20
Using Aux Sends and Returns
The PL 2404’s four Auxiliary sends allow you to combine the signal from multiple
channels and send the resulting mix to external devices such as effects proces-
sors. When an Aux send knob is at its 2 o’clock “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. All Aux sends are post-fade; that is, the level of the
signal is affected by the channel Level control and equalizer settings, as well as
(in the case of channels 1 and 3), the mic Trim control.
The PL 2404 can accommodate up to twenty-four stereo channels, so we’ve
designed the Aux sends so that, when a “matched” pair of consecutive channel
inputs (that is, both odd-numbered and even-numbered) are connected, the odd-
numbered (left) input signal can only be routed to Aux 1L and Aux 3L, while the
even-numbered (right) input can only be routed to Aux 2R and Aux 4R. In this
case, the Aux 1L/2R control acts as a true stereo Aux send, simultaneously
setting the level of both sends equally. When only the even-numbered (right)
input is connected to a channel, the signal can only be routed to Aux 2R and 4R.
When only the odd-numbered (left) input is connected to a channel (the recom-
mended way to connect monophonic devices to the PL 2404), the signal can be
routed to any of the Aux sends.
The PL 2404 also provides four stereo Auxiliary returns. These allow you to
return signal from outboard devices in stereo pairs. In practice, you’ll probably
want to use the Auxiliary returns to bring in signal from connected effects
processors. Signal arriving at the left input is automatically panned hard left and
signal arriving at the right input is automatically panned hard right. The PL 2404
Aux return jacks are unbalanced stereo inputs, with the tip carrying the left input
signal and the ring carrying the right input signal (the sleeve carries common
ground), as shown in the wiring diagram on page 11 of this manual. Insertion of
a monophonic 1/4" jack into an Aux return will result in the incoming signal being
automatically routed to the left input only (and therefore panned hard left). Each
of the stereo Auxiliary returns is somewhat similar to a stereo channel, except
that a signal being brought into to a channel can be equalized if necessary and
optionally sent on to other outboard devices (via Aux sends or channel inserts).
The signal arriving at each of the four stereo Aux returns can be routed to either
of the two bus pairs (1/2 or 3/4) with the use of the associated Aux Return bus
switch (as described in #2 on page 6). The signal can then be routed to the
Master and Control Room outputs by pressing in the associated bus L/R switch
(as described in #10 on page 7). Note that signal arriving via the PL2404 Aux
returns can be monitored over headphones only when the Solo/Main switch is
set to “Main” (Aux Returns cannot be soloed). See the “Using PFL/AFL” section
on page 22 in this manual for more details.
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