TL Audio A3 - Manual (Page 19)

18
GETTING STARTED
Connections.
There are various ways that the Ebony A3 can be connected into your audio system.
The three most common are:
a) As an instrument front end
b) Connected to a channel insert point on a mixing desk
c) Connected to a group or master insert point on a mixing desk
To use the Ebony A3 as an instrument front end, connect the output of the Ebony A3
directly to the line (not mic) input of your console, recorder or sound card. A common
mistake is to plug the Ebony A3 line output into the XLR mic input of a console. This
will cause the console mic inputs to overload very easily and may result in a loss of
quality. Once the output is connected, simply feed your mic or instrument into the
relevant input on the Ebony A3. Recording direct to the multitrack recorder (thus
bypassing the console) is a common technique these days as it keeps the signal path
short, and of the highest quality. No unnecessary console stages are passed through,
thus maintaining quality.
Many mixers have sockets called ‘insert points’, which allow processors such as
dynamics devices and EQs to be patched in-line into the mixer signal path at various
points. The mixer’s channel insert point usually ‘sends’ the input signal out directly
after the mixers preamp stage- allowing connection to the line input of the Ebony A3 -
and then returns the processed signal from the line output of the Ebony A3 back into
the mixer at the same point in the signal path. This is commonly achieved using a
special insert cable (sometimes known as a ‘Y’ lead or split lead usually a stereo 0.25”
jack connector at one end split into two mono jack or XLR connectors – one for send
and one for return). The most likely positions that insert points are located on a mixer
are in the channel, group and stereo master sections. Patching the Ebony A3 into the
channel insert point means that any signal passing through that channel will pass
directly though the Ebony A3. Compressing an off-tape signal on mixdown, for
instance, can be achieved by connecting the tape machine to the mixer tape returns,
then connecting the Ebony A3 into the relevant console channel insert point. The off-
tape signal will then be fed into the Ebony A3’s line input via the mixer insert ‘send’
connection. The line output of the Ebony A3 connects back to the insert ‘return’
connection, thus returning the processed signal to the mixer and ensuring continuous
signal flow.
Group insert points are used to process sub-grouped signals such as drums or backing
vocals. It’s possible to mix a group of voices or instruments to a single group, and then
use that group fader to control the overall level, rather than having to adjust each
individual voice or instrument level. If you then wish to compress the overall group
signal, you can connect a Ebony A3 to the relevant group insert point, using the same
‘send and return’ technique as the channel insert.