Samson MPL 1640 - Manual (Page 22)

20
Using the Auxiliary Sends and Returns
The MPL 1640’s system of Auxiliary sends allow you to combine the signal from
multiple channels and send the resulting mix to external devices such as effects
processors. When an Aux send knob is at the “0” position, the signal is routed
with unity gain (that is, no boost or attenuation). As it is turned clockwise from
the 0 position, the signal is boosted; as it is turned counterclockwise from the 0
position, it is attenuated. Auxiliary send 1 is always pre-fader; that is, the level of
the signal sent through this knob is determined solely by the input trim and is
unaffected by the channel fader position or EQ settings; for this reason, it is opti-
mum for applications like headphone cueing or sending a feed to onstage moni-
tors—both situations where you want the performer’s mix to be independent of
the main mix. You can also use Aux 1 to route signal to a reverb processor in
order to create a distancing kind of effect where the “wet” reverb signal remains
constant even as the “dry” source signal fades away. Aux sends 2 and 3 are
post-fader; that is, the level of the signal is determined by the input trim, the EQ
settings, and the position of the channel fader. Here, raising or lowering the
input level of the channel will affect the send level as well.
The MPL 1640 also provides three stereo Auxiliary returns. These allow you to
return signal from outboard devices, either in stereo pairs or monophonically
(many popular effects processors provide a single mono input but have a pair of
stereo outputs). In practice, you’ll probably want to use the Auxiliary returns to
bring in signal from connected effects processors. If the effects processors have
stereo outputs, they should be connected to both the left and right Auxiliary
return inputs so that their stereo integrity is retained. If they have mono outputs,
you can route them to either the left or right inputs and then use the Auxiliary
return Balance control to adjust the relative level of each paired signal. In this
way, you can actually connect up to six monophonic devices to the MPL 1640’s
Aux return section. Note that, when only the left input of an Aux return is con-
nected, its Balance knob functions as a constant level Pan control, allowing you
to continuously place the incoming signal anywhere in the left-right stereo field.
Note that the MPL 1640 Aux returns are hardwired to the Main Mix outputs; there
is no provision for routing their signal to the Bus 3/4 outputs.
+10
AUX 1
0
−∞
+10
AUX 2
0
−∞
+10
AUX 3
0
−∞
+20
RETURN 1 LEVEL
0
−∞
+20
0
−∞
RETURN 2 LEVEL
+20
0
−∞
RETURN 3 LEVEL
R
BALANCE
L
R
BALANCE
L
R
BALANCE
L