live sound/recording multichannel effects question

The crux of the question: In our practice space, we have a mixer we run everything into and then out to a PA.

If I want reverb on both vocal mics, how do I do that?

Do I need separate reverb units for each channel?

Do I need some sort of T (or a tiny, cheap 2-channel mixer) to combine both mics, set their levels, and add reverb on the combined signal on the way to the main mixer (or to the PA)?

I'm shutting up now because I fear my questions may be so misguided that I'm leading away from the correct answer...

Any info about this particular thing or about how to do effects in this sort of environment in general greatly appreciated...

If it's helpful I can complete a more specific picture of the current setup, but it's mostly instruments/mics -> unpowered mixer -> powered PA.

You need either a mixer with FX that can be added to individual channels, or you need a mixer with a channel loop that can send individual channels out to a separate FX box.

Take a look at this photo:

Notice the red knobs that say FX. I'm not sure how the Behrenger one works but you can usually select the effect you want, then select the level of effect for each channel with those red senders.

There are a ton of inexpensive boards with FX. Check out Guitarcenter.com

I'd agree with curtis here. I would tend to think that adding something in-line before it gets to the primary mixer would also work, but with analog, everything you add in between the source and the destination reduces the quality of the signal to some degree.

Yeah, either put it in the effects loop and blend in as needed, or run the mic through the box and then into the mixer.

I have a mixer which can send channels out to an effects loop (Soundcraft Spirit F1), and I guess I can vary how much is sent and how much passes through without going to effects?

I finally just found the manual online, so perhaps more digging will make things clearer.

I think I was mainly confused by what seemed like two bad options: either sending a bunch of stuff into one reverb unit, or having to put separate effects units inline on the inputs to any channel I wanted to have that effect on...

Blargh. I think R-ing TFM will help, but so far there doesn't seem to be a ton of specificity about effects usage... More like how to use this mixer if you already know the general usage...

Yes take the send output and go into your effect and then return the effect to different channels. This way you can control you gain going in and coming out.

I love it that there are audio guys in this forum!!!!

ransom wrote: I have a mixer which can send channels out to an effects loop (Soundcraft Spirit F1), and I guess I can vary how much is sent and how much passes through without going to effects?

Most lower-dollar boards (not familiar with your Spirit) are a passive loop. They send the entire signal through the loop and you vary how much effect is added with the external box. Then the altered signal comes back to the board where you mix it as normal.

Higher-end boards have a "send" pot which sends a variable amount to the effects box and then mixes the return with the regular input. I never understood the finer points of why one is better than another. I think it has to do with whether or not the effects box has its own mixer for each channel. If it does, then a passive loop would be fine. If its a single-processor FX box, you would need the variable send for each channel on the board.

Some boards also use the "send" as a variable output to the main. The input and the FX input are full through the channel, then the "send" varies the amount of FX goes to the main. In that way you can have different FX in the mains and the monitors. Lots of reverb in the monitors isn't a good thing in many ways.