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Insert Effects

The name should give this away - This effects unit can be 'inserted' at various points within the stream of sound that starts at the input, through the channels and on to the outputs. Placement of the unit can dramatically change the recording process.

First, lets have a look at that stream of sound....

1a2
4b
5c6
Input*InputTracks*Main ChannelsConvergence*MasterOutput
Sockets
Channels"No Recording" BypassPoint
ChannelSockets


So we plug in an instrument and play a sound.
  1. The first thing it passes through is the input. You can control the volume here using the Input gain controls.
  2. It then passes through the input channel where you can process the sound using the Track Parameters.
  3. At this point the path depends on the Track state. If none of the Tracks are set to record then the sound bypasses the rest of the stream and jumps straight over to the "Convergence point".
  4. If a Track is set to record then it continues through that Track and relevant Channel, where it can be processed again by the 'Track Parameters'
  5. The "convergence point" is where all the Channels, after being processed individually, combine into one stereo sound before entering the Master Channel.
  6. The sound then passes through the Master Channel, where is can be processed again with the 'Track Parameters'.

Take a look at the position of the Track. When you record this is where the sound is saved. Note that it is saved before the main channel. So any Processing (volume, panning, EQ) you do at this point will be heard but not saved. (a lot of people get caught out by this when they transfer the tracks to PC - The channel processing is not transfered!)

All this also applies to the built in Rhythm unit too. Consider point 1 to be the Drum machine, but at point 4, the Drum machine will always bypass unless a Rhythm Track Bounce is performed


Now look at the yellow sections of the table above (I have put a little asterisk in them for those viewing in Black and white!) These are the points that the Insert effects unit can be placed.

Lets get an example going: We have already recorded a guitar on track 1 and a Bass guitar on track 2. We didn't use any effects on either recording.

  1. Now switch the effects unit on by pressing the [Insert Effect] button. It should light up red.
  2. Press the up cursor so "DIST" is displayed then press [EXIT]
    • I won't go into detail here about the various effects, let's just pick a basic distortion sound.
  3. By Default the effects unit is placed at point 'a'. When you play you will hear the effect on your instrument and it will be recorded on the track. Very useful for quickly laying down an idea or if you are certain that effect is right for that track.
  4. Set track 1 & 2 to play, track 3 to record and solo away.... (if you don't know how to do this yet, you need to look at the straight out of the box article)
  5. Once we are done. Listen back to our mix. The distorted solo is saved to track 3 and we are free to record another track with this effect or move the effects unit to another location....

Switching the Insert location
So we have recorded three tracks, one with distortion. But now we want to add an effect to the first guitar. We could select a new effect and rerecord track 1 or, better still, we could add the effect to the all ready recorded track....

We need to move the effects unit to position 'b' in the stream of sound.

  1. Press the [INPUT SRC] button. It will turn red.
  2. Now turn press the [STATUS KEY] of the track you want to effect. In our example, Track 1.
  3. Once done, hit [EXIT]

Now play back the Mix. The first guitar will now be distorted as well as the second. Play around. Try out the different effects. Don't worry, you won't alter the track in any way, the effect is being placed after the recording.

Once you have it like you want it. There is a slight problem....

If you move the effects unit to a new position, Track 1 will return to the clean sound. You can consider this Clean recording a "Dry Recording" and use a bounce to save the effect, but to save time now we will let track 1 return to its clean sound.

The next Insert position is after the convergence point but before the master channel (position 'c' in the stream of sound diagram). 
To Select this position press the [INPUT SRC] then the [STATUS KEY] above the Master channel.
This will alter all tracks with which ever effect is selected. There are effects in the unit categorized 'Master' and are designed just for this position, but there is nothing to stop you applying any of the effects here. Experiment.

Once you have got the hang of this. The next important step is understanding Wet & Dry Recording (Guide coming soon)