Mackie DFX12, DFX6 4. INSERT (FOR MONO CHANNELS), Serial, Serial Device, Parallel Device, Insert only to first “click”, For use as an effects loop

4. INSERT (FOR MONO CHANNELS) EFFECTS: SERIAL OR PARALLEL?

Use the insert jacks to send the channel signal through a compressor, graphic equalizer, or similar device.

With nothing plugged into this jack, the channel’s signal goes straight through the mic/ line preamp and channel strip. With an external effects device plugged into this jack, the channel’s signal leaves the mixer, goes through the effects device and back into the channel strip (see insert plug diagram below).

The insert send signal is not affected by the channel EQ or fader, thereby preserving the original signal’s characteristics. Only the GAIN (16) control has any effect on the insert send level.

Specialty cables, developed just for these insert jacks, are widely available. They allow a signal to leave and enter the mixer on the same TRS plug. They are wired thuswise:

Tip = Send (to effects device input)

Ring = Return (from effects device output) Sleeve = Common ground (connect shield to all three sleeves)

	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

Besides being used for inserting effects de- vices, these jacks can also be used as channel direct outputs; post-GAIN (16), pre-LOW CUT (18) and pre-EQ (19, 20).

Here are three ways to use the jacks:

MONO PLUG

Channel Insert jack

Direct out with no signal interruption to master.

Insert only to first “click”

MONO PLUG

Channel Insert jack

Direct out with signal interruption to master.

Insert all the way in to the second “click”

STEREO

PLUG

Channel Insert jack

For use as an effects loop.

(TIP= SEND to effect, RING = RETURN from effects)

Effects devices are used

either in serial or in parallel:

Serial means that the en-

tire signal is routed through

the effects device. Examples include: preamps, compres- sor/limiters, graphic equalizers. Connections are

typically made via the channel INSERT jacks. Parallel means that a portion of the signal is tapped off to the effects device, processed,

and returned, to be mixed with the original “dry” signals. Multiple signals (via multiple mixer channels) can all make use of the same parallel effects device. Examples include: reverb, delay, chorus. Connections are typically made via AUX sends and AUX returns.

Serial Device

	Insert	Insert
	Send	Return
	Signal Processor
Dry Signal	(e.g., Compressor)	Processed
		Signal

Parallel Device

Aux	Aux	Output
Send	Return	Section
Signal Processor
(e.g., Reverb)		Wet Signal
		Mix	Processed
Channel Path		Stage	Signal
Dry Signal(s)		Dry Signal(s)

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