I’d just like to ask a question regarding effects routing that I can’t quite work out with the manual…
I’d like to use some external effects (including a spring reverb, tape delay and tube compressor which is to be used a parallel compressor) in the same way as the internal FX.
Getting the 100% wet outputs from the external devices into the A&H is pretty straightforward, but I’m puzzled as to how I can best set up aux / FX sends to external devices… Or even if that’s at all possible!
Hmm, using the matrix outputs is probably the most complicated solution, I’d personally choose one of the mix outputs, either mono or stereo, depending on the external gear. Returning back to one of the stereo inputs or regular channels, as required.
Did you check out the system block diagram? There you’ll see that mix and fx send are handled pretty similar with the only difference, that the mix sums have connectors attached…
On the bigger consoles group outputs could be used as well, which always follows the channel fader (no need to set the mix routing to be post fader).
Thanks once again Andreas… Looking at the block diagram, I see what you mean!
I think routing to the mix outputs would work perfectly… As I was attempting to explain, I’d like to copy certain channels - which should also remain present on the total L-R output - to separate outs which can be sent to external processors for parallel processing and routed back via the three ‘layer 2’ stereo ins.
I’m ordering the QU 32, by the way, because of the high channel count and because it looks wonderful
If you’re not using the internal FX then it’s worth looking to see if the FX mixes can be selected for the Alt-Out TRS outputs, in which case you don’t even need to lose a mix output…
The QU16 block diagram I have pinned above my monitor isn’t overly clear on what constitutes a “Mix post”
There’s nothing special regarding pre/post on the Qu. Post setting picks the signal behind the channel fader and Pre before it. For FX gear this depends what you’ve connected. For “Add-on effects” like chorus or reverb type units you probably set it to post fader, so the FX volume follows the signal level.
For FX where you do not want to hear the dry signal like pitch shifter, phaser etc, you’ll better pick the pre setting and turn the channel fader down.
As one who owns more outboard gear than my first house cost I love them but I really don’t think the dig console makers had that in mind or they would have put inserts on channels or at least a few assignable inserts. I feel their thinking was/is that the internal FX are good enough for most live applications. For serious recording then…maybe.
Sure, for “most” applications that’s probably ok, but there are still some specialities left which can’t be handled by standard onboard FX, like a D-Two multitap rhyhtm delay (which I personally really would miss) or a nice SPL Tube Vitalizer inserted into LR…
Yes, assignable inserts, dedicated outboard FX routes and an insert right before LR dSnake sent would really be great, but with some creative routing this already now is possible, sacrificing some channels and mixes, of course…
Andreas - I meant that the “Mix post” label on the diagram isn’t clear whether it includes FX mixes - which would be pretty nice (and almost gets an extra monitor mix if desperately needed).
IIRC the QU32 has 4 FX mixes which are each proper mixes (unlike the requirement to insert 2 of the FX units in the QU16) which potentially means some extra output…
I see, didn’t want to be super-clever, sorry. Just checked that only FX returns (and STx) could feed USB streaming, but neither FX nor ST could feed to the dSnake. So no extra monitors from these.
…adding new feature request now…
I Googled “QU 32 external routing” and got this thread… good info… but how do you guys get around the delay and phasing when routing to external processors… for example, I tried using a QU stereo mix L/R pair out to a bus compressor, and brought it back to a stereo channel pair. But the compressor output comes back out of phase with the L/R mains. This defeats my goal of selectively choosing which channels to send to the comp. Am I missing a QU delay option or other feature? Please advise. Thanks!
It sounds as though whatever signal you are sending to the buss compressor is also being sent directly to the mains output too. Make sure you aren’t sending the desired signal to both the mix output feeding the compressor and the mains output. Only the return signal from the external buss compressor should be sent to your mains output.
Is the compressor on the mix output not to your liking?
Got it… I had already moved the ext comp from mix to group before reading your replies. I’ll double-check my routing… the comp on the QU sounds very good on the individual channels, guess I should give it a chance on the bus too. “Resistance is futile!”
