ZED 14 and FX SND/RTN

[Lengai]

My last mixer had a stereo out FX send and a separate stereo return that was global and could be dialed in on any channel(s) desired. I have read the manual and watched videos as well as reading forums. It appears the ZED 14 cannot be so easily configured.

It looks like I can either:

A) Run XLR dry from ZED to audio interface AND run AUX 3 and 4 to stereo FX unit and out of FX unit to separate inputs on audio interface (wet)

B) Run AUX 3 and 4 to stereo FX unit and then back into a stereo channel on the ZED.

C) Run AUX 3 and 4 to stereo FX unit and then from FX unit to two MULTS and back into each channel on the ZED

I tried AUX 3 and 4 our of the ZED to the FX unit and then from FX back into the stereo inserts and it sounds terrible so I know that was wrong. Any input on A, B, and C above or “how to set up a global FX SND/RTN” would be much appreciated. It seems this jams up many folks.

[Mike C]

What are you using the mixer for, live sound or recording.
Do you need a stereo input to the FX unit?
With my analog mixers and processing racks of equipment
I always took a mono single aux output to an FX unit and then
took the stereo FX out back into the mixers stereo input/return
channels.

I’m going to say your option B is the best way to go.

The FX insert connection your tried created a feedback loop.
The stereo output insert jacks are more for inserting an EQ and or
a compressor limiter on the overall mix output.

[Lengai]

What are you using the mixer for – recording.
Do you need a stereo input to the FX unit? Yes
With my analog mixers and processing racks of equipment
I always took a mono single aux output to an FX unit and then
took the stereo FX out back into the mixers stereo input/return
channels. Wouldn’t this be a mono copy and not true stereo?

I’m going to say your option B is the best way to go. Thank you.

The FX insert connection your tried created a feedback loop.
The stereo output insert jacks are more for inserting an EQ and or
a compressor limiter on the overall mix output. Rats! I’m definitely not selling off the little mixer I was using because it was so easy yo have a global FX SND/RTN. Maybe I can still use it’s master outs to the ZED…just “thinking out loud” on that idea.

[Lengai]

Would you recommend pre fader or post fader AUXs for Option B?

[Mike C]

The FX unit / processor will create a stereo effect image of a mono input be it reverb, chorus, flange, delay ping pong effect.
On my QU mixers the FX send is mono and the returns are all stereo.
You could send a stereo input to most effect processors but you would need to already have a stereo image built up to send into it.

The older Lexicon FX I used were mono in and stereo out, the new TC Electronic FX units
that I used could be set for stereo in stereo out, mono in stereo out or dual mono operation along with various other internal routing options. I used them normally as
mono in stereo out processors.

FX sends are normally post fade so they track level changes made to the main mix.

I just had my ZED 10 out today using it as a USB IO interface!

[Lengai]

Thank you Mike. Since I do recording it took time for my brain to think of the ZED with guitarists and vocals on their own FX boards coming into the mixer.

After reading your methods I tried Aux 1 out to the effect unit and back to mono channels 1 and 2 on the inputs. I need all 4 stereo channels for sub mixers into the ZED. It’s working now.

[Author]

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