The Mixing Console
Basic mixing involves the process of adjusting relative volumes, panoramic positions and frequency content of recorded tracks. Traditionally, mixing was carried out on a 48 channel analogue mixing console within a professional studio environment.
With the revolution of the digital age, many people are now mixing within their own studios, using digital audio workstations (DAWS) on a personal computer. DAWS are a relatively new software invention that offer built in mixers, synthesisers, plug-ins and many other hardware counterparts.
Software is said to be more flexible than hardware, and ultimately saves on time, space and money.
Whether mixing on a 48 track analogue mixer or within a self-contained DAW, the technique is pretty much the same for both.
The Mixing Console
In order to carry out any form of mixing, one vital piece of equipment is needed – this is the mixer. The primary job of the mixer is to combine two or more audio signals onto a single channel output. Additional controls allow independent adjustment of levels through fader adjustments, stereo placement via pan controls, tone (equalization) adjustment via bass and treble pots, and finally, effect and processor mixing via an insert or send/return facility - more on effects and processors in a later article. Some form of metering is usually provided to inform the user of the signal levels entering the mixing console. Temporary silencing and soloing of a sound is possible using mute and solo buttons.
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| The front and back of the mixing console from Propellerheads Reason |
Once you have combined, adjusted and worked on the entering signals, the resulting output is then buzzed off to a single stereo buss (a two channel stereo track) to be mastered or burnt to CD or other medium.
Mixers can look intimidating at first as they have so many controls. However, once you understand how they work you realise that many of these controls are duplicated and it's not as difficult as it first seems.
The more commonly used mixer of today is the digital variety, which can be found in recording studios as hardware or within sequencing software, such as Pro-tools. Many software mixers mimic hardware counterparts. Using an audio interface, computer and a self contained DAW, it is possible to record and mix audio tracks with minimum effort. Additional external hardware mixers can be connected to the software through USB or Firewire cables and act as an entire control panel for the host software it is connecting to. Remember that although the concept of mixing is simple enough, it can take many years to master. For an overview of what makes a good mix check out the Art of Mixing article.
Common Mixer Controls
Mixers have several identical channel strips with each having a range of features with a variety of controls
Channel Inputs: Each channel features either a mono or stereo input for connecting audio devices. With a stereo track, the left input should be used when manually connecting a mono signal source. Most mixers usually have an XLR input for microphones. For condenser microphones use the phantom power switch.
Gain Control: The channel gain controls the level of a signal entering the desk.
EQ Controls: The equalisation controls are used to attenuate (cut) or boost the treble and bass frequencies.
Aux Sends: The aux sends control the level of the auxiliary output to other devices such as an effects unit or creating headphone mixes - more on these in a later article.
Pan Control: The pan control sets the left/right position of the channel in the stereo field.
Mute and Solo Buttons: The channel mute button silences the output of that particular channel when pressed. Activating the solo button silences all other channels but the one selected.
Channel Fader and Meter: The channel fader is a sliding control, or sometimes a pot (potentiometer), used to control the output level of each corresponding channel. The name comes from "fading in" and "fading out" tracks. The meter is a visual representation of the channel output level. If the signal level pushes the meter into the range of the red area, try lowering either the output level of the device connected to the channel, or the channel fader itself, to avoid distortion.
Aux Returns: The aux returns provide inputs for connected send effects devices. Each return has its own knob to adjust the strength of the incoming signal.
Master Fader: The individual master fader controls the overall output of all the channels.
Inset: An insert is a pathway out and then back into a single fader. It is used to patch in an external piece of hardware such as a compressor unit.
PLF: PFL means Pre-Fade Listen. It's function is to listen to the channel's audio at a point before the fader takes effect. The PFL button is usually located just above the channel fader. Note: When you press the PFL button, the main monitor output will stop monitoring anything else and the only audio will be the selected PFL channel(s). Note that all selected PFL channels will be monitored, so you can press as many PFL buttons as you like. The PFL usually takes over the mixer's metering display. PFL is useful when setting the initial input level of a channel, as it reflects the pre-fade level.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 01 July 2008 15:12 )
