Gearhead Question: Abusing Mixers

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When you connect the output of a 4-track (Tascam Portastudio 424mkIII) to the inputs, through a bunch of pedals, and overdrive it way into the red, what exactly are you doing to the components of the machine? What should you watch out for? What are the long-term effects? Is there a way you can 'soup up' the mixer to minimize any damage? Is there a site or book with more information on this sort of thing?

― sundar subramanian, Sunday, 17 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Well.. Mine still works.

― Keiko, Monday, 18 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I always thought that's what an "effects loop" was for. But to answer your question: I don't know.

― Tracer Hand, Monday, 18 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I thought this was going to be about swearing at the sound engineer. Oh well.

― electric sound of jim, Monday, 18 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Tracer: That's if you want to add effects to something else you're mixing. It's an intended use of the mixer and shouldn't be a problem. What I'm talking about is connecting the output of a mixer to the input of the same mixer, thus generating internal feedback without actually inputting any external sound source. It is not an intended use of the mixer. I've been doing it for a while. Someone told me recently that the reason it works is because I'm triggering the safety mechanisms of the mixer and will eventually result in damage to the mixer.

― sundar subramanian, Monday, 18 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

i think what's on everyone's lips is: tell us what this illegality sounds like, sundar! is it a particular distortion texture?

(p.s. your tape was received and will be to you in short order)

― Tracer Hand, Tuesday, 19 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Isn't this what Toshimaru Nakamura does?

Feedback = amplification, but I suspect you're limiting the voltage delivered to the input stage by the attenuative devices (pedals) in the loop. I guess there's a chance that you'll fry some op-amps. Possibly the greater danger is to any transducers in the circuit: headphones, speakers. This kind of signal can vaporise tweeters.

― Michael Jones, Tuesday, 19 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

three years pass...

What do I want in a mixer?

― get to thA CHOPPA / A++++++ SELLER (ex machina), Monday, 4 July 2005 18:56 (twenty years ago)

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