Mackie CR1604-VLZ and Ensoniq dp/4 yamaha spx 900 boss re-20

[yann_]

Hi i got a Mackie CR1604-VLZ now I'm looking for the best way to route my ensoniq/Dp4
a yamaha spx 900 and a boss re-20

can't seem 2 figure out what the best setup is

the mackie has like 4 aux returns Left/right and 6 aux sends
on the mixer front there's like 4 aux knobs 1,2,3,4 and a button to switch knob 3and4 to 5,6

-my ensoniq dp/4 has 4 ins and 4 outs
-the yamaha spx 900 has a stereo output and a mono input
-the Roland re-20 has a stereo output and a stereo input

I read what's in the manual but i just can't figure it out how to do this.
how would you set this up properly?

thnx in advance

[BertKoor]

What's best depends on the situation, what you try to achieve.
The simple way is to connect the Aux Out of the mixer to Input of the fx unit, then connect Output of the fx unit to a Aux Return of the mixer. With the Aux Send knob per channel you control the volume: how much is sent to the effect, the return knob controls the mix with other sounds. But I find that using a regular channel for the return gives more flexibility: EQ the sound, send it to another fx unit, use a fader instead of knob for the level.
I recall there was a difference in the 1/2 and 3/4 sends: one was pre-fader, the other post.
Most effect units with stereo input are very happy with a mono input only. So that broadens the choice even more.