Bartlett Audio Properly Using The AUX Functions Instructions
- June 13, 2024
- Bartlett Audio
Table of Contents
Bartlett Audio Properly Using The AUX Functions
Product Information:
The mixer controls in this product have specific names to indicate their functions and purposes. One such control is the “aux” or “aux send” knob. The term “aux” refers to a mix that is auxiliary or secondary, meaning it is not the main mix that the audience hears. The aux knob can be used to control two things:
- The loudness of effects (such as reverb or echo) in a microphone channel.
- The loudness of an instrument or vocal in the monitor speakers.
Some mixers may label the aux control as “FX” (effects) and it specifically controls the amount of reverb, echo, chorus, etc. mixed with the microphone signal.
There are mixers that have multiple aux sends, such as aux 1, aux 2, etc. These can be used to create different mixes for various purposes. For example, you can use all the aux 1 knobs to create a mix in the singer’s monitor speaker, and all the aux 2 knobs to create a monitor mix for the guitarist
Most mixers also have a pre/post switch next to each aux knob. The “pre” setting means “pre-fader” or before the fader, while the “post” setting means “post-fader” or after the fader. For effects, it is recommended to set the pre/post switches to “post” so that when you adjust a microphone’s fader, the ratio of dry-to-reverb signal remains consistent. For monitors, set the switches to “pre” so that the fader settings for the main mix do not affect the monitors.
An aux send can be used for various purposes, but the main uses are for effects and monitoring. The aux-send jack on the back of the mixer carries all the aux signals that have been adjusted. It can be connected to an outboard effects unit to add effects to the signal, or to a power amplifier that drives the monitor speakers.
Some mixers may have built-in effects, eliminating the need for using the aux jacks for effects.
Product Usage Instructions:
- To control the loudness of effects in a microphone channel, locate the aux knob or aux-send knob on your mixer.
- To increase the loudness of effects, turn the aux knob clockwise. To decrease it, turn the knob counterclockwise.
- If your mixer has multiple aux sends (e.g., aux 1, aux 2), determine the purpose for each send and use the corresponding knobs accordingly.
- For effects control, if your mixer has a pre/post switch next to each aux knob, set it to “post”. This ensures that adjusting a microphone’s fader does not change the ratio of dry-to-reverb signal.
- For monitoring purposes, set the pre/post switch to “pre”. This ensures that the fader settings for the main mix do not affect the monitors.
- If you want to connect an outboard effects unit, locate the aux-send jack on the back of your mixer and connect it to the effects unit using an appropriate cable.
- If your mixer has built-in effects, you can skip step 6 and directly use the built-in effects controls.
- If you want to connect a power amplifier for driving monitor speakers, locate the aux-send jack and connect it to the power amplifier using an appropriate cable.
WHY DO MIXER CONTROLS HAVE SUCH WEIRD NAMES? (part 2) By Bruce Bartlett
For example, “aux” or “aux send”. That refers to a mix that is auxiliary, or
secondary. It’s not the main mix which your audience hears. An aux knob (or
aux-send knob) in your mixer can control at least two things: (1) the loudness
of effects (reverb, echo) in a mic channel or (2) the loudness of an
instrument or vocal in the monitor speakers.
In some mixers, aux is labeled FX (effects). It controls how much reverb,
echo, chorus, etc. you hear mixed with the mic signal.
Some mixers have several aux sends, such as aux 1, aux 2, etc. You might use
all the aux 1 knobs to create a mix in the singer’s monitor speaker; use all
the aux 2 knobs to create a monitor mix for the guitarist, and so on. Or you
could use aux 1 for effects and use aux 2 for monitors.
Most mixers have a pre/post switch next to each aux knob. Pre means pre-fader,
or before the fader. Post means post-fader, or after the fader. For EFFECTS,
set the pre/post switches to POST. That way, when you turn up a mic’s fader,
the dry-to-reverb ratio stays the same. For MONITORS, set the pre-post
switches to PRE. Then the fader settings for the main mix will not affect the
monitors.
You can use an aux send for any supplemental purpose, such as creating an
independent mix for a recording. But effects and monitoring are the main uses.
The aux-send jack on the back of your mixer contains all the aux signals that
you turned up. You could connect the aux-send jack to an outboard effects
unit. The effected signal (with reverb, say) returns to the mixer into the
aux-return jack, where the reverb mixes with the “dry” signal from a
microphone.
Some mixers have effects built in, so you don’t need to use the aux jacks for
effects. Alternatively, you could connect the aux-send jack to a power
amplifier that drives the monitor speakers.
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