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Connecting the X2
X2 Reference Manual 35
simultaneously, if desired.
Note: If you want to use a separate effect on each channel, use the INSERT jacks, not
the Aux Sends (see next section).
To connect the Aux Sends and Stereo Aux Returns to outboard effects:
1 Connect the Aux Sends (AUX 3, AUX 4, AUX 5, AUX 6, AUX 7, AUX 8) to the
input or inputs of your outboard effects devices (like the Alesis QuadraVerb 2
or Midiverb III).
2 Connect the Outputs of these effects devices back into the X2’s dedicated inputs,
called STEREO AUX RETURNS. There are 8 pairs of Stereo Aux Returns,
enough for 8 stereo, 16 mono, or any combination of mono and stereo devices.
You can use any Aux Returns you wish; a typical scheme is to connect the outputs
of the unit being fed by Aux Send 3 into Aux Return A of the Group 3-4 module,
and plug the unit fed by Aux Send 4 into Aux Return B. The only difference
between Returns A and B is that A can be sent to any of the eight Groups for
recording onto any track, while B can be sent only to the Groups directly beneath it.
All Aux Returns can be sent to the L-R Master mix, which is the most common
assignment for effect returns.
If your effect unit has two inputs, in most cases you only need to connect from ONE Aux
Send to the LEFT (mono) INPUT of the effect unit, but you will still connect both the LEFT
and RIGHT OUTPUTS of the effect to the Stereo Aux Return.
You don’t need to connect anything to the right input of the effect, since most effects
units only use it when the effect is connected directly between an instrument and an
amplifier. In most mixing applications, you will set the effect’s wet/dry balance all
the way to wet. The effect device will generate an artificial stereo output from the
signal input. Check the manual for your effect device for more information.
On the other hand, true dual-channel effects processors (such as the Alesis
QuadraVerb 2) should be connected to two different sends to take advantage of the
dual processing capability.
Note that Aux Sends 1 and 2 can also be used as extra Effects Sends while mixing.
Although Aux 1 and 2 are pre-fader, and normally used for monitoring while
recording, they are perfectly suitable as effects sends, especially during mixdown,
when you will want to maximize your ability to add effects to independent
Channels. Just remember that when you move a FADER up or down you won’t be
changing the level going to the effect on these Sends, since they are independent of
fader movement (the signal is not affected by the Channel’s MUTE button, either).
As you change fader levels, you will need to make corresponding adjustments to
Aux 1 and 2 in order to maintain the desired balance between dry and effected
signal.
The 8 pairs of Stereo Aux Returns also serve well as additional inputs, in case you
run out of Channels. These are especially good for connecting to the outputs of
stereo keyboards, many of which provide on-board signal processing and do not
require much EQ’ing.
J