixer’s Channel Insert jacks. | ||||
RETURN from processor |
Tip = Send (Output to effects device)
Ring = Return (Input to effects device)
Sleeve = Common Ground (Shield connects to all three sleeves
Here’s how to hook an outboard signal processor in line with the channel path (a “serial” connection):
RING
| TIP |
| vu |
IN | OUT |
|
|
Compact Mixer Reference Guide | 25 |
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