Hey guys! Ever wondered what those 'Aux Send' knobs are doing on your Behringer mixer? Well, you're in the right place. Let's dive deep into the world of aux sends, unraveling their mysteries and showing you how to use them like a pro. Whether you're a seasoned sound engineer or just starting out, understanding aux sends can seriously up your audio game.

What are Aux Sends?

Auxiliary sends, often shortened to aux sends, are versatile outputs on a mixing console that allow you to create separate audio mixes independent of the main mix. Think of them as extra pathways to route audio signals. These pathways can then be used for a variety of purposes, such as sending signals to stage monitors, creating effects loops, or routing audio to external recording devices.

The aux send circuit typically consists of a knob, labeled something like "Aux Send Level" or simply "Aux Send," and a corresponding output jack, usually labeled "Aux Send Output." The knob controls the amount of signal from that channel that is sent to the aux bus. The aux bus then combines the signals from all channels that have their aux send knobs turned up, and sends the combined signal to the aux send output jack. From there, the signal can be routed to an external device, such as a monitor speaker, an effects processor, or a recording interface.

Different mixers offer varying numbers of aux sends, from one or two on smaller mixers to eight or more on larger consoles. Each aux send can be used for a different purpose, giving you a great deal of flexibility in how you route and process your audio signals. Some aux sends are pre-fader, meaning that the level of the signal sent to the aux bus is not affected by the channel fader. This is useful for sending signals to monitor speakers, as the musicians on stage need to hear a consistent level of their own instruments, regardless of how the front-of-house mix is changing. Other aux sends are post-fader, meaning that the level of the signal sent to the aux bus is affected by the channel fader. This is useful for sending signals to effects processors, as the amount of effect applied to a channel should typically follow the level of the channel.

Understanding the difference between pre-fader and post-fader aux sends is crucial for getting the most out of your mixer. By using pre-fader aux sends for monitoring and post-fader aux sends for effects, you can create a professional-sounding mix that is tailored to the needs of your performers and your audience.

Why are Aux Sends Important?

Okay, so aux sends are extra pathways for audio, but why should you care? The importance of aux sends boils down to the flexibility and control they offer in managing audio signals. Without aux sends, you're stuck with a single, unified mix, which might work for very simple setups, but quickly becomes limiting as soon as you introduce more complex routing needs. Let's break down some key reasons why aux sends are so important:

• Monitor mixes: This is perhaps the most common and crucial use of aux sends, especially in live sound. Imagine a band playing on stage. Each musician needs to hear a mix that allows them to perform their best. The drummer might need more bass and vocals, while the guitarist might want more of their own guitar and less of the drums. Aux sends allow you to create these individual monitor mixes tailored to each musician's needs. Without aux sends, everyone would be stuck listening to the same main mix, which is rarely ideal for monitoring purposes. Using aux sends for monitor mixes ensures that each performer can hear themselves and the other instruments clearly, resulting in a tighter, more cohesive performance. By adjusting the aux send levels for each channel, you can create a custom mix for each monitor, ensuring that every musician is comfortable and able to hear what they need to hear.
• Effects loops: Aux sends are also essential for creating effects loops. An effects loop allows you to send a portion of a channel's signal to an external effects processor, such as a reverb unit or a delay pedal. The processed signal is then returned to the mixer, where it can be blended with the original signal. This allows you to add effects to individual channels without affecting the overall mix. For example, you might want to add a touch of reverb to a vocal track to give it more depth and presence. By using an aux send to create an effects loop, you can apply the reverb only to the vocal track, leaving the other instruments dry. This gives you much more control over the sound of your mix than if you were to simply apply reverb to the entire mix. With effects loops, you can use a single high-quality effects unit to enhance multiple channels, saving you money and rack space.
• Subgroups: While not their primary function, aux sends can also be used to create subgroups. A subgroup is a group of channels that are routed to a single fader. This can be useful for controlling the overall level of a group of instruments, such as the drums or the backing vocals. To create a subgroup using aux sends, you would route the channels you want to include in the subgroup to an aux send. The output of the aux send would then be routed to a separate channel on the mixer, which would serve as the subgroup fader. This allows you to control the overall level of the subgroup without affecting the levels of the individual channels. While dedicated subgroup buses are more common on larger mixers, using aux sends as subgroups can be a helpful workaround on smaller consoles.
• Recording: Aux sends can also be used for recording purposes. For example, you might want to send a separate mix to a recording interface while still maintaining a different mix for the live sound. This can be useful if you want to record a live performance but want to have more control over the sound of the recording than you would have with a simple stereo recording of the main mix. By using aux sends, you can create a custom mix for the recording that is tailored to the specific needs of the recording process. This can result in a higher-quality recording that is easier to mix and master later on. Additionally, you can use aux sends to create a click track for the musicians to follow during recording, without the click track being audible in the main mix.

In essence, aux sends provide the flexibility to tailor your audio routing to specific needs, whether it's creating custom monitor mixes, adding effects, or routing signals for recording. Understanding and utilizing aux sends is a hallmark of a proficient sound engineer or musician.

How to Use Aux Sends on a Behringer Mixer: A Step-by-Step Guide

Alright, let's get practical! Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use aux sends on your Behringer mixer. We'll cover setting up monitor mixes and creating effects loops.

Setting Up Monitor Mixes

1. Identify your aux sends: First, locate the aux send knobs on your Behringer mixer. They're usually labeled "Aux Send 1," "Aux Send 2," etc. Also, find the corresponding aux send output jacks on the back of the mixer.
2. Connect your monitor speakers: Connect the aux send output jack to your stage monitor speaker. You'll typically use a balanced XLR or TRS cable for this.
3. Choose pre-fader or post-fader: Determine whether the aux send is pre-fader or post-fader. As we discussed earlier, pre-fader is generally preferred for monitor mixes. Some Behringer mixers have a switch to select between pre-fader and post-fader operation. If your mixer doesn't have a switch, consult the manual to determine the default behavior.
4. Adjust the aux send level: On each channel, adjust the aux send knob to control the amount of that channel's signal that is sent to the monitor speaker. Start with the knob turned all the way down and gradually increase it until the musician can hear the signal clearly in their monitor.
5. Repeat for all channels: Repeat step 4 for all channels that you want to include in the monitor mix. Remember to adjust the aux send levels individually for each channel to create a custom mix for the musician.
6. Adjust the monitor speaker volume: Finally, adjust the volume of the monitor speaker itself to achieve the desired listening level.
7. Fine-tuning: Get feedback from the musicians! Ask them if they need more or less of certain instruments in their monitor mix and adjust the aux send levels accordingly. This iterative process is key to creating a monitor mix that works for everyone.

Creating Effects Loops

1. Connect your effects processor: Connect an aux send output from your Behringer mixer to the input of your external effects processor (e.g., reverb, delay). Then, connect the output of the effects processor to an available input channel on your mixer. This input channel will be used as the "return" for the effects loop.
2. Choose post-fader: For effects loops, you'll generally want to use a post-fader aux send. This ensures that the amount of effect applied to a channel follows the level of the channel.
3. Adjust the aux send level: On the channel you want to apply the effect to, adjust the aux send knob to control the amount of signal sent to the effects processor. Start with the knob turned all the way down and gradually increase it until you hear the effect in the return channel.
4. Adjust the effects processor settings: Adjust the settings on your effects processor to achieve the desired sound. This might include adjusting the reverb time, delay time, or other parameters.
5. Adjust the return channel level: Adjust the fader on the return channel to control the overall level of the effect in the mix. This allows you to blend the processed signal with the original signal to achieve the desired balance.
6. Experiment! Don't be afraid to experiment with different effects and settings to find the sounds that work best for your music.

Tips and Tricks for Using Aux Sends

Now that you know the basics, here are some additional tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Behringer mixer's aux sends:

• Label everything: Clearly label your aux sends and returns to avoid confusion, especially in complex setups. Use tape or a label maker to mark each cable and connector. This will save you time and frustration when troubleshooting or making changes to your setup.
• Use balanced cables: Use balanced cables (XLR or TRS) whenever possible to minimize noise and interference. Balanced cables are less susceptible to picking up unwanted signals, resulting in a cleaner and more professional sound.
• Pay attention to gain staging: Proper gain staging is crucial for getting the best sound out of your mixer. Make sure that the signal levels at each stage of the signal chain are optimized to avoid clipping or excessive noise. This includes the input channels, aux sends, effects processors, and return channels. Using a gain staging strategy helps optimize the signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range of the entire system. Too little gain at one stage requires you to boost the gain later, amplifying the noise floor. Too much gain at any stage will cause clipping.
• Use EQ on your monitor mixes: If you're using aux sends for monitor mixes, consider using EQ to shape the sound of the monitors. This can help to improve clarity and reduce feedback. For example, you might want to roll off some of the low frequencies to reduce muddiness or boost some of the high frequencies to improve intelligibility. Many mixers have EQ controls on the aux send outputs, but you can also use an external EQ if needed.
• Experiment with different effects: Don't be afraid to experiment with different effects and settings to find the sounds that work best for your music. Try using different types of reverb, delay, chorus, flanger, and other effects to add depth, texture, and interest to your mix. The possibilities are endless!
• Use a dedicated headphone amp for monitoring: If you're using headphones for monitoring, consider using a dedicated headphone amp to provide a clean and powerful signal. This can help to improve the clarity and detail of the sound, as well as reduce listening fatigue. Headphone amps are specifically designed to provide a high-quality signal to headphones, ensuring that you can hear every detail of your mix.
• Learn the specific features of your Behringer mixer: Behringer mixers come in a variety of models, each with its own unique features and capabilities. Take the time to read the manual and learn about the specific features of your mixer, such as the aux send routing options, EQ controls, and other functions. This will help you to get the most out of your mixer and use it to its full potential.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Aux sends are a powerful tool that can greatly enhance your mixing capabilities. By understanding how they work and how to use them effectively, you can create custom monitor mixes, add effects, and route audio signals with precision. So grab your Behringer mixer, experiment with those aux send knobs, and take your audio game to the next level! Have fun mixing, guys!