Insert (effects Processing) - Mixer Implementation

Mixer Implementation

Inserts on analog mixers appear in various locations in the signal flow, depending on the vision of the designer. Most inserts tap the signal after the microphone preamplifier and after the HPF (if present.) Others tap the signal after the channel EQ and before the fader. A few tap the signal after the fader and before the mix buses. Many consoles offer a choice between two, three or four of the possible insert points by a combination of internal jumpers or links that a skilled technician can modify.

Digital consoles are often designed to allow the user to move the virtual insert point before or after the channel EQ and some allow the insert point to be placed after the fader and before the mix buses. These are "soft" changes; the options depend largely upon the design of the mixer's user interface and the breadth of processing power devoted to the insert function.

Inserted devices can be connected in series to create a string of inserted devices. For instance, one could connect a gate, a compressor and an equalizer in series through the same channel's insert.

Some digital mixers allow multiple effects to be inserted virtually, still others allow multiple third party plugins to be used as virtual inserts.

Inserts might be found on monoaural mixer inputs, monoaural and stereo subgroups, auxiliary inputs, main outputs and matrix outputs. They're rarely found on stereo line level inputs. EQs are commonly inserted on monitor mixer output mixes so that the monitor engineer can use his own wedge and the PFL/Solo bus to hear what the artist's wedge sounds like without having to climb on stage to check.