Insert effect routing problem

[RayJohnson]

Hello gang.
I have a problem that needs solving. My mixer is an Allen&heath GL2200-32. I really love this board. I record with it in my studio using the direct outputs and feeding them into my RME FF800. Now, I want to use an effect processor on the mic channel as an insert, but I don't wanna it to go out the direct output and into my interface and thus recorded, but just to have it on the monitors and in the singers headphones while he records vocals. How can this be done? Please help. Thanks!

 

[mixsit]

Put it on an aux send, set the fx 100% wet, return it on a spare ch, route and and blend' it from there.
That would actually be the more common way to do it rather than as an insert.

 

[Massive Master]

If I'm not mistaken, the 2200's have a couple stereo inputs (13/14 & 15/16 if I recall). Those are typically used for effects returns (and then you can send that return to the headphone mix as mentioned above).

 

[RayJohnson]

Thanks so much for your replies. Did I forgot to mention that I wanna use the effect just for the mic input? If I put it on an aux wouldn't it affect the whole mix?
Ok, if I put it on an aux send, how can the direct out of a channel not contain the effect insert?

 

[Massive Master]

This is just like making another headphone mix but you're sending the signal to an effects unit. This is how it's almost always done. If you're trying to *change* a signal's dynamics or spectral footprint, you insert. If you're trying to add to that signal (such as modulation, spatial or time-based effects - like reverb, delay, flange, etc.), you send it via an aux send. Only what you send will be going through the effects processor. But you can route as many sources as you want through the same processor (like various amounts of every element on a drum kit and the lead vocals and a little guitar -- Just like you do in your DAW -- That said, hopefully you aren't inserting effects in your DAW for that matter...).

So assuming you're using 5&6 for your headphone mix (as you can assign them both post-fade) -- Send aux 1 to a reverb unit's input (as mentioned, the unit needs to be 100% wet), outputs to the 15/16 stereo return (or any two channels and then you can pan them apart) line input, of course -- And then you'll have the reverb (or whatever it is you're adding) there. You can solo it, you can tweak it, you can insert a compressor on it (can be fun for verb and delay), you can send it to another effects unit (it's very common to add reverb to a delay return) and then use aux 5&6 to send it to the headphone mix.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Thanks so much for your replies. Did I forgot to mention that I wanna use the effect just for the mic input? If I put it on an aux wouldn't it affect the whole mix?

Not if you do this:

Put it on an aux send, set the fx 100% wet, return it on a spare ch, route and and blend' it from there.

Just turn up the aux send for the channels you want the effect on.

Ok, if I put it on an aux send, how can the direct out of a channel not contain the effect insert?

Because the effect doesn't go into the channel, the channel goes into the effect and the effect goes via whatever input you use to the main output.

As indicated it works for reverbs, delays, choruses and anything that adds to the original. Eq, compression, de-essing, gating and such generally go on the insert.

If you want to use the inserts but not record the inserted effect you would be best off with a patch bay or three.