Inline monitoring

A recording console has two types of signal source. One is from the microphone
and line inputs. The other is from the already-recorded signals on the multitrack
tape. To record overdubs, these must be mixed together for the monitor mix and
headphone foldback.

An inline monitoring console incorporates the return signals from the multitrack
within the channel modules.

Therefore each channel will have a mic/line input, and an input for one track
of the multitrack. These signal paths are separate. The input signal will go
to a small fader where its level is controlled for sending to the multitrack.
The monitor signal from the multitrack will go to the large fader to create
a monitor mix.

It is important to realize that you might be using channel 17 to record a vocal
overdub to track 4 of the multitrack. The monitor signal would come back to
the monitor section of channel 4.

Usually, the channel's facilities such as EQ, dynamics, aux sends etc. can
be shared between the input signal path and the monitor signal path.