Connecting inserts

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Shack

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Can anyone please tell me how to connect effects to the inserts on my mixer? I can't figure out where the ins and outs are. How many cables do I need and which goes into what, etc.
 
Thanks, but all I have are 1/4" channel inserts. I'm not referring to aux sends and returns, which I understand how to use. The inserts are just single mono points on each channels, no sends or returns.
 
For inserts, you'll find that that single 1/4" jack is actually a TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) jack. The send is usually (but not always!) on the tip, and the return is usually (but not always!) on the ring. Check your manuals to find out what flavor yours is.

You need a Y cable that will go from the TRS plug in the insert to two separate 1/4" TS (tip-sleeve, or mono) plugs: one for the send, and one for the return. These are available at just about any major music store, or you can cetainly make them.

The way it is set up is that when nothing is plugged into the insert jack, tip is shorted to ring, and the signal is connected from the channel to the mix busses. When the insert plug is plugged in, this "normal" path is broken, and the signal is routed out through the send, and back in the return.

The important thing is that if you plug in an iinsert cable, and do not have something connected between send and return to complete the signal route, that channel will have no output to the mix busses... Hope that helps.
 
ahh... a Y cable, that's the missing link! So the same insert acts as send as well return, thanks a bunch guys.
Any advice on using insert? E.g. what should or shouldn't be connected, say like its ok to use it with compression etc and not effects or vice versa.
 
Just for an added note, depending on your mixer, your inserts can also be used as pre-EQ output. If you want to maintain the signal flow down the channel use a TRS jack with the tip and ring connected. If you're going to be doing this often then it's a good idea to have a patchbay. Like Skippy said, check your manual for your specific specs.
 
Oops, sorry, I though you meant aux send and return, my mistake...
 
You can use them as insert steals, as NYMorningstar said: that's a great way to drive a multitrack on a board with no direct outs. I do that a lot...

I find that I primarily use the insert loops for dynamic processing: compression, limiting, gating. I have use external EQ on an insert once or twice, when the board's EQ wasn't up to the task. You typically would not want to put time-based effects (reverbs, delays, and so on) on an insert, because once it is there you can't undo it: you're stuck with it. But if you want to, why not? Basically, there are no rules- you can do anything you like on an insert.

Here's an idea. Build the insert steal cable (shorted TR) that NYMorningstar suggested. Track (for example) a guitar track, mic'd from the amp, on one channel. Them take the insert steal from that channel, and run it to a Pod, or your favorite effect, and then bring it back in on the line input of another channel, and simultaneously record it on another track. Viola': straight and effected guitar that you can mix as you like...
 
skippy said:
You can use them as insert steals, as NYMorningstar said: that's a great way to drive a multitrack on a board with no direct outs. I do that a lot...

I find that I primarily use the insert loops for dynamic processing: compression, limiting, gating. I have use external EQ on an insert once or twice, when the board's EQ wasn't up to the task. You typically would not want to put time-based effects (reverbs, delays, and so on) on an insert, because once it is there you can't undo it: you're stuck with it. But if you want to, why not? Basically, there are no rules- you can do anything you like on an insert.

Here's an idea. Build the insert steal cable (shorted TR) that NYMorningstar suggested. Track (for example) a guitar track, mic'd from the amp, on one channel. Them take the insert steal from that channel, and run it to a Pod, or your favorite effect, and then bring it back in on the line input of another channel, and simultaneously record it on another track. Viola': straight and effected guitar that you can mix as you like...
Click to expand...



Whoa! Did the light just come on for me!!!


Skippy, I don't understand what you meant by "that's a great way to drive a multitrack on a board with no direct outs". Can you explain what your doing and why?


thanks,
scodu
 
What he's saying is this. The insert is a point in the circuit of an individual channel strip that's right after the gain/trim control and before the EQ/fader section. You can use this insert point to tap off the signal right after the preamp to use as an input to a recorder. You can plug a 1/4" cable in to the first "click" (don't seat it all the way) or build a cable for this purpose with a stereo 1/4" plug at on end with the tip and ring shorted together and send that signal to a recorder without going through the entire mixer circuit (shorter path is a cleaner path). Also allows multiple outputs from a mixer that isn't equiped with direct outputs on individual channels. A VERY usfull trick.
 
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