FX bypass?

Hi,

is there a way to bypass a FX unit (= the signal runs unprocessed from the FX Snd to the FX Rtn)?

Motivation: We don’t use 4 FX busses but are running short in AUXes und Groups - and could re-purpose 1-2 FX busses for that.

Using an Empty Rack seems to ‘block’ the signal…

Thx

Simon

Additional question: All FXSends are mono (= collapse stereo signals; pan everything to center, …)?
Or are there any special FXes with stereo input?
What happens to stereo channels when you insert a FX? And what if channels are ganged?

I don’t see any A&H plugs that have a mix control, which is one way people do this on some mixers. Any of the comps should work, or the de-esser. Set the thresholds so they don’t trigger.

Routing is an issue. FX sends only go to the rack, and FX returns only go to Main, Groups, Auxes and other FX. You can’t route the fx directly out anywhere, so using them as an aux is not an option.

@nottooloud: Thank you for your answer.
‘…Any of the comps should work, or the de-esser…’ all those aren’t factory FX, am I correct?

‘…FX returns only go to Main, Groups, Auxes and other FX. You can’t route the fx directly out anywhere, so using them as an aux is not an option…’
That’s right, but you CAN I/O FX returns to outputs (and let them not go anywhere else inside the board). That does the trick (i forgot to mention i wanted the signal to go to monitor speakers - where the lack of compressor and GEQ doesn’t matter as much).

Any suggestions for my ‘mono question’?

Ah, yeah, I have most of the add-ons. Try the ADT Doubler with everything set to minimum. No idea about whether they’re doing fx input summing.

Any suggestions for my ‘mono question’?

All FXSends are mono …?
Yes, all 4 FX sends are mono buses.

What happens to stereo channels when you insert a FX? And what if channels are ganged?
If you use FX sends with a stereo or ganged channel, both channels are summed.

Or are there any special FXes with stereo input?
You can use both inputs of a stereo FX with insert it into a stereo channel/mix/group.