Using Aux Sends For Adding Effects

[thomaswomas]

Hi,

my band have decided to record some new demos and want to do it all live. we've got an old studiomaster 20:8:2 desk which we've been using for the past year but we've never had it set up to record decent live demos yet. up to now, each instrument has it's own channel but i need to add some compression and reverb to things like the vocals and snare etc. i've hit a brick wall when trying to add effects though. i've got the main aux 1 send routed to the input of the reverb unit and the output of the reverb running back into the aux 1 return. when i increase the level of the aux 1 nob on any of the channels to maximum, i can barely hear the reverb and it sounds distorted. i've tried returning the reverb signal into a separate channel on the desk but it is still very faint. It works fine when i use the insert ports on each channel, but i need reverb on more than one instrument so i need to use the aux. can anyone tell me where i'm going wrong,

thanks

simon

[Mark7]

Is there an aux 1 return volume control?

[thomaswomas]

yes, i've got that turned up full. as far as i know, i've got all aux related nobs turned up full. i think a couple of photos of the desk layout would help so i'll get some done today

thanks

[Mark7]

Do you know if the aux return circuit is set up for +4 or -10 operation? And, in relation to this does your reverb operate at +4 or -10 or is it switchable?

And what's the phrase I should have used instead of

Do you know if the aux return circuit is set up for +4 or -10 operation?

?

[xstatic]

How heavily is the input reading on the reverb unit itself? Also, if it is reading good signal, as well as the output of the reverb unit, try returning the signal to a channel instead of an aux return

[gtrman_66]

Also, check to see if there is a "wet/dry" control on your effects unit. Generally, you can run the unit 100% wet and control the amount with the aux send/return controls


good luck

[Farview]

Bring the reverb back into a set of channels via the line input.

Make sure the reverb unit is set to 100% wet.

The distortion iis from sending a bunch of tracks into the reverb at maximum, you are distorting the reverb unit.

If you still want to use the aux return, make sure that the return is routed to something that is turned up.