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Using Effects with the PORTASTUDIO 414 MKII
Effects and signal processing are areas where you
can really start to have fun customizing your sound,
and develop your own unique recording style.
Because there are so many possibilities, it also can
be confusing. There are many different effect units
on the market, all with different controls, types of
inputs and outputs, and other characteristics. Read
the manual of your effects device, and the following
sections to get the complete story of what's possible
for your particular situation.
1. In-line processing: The processing that's
easiest to understand doesn't involve the
414 MKII directly at all. You can plug your
instrument directly into the input of the effect
device, and plug the output of the device directly
into a line input of the 414 MKII. The whole
signal gets processed (flanged, doubled, limited,
delayed etc.), and only one instrument can use
that processor. Effect pedals for guitar are
typically used this way. To get a mix of processed
("wet") and original ("dry") signal, the unit must
have its own MIX or BALANCE control.
2. Send/return mix processing: This is the
most common method of effect processing,
especially for reverb and delay. It allows a
number of different channels to use the same
effect, while allowing you to control how much
effect is mixed with each channel. Each of the 4
mixer channels can send signals to the EFFECT
SEND 1 or 2 outputs. These outputs can then be
connected to the input of effects devices. The
processed signals from the devices are plugged
into the stereo channels (5-6 and 7-8), for them to
be mixed onto the stereo left and right buses. The
whole path—from the EFFECT SENDS to the
reverb and back into STEREO INPUTS—is
called an “effects loop”. The EFFECT 1 and 2
controls determine how much signal goes to the
reverb unit ; the LEVEL control on the stereo
channels determines how much returns from the
reverb unit. In this method the stereo inputs
function as effects returns.
Setting Effect Send Levels
The goal is not to distort the device, while staying
above the noise that effect units generate. To get the
best signal-to-noise from most effects units, you
should send it as strong a signal as you can. With a
properly set input signal in the 414 MKII, the
channel EFFECT send set to about 2 o'clock position
(for EFFECT 1 or EFFECT 2 feed), you should get a
fairly loud signal from the EFFECT SEND jacks.
If your effects device has an input level control of its
own, it should be set so the meter or signal light of
the effects device is just under the overload point on
peak signals. When you want to hear less effect
overall, turn down the return LEVEL control on the
stereo channels.
Setting the Output Level of Effect
Devices
If the effect send level has been set properly, in most
cases the output level of the effect unit should be set
as high as possible without clipping (distorting) the
STEREO INPUTS of the 414 MKII, but low enough
so that you have a reasonable range of control. If
you can get the effect sound you want with the
return LEVEL control in the 12 to 2 o'clock range,
you're in the ballpark. If, on the other hand, very
small settings of the Effects Return still give you a
mix drowning in effects, turn down the output level
of your effect device.
Some effect units have rear panel switches setting
input and output level ranges between "+4" and
"–20 dB". In this case, try setting the input to –20
(high sensitivity) and the output to +4 (full output
level).