Connect a keyboard synthesizer to any available channel strip on your mixing board using a 1/4" TRS cable. Connect the cable to the "Mono L" left output jack on your synthesizer, and to the 1/4" audio jack on the mixer channel strip.
Locate the sound bank on your synthesizer's LCD menu, usually on the "Program" or "Voices" menu. In addition to keyboard leads, bass, percussion and other preset sounds, you should find an "Effects" or "FX" library. Select this library and choose your desired effect from the list.
Play the keys on your keyboard to generate the effect and transmit the sound to your mixing board. Use the knobs on your channel strip to adjust the parameters of your effect, such as your high, middle and low frequencies (treble, mid and bass), panning and volume.
Choose the right recording. Records and cassettes, if selected carefully, can provide useful sound effects for musical accompaniment. Whether you want to generate the sound of a vinyl scratch, capture a door-slamming effect from a classic radio program or use ocean sounds from a relaxation tape, you can incorporate a variety of recorded effects by connecting a playback device.
Connect your device to your mixing board using red and white RCA cables. Connect the first set of red and white plugs to the corresponding jacks on your tape deck or turntable, and connect the opposing plugs to the RCA jacks on your mixing board.
Start your tape deck or turntable to transmit the audio to your mixing board. To isolate your sound effects from the rest of the recording, connect your mixing board to a computer and use digital audio software to record the audio from your playback device. Then delete the parts of the recording that you do not need.
Select a sound effect from the available sounds on your sampler, or use the recording feature to record your own sound effect. Samplers are especially useful for generating sound effects in live music, as they allow you to play your effects in time with the beat, or at any pace you desire with the click of a button.
Connect your sampler to your mixing board using the appropriate cable. Most samplers connect using RCA cables, in the same way that you would connect a tape deck or turntable. Some digital samplers, however, may contain TRS jacks, in which case you would use a 1/4" audio cable through the "Output" or "Line Out" jack.
Transmit your effect to your mixing board by pressing the corresponding key. Some samplers contain rows of buttons, or pads, which you can press to generate the sounds, while other samplers require you to connect an external MIDI keyboard for note control. Consult your manual to find the exact specifications and requirements for your own sampler.