MIXERS-•CONFIGURATIONS•APPLICATIONS

•DEMOS

(Is your name and today’s date at the top of worksheet now?)

Goals of today’s talk about mixers-

For you to understand the basics of how a mixer works, and how it functions within a recording studio, a live concert, and/or other settings.

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Definition of a Mixer:

A MACHINE THAT ENABLES MANY INPUT SIGNALS TO BE ROUTED TO VARIOUS OUTPUTS.

MixerInputs

Outputs

Mixers!

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1b. True OR False: Since most mixers consist of multiple input channels that all have the same configurations, if you understand how one channel works on your mixer, you know how all of that mixer’s input channels work.

TRUE!

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1a. True OR False: Since most mixers have the same or similar configurations, if you understand how a channel works on one type of mixer, you should be able to figure out how almost any mixer’s channels operate.

TRUE!

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Mic Input (XLR)

Line Input (1/4” phono)

Mic/Line Select Button

Trim or Gain Knob (RED)

AUX +/or Effect Sends

Equalizer (Lo, Mid, Hi)

Pan Knob

Mute Button

Solo Switch

Output Select Buttons:1-2 3-4

Channel Fader

Often on back of mixerMixer WS

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•Plugs for Mic or Line Inputs- Often on back side of mixer.

2. Input Select Switch/Button- SELECT BETWEEN MIC OR LINE INPUT. PUSH BUTTON OR SLIDING SWITCH.

3. Trim/Gain- PRE-FADER VOLUME ADJUSTMENT. OFTEN RED IN COLOR.

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4. EQ- STANDS FOR EQUALIZER. VOLUME ADJUSTMENT FOR SEVERAL FREQUENCY RANGES- HI-MID-LO. (LIKE A TONE CONTROL ON AMP.) OFTEN BLUE IN COLOR.

5. AUX+/or Effects Sends- •AUX- SEND SIGNAL TO MONITOR SPEAKERS OR RECORDER.•EFFECT- TO EFFECT’S PROCESSOR.

NOTE- EQ and Sends can be in either order.

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6. Output Channel Select- ALLOWS YOU TO SEND THE INPUT TRACK TO ANY OUTPUT CHANNEL.•COMBO BUTTONS- 1/2 3/4 •INDIVIDUAL BUTTONS FOR EACH OUTPUT

7. Pan Knob-MOVES INPUT TO ODD OR EVEN OUTPUT CHANNEL. (OR LEFT/RIGHT FOR STEREO.)

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8. Input Channel Fader-

•SET AT SHADED OR “0” POSITION TO START.

•USE TRIM/GAIN (#3 above) TO SET INITIAL VOLUMES.•EYES ON VU METERS!

•PLAY FADERS DURING PERFORMANCE +/OR RECORDING SESSIONS.

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•Mute & Solo Buttons (NOT ON WORKSHEET.)

•Mute silences that input channel.

•Solo allows only that input channel to be played (or, as with Garage Band, all the channels selected for “Solo”).

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9. Output Faders--On most mixers these are found on the RIGHT SIDE of the board.

-MODULAR mixers allow you to place these outputs where you want them- often in the middle.

-There is ONE FADER for each output line of the mixer.

-Usually you would want one VU METER for each output.

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10. The more money you spend, the more BELLS AND WHISTLES you can get on your mixer. These would include things such as:

-BUILT IN CD/DIGITAL RECORDER

-BUILT IN EFFECTS

-VU METERS FOR EACH INPUT CHANNEL

-FADER MEMORY/AUTOMATIC MOTION

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11. If you wanted to buy a good mixer for use with a band you are in- You might want to look at one that has between 16 and 24 input channels, and at least 4-8 outputs.

A good mixer such as this would cost you approximately $500 to $1000.

Mixer- 8 inputs/4 outputs

Mixer- 12 inputs/5 outputs

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At bottom of back page- Diagram a “birds-eye-view” of a Typical concert set-up using a

mixer.(On next slide.)

Bird’s Eye View of a Concert Setting

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Questions or Thoughts . . .

“Adventures in Recording” DVD- Chapter 5 Mixers with Eddie Kramer.