Use this tab to define insert points or Inserts for short. Using inserts, you can patch external processing into the otherwise internal signal path. Inserts are often used for special microphone processing or sound effects.
Typically, the signal path is split before the signal enters the fader strip. The signal is routed to the external device, processed and routed back into the RM4200D. There it is assigned to a fader strip.
![[Important]](../pics/important.gif) | Important |
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You can define Inserts both for mono and stereo signals. Make sure you are using both options correctly to avoid assigning mono Inserts to stereo signals and the other way round. | |
The RM4200D provides two different types of Inserts:
Fixed Inserts. These insert points are permanently assigned to a physical fader strip. Once defined, the associated signal path is always active, no matter which Fader Channel signal is currently routed onto the fader strip. For each fader strip, you can define exactly one Insert.
Switchable Inserts. This type of Insert is similar to a Fixed Insert, with one main difference: Using keys, you can switch it on and off for a given fader strip. Once the Insert is switched on, it will stay active, no matter which Fader Channel Signal is currently routed to the fader strip. You can define up to four Switchable Inserts.
Use the area Fixed Insert Points to assign insert points to fader strips. The list shows all available Fader Modules and their associated pre-fader signals in the column Inserted Source. The default value for each fader is the pre-fader signal of each fader itself. You can define Fixed Inserts both for stereo and mono signals, the necessary configuration processes are slightly different.
| Important |
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Fixed Inserts are always associated to certain fader strips. Therefore they are used mostly with audio sources permanently assigned to a fader (“Fixed Fader”) instead of Pool Faders. | |
To patch an external processing into a stereo signal path, do the following:
Connect the input of the external device to an output of the RM4200D. Connect the output of the device to an input of he RM4200D. Remember or write down which in- and outputs of the RM4200D you have used.
In the Toolbox4 software, select the node DSP Frame I/O of the project tree. Find the input you just connected to the output of the external device. Give a descriptive name to this input, i.e. “FromExt”. You will find the signal in the Audio Sources Window under section Inputs. Do the same with the output of the RM4200D going to the external device. Give it a name, too, i.e. “ToExt”. (see also DSP Frame I/O — Configuring the DSP Frame)
Go to the node Audio System/Output Routing in the project tree. Find the output you have just named “ToExt”. As a source for this output, assign the pre-fader signal you want to process. (see also Output Routing )
In the project tree, go to the node Audio System and select the tab Inserts. Click on the fader you want to associate with an Insert. Click on the button and choose the return signal “FromExt” from the external device as input for the fader. Now, the pre-fader signal will be routed through the external device before getting into the fader strip.
If you want to set up an external processing for a mono signal, do the following:
Connect the input (mono) of the external device to an output of the RM4200D. Connect the output of the device to an input of he RM4200D. Remember or write down which in- and outputs of the RM4200D you have used.
In the Toolbox4 software, select the node DSP Frame I/O of the project tree. Find the input you just connected to the output of the external device. Give a descriptive name to this input, i.e. “FromExt”. You will find the signal in the Audio Sources Window under section Inputs. Do the same with the output of the RM4200D going to the external device. Give it a name, too, i.e. “ToExt”. In the column Mono/Stereo, make sure you have selected the option Mono for each signal. Also, pay attention to the signal pin assignments of the connectors for the RM4200D! (see also DSP Frame I/O — Configuring the DSP Frame)
Change to the node Audio System/Output Functions of the project tree. Create a new Output Function, in which you mix left and right channel of the pre-fader signal into a mono signal. This signal is processed by the external device. (see also Output Functions)
In the project tree, change to the node Audio System/Output Routing. Find the output you have just named “ToExt” in step 1. As input source for this output, choose the Output Function you have just created. (see also Output Routing )
Create two more Output Functions and name them <Name>L and <Name>R. As input sources for these functions, use the mono signal “FromExt”, coming back from the external device.
Important When you create the Output Functions, the following is essential: The Output Function for the left stereo channel must have an odd number, the one for the right stereo channel must have an even number! Also, both Output Functions must follow each other immediately in the list. If you do not comply with these conditions, the signal assignment to the insert points will not work correctly. If necessary, create an additional empty Output Function to get the numbers right.
In the project tree, select the node Audio System and click the tab Inserts. Click on the fader you want to assign an insert to. Click the button and choose the two Output Functions just defined as input signal for this fader. Now, the two channels of the pre-fader signal are summed up to one mono signal. This signal is processed by the external device and routed back into the RM4200D. There it is converted back into a stereo signal before it enters the fader strip.
![[Note]](../pics/note.gif) | Note |
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You have to use this complicated construction for mono inserts, since input signals for faders always have to be in stereo. | |
You can define up to four Switchable Inserts. Once defined, you can assign any of them to any fader strip. To do this, you have to define some special keys in the Console first. After that, you just have to press the Access key in the desired fader strip. Now press the defined Insert key in the Console and the insert is assigned to the fader strip. However, you can only assign four Inserts simultaneously at any time!
To configure a Switchable Insert for a stereo signal, do the following:
Connect the input of the external device to an output of the RM4200D. Connect the output of the device to an input of he RM4200D. Remember or write down which in- and outputs of the RM4200D you have used.
In the Toolbox4 software, select the node DSP Frame I/O of the project tree. Find the input you just connected to the output of the external device. Give a descriptive name to this input, i.e. “FromExt”. You will find the signal in the Audio Sources Window under section Inputs. Do the same with the output of the RM4200D going to the external device. Give it a name, too, i.e. “ToExt”. (see also DSP Frame I/O — Configuring the DSP Frame)
Select the node Audio System/Output Routing in the project tree. Find the output you just named. Assign a free Routing Selector to this output (for example“Routing 1 L/R”). You will find the Routing Selectors in the Audio Sources Window in the section Routing. Remember or write down the number of the selected Routing Selector. (see also Output Routing )
In the project tree, select the node Audio System and click the tab Inserts. In the area Switchable Insert Points click the Insert you want to configure. Enter a descriptive name for it in the field Label.
In the field Routing Selector, select the Routing Selector you have assigned in step 3. This Routing Selector now works as “Send” output to the external device.
In the field Source, select the input “FromExt”you have defined in step 1. That way the “Return”signal of the external device is routed back into the signal path.
Select the node Console in the project tree. Click on the tab Keys and select a Fader Module or Control Module. (see also Console – Configuring the Console )
Select a key from the module. In the pop up menu Function select the value ON/OFF Function. From the pop up menu Subfunction choose the value Insert. Finally a third pop up menu appears, select the desired Insert from it.
Set the colors for the different key states. Upload the new Config into the Device.
Now you can use the Switchable Inserts like this:
First, press the key Access in the desired fader strip. Second, press the Insert key you just defined. The input signal for the fader is now routed through the Insert path. To deactivate the Insert, repeat the procedure.
| Note |
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If you configure the Insert key within a fader strip, a single press on this key will activate and deactivate the Insert. | |
Switchable Mono Inserts are similar to Fixed Mono Inserts. Like there, Ouput Functions are used to create the mono signal. Schaltbare Mono-Inserts ähneln den Fixed Inserts mit Monosignalen.
To define a Switchable Mono Insert, do the following:
Connect the input (mono) of the external device to an output of the RM4200D. Connect the output of the device to an input of he RM4200D. Remember or write down which in- and outputs of the RM4200D you have used.
In the Toolbox4 software, select the node DSP Frame I/O of the project tree. Find the input you just connected to the output of the external device. Give a descriptive name to this input, i.e. “FromExt”. You will find the signal in the Audio Sources Window under section Inputs. Do the same with the output of the RM4200D going to the external device. Give it a name, too, i.e. “ToExt”. In the column Mono/Stereo, make sure you have selected the option Mono for each signal. Also, pay attention to the signal pin assignments of the connectors for the RM4200D! (see also DSP Frame I/O — Configuring the DSP Frame)
Change to the node Audio System/Output Functions of the project tree. Create a new Output Function, in which you mix left and right channel of a free Routing Selector (for example“Routing 1 L/R”) into a mono signal. You will find the Routing Selectors in the Audio Sources Window in the section Routing. Remember or write down the number of the Routing Selector. (see also Output Functions)
In the project tree, change to the node Audio System/Output Routing. Find the output you have just named “ToExt” in step 1. As input source for this output, choose the Output Function you have just created. This signal is processed by the external device. (see also Output Routing )
Create two more Output Functions and name them <Name>L and <Name>R. As input sources for these functions, use the mono signal “FromExt”, coming back from the external device.
Important When you create the Output Functions, the following is essential: The Output Function for the left stereo channel must have an odd number, the one for the right stereo channel must have an even number! Also, both Output Functions must follow each other immediately in the list. If you do not comply with these conditions, the signal assignment to the insert points will not work correctly. If necessary, create an additional empty Output Function to get the numbers right.
In the project tree, select the node Audio System and click the tab Inserts. In the area Switchable Insert Points click the Insert you want to configure. Enter a descriptive name for it in the field Label.
In the field Routing Selector, select the Routing Selector you have assigned in step 3. This Routing Selector now works as “Send” output to the external device.
In the field Source, select the Output Functions you have created in step 5. That way the “Return”signal of the external device is routed back into the signal path.
Select the node Console in the project tree. Click on the tab Keys and select a Fader Module or Control Module. (see also Console – Configuring the Console )
Select a key from the module. In the pop up menu Function select the value ON/OFF Function. From the pop up menu Subfunction choose the value Insert. Finally a third pop up menu appears, select the desired Insert from it.
Set the colors for the different key states. Upload the new Config into the Device.
Now you can use the Switchable Inserts like this:
First, press the key Access in the desired fader strip. Second, press the Insert key you just defined. The input signal for the fader is now routed through the Insert path. To deactivate the Insert, repeat the procedure.
| Note |
|---|---|
If you configure the Insert key within a fader strip, a single press on this key will activate and deactivate the Insert. | |