Samson Mastering Audio Control with the TM 500: A Guide to Aux Sends and Returns

Using Aux Sends and Returns

ENGLISH

	0
∞	+10
AUX1	PRE

	0
∞	+10
	AUX2

Channel Aux Sends

	0		0
∞	+10	∞	+10

AUX RET 1 AUX RET2/REV

	0		0
∞	+10	∞	+10

AUX SEND 1 AUX SEND 2

Main section Aux Returns

and main Aux Sends

AUX SEND 1

+4dB

AUX SEND 2

Aux Send jacks

AUX RET1

+4dB

L/MONOR

AUX RET2

Aux Return jacks

The two Aux Sends provided by the TM500 allow you to combine the signal from multiple channels and send the resulting mix to the internal Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and/or to external devices such as effects processors.

When a channel Aux Send knob is at its 2 o’clock “0” position, the signal is routed with unity gain (that is, no boost or attenuation). As it is turned clockwise from the “0” position, the signal is boosted; as it is turned counterclockwise from the “0” position, it is attenuated. Aux Send 1 is post-eq but pre-fader; that is, the level of the signal is determined solely by the channel’s Trim control and equalizer settings. In contrast, Aux Send 2 is post-fader(and post-eq); that is, the level of the signal is affected by the channel’s Trim control, equalizer settings, and fader position.

There are also two master Aux Send knobs, located in the TM500’s main section. These control the overall level of the total mixed signal being routed to the internal DSP and/or output from the two unbalanced 1/4" Aux Send jacks. Note that, when the TM500 is operated in a “split mono” configuration (that is, when the Aux 1 / Monitor switch is pressed in), the Aux Send 1 signal is internally routed to the right speaker outputs (normally connected to onstage monitors). In this configuration, the master Aux 1 Send knob acts as a master level control for the onstage monitor output. The Rev To Aux 1 Level control (see #16 on page 8) provides a means for adding reverb or other processed signal from the internal DSP to onstage monitors or headphones connected to the Aux Send 1 jacks (when operating the TM500 in standard stereo configuration) or to the right speaker outputs (when operating the TM500 in “split mono” configuration).

The TM500 also provides two stereo Auxiliary Returns. Aux Return 1 allows you to return signal from outboard devices connected to the Aux Return 1 jacks. Aux Return 2 can also be used to return signal from outboard devices, but only when the DSP On/Off switch (see #19 on page 8) is off. If the DSP On/Off switch is pressed in (“on”), Aux Return 2 is used to return signal from the internal DSP and the Aux Return 2 jacks become inoperative. See the “Using DSP” section on page 22 in this manual for more information.

Each of the stereo Aux Returns is somewhat similar to a stereo channel, except that a signal being brought into to a channel can be equalized if necessary and optionally sent on to other outboard devices (via Aux Sends or channel inserts). In practice, you’ll probably want to use one or both of the Aux Returns to bring in signal from connected effects processors. If the effects processors have stereo outputs, they should be connected to both the left and right Aux Return inputs so that their stereo integrity is retained. If they have mono outputs, you can route them to either the left or right inputs. In this way, you can actually connect up to four monophonic devices to the TM500’s Aux Return section. Note that signal arriving at the left Aux Return input is automatically panned hard left and signal arriving at the right input is automatically panned hard right. The TM500 Aux Return jacks are unbalanced 1/4" inputs.

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