I randomly started watching this and never thought I needed it. Thanks! Being interested in Dub Reggae and how they add effects to those mixer.... I'm a music head and I have zero experience as an audio engineer / or in production... but this was a great start. Thanks
Excellent videos. I have no doubt that your time is coming in terms of subscriptions. Be prepared for a subscription cascade. Such good information. You have what I call the 'Attenborrugh' factor, a way of conveying information so that learning about things becomes enjoyable, and having an aura of wisdom that draws you in. Thank you for these excellent vids and lessons.
Thanks for the informative video. I guess I’m just confused on the difference between line in and insert. I have the umc404hd with the insert ports on each channel as well, but I don’t know how I would use it with my setup: Mic to tube preamp via XLR channel 1 Preamp to comp via XLR channel 1 Comp to EQ via XLR channel 1 Eq to UMC404hd via XLR channel 1 To Mac/daw I got the unc404hd strictly for the insert ports because I thought they were necessary to incorporate my hardware, but my understanding is that since I am using an external tube preamp’s phantom power and not the phantom power from the umc404hd the insert ports are rather pointless, am I correct? Is there anything I could use the insert ports for in my existing chain? Is there anything you would change? I am new to the hardware end of things and would appreciate any input. You got my sub ! Thanks for the vid !
Regarding the last example, where you have a reverb unit and not a mic, if I want to use an FX pedal (say, the Hologram Electronics Chroma Console Multi-FX pedal) with a synth would I use an insert in an audio interface, or use a mixer (or a mixer conncected to an audio interface that doesn't have inserts) or something else?
Hi, thank you for your question. A bus is a signal path that can have multiple signals routed to it, and they are summed together on that bus. For instance, if you've recorded 3 guitar tracks, and you want to combine them and work on them as 1 single track, you would route them to a bus (instead of the main output), and route the bus to the output. Then you can treat that bus as a single guitar track. An aux send (or aux bus) will not interrupt the original audio path of the track, but will create a duplicate of the signal, and send that duplicate for processing. I will quite often put a reverb on an aux bus, and when I want a track to have a bit of reverb, I just dial it into that aux send.
@@Get.Beautiful.Recordings I guess I find using aux sends adds extra volume where I can't control the dry signal and this forces me to route outputs instead. I know I'm confused somewhere but thanks for the explanation.
@@tellitlikeitis8691 Yes, if your aux bus allows the dry signal to pass through, then it will simply add volume. You don't want that. Your effects on the aux bus should be 100% wet, and then you dial in how much of the effect you want by how much volume you send to that aux bus.
I have a focusrite 18i20 it dosent have any send or returns or inserts, It has line outputs. I have been using one of the inputs on the interface as a mic preamp and then sending it from the line output on the interface to an outboard compressor and then back through into a different input on the same interface. I was told this was going to work but I am having trouble with the signal being disrupted by two preamps worth of gain. I tried setting the 2nd preamp to 0 but it comes out really quiet. And then I set it high but it makes a hiss sound or just sounds weird. It’s been doing my head in
After the signal goes through the compressor, you will want to send it into a line input. If you are still getting a lot of noise, then you either have a noisy piece of gear somewhere in the chain, or something is faulty. If it is a Gen1 Scarlett interface, those were quite noisy.
I have a question for a specific scenario. I use a Cranborne adat 500 Rack that has Mono Slots with an insert jack on each. Is it possible to connect my LA-610 preamp via the insert with a TRS to Y XLR I/O and use both of the inputs of the 610? It has a Mic in and a Line in. The mic in I would go directly with the mic and the line in I want to use for DAW re-amp. The output would go via the return into the adat 1 channel where the insert is connected.
Thanks a lot for this great series, Chris. If I want to use an aux send on my mixer to a guitar pedal effect, do I need a DI or re-amp box either side of the effect pedal? i.e. one to convert to hi-Z from the mixer, then once the signal has passed through the pedal, another DI/re-amp to convert back to line-level into the mixer? Sorry if my question is confusing!
Hi, good question. Your insight is correct, you will need a reamp box coming out of the mixer to feed the signal into the pedal, and a direct box from the pedal going back into the mixer. That’s to connect it properly. Depending on the mixer though, you could probably just plug straight in both ways without using the reamp or the di and there probably won’t be a significant loss of sound quality.
Chris! Thanks for the explanation. Really good video, congrats!. I have a question for the same Interface UMC404HD. What happens if I connect my guitar pedals in Line selector Level directly to the front channel instead to the Inserts. (Asume that I have a Guitar connected IN the pedals and the output of the pedal chains goes to the channel 1 of the UMC404HD using a TS cable.) Thanks a lot !
Hi, The output of the pedals is the same output type as as the guitar, being high impedance. Guitar pedals are generally meant to be plugged into a guitar amp, in the same manner as the guitar is plugged in, so when plugging the pedal into your recording interface, you want to use the instrument input, the same way as if you were just plugging the guitar in directly. Thanks for the question:)
@@Get.Beautiful.Recordings Thanks for the reply. But there is any difference in tone if I plug my pedal directly to the interface versus to the Insert ? If there´s one, how can you describe them?
@@drezgar Yes, there is a difference in the sound. The inserts are designed to accept a line level signal, which is a much higher power signal than what the guitar pedal's output is. It will work, but will have white noise mixed into the signal. So, for the cleanest, most accurate sound quality, you'll want to plug into the instrument input on the front panel.
Hello, In my studio I have the same sound card you do, a mixer and an outboard compressor. Currently I am running the master out of the mixer to the right and left ins on the compressor. The compressor outs are going to the inputs of the sound card. Is this correct? Sound works but sometimes clips. Is there a better way? Thanks
Yes, that’s the correct way. If the compressor outputs are standard line level, then make sure your inputs are set to +4 line level. If it is clipping, you will need to turn down the output volume of the compressor.
I don’t know. But… perhaps I can still answer your question. If you have a line level signal, then there’s no need to use the insert. The purpose of the insert is to use hardware that requires a line level signal, so a microphone or electric guitar would need to go through a preamp first, then get sent to the hardware. A line level signal doesn’t need to go through the preamp, it can simply go straight to the hardware.
It’s pretty easy, you would route the line outputs on the back of the umc404 to the audio inputs of the hardware effects unit. Then it’s he outputs from the effects unit are routed to the line inputs of the umc404. Within the recording software, just make sure the appropriate track is routed to the output, and dedicated track records the input from the effects unit.
Hello Chris! I use audient iD44 and can I use return port to record input the phone output audio using a TRS cable? Please help me answering this question!
Hi, No, that won’t work because the phone output is stereo unbalanced, and the inserts on the ID44 are mono balanced. The way to record the signal output from your phone would be to use a stereo splitter cable, which will split it into 2 TS outputs, and plug those 2 outputs into 2 of the line inputs on the ID44.
Chris, what if your effect unit has a stereo in and out (2 jacks for both) and you are using the single jack insert Behringer UUMC404HD? Is it able to Send and receive via Y splitters, or is a patch bay needed.?
Yes, on each Behringer insert jack, you would use a Y splitter which provides 2 jacks, of which one is the output that goes into the FX unit, and one is the input which receives the processed signal from the FX unit. Since your FX unit is in stereo, you will need to use this setup with 2 of the insert jacks simultaneously, one for the left, one for the right.
Yes you will need 2 Y cables, but stereo isn't required if you record only 1 microphone (in windows sound settings, you can set your mic to stereo and most programs actually use stereo or allow you to convert audio to stereo), it's more of a thing when you want to setup 2 or more mics or use more than 1 effect on left and right channel individually (if your FX unit has the function to sign different effects on individual channels, effects are always stereo, even if you use mono)
Sir can I ask..may mixer is trident curve 4 model..there's no have a insert and send but the have FX out and return..may question is how to hook may compressor audio... FX out or send is the same..thanks
Yes and no. It will work for the amplifier, but you won’t have a return signal going back to the interface, so you won’t have any sound on that channel on your daw if that’s where it’s connected. Thanks for the question.
@@Get.Beautiful.Recordings @Martin Lynch You will just have to half-insert the jack so he recieves the send signal. This will not corrupt the signals route. On beringer mixers it works. When i needed a direct out of a channel and the mixer didnt have that option, i used Y-cables(just like the ones in the video) , half inserted in INSERT plugs on mixer, and use only the one of the two other ends(TS) of the cables where i got the send signal. This way you can get a channels signal and use it in a monitor-amplifier(the signal will be dry and independent of channel fader)
I have a recently acquired a behringer FCA 1616 sceond hand, it has 8 Inserts/8 outs(balanced..screen printed on the box, but no mention on the inserts just a diagram saying TRS)..no mention in the manual..what manual..its a pamphlet lol?. Can I assume that the signal going out/in via the send is unbalanced?. My intuition says it must be becuase the TRS cable is just 2 unbalanced cables stuck together with the TRS jack on one end, and the 2 xTS jacks on the other with copper shielding of both cables wrapped and soldered together on the TRS side, and left seperate on the TS ends. You mentioned that 2 way travel. could it be that the unbalanced signal leaves before the preamp, or after the input buffer, but leaves before any gain stage??? Be good to use with effects pedals not have to use /buy a re-amp box and DI as suggested on most vids on using hardware effects pedals. I tries it with bass into a rack compressor and it sounded great. hoping to get similar results with standard guitar peds, Insert, TRS splitter cable..and not release the magic smoke?? anyone knows??
thanks so far it has been the video that has helped me most of all, at the same time I have not found the answer to my question. i'm trying to connect the usb audio interface via insert cables to be able to use daw effects on my analog mixer, no aux bus, no recording, just insert digital reverb from daw, is it possible? or do I have to calculate with long response times?
Yes, it should be possible, depending what gear you have, but most gear should do this. On the mixer, use an aux output connected to the analog line input of the interface. Route that channel into a track within the DAW, and ensure input monitoring is enabled. It will play that track along with any plugins that are instantiated on it and send it out the line outputs of the audio interface. You can then plug that into the insert of your mixer, or it’s own channel of the mixer, and blend it in.
That can be a bit tricky. The easiest way would be trial and error…. There’s only 2 possibilities, so it should be easy. Otherwise, you would need to check the owners manual of he equipment to find out id it is set up for tip send, ring return, or tip return, ring send. There’s is no standardization on this. Once you find that out, you would need to trace it out on your insert cable.
@@Get.Beautiful.Recordings Hey, thank you for the reply. I am here talking about the Focusrite Clarett+ Octopre preamp inserts. On the device it says TIP=SEND and RING = return. Do you know where I can look up for information of these definitions. Am new to this, it would be great if I could get some information :)... Thanks again.
I randomly started watching this and never thought I needed it. Thanks! Being interested in Dub Reggae and how they add effects to those mixer.... I'm a music head and I have zero experience as an audio engineer / or in production... but this was a great start.
Thanks
Cool, thanks for the comment :) I wish you much success
Excellent videos. I have no doubt that your time is coming in terms of subscriptions. Be prepared for a subscription cascade. Such good information. You have what I call the 'Attenborrugh' factor, a way of conveying information so that learning about things becomes enjoyable, and having an aura of wisdom that draws you in. Thank you for these excellent vids and lessons.
You're very welcome. I'm glad you find the videos helpful. Thanks for commenting :)
great video
Thanks :)
WOW! I've never seen it made so plain! Thanks for the helpful tutorial!
Thank you so much, you very good at explaining, no I get why an insert is different to send retun, and the xy cable aspect.
Very helpful thank you
Excellent video and well explained and simple enough to understand!
You deserve more subs and views man. These videos are beyond helpful
Thanks friend!
Very informative and helpful, thanks for the explanation!
I’m glad it helped:) thanks for the comment:)
Thank you. Your diagrams were very helpful.
Very clear explanation, thank you.
Excellent videos. Thanks
Bro, such a clear explanation. Thanks,
Thank you!
You’re welcome:)
Very helpful video - Thanks
Excellent 👍
Thank you.. :)
Thanks for the informative video.
I guess I’m just confused on the difference between line in and insert.
I have the umc404hd with the insert ports on each channel as well, but I don’t know how I would use it with my setup:
Mic to tube preamp via XLR channel 1
Preamp to comp via XLR channel 1
Comp to EQ via XLR channel 1
Eq to UMC404hd via XLR channel 1
To Mac/daw
I got the unc404hd strictly for the insert ports because I thought they were necessary to incorporate my hardware, but my understanding is that since I am using an external tube preamp’s phantom power and not the phantom power from the umc404hd the insert ports are rather pointless, am I correct?
Is there anything I could use the insert ports for in my existing chain? Is there anything you would change? I am new to the hardware end of things and would appreciate any input. You got my sub ! Thanks for the vid !
Regarding the last example, where you have a reverb unit and not a mic, if I want to use an FX pedal (say, the Hologram Electronics Chroma Console Multi-FX pedal) with a synth would I use an insert in an audio interface, or use a mixer (or a mixer conncected to an audio interface that doesn't have inserts) or something else?
Very simple and clear, thank you. On a DAW, in what situations would I route a channel's output to a bus instead of using an aux send?
Hi, thank you for your question. A bus is a signal path that can have multiple signals routed to it, and they are summed together on that bus. For instance, if you've recorded 3 guitar tracks, and you want to combine them and work on them as 1 single track, you would route them to a bus (instead of the main output), and route the bus to the output. Then you can treat that bus as a single guitar track.
An aux send (or aux bus) will not interrupt the original audio path of the track, but will create a duplicate of the signal, and send that duplicate for processing. I will quite often put a reverb on an aux bus, and when I want a track to have a bit of reverb, I just dial it into that aux send.
@@Get.Beautiful.Recordings I guess I find using aux sends adds extra volume where I can't control the dry signal and this forces me to route outputs instead. I know I'm confused somewhere but thanks for the explanation.
@@tellitlikeitis8691 Yes, if your aux bus allows the dry signal to pass through, then it will simply add volume. You don't want that. Your effects on the aux bus should be 100% wet, and then you dial in how much of the effect you want by how much volume you send to that aux bus.
I have a focusrite 18i20 it dosent have any send or returns or inserts, It has line outputs. I have been using one of the inputs on the interface as a mic preamp and then sending it from the line output on the interface to an outboard compressor and then back through into a different input on the same interface. I was told this was going to work but I am having trouble with the signal being disrupted by two preamps worth of gain. I tried setting the 2nd preamp to 0 but it comes out really quiet. And then I set it high but it makes a hiss sound or just sounds weird. It’s been doing my head in
After the signal goes through the compressor, you will want to send it into a line input. If you are still getting a lot of noise, then you either have a noisy piece of gear somewhere in the chain, or something is faulty. If it is a Gen1 Scarlett interface, those were quite noisy.
how do you send a vocal out of your daw to your effects unit(compressor) to use it in a vocal chain
I have a question for a specific scenario. I use a Cranborne adat 500 Rack that has Mono Slots with an insert jack on each. Is it possible to connect my LA-610 preamp via the insert with a TRS to Y XLR I/O and use both of the inputs of the 610? It has a Mic in and a Line in. The mic in I would go directly with the mic and the line in I want to use for DAW re-amp. The output would go via the return into the adat 1 channel where the insert is connected.
Thanks a lot for this great series, Chris. If I want to use an aux send on my mixer to a guitar pedal effect, do I need a DI or re-amp box either side of the effect pedal? i.e. one to convert to hi-Z from the mixer, then once the signal has passed through the pedal, another DI/re-amp to convert back to line-level into the mixer? Sorry if my question is confusing!
Hi, good question. Your insight is correct, you will need a reamp box coming out of the mixer to feed the signal into the pedal, and a direct box from the pedal going back into the mixer. That’s to connect it properly. Depending on the mixer though, you could probably just plug straight in both ways without using the reamp or the di and there probably won’t be a significant loss of sound quality.
@@Get.Beautiful.Recordings Many thanks for your advice!
Chris! Thanks for the explanation. Really good video, congrats!.
I have a question for the same Interface UMC404HD.
What happens if I connect my guitar pedals in Line selector Level directly to the front channel instead to the Inserts. (Asume that I have a Guitar connected IN the pedals and the output of the pedal chains goes to the channel 1 of the UMC404HD using a TS cable.) Thanks a lot !
Hi,
The output of the pedals is the same output type as as the guitar, being high impedance. Guitar pedals are generally meant to be plugged into a guitar amp, in the same manner as the guitar is plugged in, so when plugging the pedal into your recording interface, you want to use the instrument input, the same way as if you were just plugging the guitar in directly.
Thanks for the question:)
@@Get.Beautiful.Recordings Thanks for the reply. But there is any difference in tone if I plug my pedal directly to the interface versus to the Insert ? If there´s one, how can you describe them?
@@drezgar Yes, there is a difference in the sound. The inserts are designed to accept a line level signal, which is a much higher power signal than what the guitar pedal's output is. It will work, but will have white noise mixed into the signal. So, for the cleanest, most accurate sound quality, you'll want to plug into the instrument input on the front panel.
@@Get.Beautiful.Recordings Thanks a lot Chris!
Hello, In my studio I have the same sound card you do, a mixer and an outboard compressor. Currently I am running the master out of the mixer to the right and left ins on the compressor. The compressor outs are going to the inputs of the sound card. Is this correct? Sound works but sometimes clips. Is there a better way? Thanks
Yes, that’s the correct way. If the compressor outputs are standard line level, then make sure your inputs are set to +4 line level. If it is clipping, you will need to turn down the output volume of the compressor.
Thanks ! I have a question though. Does inserts only work with Mic XLR inputs ? Does it work with Line inputs ?
I don’t know. But… perhaps I can still answer your question.
If you have a line level signal, then there’s no need to use the insert. The purpose of the insert is to use hardware that requires a line level signal, so a microphone or electric guitar would need to go through a preamp first, then get sent to the hardware. A line level signal doesn’t need to go through the preamp, it can simply go straight to the hardware.
Sir thanks for your video. It's wonderful.
Can you please tell me how to add external hardware effects for mixing by using UMC 404HD.
It’s pretty easy, you would route the line outputs on the back of the umc404 to the audio inputs of the hardware effects unit. Then it’s he outputs from the effects unit are routed to the line inputs of the umc404.
Within the recording software, just make sure the appropriate track is routed to the output, and dedicated track records the input from the effects unit.
Hello Chris!
I use audient iD44 and can I use return port to record input the phone output audio using a TRS cable? Please help me answering this question!
Hi,
No, that won’t work because the phone output is stereo unbalanced, and the inserts on the ID44 are mono balanced.
The way to record the signal output from your phone would be to use a stereo splitter cable, which will split it into 2 TS outputs, and plug those 2 outputs into 2 of the line inputs on the ID44.
Chris, what if your effect unit has a stereo in and out (2 jacks for both) and you are using the single jack insert Behringer UUMC404HD? Is it able to Send and receive via Y splitters, or is a patch bay needed.?
Yes, on each Behringer insert jack, you would use a Y splitter which provides 2 jacks, of which one is the output that goes into the FX unit, and one is the input which receives the processed signal from the FX unit. Since your FX unit is in stereo, you will need to use this setup with 2 of the insert jacks simultaneously, one for the left, one for the right.
Yes you will need 2 Y cables, but stereo isn't required if you record only 1 microphone (in windows sound settings, you can set your mic to stereo and most programs actually use stereo or allow you to convert audio to stereo), it's more of a thing when you want to setup 2 or more mics or use more than 1 effect on left and right channel individually (if your FX unit has the function to sign different effects on individual channels, effects are always stereo, even if you use mono)
so, when i use a send on that behringer mixer im going to get back a mono signal?? doesnt seem worth it to me to even use that.
Yea, if you only use 1 send it will be mono.
To get a stereo signal you would need to use 2 sends.
Awesome!
Thanks Olaf :)
Sir can I ask..may mixer is trident curve 4 model..there's no have a insert and send but the have FX out and return..may question is how to hook may compressor audio... FX out or send is the same..thanks
so can i add external compressor analog trs with antelope zentour desktop?
Hi i have a peavy 32fx mixer how to connect sound card send & return in mixer there is no send option help me
Can I put a 1/4 inch jack into a channel insert and send this to a powered amplifier therefore getting a monitor of just that channel?
Yes and no. It will work for the amplifier, but you won’t have a return signal going back to the interface, so you won’t have any sound on that channel on your daw if that’s where it’s connected. Thanks for the question.
@@Get.Beautiful.Recordings @Martin Lynch You will just have to half-insert the jack so he recieves the send signal. This will not corrupt the signals route. On beringer mixers it works. When i needed a direct out of a channel and the mixer didnt have that option, i used Y-cables(just like the ones in the video) , half inserted in INSERT plugs on mixer, and use only the one of the two other ends(TS) of the cables where i got the send signal. This way you can get a channels signal and use it in a monitor-amplifier(the signal will be dry and independent of channel fader)
I have a recently acquired a behringer FCA 1616 sceond hand, it has 8 Inserts/8 outs(balanced..screen printed on the box, but no mention on the inserts just a diagram saying TRS)..no mention in the manual..what manual..its a pamphlet lol?. Can I assume that the signal going out/in via the send is unbalanced?. My intuition says it must be becuase the TRS cable is just 2 unbalanced cables stuck together with the TRS jack on one end, and the 2 xTS jacks on the other with copper shielding of both cables wrapped and soldered together on the TRS side, and left seperate on the TS ends. You mentioned that 2 way travel. could it be that the unbalanced signal leaves before the preamp, or after the input buffer, but leaves before any gain stage??? Be good to use with effects pedals not have to use /buy a re-amp box and DI as suggested on most vids on using hardware effects pedals. I tries it with bass into a rack compressor and it sounded great. hoping to get similar results with standard guitar peds, Insert, TRS splitter cable..and not release the magic smoke?? anyone knows??
The trs cable on the insert Jack carries 2 streams of audio, an input and an output. Each stream is unbalanced.
thanks so far it has been the video that has helped me most of all, at the same time I have not found the answer to my question. i'm trying to connect the usb audio interface via insert cables to be able to use daw effects on my analog mixer, no aux bus, no recording, just insert digital reverb from daw, is it possible? or do I have to calculate with long response times?
Yes, it should be possible, depending what gear you have, but most gear should do this.
On the mixer, use an aux output connected to the analog line input of the interface. Route that channel into a track within the DAW, and ensure input monitoring is enabled. It will play that track along with any plugins that are instantiated on it and send it out the line outputs of the audio interface. You can then plug that into the insert of your mixer, or it’s own channel of the mixer, and blend it in.
Hi, With the insert cable (audio splitter cable example), how do do I know which is send and return, does that matter ?
That can be a bit tricky. The easiest way would be trial and error…. There’s only 2 possibilities, so it should be easy.
Otherwise, you would need to check the owners manual of he equipment to find out id it is set up for tip send, ring return, or tip return, ring send. There’s is no standardization on this. Once you find that out, you would need to trace it out on your insert cable.
@@Get.Beautiful.Recordings Hey, thank you for the reply. I am here talking about the Focusrite Clarett+ Octopre preamp inserts. On the device it says TIP=SEND and RING = return. Do you know where I can look up for information of these definitions. Am new to this, it would be great if I could get some information :)... Thanks again.
awesome video ! lookforward to more vids