Live Sound Analog Mixing Live Sound Analog Mixing ConsolesConsoles Come in many different sizes and configurations Come in many different sizes and configurations

for different applicationsfor different applications The most common live sound consoles, range The most common live sound consoles, range

between 8 and 52 input channelsbetween 8 and 52 input channels 8 Ch8 Ch 12 Ch12 Ch 16 Ch16 Ch 24 Ch24 Ch 32 Ch32 Ch 48 Ch48 Ch 52 Ch52 Ch And vary in number and types of outputsAnd vary in number and types of outputs Consoles are sometimes described by the number Consoles are sometimes described by the number

of Channels, Groups, and Master outputs they haveof Channels, Groups, and Master outputs they have 24 X 8 X 2 (24 Input Channels, 8 Groups and 24 X 8 X 2 (24 Input Channels, 8 Groups and

Stereo out)Stereo out) 16 X 4 X 216 X 4 X 2 32 X 8 X 232 X 8 X 2

Live Sound Analog Mixing Live Sound Analog Mixing ConsoleConsole

All consoles consist of an Input All consoles consist of an Input section, master section and a group section, master section and a group output sectionoutput section

All consoles basically work the same All consoles basically work the same however some have additional however some have additional features built in to make it more features built in to make it more powerful and to make our job easierpowerful and to make our job easier

Input SectionInput Section

Generally once you’ve learned the Generally once you’ve learned the different controls of one input different controls of one input channel you’ve learned all the input channel you’ve learned all the input channelschannels

Common Inputs Common Inputs ConnectionsConnections

Connections are usually physically Connections are usually physically inline with the channel strip on the inline with the channel strip on the rear panel or they can be on the top rear panel or they can be on the top panel of the consolepanel of the console

Mic InMic In XLR XLR Line In Line In ¼” Balanced ¼” Balanced Insert = Insert = INS ¼” BalancedINS ¼” Balanced Direct OutDirect Out

Input Strip ControlsInput Strip Controls

+48+48 Switch (Phantom Power) For Switch (Phantom Power) For Powering Condenser mics and Active Di’sPowering Condenser mics and Active Di’s

PolarityPolarity or Phase Reverse Switch ( Zero or Phase Reverse Switch ( Zero with Slash ) Flips the Phase 180 degreeswith Slash ) Flips the Phase 180 degrees

PadPad Switch (Attenuates input signal by a Switch (Attenuates input signal by a preset amount)preset amount)

GainGain pot (Mic Pre Amp) Sets input level pot (Mic Pre Amp) Sets input level to obtain optimal gainto obtain optimal gain

HPFHPF Switch ( Preset High Pass Filter Switch ( Preset High Pass Filter 75hz – 100hz )75hz – 100hz )

EQ SectionEQ Section

3 Different EQ types 3 Different EQ types Fixed EQ ( Frequencies are fixed at Fixed EQ ( Frequencies are fixed at

the factory )the factory ) Semi Parametric or Sweep EqSemi Parametric or Sweep Eq ParametricParametric

Fixed EQFixed EQ

You can boost or cut two or three You can boost or cut two or three factory set fixed frequenciesfactory set fixed frequencies

Usually Usually High High shelving shelving MidMid peaking peaking dipping, dipping, LowLow Shelving Shelving

10 – 12khz10 – 12khz 2.5 Khz2.5 Khz 80 – 100Hz80 – 100Hz

Semi Parametric EQSemi Parametric EQ

1 or 2 Sweepable Mids1 or 2 Sweepable Mids Preset Bandwidth or QPreset Bandwidth or Q High Shelving High Shelving Low ShelvingLow Shelving

Fully Parametric EQFully Parametric EQ

Adjustable Bandwidth or Q on all Adjustable Bandwidth or Q on all frequency rangesfrequency ranges

EQ in SWITCHEQ in SWITCH

EQ Circuit InEQ Circuit In EQ Circuit OutEQ Circuit Out

Auxiliary SendsAuxiliary Sends

The Auxiliary send routes a split of the The Auxiliary send routes a split of the incoming signal to an auxiliary bus which can incoming signal to an auxiliary bus which can then be used with external devices or used as then be used with external devices or used as auxiliary mixesauxiliary mixes

Auxiliary sends can either be pre-fader or Auxiliary sends can either be pre-fader or post-faderpost-fader

Pre fader for use as monitor sendsPre fader for use as monitor sends Post Fader for effect sendsPost Fader for effect sends Can be use for a separate mix ( Press Feed, Can be use for a separate mix ( Press Feed,

Videographers, Recording, separate speaker Videographers, Recording, separate speaker system )system )

PanPan

PanoramaPanorama Mono input channels can be faded Mono input channels can be faded

between left and right main outs and between left and right main outs and odd and even numbered groupsodd and even numbered groups

MuteMute

Turns channel off post faderTurns channel off post fader Pre or Post Auxiliary depending on Pre or Post Auxiliary depending on

the consolethe console

PFL / SoloPFL / Solo

Pre Fader ListenPre Fader Listen Pre Fader LevelPre Fader Level Sends Input Channel Level to the Sends Input Channel Level to the

Master Meter and to the headphone Master Meter and to the headphone JackJack

Listen wedge when mixing monitorsListen wedge when mixing monitors

Fader SectionFader Section

Master / Group Assign switches, Master / Group Assign switches, assigns the channel to a particular assigns the channel to a particular group or to the stereo mastergroup or to the stereo master

Input Level Meter Shows input level Input Level Meter Shows input level pre fader at all timespre fader at all times

Master SectionMaster Section Subgroup and main output fader controls Subgroup and main output fader controls

are often found together on the right hand are often found together on the right hand side of the mixer or, on larger consoles, in side of the mixer or, on larger consoles, in a center section flanked by banks of input a center section flanked by banks of input channels. channels.

Matrix routing is often contained in this Matrix routing is often contained in this master section, as are headphone and local master section, as are headphone and local loudspeaker monitoring controls. loudspeaker monitoring controls.

Aux returns are found in the master Aux returns are found in the master section section

Aux Masters are also found in the master Aux Masters are also found in the master sectionsection

VCAVCA

Voltage Controlled AmplifierVoltage Controlled Amplifier Only found on Higher End ConsolesOnly found on Higher End Consoles Master controller of input channel Master controller of input channel

fadersfaders All functions of the channel fader All functions of the channel fader

remain constant remain constant No degradation of audio qualityNo degradation of audio quality

MatrixMatrix

A separate mix of the subgroups and A separate mix of the subgroups and stereo mixes sent to a mono outstereo mixes sent to a mono out

Used for camera Feeds, Recording, Used for camera Feeds, Recording, fills, delayed speakers etc.fills, delayed speakers etc.

General Mixing TipsGeneral Mixing Tips Unity Gain is God when operating Unity Gain is God when operating

mixersmixers Run at Zero on all inputs and Run at Zero on all inputs and

outputs for best signal to noise ratiooutputs for best signal to noise ratio Maintain unity gain during eventMaintain unity gain during event When adjusting channel input gain When adjusting channel input gain

keep in mind those adjustments will keep in mind those adjustments will affect all routing and sendsaffect all routing and sends

Don’t Spill your Beer on the board! Don’t Spill your Beer on the board!