Mackie SR244 VLZ Pro / SR324 VLZ Pro VLZ Pro Owner's Manual - Page 15

3. INSERT With nothing plugged into this jack, the channel's signal goes straight through the mic/ line preamp to the channel strip. With an external effects device plugged into this jack, the channel's signal leaves the mixer, goes through the effects device and back into the channel strip. Use these jacks to send the channel signal through a compressor, graphic equalizer or similar device. Since the insert is before the CHANNEL FADER (42), moving that fader will not alter the level sent to a compressor, thereby preserving the original signal's characteristics. These unbalanced jacks are wired thusly: Tip = Send (to effects device input) Ring = Return (from effects device output) Sleeve = Common ground (connect shield to all three sleeves) ring tip sleeve (TRS plug) SEND to processor "tip" EFFECTS: SERIAL OR PARALLEL? Effects devices are used either in serial or in parallel: Serial means that the entire signal is routed through the effects device. Examples include: preamps, compressor/limiters, graphic equalizers. Connections are typically made via the channel insert jacks. Parallel means that a portion of the signal is tapped off to the effects device processed and returned, to be mixed with the original "dry" signals. Multiple signals (via multiple mixer channels) can all make use of the same parallel effects device. Examples include: reverb, delay, chorus. Connections are typically made via aux sends & aux returns. Serial Device Insert Send Dry Signal Insert Return Signal Processor (e.g., Compressor) Processed Signal This plug connects to one of the mixer's Channel Insert jacks. "ring" RETURN from processor Specialty "Y" cables, developed just for these jacks, are widely available. Besides being used for inserting effects devices, these jacks can also be used as channel direct outputs; post-TRIM, pre-LOW CUT and pre EQ. Here are three ways to use the INSERT jacks: MONO PLUG Channel Insert jack Direct out with no signal interruption to master. Insert only to first "click" MONO PLUG Channel Insert jack Direct out with signal interruption to master. Insert all the way in to the second "click" STEREO PLUG Channel Insert jack For use as an effects loop. (TIP = SEND to effect, RING = RETURN from effects) Parallel Device Aux Send Dry Signal(s) Signal Processor (e.g., Reverb) Aux Return Wet Signal Output Section Channel Path Mix Stage Dry Signal(s) 4. STEREO LINE IN These balanced inputs are designed for TRS balanced or TS unbalanced signals, from -20dB to +20dB. They can accept any line-level instrument, effects device or tape player. When connecting a stereo device (two cords), use the LEFT (MONO) input and the RIGHT input. When connecting a mono device (just one cord), always use the LEFT (MONO) input and plug nothing into the RIGHT input. A trick called "jack normalling" will cause the signal to appear on both sides. These inputs accept 1/4" TRS balanced and 1/4" TS unbalanced plugs, see the previous page for wiring details. Processed Signal 15