If you’ve ever been to a live show or tried making music, you’ve likely seen an audio mixer in motion. For creating and directing sound, these things are like the control center. These days, many mixers have effects like reverb, delay, and chorus that you can use to give your mix more depth and polish. But it can be hard to figure out where to begin with all those knobs, buttons, and switches. In this article, we’ll talk about how to use the effects of your audio mixer. For those who are mixing live sound or in a studio, this guide will help you get started.
What Are the Effects That Come With It?
Digital audio editing tools built right into the mixer are called “built-in effects.” These days, mixers often come with effects that can be used on individual channels or the whole mix, so you don’t have to buy separate effect units (also known as “outboard gear”).
Some Common Built-in Effects Are:
- Reverb: Creates the sound of different places, like a music hall or a small room.
- Delay: After a short break, the sound plays again, making an echo-like effect.
- Chorus: Makes the sound fuller by copying the original and slightly detuning it.
- Flanger/Phaser: This effect blends sound and movement.
- Compression: This affects how loud or quiet the sound is.
If you’re looking to record or mix using an audio mixer with your PC, check out this guide on how to connect an audio mixer to a PC for recording and setup tips.
How to Use Built-In Effects Step-by-Step
1. Know How to Use Your Mixer
Start by confirming whether your mixer has built-in effects. Look for an area titled “FX,” “Effects,” or something similar. Popular mixers, such as the Yamaha MG series, 5 Core Audio Mixer, Behringer Xenyx, Mackie ProFX, and Allen & Heath ZED series, often feature preset effects. Often, you’ll find:
- Each channel has an FX send knob.
- A main send level for FX.
- A knob or digital screen that lets you choose the effect.
- An FX return knob that lets you add the effect to the mix.
2. Hook Up Your Inputs
You can connect your instruments, mics, or other sources using the input lines. Make sure that there is coverage on every station. When music plays, the LED meters or level signs should shine.
3. Pick a Picture
Find the button or digital menu on your mixer to choose the effects. You can use this to move through the settings. Most mixers put a number and a description next to each effect, like “01 – Hall Reverb” or “05 – Delay + Reverb.” Pick a style that works for you:
- Echo and a little delay are good for singing.
- For guitars, try reverb or flanger.
- For drums, try room reverbs or controlled reverbs.
If you’re planning to stream live, consider mixing tips for live streaming to ensure your effects don’t overpower the main audio.
4. Send Signal to the Effect
Now you must send some of your channel signal to the built-in effects processor. Here’s how:
- Find the FX or AUX send knob on the channel strip.
- Increase the volume slowly while the channel is playing sound.
- It sends more of that channel to the sound as you turn it up.
- Also, make sure that the FX Send Master is turned up. This is usually found in the main FX area. This controls the total amount of data sent to the effects processor from all channels.
If you are setting up for live performance, you might find it helpful to check out live sound engineer tips to ensure your signals are being managed efficiently.
5. Adjust the Return Level
The signal needs to go back into the main mix after being worked on by the effects unit. This is where the FX Return knob comes in. To add the effect back to the main mix, turn up the FX Return knob.
- In some mixers, you can route the return to a specific channel or the main mix.
- If the result is too loud, lower the FX send level on each channel or the FX return level.
6. Change and Mix
If you use effects correctly, you can turn a dull sound into something lively and professional. The key, though, is to be subtle. A little echo can make the sound bigger, but too much can make it hard to hear your voice. Trust your ears and how you feel about the mix. Some mixes let you change the effects’ parameters, like delay feedback or echo time. If you have these, use them to make your sound better.
Conclusion
Built-in effects are a great tool for any mixer, whether running a live show or making a beat in the studio. You’ll be able to use them creatively to improve voices, instruments, and the general sound of your music with some practice.