Aux send/return problems w/ studio 32

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ssseals

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Hey guys,
I just got my Alesis Studio 32 board running into an ADAT XT 20. Everything seems to work fine, but I'm having problems getting my effects from the send/return ONTO tape. I can monitor them fine, they just don't track. Now, I'm running the ADAT with an Elco cable, so I'm using the direct channel outs, which means I'm not using the Group 1/2, 3/4, which is how the manual suggests you return your aux effects. Thanks for any help.
 
If you are using direct channel outs to your ADAT, then you are not routing any of the auxes to your ADAT either... it is more common to connect your multi-track to the BUSS OUTS of your mixer, then if you do want to include effects, you can route an aux or 2 to the BUSS OUTS as well. Without actually routing auxes to the BUSS OUT, they will be commonly connected to your MAIN L/R BUSS which would be connected to your mixdown machine.

Mind you, this routing is based on an 8-buss console... with a different desk, your mileage will vary!

Bruce
 
It's worse than just that. The effects buses do not universally work with all 4 sub outs, some buses work with sub 1-2 and other with sub 3-4 (read the manual, its buried in there somewhere). Really pissed me off when I realized it... it's actually the only thing I don't like about the Studio 32 board. It's been the biggest thing driving me towards software plugins and away from external effects. Almost makes me wish I had bought the Behringer 3208.... of course that could have sucked on its own merits.
 
Why do you want to record tracks with effects anyway? What if you don't (for instance) don't like that reverb when you do the final mix? It's stuck there. You can't take it back off. Save your effects for the final mixdown and just worry about getting good initial sounds to track.
 
But what if I DO want to track with effects? I want to be able to have the option to. I don't have the cash right now to buy 2-4 of each effect just so I can use during mixdown. Ultimately, that's the goal, but in the meantime, I want to produce somewhat finished products with, say reverb on the vocals, guitar, snare, etc. at the same time, which means tracking something with effects so I can have different settings on each instrument. Back to the Studio 32, apparently the INSERT jacks override the AUX send/return, because I'm getting the insert, but not aux to tape. I can hear it in the monitor/headphones during playback if I dial it in, but it's not on tape. Anymore advice on this?
 
Right now, just one track at a time (me). Later, hopefully more (my band).
 
Although I'm not fond of this concept in general (recording effects), if you must do it this may work. Take your source and send it through the effect device before you plug it into the mixer. Be aware that this will somewhat degrade the quality of the source sound. How much is dependant on the quality of your effect device. You'll have to judge if the sound is still acceptable. You won't use your aux send- rather, you'll use the mix knob/button on your effect device to adjust how much of the effect you want. YOU WILL HAVE TO GET YOUR SOURCE SIGNAL TO LINE LEVEL SOMEHOW FOR THIS TO WORK!!! (Unless your effect has a mic or instrument level input, you'll need something to preamp the signal with)
You'd still get a lot better and cleaner results tracking dry and adding the effects later. Maybe just borrow or rent another effx unit when you do mixdown. You won't probably need it long. You can get everything eq'd, leveled, and ready to go and then just patch it in.
Good Luck!
 
P.S. If you don't have a preamp to get the signal up to line level, go into one channel of the board with your mic...come out of it's direct out...go into the effect...go out of the effect into another channel and go direct out of that channel into the adat. In other words- use one channel of the board for a preamp. Hope this helps.
 
I agree that it is always best to add effects when doing your final mixdown and to record everything dry. The only case where I add effects while recording is on heavy rock guitar piece where you are essentially playing off of the effect.

However given a choice rather than running the mic through the effect and then into the mixer I would run the mic through the board and run a sub-out to your ADAT. The Studio 32 is a quiet enough mixer that this should not be a problem.
 
hey SSSSLL :

I have a board like that and I cant get the channel inserts to work.. you know where you plug a insert in the back to one specific channel and have it routed to a fx unit... how are you doing this???????
 
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