I am currently thinking about a DJ Mixer with Master Insert -i.e. the TRM-422 - i want to insert my Elysia xpressor - but i wonder if this insert is absolutly needed if i want to insert a compressor - i.e. i just could put the master out XLR to the Elysia of a Reloop 60 digital, and then go to the AMP ?
I assume the DJ mixers XLR is also just delivering line level?
I think one element could be where the master insert sits in the mixer’s signal chain. In the case of the SSL Six and Big Six mixers, for example, the master insert send and return is situated before the bus compressor.
(Other use cases for the master insert indicated by SSL are using the insert send as an additional pre-fader output of the main bus, and using the master insert return as a way to use the bus compressor on external signals without going through one of the mixer channels.)
Personally, I just send the master out of my DJ mixer to my Xpressor - works perfectly fine…
Djm v10 has an insert that you can switch between mic, channels 1-6 and master
Another reasons that comes to mind for using a master insert as opposed to just sending a master bus signal to an external processor is that many mixers provide multiple master outputs (eg. for front of house, DJ booth, recording, etc.). Being able to have the external bus processing on a master insert avoids having to split the signal later…
It’s simple really…
(I ve spent half day yesterday sitting on the floor between mixers and patchbays)
… it depends on how you use the master volume on the mixer.
If you don’t actively use it and therefore the signal coming out of the mixer is at the same nominal level, then it doesn’t matter if you put the unit into insert or after output. You set the unit to work properly at the given signal level and you are good to go.
If on the other hand you would use the master to regulate the output volume (because for example you feed your monitors from it), then you would want to use the insert, so that the unit receives a consistent pre-fade signal level and you then have complete freedom to adjust the volume of the finalized output after the unit without messing up what the gain sensitive unit does to the signal as a result of you changing signal level.
This is the way
Most Ecler DJ mixers have master inserts as well IIRC