For the specific app you refer to in your 1st post,you don't need a full function mixer with uptown EQ and all,just a simple line mixer.In your shoes,I would endeavor to keep the signal path as short as possible,so yeah,I'd go right out the Aux sends directly to the FX boxes and only use the mixer to collect all the outputs of the external boxes and shoot 'em back into the VS.BTW,if you are fortunate enough to have FX equipped with S/PDIF input and output,such as some Lexicons and T C Electronics boxes,you can use the digital outs and ins of the VS as FX sends and returns as well as the analog.Any input on the VS can be assigned to any track,so there's no need to only plug your outside stuff into 1&2.When you're in Track Mixer,you press and hold down the track button and the Input currently assigned to it flashes.If it's not the input you want,push it's yellow button and it will go out.Now,push the yellow button(s) of the Input(s) you do want to assign to the track.OOOPS,that should read:"When you're in INPUT MIXER(Yellow Fader Edit.)"