Can you put EQ on an Aux channel?

[Chris F]

I've been in the digital domain so long that I'm showing my newbie analog ass here, but here goes:

I record a lot of piano with the following signal chain: '37 Baldwin 6'3" grand -->(2) M-Audio Luna mics in x/y config --> DMP3 --> Soundcraft M12 direct outs --> MOTU 1224 --> DP4. I love mixing in DP4, but I'm not wild about the EQ plugs, and the piano always needs some taming in the upper mids, just a slight cut. I happen to own a Presonus EQ3B which I used to use for live sound in my doublebass rig, and I liked it a lot for that.

My question: if I put the Presonus EQ on an aux channel, and rout the two Lunas through that aux to take the "bite" out of the piano while tracking, will that effectively render the tracks mono? In other words, do I need two eq units to truly eq a stereo source with the same settings? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'd like to find out from someone who knows before I go trying something that can't work. Thanks!

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

No need to apologize for anything. It's a sensible question

If you are sending two or more channels to a single aux channel, that aux channel remains a single aux channel. So yes, whenf you are returning that aux to your main mix, you are returning a single - i.e. mono - channel. You are, in effect, submixing the channels through the aux bus.

So yes, if you want to apply effects to multiple channels, you have to have a separate channel of effects for each one if you want to keep them as discrete channels. In your case, yes that would mean having more than one channel of EQ.

Additionally, if the Soundcraft has channel insert jacks on the input channel strips, you may want to jack your EQ into those inserts instead of sending them off to an aux bus. You'll still need to have a seperate channel of EQ for each mixer channel strip either way, though.

HTH,

G.

 

[Chris F]

Thank you - that's what I figured, but you explained it very well. I may try the EQ anyway on a single channel to see if the signal is clean enough to make it worth getting a second one. When I do, I'll try it with the inserts on the mixer.