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Mixing Consoles: Designations Inputs Outputs Signal Processing

This document provides an overview of mixing consoles and their basic components and functions. A mixing console, also known as a sound board, audio console, or mixing desk, is the main tool used by a sound operator to control audio signals from various sources. It allows the operator to select audio inputs, control their volume levels, and send the audio to different locations through its output channels. The document describes the typical components of a mixing console, including its input and output sections, equalization controls, auxiliary sends, and signal routing options. It provides examples of common specifications like the number of input and output channels. The mixing console sits at the heart of an audio system, controlling what audio sources are used and their levels throughout the sound

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226 views25 pages

Mixing Consoles: Designations Inputs Outputs Signal Processing

This document provides an overview of mixing consoles and their basic components and functions. A mixing console, also known as a sound board, audio console, or mixing desk, is the main tool used by a sound operator to control audio signals from various sources. It allows the operator to select audio inputs, control their volume levels, and send the audio to different locations through its output channels. The document describes the typical components of a mixing console, including its input and output sections, equalization controls, auxiliary sends, and signal routing options. It provides examples of common specifications like the number of input and output channels. The mixing console sits at the heart of an audio system, controlling what audio sources are used and their levels throughout the sound

Uploaded by

IkaB.Sugiarto
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mixing Consoles

Designations
Inputs
Outputs
Signal processing

Sound Control
Mixer - Heart of the Audio System

Mixer - Heart of the Sound system

Sound Board, Audio Console, Mixing desk

Main tool of the operator (Board Operator)


Basic Purpose - Controls

What is it - Selects audio signals from various sources

Devices are connected to input channels


Microphones
Output channels of CD players, MD players, DAT players,
computers

How Loud will it be - Controls signal level (volume)


Where is it going - Sends audio to various locations

Devices are connected to outputs


Power amplifiers
Input channels of MD players, DAT players, Computers

Sound Control
Mixer - Heart of the System

Mixer Nomenclature (Functional Description)

8x2 = 8 inputs and 2 outputs


16x4 = 16 inputs and 4 outputs
16x4x2 = 16 inputs, 4 group of sub outs, 2 main outs.
Can be used as:

16 ins mixed down to 4 sub mixes, mixed down to 2


output channels (recording studio or concert
presentation) utilization
24x6 (Theatre type utilization)
16x4x2x1 adds a mono output

Also can be referred simply by the number of input


channels ex. 8, 16, 24, 48 etc

Cue Control
Audio System Sources, Control, Destinations

Equipment System is the Primary Tool of


Modern Theatre Sound Design:

Block Diagram - Foreigner Setup

Mixer
MD 1

1-2

MD 2

3-4

1-2

Amp

L/R
Cass
Computer

5-6

Upstage
L/R

Amp

Mono

Cluster

7-8
Input
Channels

3
Group/ Outs

Amp

Radio
Record
Player

Input Buss
This

is the section where audio signals from


microphones and/or playback equipment
enters the mixer
This is the area where impedance matching
and Balanced / Un-balanced lines must be
carefully watched
The input buss typically starts at the rear of
the console with either XLR or RTS
connectors

Input Buss

Input Buss

Rear view of a Mackie t24

Input Buss
The

front side of the console will differ from


manufacturer to manufacturer but they will
have most of the same components
The input channel will usually be arranged to
follow the virtual signal path

Input Buss
Pre-amplifier

Pre-amp, trim, trim pot, gain


Used to bring a microphone level signal up to line
level for easy manipulation within the mixer
Also used to adjust the line level inputs from other
sources
Pad or Attenuator

A switch which will lower an inputs level by a set


amount
Usually used in an input device is too hot or much
too high a level

Close up of Pre-amp section


Input channel #

Pad / low end roll off

Gain adjust

Equalization section

Onboard equalization control will vary greatly


Simple tone control

Treble and Base

A fancier version of treble and base control

5 band EQ

Boost or attenuate high frequencies (treble) or low frequencies (base)


Only adjusts a preset range of frequencies

Hi Mid Lo

Simply varies the balance between high and low frequencies

Able to boost of attenuate 5 different ranges of frequencies

Parametric EQ

Able to select which frequency range to control and then boost or cut
it

Equalization section
High freq. control

High-mid with selectable


frequency range

Low-mid with selectable


frequency range

Low frequency control

Auxiliary Sends

Next in line comes a number of Aux sends

Typically 4 to 8 individual busses


Some or all will be pre or post fader selectable
Pre-fader the signal strength (volume) coming from the
aux send channel will be independent on the position of the
channel fader
Post-fader the signal strength coming from the aux send
will be dependent on the position of the channel fader
Often labeled as PFL (Pre-Fade Listen)
Often used to send signals to other devices
External effect processor

Reverb or echo

Monitor amp/speakers for performers

Auxiliary Sends
Note the pre-fade switch

8 individual aux send


channels

Signal Routing

Each input channel will be assignable to one or more output


channels
Very often one selector button will assign the input to two separate
outputs

1-2 or 3-4 for example


The Pan Pot (Panoramic Potentiometer) adjusts the level of signal going
to each of the pairs

This is usually to be avoided for theatrical use


Look for single output selection control if possible

PFL Pre-fade Listen. Sometimes called solo

Example: With the pan pot centered and 1-2 selected, the entire signal is sent
to outputs 1 and 2 equally. If you turn the pot to the left, more signal will be
sent to output 1 than output 2

Usually available to send the signal to a studio monitor or headphones to


allow operator to listen to channel without having to send it into the house

Channel Mute turns the channel off. Useful when using wireless mics

Signal Routing
Pan Pot

Output selection

Mute
Note: PFL not available on this model

Other input controls

Phantom power

Phase reverse

A 48v DC power supply applied to the mic input lines


Used to power condenser mics (to be discussed later)
Inverts the signal coming to the inputs
Used if pins 2 and 3 on a mic cable are reversed for
example

Ground lift

Removes the ground connection at the console from the


input cable
Used to help eliminate ground-loop noise

To be discussed during troubleshooting

Output Section
This

is the area where audio signals will


leave the mixer, heading toward

Effects processors

EQs, delay units, reverb units, recording devices

Power amplifiers and eventually loudspeakers


Output plugs will typically be

Balanced XLR line level


Balanced RTS line level
Unbalanced phone plug line level
Unbalanced RCA plug line level

Output Section

Sub or group outputs

Left, Right and Main outputs


Auxiliary outputs

Output Section

Sub-group output faders


Sometimes called groups, subs or submasters
Act as a master fader control for any inputs assigned to it
Typically these are cabled to power amplifiers
Main outputs
Sometimes called Left-Right, Stereo or Mix
Essentially two additional outputs, where the manufacturer has
taken a guess as to what the end user will use them for
Sub groups can usually be combined and selectively assigned to
the main output
Master output
Sometimes called Mono
The main outputs can be combined together and controlled from
one master fader

Aux-Output Section

Aux out mute switch


Aux out gain control
After fader listen

Group-Output Section

Flying Faders
Automated

mixers are becoming more and


more common
Started simply to record levels in recording
studios

Often had 60 or more inputs levels to write down


and could have many many setups.
Flying faders would remember where the faders
were set and you could restore to any setting with
the push of a button

Flying Faders
Today

mixers are capable of remembering


output selections, EQ settings, pan settings
etc.
For live mixing it is REQUIRED to still have
actual faders which an operator can move

Performers will never do the exact thing every


night
The board operator must be able to easily make
adjustments to levels on the fly

For Next Class


Read

P. 82 90, Leonard
Processing Devices, Kais Sound Handbook

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