Recording Handbook - Hol.gr

(5) Does it have an outboard FX (effects) loop; can you use it to do
most (if not all) of your mixing, or will you need an outboard mixer?
See Q1.1.1 for a discussion of an FX loop.
(6) If you're mixing with it, what eq does it have?
Most 4-tracks will have some form of eq; it may be per channel or a
stereo graphic that covers all the tracks. If you're trying to keep
one instrument per track, will the eq allow you to affect just that
one track? If eq is a real issue, you need to look at some sort of
external mixer.
(7) Will the inputs switch from mic to line level?
Signals are classified into (roughly) two sorts, based on the voltages
involved: 'mic level' signals are lower voltage, typically seen from
microphones (of course) and electric guitars; 'Line level' signals are
higher voltage, typically seen from synths, hi-fis, etc.
NOTE: Guitars can provide a hell of a signal if played heavily,
especially Les Pauls!
Most 4-tracks will at least have a 'line / mic' switch on the input.
Some have a slider to allow the best matching to be selected.
It's important to get this right: you can connect a mic level signal
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