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FX settings
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Author:  dwrecktor [ Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:59 pm ]
Post subject:  FX settings
Hi everyone,

I'm using a Mackie DFX 6 mixer for my home karaoke system and would like to have a better understanding of the different effects. The manual is a little vague on the topic. I'm hoping someone here can give me a brief explanation of what the effects do & when to use them. Or maybe someone can point me to a site that has this type of info.

One other thing, if you had to chose one effect to use for all singers, what would that be?

BTW, I've attached an image of the DFX 6 effects for reference.

Thanks

Attachments:
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Author:  Lonman [ Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: FX settings
Delays are basically echo effects
Chorus is like having a two signals kind of out of sync with each other giving the issusion of two things kind of harmonizing in the same key.
Flange is sort of like taking an eq and turning up all the midrange, then let it fall back to normal sound.
Phaser is similar to a flanger
Spring is a type of reverb, equivalent to many of the type reverbs in old 50's style sound.
Room, Plate, Hall, Cathedral are all reverbs.
Gate is a reverb that the trail cuts off instead of fading out.
Reverse is a reverb that does the opposite of fading out. When a signal is going, the reverse effect will fade the reverb in from nothing to a full signal then quit.

As to when to use them, it's up to you & the particular songs - each song will need something vocally. Every song in recorded history has some kind of reverb on vocals. Some also use the other effects. Delay is another common effect on vocals.
I would suggest playing with them all, dialing the around. Have a pad of paper with you so you can mark down some settings & which songs they may fit. If you can listen to the original songs you can sometime pick out which effect resembles the effects on your board.
If I were to use 1 generic effect, I would most likely use a reverb that sounds the best in a particular venue. Can't really tell you which one is best as each room can require more or less & a smaller reverb like a sm room to a larger reverb like cathedral.
Author:  jeffsw6 [ Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: FX settings
The FX to monitor knob should be straight-forward, it will allow you to add EFX to the monitor mix. Don't worry about the AUX2 knob unless you have an out-board FX unit.

As far as the different kinds of effects, they are meant to simulate whatever the DSP manufacturer says a "large hall" sounds like. The delays are just that, delays, although it does not specify how long the delays are, 1 is probably the shortest and 4 might be up around 20ms or even greater.

You should spend some time experimenting with the FX in your garage / home. Have some recorded music with you, and some karaoke tracks, and try to get your own voice as close to the FX you hear on the original CD you are listening to. Don't try to remember what track sounds right with what FX, but this is a good way to practice.
Author:  gunghouk [ Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: FX settings
When I had this mixer (it was my 1st for karaoke) if I ever used the internal effects I found that a little of the Cathedral was about the only acceptable effect from this mixer, to my taste anyway :)

That aside it's a nice little mixer.
Author:  jamkaraoke [ Wed Jun 10, 2009 7:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: FX settings
gunghouk @ Wed Jun 10, 2009 6:03 am wrote:
When I had this mixer (it was my 1st for karaoke) if I ever used the internal effects I found that a little of the Cathedral was about the only acceptable effect from this mixer, to my taste anyway :)

That aside it's a nice little mixer.


I had the DFX12 and felt the same way
Author:  mckyj57 [ Wed Jun 10, 2009 7:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: FX settings
jamkaraoke @ Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:03 am wrote:
gunghouk @ Wed Jun 10, 2009 6:03 am wrote:
When I had this mixer (it was my 1st for karaoke) if I ever used the internal effects I found that a little of the Cathedral was about the only acceptable effect from this mixer, to my taste anyway :)

That aside it's a nice little mixer.


I had the DFX12 and felt the same way

I like the little bit. Most overdo it. The Mackie D is the mixer I always seem to see when I hear everybody sounding like they are singing from the bottom of a well.
Author:  dwrecktor [ Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: FX settings
Thanks everyone for the all the info. So I guess it's not just me that thought the cathedrel setting was the only decent sounding setting on this mixer. I just thought I didn't know how to apply the other ones.

Can anyone recommend an external FX unit that's not too costly that would produce better results?

Thanks again.
Author:  Lonman [ Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: FX settings
dwrecktor @ Wed Jun 10, 2009 4:25 pm wrote:
Thanks everyone for the all the info. So I guess it's not just me that thought the cathedrel setting was the only decent sounding setting on this mixer. I just thought I didn't know how to apply the other ones.

Can anyone recommend an external FX unit that's not too costly that would produce better results?

Thanks again.


I use the md hall & lg plate & the delays with no problems. With effects you do not WANT to hear the effect - unless this is supposed to be a part of the song like Prince - Purple Rain. It is simply supposed to be an accent to the vocals, but would be noticed if the effects wasn't actually applied. Cathedral is replicating the sound of a walking into a VERY LARGE hall or empty concrete church with no sound proofing, when you say something it makes an overwhelming reverb that tends to linger for a couple seconds or more. This is a common mistake for many that aren't very saavy about effects & they tend to put too much effects on the vocals so the smaller reverbs don't sound good to them. There is really nothing wrong with the built in when dialed in correctly.

If you are determined to get an external, then I would recommend the Lexicon 200 or 400. Great units.
Author:  gunghouk [ Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: FX settings
We are talking about the DFX here which has very limiting fixed reverb decays and delay times whereas the CFX has delay/reverb time and damping (tonal) adjustment of the effects :?

Another nice external unit is the TC Electronic M350 :D
Author:  letitrip [ Thu Jun 11, 2009 6:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: FX settings
gunghouk @ Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:32 am wrote:
We are talking about the DFX here which has very limiting fixed reverb decays and delay times whereas the CFX has delay/reverb time and damping (tonal) adjustment of the effects :?

Another nice external unit is the TC Electronic M350 :D


Yeah this is the crux of the issue, not having control over damping on reverb pretty much sucks. I'm sure this is why those with the DFX units don't like them because I love the EFX unit on my CFX12.

As far as outboard units, most lexicon multi-effects units are great. I'm partial to the TC Electronic M-One myself. Just picked mine up last year for about $200 used and it's in mint condition. IF you can find a good deal on a used one (around $200), the Yamaha SPX-90 is an incredible unit and it what you hear on many of the mid 90's recordings coming out of LA and Nashville. It was the standard for reverb for quite a while.
Author:  gunghouk [ Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: FX settings
I like the TC Electronic stuff too.

In order I went through the M300, M-One, M-One XL, M2000 and ended up with the M3000....sheesh ! It would have been cheaper just to have bought the M3000 in the first place ! :D
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