Using The Aux Sends - Alesis Wedge Reference Manual

Using Aux Sends
Generally, mixing consoles provide two types of auxiliary sends: pre-fader sends for
creating a cue (headphone) mix, and individual, post-fader effect sends. Typically, if
a mixer has more than two sends per channel (4, 6 or 8, perhaps), the first two sends
are reserved for the cue sends, while the remaining sends are used to feed effects,
such as the Wedge. If you are using a mixer with more than two sends, connect the
Wedge using post-fader sends.
Using a mixer's aux sends poses a distinct advantage: each channel has its own level
control feeding the aux output (and eventually the Wedge input). This allows you to
make a mix of any channels you want to go to the effects by using the individual
channels' aux send levels on the mixer. Most consoles also have aux master controls,
which set the overall level of each aux output. Coming back from the Wedge's
outputs into the mixer, you have two options:
• connecting to dedicated return inputs, or
• connecting to channel inputs.
The former is good if your mixer provides dedicated inputs (called returns) for
effect devices like the Wedge. If your mixer does not have these, or you have
already used them all, consider connecting the Wedge to channel inputs (if there are
any remaining). This option also allows you to pan and EQ the effects, or to send
them to the headphone or monitor mix.
No matter where you connect the output of the Wedge into the mixer, you are in
control of the balance between the mixer's channel inputs (the uneffected signal
being routed to the aux sends and the Mix), and the effect returns coming from the
Wedge. The effect returns generally should only contain effected signal, and not
have any uneffected signal mixed with it (since these two signals are blended
together at the mixer). Therefore, it may be necessary to modify the mix of each
channel in the Program you are using so that only effected signal is present at the
Wedge's outputs. This can be done in two ways:
• Set each effect's Mix parameters to 100% (wet signal only)
• Turn on the Dry Defeat function.
For more information about Dry Defeat, see Chapter 1.
Mono In - Stereo Out: If you only want to feed the Wedge a mono input, but wish
to connect both of its outputs back to the mixer, you will need three 1/4" audio
cables. Connect a balanced or unbalanced cable(s) from an aux send of the mixer to
the [LEFT] input of the Wedge, and two other balanced or unbalanced cable(s) from
the [LEFT] and [RIGHT] outputs of the Wedge to a stereo effect return or other
mixer input.
For most of its programs, especially reverb programs, the Wedge synthesizes a stereo image
from a single input, emulating the effect of a single source reflecting off the left and right
sides of a room. This Mono In hookup allows you to get the benefit of these stereo effects,
while using only one effect send. But other dual/parallel programs are best used with a
stereo input, described below. Use this Mono In - Stereo Out hookup only if you don't
Wedge Reference Manual
Connections – Chapter 2
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