Up to 8 Stereo Effect Returns can be installed. The Stereo Return Section of the Master Section S is part of every module. The feature list includes a mono matrix, input gain control, 4 band equalizer, cue send, 24 bus routing, 60 mm VCA Fader with VCA Group access and a balance control .

Stereo Return in Master Section S

Each Module of the Master Section S contains a Stereo Effect Return with stereo line input, equalizer, 24 bus routing matrix and stereo cue send.

Extensive effect returns are important features of a music recording console. In addition to the comfort, the existence of appropriate effect returns save input channels that would be needed to include the external devices that are connected to the returns. However, to be of advantage, the stereo inputs must have a sufficient feature set that is not different to a normal channel as far as the use as effect return is concerned. Of course, there is the additional opportunity to optimize the features of such an effect return to this application. Nowadays, most of the commonly used effect, devices have stereo ouputs; it is obvious that such a module should be implemented in stereo. A stereo EQ with sufficient features that is optimized for the treatment of effect signals is essential. In addition, it must be possible to integrate the effect signal into the playback mix. All the control functions like PFL and Solo are as necessary as a routing matrix to make it possible to send the effect signal to the multitrack device for recording and the possibility to assign the channel to a group. These considerations let us to the design of the stereo return section of the s master section.

The input signal can be connected via a multipin connector on the connector panel or via the patch bay. The input of the return section is electronically balanced. The nominal input level is + 6 dBu. The input gain is calibrated to 0 dB, however, a gain control with +/- 15 dB range can be activated by a switch. The MNO switch inserts a mono matrix into the input section of the module. This function is important when a mono signal is connected to one of the two stereo inputs. The Stereo EQ is a fixed frequency 4 band EQ with a gain control range of +/- 15 dB. The Hi band is a shelving EQ with low slope. The edge frequency is 12 kHz. The low EQ is a very soft bell with a center frequency of 80 Hz. The mid 1 and mid 2 band are both bell type EQ's with a Q factor of 1. The center frequencies are 250 Hz and 4 kHz. The EQ switch inserts the equalizer into the signal chain.

The stereo Cue send is default pre fader and it is not affected by cut or solo. The post switch puts this send post fader, post cut and solo while the PAN sets puts it post the main pan control. The cue send has its own cut switch. Cue is always driven in stereo. The cue pan is always active and make possible to control the direction of the cue signal indecently.

The 60 mm VCA fader is driven from the EQ output. It control a stereo pair of high quality THAT vca's. The Solo system has a solo and an on switch. Solo is not active unless the ON switch is pressed. This makes it possible to hear all the effects of a particular channel when this channel is in solo mode, since the return signal is not muted by solo. If this is not wanted, the ON switch activates the solo system that mutes the return signal while the console is in solo mode. If the Solo logic is on, it is possible to set the stereo return into solo mode, just by pressing the solo switch. Of course, this does not make sense, if the input signal of a return, which gets its input signal from an aux send of one or more of the console channels. In this case, the solo of the return would cut the channel(s) that feed the input of the effect device. However, if the stereo return is used for an independent signal, like a stereo line from an external device or a stereo output of the DAW system, the solo system is useful.


The PFL switch feeds the pre solo, pre fader signal to the PFL bus. The Cut switch is a large format, illuminated push button; the fader, as mentioned above, a 60 mm VCA fader. The audio singal is controlled by two vca's. The Group switch routs the VCA Group no. 8 into the vca control circuit. So, the group 8 can be used to control the level of all returns that are assigned to this group. In addition, it is possible to control the returns via group 8 by the console automation system. Depending on the jumper setting on the module it is possible to set the group switch into another mode that makes it possible to assign another group when the switch is not pressed. However, the 'no group' state is not possible with this setting.

The output of the fader drives the input of the routing matrix. A balance control (BAL) can be inserted by the push pull switch of the pot. It controls the two stereo channels with center attenuation vice versa, just in the way a pan pot does. The MIX switch routs the signal into the main stereo bus. The 24 routing busses can be selected in parallel to the mix bus. The left channel feeds the odd numbered busses while the right channel feeds the even numbered busses. The routing matrix has 12 switches that are assigned either to the busses 1 to 12 or 13 to 24, depending on the position of the switch 13-24.

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Stereo Return Section
Block Diagram
Stereo Effect Return in Master Section E2