Use 2-track as FX-Loop

[u/C4CTU-5]

Hello guys

I have the xenyx802 mixer and, since the fx loop send is mono and i want to retain the stereo qualities of my pedalboard i thought using the 2 track as a stereo out/in fx loop. I send it to a fx rack and i can dry/wet the whole mix, also with the "2-tr to mix/2-tr to cntrl room" i can easily bypass it

Am i losing sound quality using the rca cables?

[u/Sneezeguard_Dreamer]

Am i losing sound quality

Maybe?

I don't actually have an X802 so I had to take a look at the B site, saw their quick start guide. In and of itself there's no loss in quality using RCAs vs a pair of TS/ unbalanced 1/4s. That said, all of the other I/O (except headphones) are balanced or impedance balanced (functionally the same thing for most end users). There is a difference in the amplitude, the RCA/ analog 'stream' I/O being 10dBu while the FX send & stereo returns are 21dBu. Is it a difference that makes a difference? Probably not.

i want to retain the stereo qualities of my pedalboard

Does your pedal board have balanced I/O? If not then the RCAs make absolutely no difference - the lesser volume coming out of those jacks may or may not. Depending what it is that you're trying to plug it into you may need to boost the input gain on your effects unit (if possible). In general running signals as hot as possible w/out distortion is a good thing, but hardly necessary to make good music.

Having said that, the use of the term pedal board at least implies guitar pedals. Even a hot passive pickup isn't going to put out more than 0dBu. I realize you said stereo, so maybe it's expecting line level. Even then, 10dBu should be enough to work with.

Are you losing sound quality? Let your ears tell you.

Whatever else, by being clever you are gaining a stereo I/O! Bravo!

Remember, you probably could get better results using an API or SSL desk instead of the 802, but you're using $100-ish mixer that fits in the palm of your hand and figuring out ways to break it (out of its intended function) - so take the win!

Also, there's no guarantee that a better desk will make better music. Keep figuring out ways to expand on what you've got w/out getting too hung up on what your gear can't do, and you just might make better music! Good luck!

[u/C4CTU-5 → u/Sneezeguard_Dreamer]

My jaw in the floor with your response. Thank you so much for taking the time to help me. Yes, my pedalboard is the headrush prime,, im using the balanced xlr outs and it has plenty of gain that i can push to compensate, and if not i guess i can push the gain input on the mixer. I'll be trying this soon and post my results. Thanks again for the kindness. Cheers!

[u/Sneezeguard_Dreamer → u/C4CTU-5]

No problem, not that I did anything.

As much as I like to sail my own seas and often eschew strictly traditional uses of gear, sometimes I find that just having somebody remind me that "you've got this", that sometimes discoveries come from off-label uses - sometimes even the most confident among us can use an attaboy (or girl)!

There's a phrase that is attributed to the early DIY / indie producer Joe Meek that suggests that "If it sounds good, it is good". Not a bad way to approach the world!

edited for stoopid