Abstract: An audio mixer has separate dry mix, effects returns mix and main mix mixing buses, each mixing bus having a separate mix output. Multiple audio signals are mixed together without effects processing onto a dry mixing bus. Simultaneously, the original audio signals are also mixed together at various levels onto multiple sends mixing buses which are coupled to an effects sends (or output). The mixed audio signals on each of the sends mixing buses are sent to either internal or external effects processors wherein various effects are added to the mixed signals. The processed signals from the effects processors are fed back into the mixer (if external effects processors are used) through an effects return and further mixed together onto an effects mixing bus. Thus, the effects mix bus includes the sum of the processed mixed signals from the sends mixing buses. The dry mix and the effects mix are subsequently mixed onto a main mixing bus to provide a main mix output.