The Roland VM-C7200 digital mixer console with the optional MB-24 level meter bridge.

An Introduction to Digital Mixing

WELCOME TO THE DIGITAL AGE

This is the digital age. The advantages of creating, editing and
producing music in the digital domain are very well known. Virtual
tracks, non destructive editing, and powerful on board digital FX have
made Roland’s VS series of Digital Studio Workstations the most
successful digital studio workstations in history!

But what about mixing? What is digital mixing? Does it have the same
kind of advantages that digital recording and editing have over the old
analog ways? And how does a digital mixer work, anyway. Isn’t mixing
just moving a fader up and down? So why would a digital mixer be any
better than an analog mixer?

Let’s answer that question and take a look at what incredible

advantages digital mixers can offer you and your music. Along the way,
we’ll discuss some of the basic features and concepts of mixers in
general to help show how the flexibility and power of digital mixers is
truly revolutionary.

1
Digital Mixer VS Analog Mixer Overview

Before we get started looking at mixers in general, here are a few of the
major benefits digital mixers have over analog mixing.
FLEXIBLE CONFIGURATION VERSUS FIXED PATHS
In an analog mixer, all of the connections, inputs and outputs, are
"hardwired". Once the design is finished, the mixer can never change.

In a digital mixer, once the audio is inside the mixer, there is virtually
total freedom to move it around, add effects, and configure its paths
anyway you need to for your application. For example, any input can
go to any or all channels. And the various paths within a digital mixer
can be routed to many different destinations as well as different
physical outputs.
SIZE AND PRICE
Because the configuration and control of a digital mixer is so flexible,
digital mixers can be designed in more compact forms to accommodate
the size and shape you need for your studio. For example, an analog
console with 94 channels of audio would be very, very wide, probably
over 12 or more feet, and would weight thousands of pounds.
Because of the flexible control options a digital mixer offers, you could
control 94 channels using a much more convenient sized console that
could still be portable.
This design flexibility also allows digital mixers to often be a lot less
expensive than an analog console with the same number of channels.
POWERFUL ONBOARD DIGITAL EFFECTS
Because the audio in a digital console has entered the digital domain, it
is easy and cost effective to add very high quality, on-board digital
effects processing. Since this processing is an integral part of the mixer,
you avoid the audio losses of cabling, external patching and audio
conversions inherent in an analog console.

Analog
Hardwired
Audio Paths
vs
Digital
Flexibility

2
 Digital Mixer VS Analog Mixer Overview

TOTAL RECALL OF ALL SETTINGS

A huge advantage of digital consoles is their ability
to store and then recall all of the settings of a mix,
even including the effects. This allows you to work
with a project, store its settings and later come back Easy recall of
to the mix exactly as you left it. all mixer settings

A mixer with memory has lots of other advantages. For example, you
could recall a vocal’s EQ and level for a new take or to punch in over an
old version with matching audio quality. The speed of recall also allows
you to try one mixing approach, store it, try a completely different idea,
and then compare the two. This really helps your music sound better.

DIRECT DIGITAL CONNECTIONS TO TAPE RECORDERS OR DATS

In today’s music world, more and more of the multi track and stereo
recorders are digital. When you are processing and mixing your music
in a digital mixer, you have direct digital paths to both digital recorders
and digital mix down devices such as DATs. This avoids the losses
inherent in A/D and D/A conversions that would be required using an
analog mixer. Again, your music will sound better.

But let’s look at some more basic mixer concepts to help us see what
some of the advantages of digital mixing are all about.

3
Definition of a Mixer and Busses

Before we go any further, we really should define a

mixer and its most basic parts and functions. Actually, a
mixer is a very simple device. It takes audio from
various inputs and sends this audio to various outputs.
Along the way it can combine the audio streams,
change their levels, and sometimes even change the
audio using processing.
The basic controls for each stream of audio are called
CHANNELS. A channel contains the controls to send a
stream of audio along various paths and to change the
level and process the audio.

The paths that audio is routed along in a mixer are

called BUSSES. A bus is a path that can be accessed by
more than one stream of audio and that goes to one or
more destinations. Sometimes two busses are combined
and used as a stereo bus routed to two outputs for
stereo applications.

Simple Signal Bus

Digital Channel Strip

4
 Types of Busses and Their Applications

In traditional analog mixers, every path is hardwired, as we discussed

earlier. There are several different ways that busses have traditionally
been wired.

STEREO MASTER BUS

This bus is used as the main outputs for a mixer and often is sent to a
two track tape recorder or the analog inputs of a DAT. The main fader
for a channel is used to adjust the send levels to this master bus.

CUE AND MONITOR BUSSES

These can also be stereo busses and are used to send headphone or
monitor mixes to performers or audio to the speakers and headphones
in a control room.
GROUP, SUB GROUP OR RECORDING BUSSES
These busses are traditionally used to send audio to tape recorders.
They are arranged in pairs and are accessed using an On/Off button.
There is no send level so the volume of the channel sent to the bus just
follows the level of the main channel fader. The balance of audio sent to
either pair is adjusted using the Channel’s PAN control.
Because there is no independent level control for these busses, their use
is limited.

5
Types of Busses and Their Applications

AUX BUSSES
Aux busses are mono or sometimes stereo busses that are accessed
using a small level control knob. Aux busses are routed to a dedicated
output and are used for either headphone mixes or for sending audio to
external FX processing.

Aux busses are more flexible than Recording busses, as they have send
levels. They sometimes also have a switch that allows their level to be
independent of the main channel level. This switch sends the channel’s
audio to the Aux bus either PRE: independent of the main fader; or
POST main fader.

With the PRE fader position, the mix out of the Aux bus can be used for
headphones or monitor sends since the output levels for each channel
will be independent of the main or stereo output level determined by
the channel’s main fader. In the POST fader position, the send level will
follow the main master bus levels, which is often used for sending
audio to external FX processors.

6
 A Digital Mixer’s More Flexible Busses

In an analog console, all of the channels and busses have

fixed, hardwired paths. For this reason, some analog consoles
are designed for mixing and recording purposes and others
for live mixing. Most of the design difference is based on the
busses and how they will be used.
Some powerful digital mixers have busses that are much
more flexible than analog busses. In fact, these are sometimes
called Flex Busses! These flexible busses combine all of the
features of every type of analog bus. They have send levels
and can be sent PRE or POST fader (and even from more
locations along the channel strip). The outputs of a Flex Bus
can also be sent to many different destinations as well.

For this reason, a console with a

very flexible bus structure can be
configured by the user for just
about any mixer application
imaginable. They can be used for
sending audio to internal or
external effects, to either analog or
digital recorders, to headphone
amplifiers, to monitors or studio
speakers and can even be sent to
other busses to be used as
"matrix" busses for live sound.

This kind of configurable bus

structure is one of the great
examples of how digital mixers can be more "flexible" and
powerful than any type of analog mixer.

7
Inputs and Outputs

A mixer combines and routes audio that comes from inputs and then
sends this audio to outputs. Let’s take a look at the types of inputs and
outputs available to most mixers.

INPUTS AND SOURCES

Low level sources require low level mixer inputs. Typical low level
inputs include:

• Microphones are a standard in the studio. Most have XLR

balanced connectors and require mic level inputs. Some require
extra (phantom) power directly from the mixer via the mic
cable.
• Guitars require low level mixer capability also.

High level sources require higher level mixer inputs, such as:

• Synths and electronic instruments

• Tape recorders
• Effects processor outputs

In today’s world, most studios need lots of channels of both mic and
line level inputs. For live applications, especially, you need lots of mic
inputs.

8
 Inputs and Outputs

Outputs and Destinations

Audio from a mixer can go to many different destinations, depending
on the application. Almost always these outputs are high or line level.

Typical output destinations would include:

• Mix down tape recorder via Master Bus outputs

• Multi track tape recorders via Recording Bus outputs
• External effects processor via Aux outputs
• Surround sound amplifiers or encoders via various Bus outputs
• Headphone amplifiers via Aux outputs
• Stage Monitors
• Studio Monitors
• Various speakers and their amplifiers

These outputs are usually RCA, 1/4 inch phone, or XLR connectors.

9
Inputs and Outputs: The Digital Difference

In an analog mixer, all of the paths from the inputs to the channels to
the outputs are "hardwired" and can’t be changed. An aux bus only
goes to the aux send output. Period.

So what if you need extra Pre Fader headphone sends, need to do a

Surround Sound mix, or need to send lots of extra channels to a multi
track recorder?

In most digital mixers, the routing is totally flexible. This includes the
paths from the inputs to the channels, the paths from the channels to
the busses, and via the busses to all of the outputs.

For example, in some digital mixers, any physical input can go to any or
even all tracks. This way you can route a vocal to one channel to
process without EQ or compressors and to another channel with some
EQ, compression and delay for an easy way to record and compare two
differently processed "takes".

In digital mixers with a flexible bus structure, you can route your audio
anyway you want to your busses, depending on your needs at the time.

The outputs of most digital mixers are also completely flexible. For
example, a bus can be used for a headphone mix and sent to a monitor
output for one application, and then later used as a recording bus and
sent to a set of assignable outputs or even sent digitally to an MDM
(Modular Digital Multitrack). The bus could also be used to send audio
to an external FX processor or even for Surround Sound mixing via
balanced outputs.

The routing on a digital mixer is not fixed. It’s available for use for
whatever application you need.

10
 Connecting to the Digital World the Digital Way

Of course in an analog console, all of the inputs and outputs are analog.
This makes it difficult to connect an analog console to various digital
devices such as digital effects units, digital tape recorders, or digital mix
down decks such as DATs.
Digital consoles have, in addition to many analog inputs and outputs,
many different digital connectors including stereo digital bus outputs
for routing to digital FX or DATs. In today’s studio, more and more
mixing is being done digitally to DAT. This, of course, can be done even
at a 24 bit level from many digital mixers.

Digital routing to MDMs is also possible from most digital mixers. This
gives you high quality audio and total flexibility with out the hassles
and audio losses of lots of cabling, patching and useless A/D and D/A
conversions.

Routing to digital devices from digital mixers is easy, convenient, and

keeps your audio at its highest quality.

Avoiding
Conversions

Keeping your
audio in the
digital domain
avoids the
audio losses
from numerous
A/D and D/A
conversions
and ensures
the highest
quality audio
for your music.

11
Internal Digital Effects

A huge part of mixing audio for any application is adding FX. In a

digital mixer, these effects can be all digital, right inside the mixer. This
gives you much higher audio quality, without the patching hassles of
analog FX and analog patchbays.

The internal processing power in a digital mixer can also be

reconfigured. For example, you could have a Real Time Analyzer for
live concert work or when you are first tweaking the sound in your
studio. When you’re recording guitars you could have COSM guitar
amp and speaker models to quickly and easily get the guitar sound you
need without using lots of loud studio gear bleeding into other mics or
just driving your neighbors crazy. For live gigs, you could configure
your console so you have compressors on 20 or 30 inputs just to make
mixing the gig a bit easier.

When you’re mixing a music project, you could use COSM Speaker
Modeling to listen to your mix as it would sound on a variety of
different kinds of speakers. Later you could configure your effects to be
a Mastering Tool Kit with multi-band compressors and expanders as
you mix digitally to CD or DAT.

All of this is possible in a digital mixer. The convenience and power of

onboard digital effects really can enhance the quality of your music.

External Effects Internal Effects

12
 Instant Information and Fast Access

The audio in a digital mixer is in digital form. That makes it easy to

display the audio in many convenient ways that are not possible with
analog mixers. For example, you could see the interaction of all of the
EQs on one channel as a graphic of the whole EQ. This gives you
instant feedback on exactly how you are processing your channel.
You could also call up a screen or even a bank of moving faders that
instantly shows all of the send levels to one of your busses. This is
much easier than looking down a row of tiny knobs and trying to see
what their settings are.

And controlling your audio can be much faster on a digital console. For
example, suppose you have a 94 channel analog system and want to
change the send level to a certain bus for channel 2. To do this, you
actually have to get up out of your chair (remember, this console is
going to be over 12 or 13 feet long!), walk down and count the knobs to
find the bus you want to change. All this time you have left the “sweet
spot” of your speakers, so you can’t even really hear the change you are
making while you are making it.

On a digital console, you could access the send to that bus by pressing
one button. All of your parameters for that channel or that bus would
be right in front of you for fast and easy access. AND, you would still
be comfortably in your seat, right in the correct listening position, so
you would be able to more accurately make your changes.

Digital consoles make mixing easier!

13
Memory: Scenes, EZ Routing and Libraries

As you learn more about digital mixers, you can see how powerful and
flexible they really are. To help you manage your mixing, some digital
mixers have features designed especially to help you reconfigure your
console for the type of work you are doing, or, to get back to an earlier
project exactly as you left it. These are all advantages not available on
analog mixers.

LIBRARIES
A digital mixer can have lots of powerful processing on each channel
such as many bands of digital EQ or dynamics processing. To help
speed up working on a project, a digital mixer may have libraries of
different EQ settings or dynamics presets. These libraries are available
to use in any project, so you can store your favorite EQ for recording a
bass player or a drum set, for instance. You can also use the presets to
help you get started processing your audio.

SCENES
Scenes are pictures of every parameter of your digital mixer: from the
levels to the EQ to the FX settings to the bus routings; everything.
Scenes let you recall a mix just as you left it, so you can get right to
work on it again. Scenes allow you to bring back the exact settings you
used when you recorded a vocal, so you can overdub with the same EQ
and levels. Scenes let you store your current mix idea, work on another
great idea you just had, then compare the two. They can also let you
instantly reconfigure your mixer for live concerts if you need different
levels, FX or mic settings between songs, or from one band to another.
Scenes can really help you get better results whether you are mixing or
tracking or overdubbing or doing live concerts.

14
 Memory: Scenes, EZ Routing and Libraries

EZ ROUTING
Some digital mixers have a powerful function called EZ Routing. EZ
Routing has two different basic applications. Whereas Scenes are
pictures of all of your mixer settings for one particular project, EZ
Routing templates are complete, global configurations of your mixer
that can be called up at any time in any project.

For example, you can store templates of how you like to record drums,
with the exact FX, EQ, and bussing. You can use EZ Routing templates
to instantly re-configure your mixer from a recording mixer to a
mastering mixer to a live sound mixer. All with the push of one button.

EZ Routing also has another valuable function. It can take you step by
step through all of the different settings you need to set up your mixer
for just about any application. In this capacity, it’s like having an
onboard guide or help system. Mixing has never been easier and more
flexible.

And of course, this power to instantly recall or reconfigure your console

is not available on an analog console.

Use EZ Routing to store custom routing templates

15
Automation: Dynamic, Snapshots & Moving Faders

Picture yourself doing a complicated mix. You’ve got the vocal level
changes down pretty well, but how are you ever going to be able to
keep track of those changes and still work on the drums? Once again,
digital mixers come to the rescue with their automation functions. Like
the Scenes described above, a mixer’s automation memory can recall
the various settings of your mixer. Unlike scenes, however, which can
be recalled manually at any time by the mixing engineer, automation
changes happens automatically at a certain time during the playback of
your song.

There are two basic types of automation: snapshot and dynamic.

Snapshots are also complete pictures of your mixer: all of the effects
settings, levels, etc. Some digital mixers let you customize which mixer
parameters are stored in your snapshots. You place a snapshot where
you need an effects patch change on your guitar part, an instant volume
change for verse to chorus vocal or anywhere you want an immediate
mixer adjustment. When the song plays back: voila: the change happens
automatically. Snapshots are also great for using the same internal FX
processor in your digital mixer for different effects at different times.

Song Beginning Song End

16
Automation: Dynamic, Snapshots & Moving Faders

Dynamic automation is used when you need gradual changes of

parameters such as a fade out. For example, you could use dynamic
automation to recall every little level move you make to your vocal
track. Once you have it right, you can then move on and work on the
drums, knowing that the vocal track is now perfect.
Some digital consoles even have moving faders that help you see
exactly what is happening during your mix.
The memory for this automation in your digital mixer can be on board
or it can be transmitted via MIDI. If it is MIDI based automation, then
you would use a sequencer to play back the automation data during
your mix.

It’s easy to see how automation could really help you perfect your
mixes, working on just one part at a time and getting everything exactly
the way you want it.

Automation is another great way that digital mixers enhance the sound
of your projects.

17
Channel Grouping and Linking

Digital mixers offer some new, great ways to control your audio that
will help you make better mixes. One way is Channel Linking. If you
have two channels that are being used together as a stereo pair, you can
link the volume controls together so you can control them using only
one fader. This helps with the accuracy of your mix. You can often use
this channel linking and still maintain independent pan positions or
other channel parameters.

Fader grouping is an extension of linking. Using grouping, you can

control the level of several different channels using only one fader. This
is a great way to control the mix of a whole drum set or several
background vocals by using only one fader. This is much more
convenient and accurate than trying to bump up all 8 drum mics a little
bit using 8 faders (unless you are related to an octopus!). Of course with
fader grouping, you can set the relative balance of each part before you
group them. That way your overheads will all stay in balance with your
snare part, but you can raise or lower the level of your whole drum kit
using only one fader.

Digital mixing definitely makes mixing easier!

One
fader
can
control
a whole
drum
mix

18
 MIDI Functions

Since the functions of a digital console are really limited only by the
imagination of the software engineers, there are lots of new and
powerful applications for a digital console. One great application is the
control of MIDI devices right from the console. This allows you to
control the levels of audio in computer based systems that might not
have digital audio I/O. You can also control the transport functions of
sequencers and MDMs, arm tracks, and have a completely integrated
control surface right from your mixer.
Controlling the volume of computer based audio or sequenced parts
right from your mixer is especially powerful, as mixing with a mouse is
kind of like trying to tie a knot using only one finger!!

Sending MIDI information from

mixer faders and transport controls

19
Console Designs

Analog consoles are hardwired

as mentioned above. The inputs
are hardwired to the channels
which are hardwired to the
busses which are hardwired to
their outputs. For this reason,
the physical connections to an
analog mixer are made right on
the mixer itself. Usually these
are on the rear of the mixer, but
sometimes they are made right
on the upper surface of the
console.

Of course the sources for the

mixer such as microphones, tape
recorders, effects processor are
usually located quite some
distance from the mixer. This
requires that long analog snakes
be made up to bring all of the
audio right into the control
room to connect into the mixer.
As we know, analog cabling,
especially long runs, can
introduce hums, buzzes and
other types of signal
degradation.

This type of wiring is also

extremely time consuming and
can be very expensive,
especially when it comes time to
try and eliminate the worst of
those hums! In addition, once
the console has been wired in
place, there are so many wires
and cables around that the
console is impossible to move.

20
 Console Designs

With digital consoles, all of the audio is controlled in a flexible

system that is not hard wired at all.. For this reason, some
advanced digital mixers actually have a control surface that is
totally separate from the inputs and outputs of the mixer. This
means the I/O interface, usually called a processor, can be located
right where your audio sources are located. If your mics are in a
studio, then the processor can be there. If you are doing a live
concert, then the processor can be right on stage. The only
connection you need back to your mixing control surface or
console are 2 digital cables. NO SNAKES!!!!

Of course you can see the incredible advantages this offers the
mixing engineer or musician. First of all, you don’t have any
signal losses from the stage or studio to the mixer. All of the cable
runs are as short as possible, eliminating most of the wiring
problems that studios typically have. Secondly, now that there
aren’t mountains of cables and lines and snakes ending up in
your control room, you can actually have the freedom to move
the console around to a new configuration, or just move it out of
the way if you have some friends over for a jam session. Your
studio now becomes custom configurable, just like your digital
mixer! Finally, setting up your studio or your live mixing system
is much easier, faster and less expensive.

Eliminating analog snakes

is a big advantage of some
digital mixers.

21
No External Patchbays and Wires

Of course you have seen the patchbays in most studios with analog
consoles. These are used to help the engineer route their various inputs
to different channels, to patch in effects as needed, to patch tape decks
to the different outputs of the mixer and so on. And you have probably
seen the confusing rats nest of cabling that goes with such a patchbay.
Of course it goes without saying that having lots of extra audio
connections with their capability of generating extra noise isn’t exactly
what the doctor ordered for your mixes.

Well digital consoles can help you eliminate these patchbays, and their
expense and wiring hassles. Since digital consoles have built in, digital
patchbays, you can route different microphones to different channels,
add effects, patch busses to tape recorders digitally, all without using a
single analog cable. This is a very elegant and clean way to work with
your audio!

Unlike this analog mixer with an external patchbay and lots of wires,
digital mixing with internal digital effects requires no extra wiring!

22
 Other Cool Digital Mixer Tricks

Finally, since digital mixers are controlling digital audio, the sky’s the
limit when it comes to processing your audio. In fact, instead of having
an analog console that is basically getting older by the minute, digital
consoles can have software updates, adding features and making them
"younger as they get older"!!!

How about adding a real time analyzer, or controlling the muting of

several faders for your drum kit using 1 mute group button? Accessing
commonly used functions using one macro button? All of this is easy
using a digital console. Special effects such as powerful 24 bit mastering
tools, guitar amp and speaker models, microphone models and even
speaker modeling are possible once your audio is in the digital
environment and surrounded by powerful effects processors. And of
course new effects patches can be added easily. How about additional
MIDI functions for controlling external FX processors in real time,
allowing internal or external real time FX editing? Doing live sound,
how about a built in feedback eliminator?

The list will go on and one as more features are dreamed up by

designers or even users. The bottom line is that features and powerful
processing can be added via software to help your digital mixer become
even more and more powerful.

23
Summary

Digital mixers offer extensive advantages over analog mixing. Once you
see how these new powerful features can help you easily create better
sounding and more accurate mixes, you’ll never want to go back to the
old analog days.

Digital mixer features that will improve your mixing include:

• Configurable input and output routing: any channel can go
anywhere
• Flexible bus structure for the maximum mixing power
• Direct digital connections to DATs or MDMs
• Lots of channels in compact designs
• Easy and fast operation.
• Powerful onboard digital effects for high quality and repeatable
FX processing
• Internal digital patchbays for easy, high quality routing
• Total recall of all mixer settings using Scenes
• Instant configuration of mixer FX and routing for different
applications
• EZ routing for on-screen help and storing your commonly used
mixer settings
• Scenes, snapshots and dynamic automation to help you perfect
your mixes
• MIDI fader and transport buttons for easy control of MIDI
sequencers and workstations
• New and powerful effects built in such as Real Time Analyzers and
Speaker Modeling
• Channel grouping, linking, mute groups and other powerful ways
to help you mix
• Separate console and processor to eliminate the audio losses of
analog snakes

The list goes on and on, but the bottom line is that digital mixing can
give you the tools to ensure that your audio is the highest quality
possible and to help you make better mixes.

24
 Summary

Roland VM-3100 and VM-3100Pro

Inexpensive, compact with 24 bit audio quality, the VM-3100 has made
digital mixing affordable enough so anyone can have the advantages of
digital mixing.
• Affordable 12/20* channel 8 bus digital mixer
• 24-bit AD / DA
• 3 band 24 bit digital EQ per channel
• 1 or 2* onboard stereo effects processor with compression, reverb,
chorus, delay, and guitar/keyboard/vocal multi-effects, COSM
Speaker and Microphone Modeling
• 2 additional mono compressors
• Digital I/O
• Scene and EQ memory
• EZ Routing
• 8 Bus outputs
• 16 MIDI fader function and MIDI transport controls
• Full MIDI automation using external sequencer, including
switching scenes, mixer and fader levels
• Optional DIF-AT Interface Box for 8 channels of digital I/O for
ADAT/Tascam MDMs*
*applies to VM-3100Pro only

Roland VM-7000 series 94 channel digital mixers**

The VM-7000 series offers more power than ever before available for
any kind of mixer, either analog of digital at anywhere near the price!
• 94 Channels of digital mixing
• 40 mic / line inputs
• 24 Bit A/Ds
• 32 mono or 16 stereo digital FX processors on board
• 94 DSP blocks for use as extra EQ or dynamics processing
• Separate console and processor eliminating noisy analog snakes
• Modular system with choices in processor and control surfaces
• Up to 48 tracks of digital routing to MDMs for recording and mixing
• On board dynamic automation using moving faders
• Scenes, libraries, EZ Routing
• Flex Buss and virtual patch bay for customizing use in many
applications
• COSM speaker modeling, microphone modeling, guitar speaker
and pre-amp modeling
• 5.1 Surround mixing
**specs are for fully expanded system including 6 optional VS8F-2 processing
cards

25
Comparison Chart

26
 Glossary

A/D: For "Analog-to-Digital Converter," a device that receives analog audio

and converts it into digital data, such as analog audio coming into a
digital mixer
Automation: The memorization and playback of changes you make to
mixer settings
Aux: Short for "Auxiliary"; a designation for extra busses typically used for
sending signal to effects, headphone amps and other destinations
Aux return: An extra input; typically used for receiving a signal from the
output of an internal or external effect processor
Aux send: An extra bus that can be used for sending signal anywhere;
typically used for sending signal into an effect
Balanced: A type of audio connection that uses the three leads in a cable,
connector and jack as part of a phase-cancellation scheme to boost signal
and reduce noise
Band: In EQ, a range of frequencies
Bandwidth: In EQ, the width of a band; the number of frequencies that will
be boosted or cut above and below a selected center frequency
Bus: A pathway down which one or more signals can travel
Cannon connector: Another name for an XLR connector
Channel: A set of tools for the control and shaping of a single signal
Channel strip: A row of controls on a mixer designated for the shaping of a
single signal
Compressor: A dynamics processor that reduces the level of any signal
exceeding a specified threshold volume
Condenser Microphone: A type of high-quality mic that requires power
COSM: An abbreviation for Roland’s "Composite Object Sound Modeling"
technology that shapes audio by applying the sonic characteristics of
popular or classic microphones, guitars, guitar amplifiers and studio
reference speakers
Cue Bus: A bus—sometimes a stereo pair of busses—dedicated to the
providing of signal to performers so they can hear what they’re doing
D/A: For "Digital-to-Analog Converter," a device that converts digital data
to analog audio, such as the audio leaving a digital mixer on its way to an
analog device
DAT: Abbreviation for "Digital Audio Tape"; used in reference to this type
of tape as well as the recorders that use it
Delay: An effect in which a copy of a signal is played back later than the
original
Effects: Any of a variety of audio processes that can be applied to a signal
to modify it, including reverb, delay, flanging, phasing
Effect Loop: A two-way journey of a signal from a channel insert point to
and effect and back to the insert point

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Glossary

Effect return: An input that receives signal from the output of an internal or
EQ: A popular abbreviation for "equalization," the thing an equalizer does
Equalization: The process of altering the levels of frequencies that comprise
a signal
Equalizer: A device that boost or cuts the volume of specific frequencies in
a signal
EZ Routing: A re-usable template containing a Roland digital mixer’s
routings; in some cases, walks you through the creation of a setup using
displayed questions
Fade In: A change in level over time increasing upward from silence
Fade Out: A change in level over time falling gradually to silence
Fader: A slider-type device that’s used for the precise manipulation of levels
FlexBus: A powerful all-purpose bus available on Roland digital mixers
Flying fader: A motorized fader that automatically moves during
automation playback
Frequency: Refers to the number of times per second that a sound wave’s
cycle repeats, with a greater frequency resulting in a higher perceived
pitch; also used as shorthand for describing sound waves in a signal by
their pitch
Gain: Another term for level
Grouping: A process by which multiple channel strips are joined together
under a single level control
Hertz: (Hz) A unit of measurement equal to a sound wave’s single cycle
High-pass filter: A filter that removes lower frequencies from a signal,
allowing higher frequencies to pass through unaffected
Hum: An undesirable low-frequency tone present in a signal as a result of
grounding problems or proximity to a power source
Impedance: The amount of force with which voltage leaves a connector and
the amount of resistance to that force in the jack receiving it; they should
be equal
In-line: Any effect accessed by interrupting a channel’s signal flow,
directing its signal to the effect, and returning the output of the effect to
the channel at the same point from which it came (also called an "insert
effect"); also, a mixer whose multi-track tape return controls are contained
in its channel strips
Input: A jack that receives audio
Input level: The level of signal coming into a channel strip
Insert: A point in a signal flow at which an in-line effect can be employed
kHz: for "kiloHertz": a thousand Hertz
Level: A general term for volume or amplitude
Limiter: A compressor set to a ratio of 10:1 or greater

28
 Glossary

Line level: The high-level signal produced at the outputs of audio

equipment such as mixers, recorders and playback devices
Macro: A digital mixer shortcut that performs a multi-step operation as a
single action
Meter: A visual device that shows the level of a signal
Meter bridge: A separate piece of mixer hardware that provides an
additional array of meters
Mic: A common nickname for "microphone"
Mic Level: The low-level signal produced by microphones and electric
instruments such as electric guitar or bass
Microphone: A device that converts sound waves into audio signals
MIDI: For "Musical Instrument Digital Interface," the wiring and message
protocol that allows musical instruments and other devices to communicate
Mixdown: Acommon synonym for the noun "mix"
Mix: As a noun, a signal that contains one or more other signals—typically
a mix is a pair of stereo signals that contains numerous mono and stereo
signals, along with effects, combined together; as a verb, the act of
creating such a combined signal, or of using a mixer in general
Mixer: A device in which audio signals can be manipulated, enhanced and
directed to other destinations, singly or together; also, someone who
works a mixer
Modeling: A process by which the characteristics of one signal are applied
to another; Roland’s advanced COSM modeling creates realistic
emulations of popular and classic microphones, guitars, guitar amplifiers
and studio reference speakers
Monitor: As a noun, a speaker, or set of speakers, for the purpose of
listening to a mix; as a verb, the act of listening when mixing
Mono: A single signal
MMC: For "MIDI Machine Control," the MIDI-based protocol that allows
the controls of one MMC-compliant device to affect the transport
mechanism of another
MTC: For "MIDI Time Code," a form of SMPTE used for the timing
synchronization of two or more MIDI-compliant devices
Mute: A switch that allows you to silence a channel’s signal; some mixers
provide mute grouping for silencing multiple channels at once
Out of phase: A situation in which the sound-wave cycles in one signal
reach their greatest amount of air pressure as the cycles in a similar signal
reach their least; the two signals will cancel each other out
Outboard: External, as in an "external device"
Output: A jack that sends out signal
Overload: What occurs when a signal is so loud that it exceeds the
capabilities of the device through which it’s passing

29
Glossary

Pad: A device that lowers the level of a signal

Parameter: A setting whose value can be changed
Parametric: A type of EQ that can be adjusted so that it can boost or cut any
frequency within its overall range; may also have a user-definable
bandwidth
Patch: A temporary connection made between two audio devices, or within
one
Panning: The left/right positioning of a signal within a stereo image
Phantom Power: The power required for the operation of a condenser
microphone when it’s not supplied by internal batteries or a separate
power supply
Phone Connector: A 1/4" connector used for the transmission of mic or
line-level audio
Phono Connector: A small audio connector used for the connection of line-
level signals and S/PDIF Aformat digital audio connections
Post: The designation for accessing audio just after it leaves a particular
channel component for example, "post-fader" grabs audio just after it
leaves the channel’s main level control, before it gets to the panning
control
Pre: The designation for the accessing of audio before it gets to a particular
module; for example, "pre-EQ" grabs audio before it gets to a channel
strip’s EQ
RCA Connector: Another name for a phono connector
Reverb: An effect in which the ambience of a physical space is simulated; a
signal is copied many times, and the copies are heard one after another at
decreasing levels, so closely together that they are not heard individually
Return: A bus or input jack that receives signal, commonly used for effect
outputs
Scene: All of a song’s or project’s mixer settings saved in a Roland digital
mixer’s memory; can be quickly recalled, re-establishing all settings
instantly
Send: A bus or output jack that transmits signal
Sequencer: A MIDI recorder that captures MIDI data and can play it back
in real time
Shelving: A type of EQ in which all frequencies above or below a selected
frequency are affected; low shelving affects all frequencies below the
selected frequency; high shelving all those above it
Signal Flow: The journey a signal takes from one place to another
Snapshot: A captured group of Roland digital mixer settings that reflect the
state of the mixer at a particular moment within a song or project; mixer
can recall the snapshot and re-instate its settings at the proper moment
during subsequent song or project playbacks

30
 Glossary

Solo: When monitoring, the isolation of one signal by silencing all other
signals
Synchronization: Or "sync"; the coordination of timing between audio
and/or video devices
Take: An attempt at recording something; each try is called a "take"
Track: A stream of recorded audio data
Treble: The higher frequencies in a signal
Unbalanced: A type of connection that utilizes only two of the leads—the
high andground—of a cable, connector and jack
Volume: A general term for a signal’s loudness
XLR Connector: A high-quality three-pin audio connector; also called a
"cannon connector"; also used for AES-EBU-format digital audio
connections
Y cable: An audio cable with one jack on one end, and two on the other

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