effects send

  • Thread starter Thread starter LonelyBeat
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LonelyBeat

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I just got a 424mkIII and am still learning how to use it, and I wanna know what the deal is with the tywo nobs that say "effect 1" and "effect 2/tape cue" There are the jacks that say"effects send" or whatever, but I dont really know how to use them, can anyone please tell me what to do with these jacks, what I can do ,a nd what i should do? Thanks
 
Good question. I was confused about this in the beginning, but once you get the hang of it, you will see how easy they are to use.

The Effects 1 & 2 knobs dictate how much of the signal in the particular channel is sent to an external effects unit. In other words if you want to send most of the signal in the track to the effects device, you can adjust the knob. Most people only bother with effects 1 and not effects 2 because they only have one effects device. So, I will tell you how to use the Effects 1.

Once you adjust the effects 1 knob to tell the mixer how much of the signal will get sent to the effects device, you also turn the knob on the Stereo Input 5-6 or Stereo Input 7-8 which act as the effects Receive. They tell the multitrack how much of the "effected" signal to receive. You need to have a patch cable (mono is ok) hooked up from the output of your multitrack to the input the effects device. Then you can use a stereo Y cable from the Left and Right Outs of the effects device to the Stereo Input 5-6 and adjust those knobs on what to receive.

Now, obviously you need a separate effects device to do this since the 414 and 424 have no effects of their own. The cable configuration above makes what they call an effects loop.

I just used it today to add chorus effects to two weak recordings to fatten them up.

You can use these effects when 1) you are laying down tracks or 2) when you are mixing down.

I hope this helps. Let me know if anything I said above is confusing to you. :)

Bruce Chambers
http://www.songwriterstreet.com
http://www.brucemusic.com
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I almost forgot to tell you how to use the Effects 2/tape cue - Since most people only bother with Effects 1, they use the Effects 2 know for the tape cue feature.

Use the tape cue knob to adjust how much of the recorded tracks you hear in your headphone mix or in the monitor out mix, which uses the same circuits as the headphone jacks. For example, if you already layed down track 1 and now you want to lay down something else on track 2, you put the input switch of track 1 to TAPE and the Effects 2/Tape Cue switch to Tape Cue. At this point you can adjust the track one levels with the Effect 2/Tape Cue knob. In essence, you are performing a temporary mixdown which outputs into the headphone.

That's it for the Effects 2 / Tape cue knobs.

I hope this also helps. Have fun and don't hesitate to ask questions. Everyone here is really helpful.

Bruce
 
The mix setting on your effects device should be set to 100% wet.
 
thanks

its pretty crazy cause I havent been on my pc in the last three days figuring out my 4 track, and I happened to figure that out one day after posting the question. Thanks anyhow, and since were on the subject, what is youre opinion on what kinds of effects units I should use, especially a compressor, as right now I am using my guitar compressor as the comp unit, which works OK, but I am guessing that a real compressor would do me better.
 
My experience is limited to prosumer type outboards. I really don't have anything high-end.

I've had acceptable results with the Alesis series of processors; the Midiverb IV and III. And a long time ago, the original back in 1985. I've used Roland and Yamaha processors in the past too. All were pretty decent units for the money. Lexicon is thought of pretty highly around here and with good reason. They've been doing it a long time and thier processors are top of the line. Top of the price heap too in many cases. I used to have a very old Ibenez analog delay two rack units high. Wish I'd kept it.

I'm a big fan of DBX compressors, though again, nothing top of the line yet. And they do make some top of the line stuff. The lower end devices provide me with a usable compressor that does a good job. I've used the 163 and currently use a 262. It does not provide controls for attack and release which is fine for me. That's two less setting I have to worry about, but limits your ability to tailor the settings for unique circumstances. I've never had any problems with the sound though. It's not made anymore, but they're out there if you look. Good bang for the buck unit.
 
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