A couple of questions reguarding FX inputs and microphone gain on mixer

[AllenM]

I have a couple of questions. When Im recording the vocal track I always have to put the microphone input always on max to even hear myself through the mix. I might just have the band mixed levels too high... Another thing is I have two effects id like to use in this song im doing. I have one yamaha rev500 that Im going to use for a tambourine (stereo) and I also have a Master room Xl305 that Id like to use for vocals (stereo). My mixer only has 2 FX inputs and I have 4 available empty channels for FX or whatever. How would I get this done? My mixer also has RCA direct outs for each channel. I am using a Ramsa WRT820 mixer.

 

[The Ghost of FM]

You have to set a vocal level, or any other level for that matter, on it's own first, with the main channel fader up at the "hash marks", 7 on a scale of 10 and then bring up the trim control until you get the proper 0vu average reading. Once that's achieved for all the inputs you're tracking, it should be a lot easier to get a balanced cue mix to work with. If you're a very quiet singer combined with a microphone that's not very sensitive, that could cause grief and you'll either have to get a more efficient microphone or learn how to sing louder. If you're not following this regime, it will lead to the exact issue you've described of runaway levels overtaking softer ones, making for wonky cue mixes.

About the dual reverbs, use two post fader effect sends or post fader aux sends to feed each one and patch the verb's outs to the extra channels you said you have and blend and patch to taste and need.

Cheers!

 

[AllenM]

Thanks. On my mixer I only have 2 fx inputs so I have to connect both to the reverb unit for stereo. I dont understand what you mean by post fader effect sends.

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Thanks. On my mixer I only have 2 fx inputs so I have to connect both to the reverb unit for stereo.

No, I was suggesting that you don't use the effects return inputs as they will only feed the stereo mix of your board's main stereo outputs. I was suggesting instead to used 4 of the unused main mixing channel strips as the reverb returns. Connecting them that way allows you to assign the reverb sound to tape tracks or back into the cue mix if you want to hear reverb while you are overdubbing.

I dont understand what you mean by post fader effect sends.

On each channel strip you have a series of knobs labeled as Aux sends and Effect sends. And effect send is a post fader feed and an aux. send is usually a pre-fader feed. I believe you mixer allows you to switch between pre and post feeds for one of your aux sends and once you switch it to post, it will behave the same way as an effects send knob works. These Effect and Aux. send systems are designed for making cue mixes or for feeding reverb units and you said you have two reverb units, yes? So, you'll use one of your aux sends to feed one of the reverb units and you'll use your effect sends to feed the other reverb unit.

A post fader effect send gets it's signal after or "post" the main channel fader and a Pre aux send gets its signal from before the fader in the signal path. Generally speaking, effect sends, (post fader) are best for sending a signal to a reverb as this allows you to kill the reverb signal when you fade down a channel. If you have your reverb feed by a pre aux send, the reverb would still keep going after a fade which is usually not a desired thing to have happen.

This is pretty rudimentary stuff and you've got to get a firm grip on the routing possibilities of your mixer or else you'll never be able to use it to your advantage. If you have the manual for your mixer, study the signal flow diagrams in it until they make sense to you. It's like getting a job as a taxi driver and knowing the streets of the town your driving in. When it comes to mixers, you have to look at them like a road system and know how they connect and where they go and most importantly, you need to know all the short cuts that save you time and mileage. Once you develop that mental picture in your head of your mixer's routing possibilities, you'll be able to work it in your sleep.

Cheers!

 

[AllenM]

Where would I plug the input reverb unit into? the channels insert jack?

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Where would I plug the input reverb unit into? the channels insert jack?

The input signal to the reverb unit would be feed by the effect and aux output jacks. The reverb's output jacks would be plugged into the spare main channel strips where their effect can then be added during recording, mixdown or to a headphone cue mix depending on how you assign them.

Cheers!

 

[AllenM]

Im still really confused! Here we go: So I have 2 reverbs and I want to run both in stereo. The reverb machines both have a Left and right input and left and right output. The output is covered. I know I can connect them to the empty channels I dont use. The problem i have is I would need to connect a 1/4 cable to the Left and right inputs on the reverb then connect both cables where? My mixer has only 2 inputs for fx. Which would only allow me to use one fx for stereo. But you told me about post effect send. Basically whats confusing me is I need to connect both L&R inputs somewhere... and if Im using two reverb unit I would have to connect four inputs to an effect send.