Using External Processing - Mackie Digital 8 Bus Owner's Manual

Using External Processing

Compressors, gates, and equalizers are
generally inserted into the signal path. They are
referred to as "serial devices," used in series with
the signal path. All the signal goes into the
device, then out and back to the mixing console's
signal path. The compressor, gate, and EQ in the
Digital 8•Bus follow this model.
Reverb, echo, delay, aural excitement, and
spatial enhancement are usually set up as send/
return devices. These are referred to as "parallel
devices." Some amount of the signal is "borrowed"
from a channel via an aux send, sent to the device,
processed and returned to the console as a new,
wet signal to be mixed with the original, dry
signal. The plug-in effects in the Digital 8•Bus
follow this model.
ring
tip sleeve
This plug connects to one of the
mixer's Channel Insert jacks.
(TIP = SEND to effect, RING = RETURN from effect.)
6-62
Starting a New Session
SEND to processor
(TRS plug)
RETURN from processor
MONO PLUG
Direct out with no signal interruption.
Insert only to first "click."
MONO PLUG
Direct out with signal interruption.
Insert all the way in to the second "click."
STEREO
PLUG
For use as an effects loop.
You can add external processing devices in
addition to the internal processors of the Digital
8•Bus. If you want to use an external serial
device on a channel, such as a compressor,
equalizer, de-esser, or specialized filter, use the
channel INSERT jack (available on channels 1–12).
The channel INSERT point is after the TRIM
control but before the A/D converter and DSP
effects. The send (tip) is low-impedance (120
ohms), capable of driving any line-level device.
The return (ring) is high-impedance (over 2.5k
ohms) and can be driven by almost any device.
Insert cables must be wired thusly:
Tip = Send (output to effects device)
Ring = Return (input from effects device)
Sleeve = Common ground (connect shield to
all three sleeves)
"tip"
Besides being used for inserting external de-
vices, these jacks can also be used as channel
analog direct outputs (post-TRIM and pre-EQ).
In fact, Mackie mic preamps have become so fa-
"ring"
mous that people buy our compact mixers just to
have four or six of these preamps in their arse-
nal. Here's three ways you can use the channel
INSERT jacks:
If you want to use an external parallel device
on a channel such as a reverb or digital delay,
Channel Insert jack
use the AUX sends and Effects Returns (chan-
nels 13–24). The AUX Sends 1–8 are post-fader,
-mute, and -pan by default. You can configure an
aux send to be pre-fader, post-EQ if desired in the
Fat Channel Setup. Post-fader is almost always
the preferred mode for reverb sends. Keep the
sends assigned post-fader unless you don't want
Channel Insert jack
the reverb to follow the fader moves.
Remember, when you have an aux send
configured post-fader with the level below unity
and you switch the aux send to pre-fader, the
signal will be louder at the aux send. This could
be a startling experience, for your ears and your
tweeters!
Channel Insert jack