Loop the Mixer :: Connect a Mixer to a Loop Pedal :: Mixer and Looper

Video Description

***Please disregard my comment about the design flaw in the board. There is no flaw, and I understand why it is designed this way*** I will show you how to hook up a Loop pedal into any mixer so that you can loop the output of the mixer. This way you can loop multiple instruments with one pedal. Specifically, I will show you how to send the mixed signal from the mixer to the looper and then send the loop signal back into the mixer board and out the mains. Overall, there are many ways to accomplish this. These are just a couple of methods, and they suit my needs. Your needs may be different, and you may have to modify the setup to accomplish what you want. Be creative! This is for a LIVE performance setup, where a stereo signal is not necessary and MONO is sufficient. If a STEREO signal is needed, then follow Method 2. Equipment: Mixer: Behringer Xenyx X1204USB Loop Pedal: Boss RC-1 Mic: Shure SM57 Monitor/Speaker: Peavey PR10P There are two methods in the video: 00:38 Method 1 MONO (Universal Method--Stereo Split) 08:16 Method 2 STEREO (Using ALT/SUB/GROUP OUTS, as on the Xenyx X1204USB) Method 1: MONO OPERATION This method will work on any STEREO MIXER with designated PAN knobs for each INPUT channel and a LEFT and RIGHT output. We can use the Stereo capability of any mixer to route the channels accordingly. Using this method, connect MAINS Speakers or Interface to MAIN OUT L. Connect MAIN OUT R to LOOPER INPUT L. Connect LOOPER OUTPUT L to INPUT of any open channel. Pan all instruments/mics/signals to be sent to the looper all the way RIGHT. Pan LOOPER channel all the way LEFT. Now you will have all instruments going out the RIGHT as a single signal into the looper, and the looper will send this signal back into the mixer and come out the LEFT to the MAINS. The LOOPER channel will be a group channel for any input panned RIGHT and changes made here will affect the entire group as a whole. Method 2: STEREO OPERATION and greater control Here I will feed the LOOPER from the ALT OUTS (SUB OUTS or GROUPS on other mixers, I said AUX in the video, but this is not what I meant--we do NOT want to run it from the AUX sends). The LOOPER OUT will go to the INPUT of any open channel. This channel that contains the LOOPER will need to be UNMUTED(MAIN) so that its signal is fed to the MAINS. Instruments/mics/etc will be on MUTED(ALT 3-4) channels and will be sending their signals to ALT 3-4. Now all of the input signals are being grouped into our LOOPER channel via ALT 3-4, and then sent to the mains. On using AUX SEND and RETURNS: This was not included in the video, because I do not recommend setting it up using either of these ins/outs. Here's why. If feeding the looper from an AUX SEND, then you will have to mix each of the channels with the corresponding AUX knob on the channel (like a monitor mix). In other words, the mix feeding the looper will not be the main mix, but, rather, it will be the AUX mix from all of the AUX knobs on the individual channels. You would be mixing it on the AUX knobs to send to the looper, then mixing the faders to send to the mains, thus running two distinct mixes. AND, you would need to mute all of your input signals from the mains, because the signals are already being fed to the mains from the looper out; this would double the signal. For example, if you sing something into a mic (one of your inputs), its signal is being sent to the mains directly, and this signal is also simultaneously being routed through the AUX to the looper and from there back into the mains. Thus you're getting two of that signal out to the mains. If using an AUX RETURN to feed the looper back into the mixer, then usually you only get one level knob to adjust the signal--No EQ, mute, pan, FX, AUX sends. You will have limited control of the signal. On the other hand, running the signal from the looper into its own channel gives you all of the features of the channel--EQ, FX, pan, mute, AUX sends (to send loop mix into monitors). I LOVE these Behringer mixers. They're on the cheaper side, and they won't last forever, but they will last several years or more if used properly, and you get a bunch of features for the price. Plus I got this used, from a friend who got it from a friend, who found it in some old stuff, and it was covered in dust. Thick. I dismantled the poor thing and used damn near a whole can of duster contact cleaner before I thought it was safe to actually plug in and turn on. It's got a couple missing knobs, but, hey, it works.