Mixing console

BBC Local Radio Mark III radio mixing desk

In professional audio, a mixing console, digital mixing console, mixing desk (Brit.), or audio mixer, also called a sound board or soundboard, is an electronic device for combining (also called "mixing"), routing, and changing the level, tone, and/or dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer. The modified signals (voltages or digital samples) are summed to produce the combined output signals.

Mixing consoles are used in many applications, including recording studios, public address systems, sound reinforcement systems, broadcasting, television, and film post-production. An example of a simple application would be to enable the signals that originated from two separate microphones (each being used by vocalists singing a duet, perhaps) to be heard through one set of speakers simultaneously. When used for live performances, the signal produced by the mixer will usually be sent directly to an amplifier, unless that particular mixer is “powered” or it is being connected to powered speakers.

Structure

Yamaha 2403 audio mixing console in a 'live' mixing application

The input strip is usually separated into these sections:

• Input Jacks
• Input Section
• EQ Section
• AUX Section
• Fader / Bus

On the Yamaha Console to the right, these sections are color coded.

Each signal that is input into the mixer has its own channel. Depending on the specific mixer, each channel is stereo or monaural. On most mixers, each channel has an XLR input, and many have RCA or quarter-inch Jack plug line inputs.

Below each input, there are usually several rotary controls (knobs, pots). The first is typically a trim or gain control. The inputs buffer the signal from the external device and this controls the amount of amplification or attenuation needed to bring the signal to a nominal level for processing. This stage is where most noise or interference is picked up, due to the high gains involved (around +50 dB, for a microphone). Balanced inputs and connectors, such as XLR or Tip-Ring-Sleeve (TRS) quarter-inch connectors, reduce interference problems.

There may be insert points after the buffer/gain stage, which are used to send to and return from external processors which should only affect the signal of that particular channel. Insert points are most commonly used with effects that control a signal's amplitude, such as noise gates, expanders, and compressors.

The Aux sends are used to send the incoming signal to external devices. Aux sends can either be pre-fade or post-fade, in that the level of a pre-fade send is set by the control, whereas post-fade depend on the position of the channel fader as well. Aux sends can be used to send the signal to an external processor such as a reverb, which can then be routed back through another channel or designated aux returns on the mixer. These will normally be post-fader. Pre-fade aux's are used to provide a monitor mix to musicians onstage, this mix is thus independent of the main mix.

Further channel controls affect the equalization of the signal by separately attenuating or boosting a range of frequencies (e.g., bass, midrange, and treble frequencies). Most large mixing consoles (24 channels and larger) usually have sweep equalization in one or more bands of its parametric equalizer on each channel, where the frequency and affected bandwidth of equalization can be selected. Smaller mixing consoles have few or no equalization control. Some mixers have a general equalization control (either graphic or parametric).

Each channel on a mixer has an audio taper pot, or potentiometer, controlled by a sliding volume control (fader), that allows adjustment of the level, or amplitude, of that channel in the final mix. A typical mixing console has many rows of these sliding volume controls. Each control adjusts only its respective channel (or one half of a stereo channel); therefore, it only affects the level of the signal from one microphone or other audio device. The signals are summed to create the main mix, or combined on a bus as a submix, a group of channels that are then added to get the final mix (for instance, many drum mics could be grouped into a bus, and then the proportion of drums in the final mix can be controlled with one bus fader).

There may also be insert points for a certain bus, or even the entire mix.

On the right hand of the console, there are typically one or two master controls that enable adjustment of the console's main mix output level.

Finally, there are usually one or more VU or peak meters to indicate the levels for each channel, or for the master outputs, and to indicate whether the console levels are overmodulating or clipping the signal. Most mixers have at least one additional output, besides the main mix. These are either individual bus outputs, or auxiliary outputs, used, for instance, to output a different mix to on-stage monitors. The operator can vary the mix (or levels of each channel) for each output.

As audio is heard in a logarithmic fashion (both amplitude and frequency), mixing console controls and displays are almost always in decibels, a logarithmic measurement system. This is also why special audio taper pots or circuits are needed. Since it is a relative measurement, and not a unit itself (like a percentage), the meters must be referenced to a nominal level. The "professional" nominal level is considered to be +4 dBu. The "consumer grade" level is −10 dBV.

For convenience, some mixing consoles rack's contain a patch bay or patch panel. These maybe more useful for those not using a computer with several plugins on their software.

Noise artists are perhaps the first musicians to use a mixing board as a musical instrument.

Most, but not all, audio mixers can

• add external effects.
• use monaural signals to produce stereo sound by adjusting the position of each signal on the sound stage (pan and balance controls).
• provide phantom power (typically 48 volts) required by some microphones.
• create an audible tone via an oscillator, usually at 440Hz, 1 kHz, or 2 kHz

Some mixers can

• add effects internally.
• interface with computers or other recording equipment (to control the mixer with computer presets, for instance).
• be powered by batteries.

Virtual Mixing consoles

Increasingly, the mixing process is performed on screen, using computer software. Often, tracks are built up individually or in groups, the whole composition only being playable after that stage in the process. Pro Tools is one manufacturer of hardware, such as MBox, and software that is suitable.

Mixing console manufacturers

File:ELBERG BC15.jpg

Audio mixing console - for example used by the National Danish Radio, Danish Broadcasting Corporation, at the Master Control.

• ADT-Audio [1]
• Alesis
• Alice Soundtech [2]
• Allen & Heath
• Amek [3]
• AMS Neve
• API Audio [4]
• Audient [5]
• Behringer
• Cadac [6]
• Calrec [7]
• Carvin A&I
• Crest [8]
• D&R [9]
• DHD (audio) [10]
• DiGiCo [11]
• Elberg [12]
• Fairlight
• Harris Corporation
• Harrison Audio Consoles
• InnovaSON [13]
• Inter-M [14]
• Klotz Digital
• Lawo [15]
• Mackie
• MCI
• Midas Consoles
• Neotek
• Phonic Corporation
• Radio Systems [16]
• Rane Corporation
• Renegade Labs [17]
• Samson Technologies
• Shure
• Solid State Logic
• Soundcraft
• Salzbrenner Stagetec [18] [19]
• Studer
• Tapco
• Tascam
• Wheatstone Corporation [20]
• Yamaha Corporation

See also

• DJ mixer
• Electronic mixer

External links

• AMS-Neve Official Website - The Worlds Largest Mixing Console Manufacturer
• Neve Europe Official Website
• Neve Australia Official Website
• School of Audio Engineering - Global Portal
• Music Production School - SAE Institute, Byron Bay - Providing Audio Engineering Courses.
• Uk Sound And Lighting Community
• How band equipment works
• Glossary of mixer terms
• Mixer how-to
• Mixing and Learning to DJ
• ProAudioGuide
• Introduction to Studio & Live Mixers at Sweetwater.com
• Digidesign company website