Mixing console
Encyclopedia
In professional audio, a mixing console, or audio mixer, also called a sound board, mixing desk, or mixer is an electronic
device for combining (also called "mixing
"), routing, and changing the level, timbre
and/or dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signal
s, depending on the type of mixer. The modified signals (voltage
s or digital samples) are sum
med to produce the combined output signals.
Mixing consoles are used in many applications, including recording studio
s, public address systems, sound reinforcement system
s, broadcasting
, television
, and film
post-production
. An example of a simple application would be to enable the signals that originated from two separate microphone
s (each being used by vocalists singing
a duet, perhaps) to be heard through one set of speaker
s 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
.
The channel input strips are usually a bank of identical monaural
or stereo
input channels. The master control section has sub-group faders, master faders, master auxiliary mixing bus level controls and auxiliary return level controls. In addition it may have solo monitoring controls, a stage talk-back microphone control, muting controls and an output matrix mixer. On smaller mixers the inputs are on the left of the mixing board and the master controls are on the right. In larger mixers, the master controls are in the center with inputs on both sides. The audio level meters may be above the input and master sections or they may be integrated into the input and master sections themselves
On many consoles, these sections are color coded for quick identification by the operator. 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 TRS connector
line inputs.
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 of interference is picked up, due to the high gains involved (around +50 dB
, for a microphone). Balanced
inputs and connectors, such as XLR or TRS connectors, reduce interference problems.
There may be insert
points after the buffer/gain stage, which send to and return from external processors which should only affect the signal of that particular channel. Effects that operate on multiple channels are connected to the auxiliary sends (below).
, e.g., bass, midrange, and treble. Many mixing consoles have a parametric equalizer on each channel. Some mixers have a general equalization control (either graphic or parametric) at the output.
There may also be insert points for a certain bus, or even the entire mix.
, headphones
or in-ear monitor
. A test tone generator might be located in the master output section. Aux returns such as those signals returning from external processors are often in the master section.
or peak meter
s to indicate the levels for each channel, for the master outputs and to indicate whether the console levels are 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.
As audio is heard in a logarithmic fashion (both amplitude
and frequency), mixing console controls and displays are almost always in decibel
s, a logarithmic measurement system. Since it is a relative measurement, and not a unit itself, 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.
Some mixers can
Digital mixing console
sales have increased dramatically since their introduction in the 1990s. Yamaha sold more than 1000 PM5D mixers by July, 2005, and other manufacturers are seeing increasing sales of their digital products. Digital mixers are more versatile than analog ones and offer many new features, such as reconfigure signal routing at the touch of a button. In addition, digital consoles often include a range of special effects such as parametric EQ, compression, gating
, reverb
, automatic feedback
reduction, tap delay
and straight delay
. Some products are expandable via third-party software features (called plugins) that add further reverb, compression, delay and tone-shaping tools. Several digital mixers include spectrograph
and real time analyzer
functions. A few incorporate loudspeaker management tools such as crossover filtering and limiting
. Digital signal processing
can perform automatic mixing for some simple applications, such as courtrooms, conferences and panel discussions, but at this time no digital mixer in live audio includes automixing. Consoles with motorized faders can read and write console automation
.
Digital circuitry is more resistant to outside interference
from radio transmitters such as walkie-talkies and cell phones.
, ranging from 1.5 ms
to as much as 10 ms, depending on the model of digital mixer and what functions are engaged. This small amount of delay isn't a problem for loudspeakers aimed at the audience or even monitor wedges aimed at the artist, but can be disorienting and unpleasant for IEMs (In ear monitors) where the artist hears their voice acoustically in their head and electronically amplified in their ears but delayed by a couple of milliseconds.
Every analog to digital conversion
and digital to analog conversion
within a digital mixer entails propagation delay. Audio inserts
to favorite external analog processors make for almost double the usual delay. Further delay can be traced to format conversions
such as from ADAT
to AES3
and from normal digital signal processing steps.
Within a digital mixer there can be differing amounts of latency, depending on the routing and on how much DSP is in use. Assigning a signal to two parallel paths with significantly different processing on each path can result in extreme comb filtering when recombined. Some digital mixers incorporate internal methods of latency correction so that such problems are avoided.
Analog consoles remain popular due to their continuing to have one knob, fader or button per function, a reassuring feature for the user. This takes up more physical space but allows more rapid response to changing performance conditions. Most digital mixers take advantage of the technology to reduce the physical space requirements of their product, entailing compromises in user interface such as a single shared channel adjustment area that is selectable for only one channel at a time. Additionally, most digital mixers have virtual pages or layers which change the fader banks into separate controls for additional inputs or for adjusting equalization or aux send levels. This layering can be confusing for operators.
Analog consoles make for simpler understanding of hardware routing. Many digital mixers allow internal reassignment of inputs so that convenient groupings of inputs appear near each other at the fader bank, a feature that can be disorienting for persons having to make a hardware patch change.
On the other hand, many digital mixers allow for extremely easy building of a mix from saved data. USB flash drive
s and other storage methods are employed to bring past performance data to a new venue in highly portable manner. At the new venue, the traveling mix technician simply plugs the collected data into the venue's digital mixer and quickly makes small adjustments to the local input and output patch layout, allowing for full show readiness in very short order.
Some digital mixers allow offline editing of the mix, a feature that lets the traveling technician use a laptop to make anticipated changes to the show while en route, further shortening the time it takes for the sound system to be ready for the artist.
which quantizes the audio stream. Ideally, this process is carefully engineered to deal gracefully with overloading and clipping while delivering an accurate digital stream over the linear dynamic range. Further processing and mixing of digital streams within a mixer need to avoid clipping and truncation if maximum audio quality is desired.
Analog mixers, too, must deal gracefully with overloading and clipping at the microphone preamplifier and as well as avoiding overloading of mix buses. Background hiss in an analog mixer is always present, though good gain stage management minimizes its audibility. Idle subgroups left "up" in a mix will add their background hiss to the main outputs; many digital mixers avoid this problem by low-level gating.
Many electronic design elements combine to affect perceived sound quality, making the global "analog mixer vs. digital mixer" question difficult to answer. Controlled ABX double-blind
listening tests have not been published at this date; no conclusive answer can be reached. Experienced live sound professionals agree that microphones and loudspeakers (with their innate higher distortion levels) are a much greater source of coloration of sound than the choice of mixer. The mix style of the person mixing is also more important than the make and model of audio console. Analog and digital mixers both have been associated with extremely high-quality concert performances and studio recordings.
s can connect digital system elements for expanded monitoring and control, allowing the system technician to make adjustments to distant devices during the performance. The use of remote control technology can be utilized to reduce "seat-kills", allowing more paying customers into the performance space.
.
Most bands use a mixing console to combine musical instruments and vocals.
Radio broadcasts use a mixing desk to select audio from different sources, such as CD players, telephones, remote feeds, or prerecorded advertisements.
Dub
producers/engineers such as Lee "Scratch" Perry were perhaps the first musicians to use a mixing board as a musical instrument
.
Noise music
musicians may create feedback loops within mixers, creating an instrument known as a no-input mixer. The tones generated from a no-input mixer are created by connecting an output of the mixer into an input channel and manipulating the pitch with the mixer's dials.
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
device for combining (also called "mixing
Audio mixing (recorded music)
In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
"), routing, and changing the level, timbre
Timbre
In music, timbre is the quality of a musical note or sound or tone that distinguishes different types of sound production, such as voices and musical instruments, such as string instruments, wind instruments, and percussion instruments. The physical characteristics of sound that determine the...
and/or dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signal
Digital signal
A digital signal is a physical signal that is a representation of a sequence of discrete values , for example of an arbitrary bit stream, or of a digitized analog signal...
s, depending on the type of mixer. The modified signals (voltage
Voltage
Voltage, otherwise known as electrical potential difference or electric tension is the difference in electric potential between two points — or the difference in electric potential energy per unit charge between two points...
s or digital samples) are sum
SUM
SUM can refer to:* The State University of Management* Soccer United Marketing* Society for the Establishment of Useful Manufactures* StartUp-Manager* Software User’s Manual,as from DOD-STD-2 167A, and MIL-STD-498...
med to produce the combined output signals.
Mixing consoles are used in many applications, including recording studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
s, public address systems, sound reinforcement system
Sound reinforcement system
A sound reinforcement system is the combination of microphones, signal processors, amplifiers, and loudspeakers that makes live or pre-recorded sounds louder and may also distribute those sounds to a larger or more distant audience...
s, broadcasting
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
, television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, and film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
post-production
Post-production
Post-production is part of filmmaking and the video production process. It occurs in the making of motion pictures, television programs, radio programs, advertising, audio recordings, photography, and digital art...
. An example of a simple application would be to enable the signals that originated from two separate microphone
Microphone
A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. In 1877, Emile Berliner invented the first microphone used as a telephone voice transmitter...
s (each being used by vocalists singing
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
a duet, perhaps) to be heard through one set of speaker
Loudspeaker
A loudspeaker is an electroacoustic transducer that produces sound in response to an electrical audio signal input. Non-electrical loudspeakers were developed as accessories to telephone systems, but electronic amplification by vacuum tube made loudspeakers more generally useful...
s simultaneously. When used for live performances, the signal produced by the mixer will usually be sent directly to an amplifier
Amplifier
Generally, an amplifier or simply amp, is a device for increasing the power of a signal.In popular use, the term usually describes an electronic amplifier, in which the input "signal" is usually a voltage or a current. In audio applications, amplifiers drive the loudspeakers used in PA systems to...
, unless that particular mixer is "powered" or it is being connected to powered speakers
Powered speakers
Powered speakers, also known as self-powered speakers and active speakers, are loudspeakers that have built-in amplifiers. They can be connected directly to a mixing console or other low-level audio signal source without the need for an external amplifier...
.
Structure
A typical analog mixing board has three sections:- Channel inputs
- Master controls
- Audio level metering
The channel input strips are usually a bank of identical monaural
Monaural
Monaural or monophonic sound reproduction is single-channel. Typically there is only one microphone, one loudspeaker, or channels are fed from a common signal path...
or stereo
Stereophonic sound
The term Stereophonic, commonly called stereo, sound refers to any method of sound reproduction in which an attempt is made to create an illusion of directionality and audible perspective...
input channels. The master control section has sub-group faders, master faders, master auxiliary mixing bus level controls and auxiliary return level controls. In addition it may have solo monitoring controls, a stage talk-back microphone control, muting controls and an output matrix mixer. On smaller mixers the inputs are on the left of the mixing board and the master controls are on the right. In larger mixers, the master controls are in the center with inputs on both sides. The audio level meters may be above the input and master sections or they may be integrated into the input and master sections themselves
Channel input strip
The input strip is usually separated into these sections:- Input jackJack (connector)In electronics and electrical assemblies, the term jack commonly refers to a surface-mounted connector, often, but not always, with the female electrical contact or socket, and is the "more fixed" connector of a connector pair...
s - Microphone preamplifiers
- equalizationEqualization (audio)Equalization is the process commonly used in sound recording and reproduction to alter the frequency response of an audio system using linear filters. Most hi-fi equipment uses relatively simple filters to make bass and treble adjustments. Graphic and parametric equalizers have much more...
- Dynamics processing (e.g. dynamic range compression, gatingNoise gateA Noise Gate or gate is an electronic device or software that is used to control the volume of an audio signal. In its most simple form, a noise gate allows a signal to pass through only when it is above a set threshold: the gate is 'open'. If the signal falls below the threshold no signal is...
) - Routing including direct outs, aux-sendAux-sendAn aux-send is an electronic signal-routing output used on multi-channel sound mixing consoles used in recording and broadcasting settings and on PA system amplifier-mixers used in music concerts...
s, panning controlPanning (audio)Panning is the spread of a sound signal into a new stereo or multi-channel sound field. A typical physical recording console pan control is a knob with a pointer which can be placed from the 8 o'clock dial position fully left to the 4 o'clock position fully right...
and subgroup assignments - Input Faders
On many consoles, these sections are color coded for quick identification by the operator. 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
XLR connector
The XLR connector is a style of electrical connector, primarily found on professional audio, video, and stage lighting equipment. The connectors are circular in design and have between 3 and 7 pins...
input, and many have RCA
RCA connector
An RCA connector, sometimes called a phono connector or cinch connector, is a type of electrical connector commonly used to carry audio and video signals...
or quarter-inch TRS connector
TRS connector
A TRS connector is a common family of connector typically used for analog signals including audio. It is cylindrical in shape, typically with three contacts, although sometimes with two or four . It is also called an audio jack, phone jack, phone plug, and jack plug...
line inputs.
Basic input controls
Below each input, there are usually several rotary controls (knobs, pots). The first is typically a trim or gainGain
In electronics, gain is a measure of the ability of a circuit to increase the power or amplitude of a signal from the input to the output. It is usually defined as the mean ratio of the signal output of a system to the signal input of the same system. It may also be defined on a logarithmic scale,...
control. The inputs buffer
Buffer amplifier
A buffer amplifier is one that provides electrical impedance transformation from one circuit to another...
the signal from the external device and this controls the amount of amplification or attenuation needed to bring the signal to a nominal level
Nominal level
Nominal level is the operating level at which an electronic signal processing device is designed to operate. The electronic circuits that make up such equipment are limited in the maximum signal they can output and the low-level internally-generated electronic noise they add to the signal...
for processing. This stage is where most noise of interference is picked up, due to the high gains involved (around +50 dB
Decibel
The decibel is a logarithmic unit that indicates the ratio of a physical quantity relative to a specified or implied reference level. A ratio in decibels is ten times the logarithm to base 10 of the ratio of two power quantities...
, for a microphone). Balanced
Balanced line
In telecommunications and professional audio, a balanced line or balanced signal pair is a transmission line consisting of two conductors of the same type, each of which have equal impedances along their lengths and equal impedances to ground and to other circuits. The chief advantage of the...
inputs and connectors, such as XLR or TRS connectors, reduce interference problems.
There may be insert
Insert (effects processing)
In audio processing and sound reinforcement, an insert is an access point built into the mixing console, allowing the user to add external line level devices into the signal flow between the microphone preamplifier and the mix bus....
points after the buffer/gain stage, which send to and return from external processors which should only affect the signal of that particular channel. Effects that operate on multiple channels are connected to the auxiliary sends (below).
Auxiliary send routing
The auxiliary send routes a split of the incoming signal to an auxiliary bus which can then be used with external devices. Auxiliary sends can either be pre-fader or post-fader, in that the level of a pre-fade send is set by the auxiliary send control, whereas post-fade sends depend on the position of the channel fader as well. Auxiliary 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 auxiliary returns on the mixer. These will normally be post-fader. Pre-fade auxiliary sends can be used to provide a monitor mix to musicians onstage; this mix is thus independent of the main mix.Channel equalization
Further channel controls affect the equalization of the signal by separately attenuating or boosting a range of frequenciesFrequency
Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time. It is also referred to as temporal frequency.The period is the duration of one cycle in a repeating event, so the period is the reciprocal of the frequency...
, e.g., bass, midrange, and treble. Many mixing consoles have a parametric equalizer on each channel. Some mixers have a general equalization control (either graphic or parametric) at the output.
Subgroup and mix routing
Each channel on a mixer has a sliding volume control (fader) that allows adjustment of the level of that channel. 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.
Master output controls
Subgroup and main output fader controls are often found together on the right hand side of the mixer or, on larger consoles, in a center section flanked by banks of input channels. Matrix routing is often contained in this master section, as are headphone and local loudspeaker monitoring controls. Talkback controls allow conversation with the artist through their monitorsFoldback (sound engineering)
Foldback is the use of rear-facing heavy-duty loudspeakers known as monitor speaker cabinets on stage during live music performances. The sound is amplified with power amplifiers or a public address system and the speakers are aimed at the on-stage performers rather than the audience...
, headphones
Headphones
Headphones are a pair of small loudspeakers, or less commonly a single speaker, held close to a user's ears and connected to a signal source such as an audio amplifier, radio, CD player or portable Media Player. They are also known as stereophones, headsets or, colloquially, cans. The in-ear...
or in-ear monitor
In-ear monitor
In-ear monitors are devices used by musicians, audio engineers and audiophiles to listen to music or to hear a custom crafted mix of vocals and stage instrumentation for live performance or recording studio mixing...
. A test tone generator might be located in the master output section. Aux returns such as those signals returning from external processors are often in the master section.
Metering
Finally, there are usually one or more VUVU meter
A VU meter is often included in audio equipment to display a signal level in Volume Units; the device is sometimes also called volume indicator ....
or peak meter
Peak meter
A peak meter is a type of visual measuring instrument that indicates the instantaneous level of an audio signal that is passing through it...
s to indicate the levels for each channel, for the master outputs and to indicate whether the console levels are clipping
Clipping (audio)
Clipping is a form of waveform distortion that occurs when an amplifier is overdriven and attempts to deliver an output voltage or current beyond its maximum capability...
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.
As audio is heard in a logarithmic fashion (both amplitude
Amplitude
Amplitude is the magnitude of change in the oscillating variable with each oscillation within an oscillating system. For example, sound waves in air are oscillations in atmospheric pressure and their amplitudes are proportional to the change in pressure during one oscillation...
and frequency), mixing console controls and displays are almost always in decibel
Decibel
The decibel is a logarithmic unit that indicates the ratio of a physical quantity relative to a specified or implied reference level. A ratio in decibels is ten times the logarithm to base 10 of the ratio of two power quantities...
s, a logarithmic measurement system. Since it is a relative measurement, and not a unit itself, the meters must be referenced to a nominal level
Nominal level
Nominal level is the operating level at which an electronic signal processing device is designed to operate. The electronic circuits that make up such equipment are limited in the maximum signal they can output and the low-level internally-generated electronic noise they add to the signal...
. The "professional" nominal level is considered to be +4 dBu. The "consumer grade" level is −10 dBV.
Hardware routing and patching
For convenience, some mixing consoles include inserts or a patch bay or patch panel. Patch bays are mainly used for recording mixers.Other features
Most, but not all, audio mixers can- add external effects.
- use monaural signals to produce stereo sound through panPanning (audio)Panning is the spread of a sound signal into a new stereo or multi-channel sound field. A typical physical recording console pan control is a knob with a pointer which can be placed from the 8 o'clock dial position fully left to the 4 o'clock position fully right...
and balance controls. - provide phantom powerPhantom powerPhantom power, in the context of professional audio equipment, is a method for transmitting DC electric power through microphone cables to operate microphones that contain active electronic circuitry....
required by some microphones.
Some mixers can
- create an audible tone via an oscillator.
- add effects internally.
- read and write console automationConsole automationModern digital audio consoles or mixers use automation. Automation allows the console to remember the audio engineer's adjustment of faders during the post-production editing process. A timecode is necessary for synchronization of automation.- Types of Automation :...
. - be interfaced with computers or other recording equipment (to control the mixer with computer presets, for instance).
- control or be controlled by a digital audio workstationDigital audio workstationA digital audio workstation is an electronic system designed solely or primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. DAWs were originally tape-less, microprocessor-based systems such as the Synclavier and Fairlight CMI...
via MIDI or proprietary commands. - be powered by batteriesBattery (electricity)An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Since the invention of the first battery in 1800 by Alessandro Volta and especially since the technically improved Daniell cell in 1836, batteries have become a common power...
.
Digital versus analog
Digital mixing console
In professional audio, a Digital Mixing Console , is an electronic device for combining, routing, and changing the dynamics of digital audio samples. The digital audio samples are summed to produce a combined output. A professional digital mixing console is a dedicated desk or control surface...
sales have increased dramatically since their introduction in the 1990s. Yamaha sold more than 1000 PM5D mixers by July, 2005, and other manufacturers are seeing increasing sales of their digital products. Digital mixers are more versatile than analog ones and offer many new features, such as reconfigure signal routing at the touch of a button. In addition, digital consoles often include a range of special effects such as parametric EQ, compression, gating
Noise gate
A Noise Gate or gate is an electronic device or software that is used to control the volume of an audio signal. In its most simple form, a noise gate allows a signal to pass through only when it is above a set threshold: the gate is 'open'. If the signal falls below the threshold no signal is...
, reverb
Reverberation
Reverberation is the persistence of sound in a particular space after the original sound is removed. A reverberation, or reverb, is created when a sound is produced in an enclosed space causing a large number of echoes to build up and then slowly decay as the sound is absorbed by the walls and air...
, automatic feedback
Audio feedback
Audio feedback is a special kind of positive feedback which occurs when a sound loop exists between an audio input and an audio output...
reduction, tap delay
Delay (audio effect)
Delay is an audio effect which records an input signal to an audio storage medium, and then plays it back after a period of time. The delayed signal may either be played back multiple times, or played back into the recording again, to create the sound of a repeating, decaying echo.-Early delay...
and straight delay
Delay line
Delay line may refer to:* Propagation delay, the length of time taken for something to reach its destination* Analog delay line, used to delay a signal...
. Some products are expandable via third-party software features (called plugins) that add further reverb, compression, delay and tone-shaping tools. Several digital mixers include spectrograph
Spectrum analyzer
A spectrum analyzer measures the magnitude of an input signal versus frequency within the full frequency range of the instrument. The primary use is to measure the power of the spectrum of known and unknown signals...
and real time analyzer
Real Time Analyzer
A Real Time Analyzer is a professional audio device that measures and displays the frequency spectrum of an audio signal; a spectrum analyzer that works in real time. An RTA can range from a small PDA-sized device to a rackmounted hardware unit to software running on a laptop...
functions. A few incorporate loudspeaker management tools such as crossover filtering and limiting
Limiter
In electronics, a limiter is a circuit that allows signals below a specified input power to pass unaffected while attenuating the peaks of stronger signals that exceed this input power....
. Digital signal processing
Digital signal processor
A digital signal processor is a specialized microprocessor with an architecture optimized for the fast operational needs of digital signal processing.-Typical characteristics:...
can perform automatic mixing for some simple applications, such as courtrooms, conferences and panel discussions, but at this time no digital mixer in live audio includes automixing. Consoles with motorized faders can read and write console automation
Console automation
Modern digital audio consoles or mixers use automation. Automation allows the console to remember the audio engineer's adjustment of faders during the post-production editing process. A timecode is necessary for synchronization of automation.- Types of Automation :...
.
Digital circuitry is more resistant to outside interference
Electromagnetic interference
Electromagnetic interference is disturbance that affects an electrical circuit due to either electromagnetic induction or electromagnetic radiation emitted from an external source. The disturbance may interrupt, obstruct, or otherwise degrade or limit the effective performance of the circuit...
from radio transmitters such as walkie-talkies and cell phones.
Propagation delay
Digital mixers have an unavoidable amount of latency or propagation delayPropagation delay
Propagation delay is a technical term that can have a different meaning depending on the context. It can relate to networking, electronics or physics...
, ranging from 1.5 ms
Millisecond
A millisecond is a thousandth of a second.10 milliseconds are called a centisecond....
to as much as 10 ms, depending on the model of digital mixer and what functions are engaged. This small amount of delay isn't a problem for loudspeakers aimed at the audience or even monitor wedges aimed at the artist, but can be disorienting and unpleasant for IEMs (In ear monitors) where the artist hears their voice acoustically in their head and electronically amplified in their ears but delayed by a couple of milliseconds.
Every analog to digital conversion
Analog-to-digital converter
An analog-to-digital converter is a device that converts a continuous quantity to a discrete time digital representation. An ADC may also provide an isolated measurement...
and digital to analog conversion
Digital-to-analog converter
In electronics, a digital-to-analog converter is a device that converts a digital code to an analog signal . An analog-to-digital converter performs the reverse operation...
within a digital mixer entails propagation delay. Audio inserts
Insert (effects processing)
In audio processing and sound reinforcement, an insert is an access point built into the mixing console, allowing the user to add external line level devices into the signal flow between the microphone preamplifier and the mix bus....
to favorite external analog processors make for almost double the usual delay. Further delay can be traced to format conversions
Data conversion
Data conversion is the conversion of computer data from one format to another. Throughout a computer environment, data is encoded in a variety of ways. For example, computer hardware is built on the basis of certain standards, which requires that data contains, for example, parity bit checks....
such as from ADAT
ADAT
Alesis Digital Audio Tape or ADAT is a magnetic tape format used for the simultaneous digital recording of eight analog audio or digital audio tracks at once, onto a Super VHS tape that is used by consumer VCRs.- History :...
to AES3
AES/EBU
AES3 is the standard used for the transport of digital audio signals between professional audio devices. It is also known as AES/EBU and is published by the Audio Engineering Society and as part of IEC 60958. It was developed by the AES and the European Broadcasting Union and first published in...
and from normal digital signal processing steps.
Within a digital mixer there can be differing amounts of latency, depending on the routing and on how much DSP is in use. Assigning a signal to two parallel paths with significantly different processing on each path can result in extreme comb filtering when recombined. Some digital mixers incorporate internal methods of latency correction so that such problems are avoided.
Ease of use
Analog consoles make for simpler understanding of hardware routing. Many digital mixers allow internal reassignment of inputs so that convenient groupings of inputs appear near each other at the fader bank, a feature that can be disorienting for persons having to make a hardware patch change.
On the other hand, many digital mixers allow for extremely easy building of a mix from saved data. USB flash drive
USB flash drive
A flash drive is a data storage device that consists of flash memory with an integrated Universal Serial Bus interface. flash drives are typically removable and rewritable, and physically much smaller than a floppy disk. Most weigh less than 30 g...
s and other storage methods are employed to bring past performance data to a new venue in highly portable manner. At the new venue, the traveling mix technician simply plugs the collected data into the venue's digital mixer and quickly makes small adjustments to the local input and output patch layout, allowing for full show readiness in very short order.
Some digital mixers allow offline editing of the mix, a feature that lets the traveling technician use a laptop to make anticipated changes to the show while en route, further shortening the time it takes for the sound system to be ready for the artist.
Sound quality
Both digital and analog mixers rely on analog microphone preamplifiers, a high-gain circuit that is the origin of much of the perceived character of sound quality in an audio mixer. In this respect, both formats are on par with each other. In a digital mixer, the microphone preamplifier is followed by an ADCAnalog-to-digital converter
An analog-to-digital converter is a device that converts a continuous quantity to a discrete time digital representation. An ADC may also provide an isolated measurement...
which quantizes the audio stream. Ideally, this process is carefully engineered to deal gracefully with overloading and clipping while delivering an accurate digital stream over the linear dynamic range. Further processing and mixing of digital streams within a mixer need to avoid clipping and truncation if maximum audio quality is desired.
Analog mixers, too, must deal gracefully with overloading and clipping at the microphone preamplifier and as well as avoiding overloading of mix buses. Background hiss in an analog mixer is always present, though good gain stage management minimizes its audibility. Idle subgroups left "up" in a mix will add their background hiss to the main outputs; many digital mixers avoid this problem by low-level gating.
Many electronic design elements combine to affect perceived sound quality, making the global "analog mixer vs. digital mixer" question difficult to answer. Controlled ABX double-blind
ABX test
An ABX test is a method of comparing two kinds of sensory stimuli to identify detectable differences. A subject is presented with two known samples , and one unknown sample X, for three samples total. X is randomly selected from A and B, and the subject identifies X as being either A or B...
listening tests have not been published at this date; no conclusive answer can be reached. Experienced live sound professionals agree that microphones and loudspeakers (with their innate higher distortion levels) are a much greater source of coloration of sound than the choice of mixer. The mix style of the person mixing is also more important than the make and model of audio console. Analog and digital mixers both have been associated with extremely high-quality concert performances and studio recordings.
Remote control
Analog mixing in live sound has had the option since the 1990s of using wired remote controls for certain digital processes such as monitor wedge equalization and parameter changes in outboard reverb devices. That concept has expanded until wired and wireless remote controls are being seen in relation to entire digital mixing platforms. It's possible to set up a sound system and mix via wireless (or wired) laptop, touchscreen or tablet, especially if the performance requires no unpredictable fast responses to multiple changing conditions on stage. Computer networkComputer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
s can connect digital system elements for expanded monitoring and control, allowing the system technician to make adjustments to distant devices during the performance. The use of remote control technology can be utilized to reduce "seat-kills", allowing more paying customers into the performance space.
Software mixers
For recorded sound, the mixing process can be performed on screen, using computer software and associated input, output and recording hardware. The traditional large control surface of the mixing console is not utilized, saving space at the engineer's mix position. In a software studio, there is either no physical mixer fader bank at all or there is a compact group of motorized faders designed to fit into a small space and connected to the computer via USB or Firewire. Many project studios use such a space-efficient solution, as the mixing room at other times can serve as business office, media archival, etc. Software mixing is heavily integrated as part of a digital audio workstationDigital audio workstation
A digital audio workstation is an electronic system designed solely or primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. DAWs were originally tape-less, microprocessor-based systems such as the Synclavier and Fairlight CMI...
.
Applications
Public address systems use a mixing console to set microphones to an appropriate level, and can add in recorded sounds into the mix. A major requirement is to minimise audio feedback.Most bands use a mixing console to combine musical instruments and vocals.
Radio broadcasts use a mixing desk to select audio from different sources, such as CD players, telephones, remote feeds, or prerecorded advertisements.
Dub
Dub music
Dub is a genre of music which grew out of reggae music in the 1960s, and is commonly considered a subgenre, though it has developed to extend beyond the scope of reggae...
producers/engineers such as Lee "Scratch" Perry were perhaps the first musicians to use a mixing board as a musical instrument
Musical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
.
Noise music
Noise music
Noise music is a term used to describe varieties of avant-garde music and sound art that may use elements such as cacophony, dissonance, atonality, noise, indeterminacy, and repetition in their realization. Noise music can feature distortion, various types of acoustically or electronically...
musicians may create feedback loops within mixers, creating an instrument known as a no-input mixer. The tones generated from a no-input mixer are created by connecting an output of the mixer into an input channel and manipulating the pitch with the mixer's dials.
Mixing console manufacturers
- AlesisAlesisAlesis is a company based in Cumberland, Rhode Island, that designs and markets electronic musical instruments, digital audio processors, audio mixers, digital audio interfaces, recording equipment, drum machines, professional audio and electronic percussion products...
- Allen & HeathAllen & HeathAllen & Heath is a company based in Penryn, Cornwall, England, specialising in the manufacture of audio mixing consoles...
- AudientAudientAudient was founded in 1997 by David Dearden and Gareth Davies, previously of Soundcraft. They had been founding partners of DDA - a company known for designing good value mixing consoles in the 1980s and 1990s....
- Automated Processes, Inc.
- AMS NeveAMS NeveAMS Neve Ltd was the result of the amalgamation in 1992 of AMS with Neve Electronics.-Background:Neve Electronics was a British manufacturer of mixing consoles that originated in the work of Rupert Neve in the 1960s...
- BehringerBehringerBehringer is an audio equipment company founded by Uli Behringer in 1989, in Willich, Germany. Behringer was listed as the 14th largest manufacturer of music products in 2007. Behringer is a multi-national group of companies, with direct marketing presence in 10 countries or territories and a...
- Cadac Electronics
- Carvin A&ICarvin A&ICarvin Corporation is an American guitar, musical instrument and equipment manufacturer located in San Diego, California. Carvin was founded in 1946 by Lowell Kiesel, and originally manufactured guitar pickups.-History:...
- Crest AudioCrest AudioCrest Audio, Inc is an American company that produces professional sound equipment, including audio mixers, power amplifiers, and loudspeakers. Crest Audio was founded in the late 1970s by Jean-Pierre Prideaux in California...
- D&RD&RD&R electronica Weesp BV is an Dutch company based in Weesp that produces professional audio mixers.-History:D&R was founded in March 1973 by uco de Rijk and onnie Goene. Their aim was to design and manufacture affordable and high quality mixing desks. At first the main markt were PA mixers. After...
- DiGiCoDiGiCoDiGiCo is a British company, founded in 2002, that manufactures digital mixing consoles targeted for live audio mixing applications.DiGiCo's most current console lineup comprises the SD-Series of consoles, powered by Stealth Digital Processing. Pioneered with their flagship SD7, Stealth Digital...
- DigidesignDigidesignAvid Audio is an American digital audio technology company. It was founded in 1984 by Peter Gotcher and Evan Brooks. The company began as a project to raise money for the founders' band, selling EPROM chips for drum machines. It is a subsidiary of Avid Technology, and during 2010 the Digidesign...
- DigiTech
- DHDDHDDHD may refer to:* Dima Halim Daoga, an armed militant group in Assam, India* Deadline Hollywood Daily, a online magazine about the infotainment industry...
- EAW
- EuphonixEuphonixEuphonix was a professional audio company located in Mountain View, California, United States. Euphonix produced the first successful line of large digitally controlled analog audio mixing consoles in the late 1980s and has since moved on to all-digital systems....
- FairlightFairlightFairlight is a digital audio company based in Sydney, Australia. In 1979 they created the Fairlight CMI, the first digital audio sampler, quickly used by artists such as Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, and Jean Michel Jarre. They are now a manufacturer of media solutions tools such as digital audio...
- Daniel FlickingerDaniel FlickingerDaniel N. Flickinger was an audio engineer in the late 1960s and 1970s, who designed and manufactured some of the era's most important music recording consoles...
- Harris Corporation
- Harrison Audio ConsolesHarrison Audio ConsolesHarrison Audio Consoles is an international company based in Nashville, Tennessee that manufactures mixing consoles and other audio technologies for the post-production, video production, broadcast, sound reinforcement and music recording industries...
- Innovason
- Klotz DigitalKlotz DigitalKlotz Digital AG is a manufacturer of audio media products based in Munich, Germany.The company is active in the two business segments Public Address and Radio & TV Broadcast....
- MackieMackieMackie is a brand of the United States-based company LOUD Technologies. The Mackie brand is used on professional music and recording equipment, such as mixing consoles, loudspeakers, and DAW control surfaces....
- MCI
- Midas ConsolesMidas ConsolesMidas has been designing and manufacturing audio consoles since the early 1970s.Later on it became part of the Telex group. When, in January 2006, Telex Communications was acquired by the Bosch group, Midas consoles became part of the business unit "Bosch Communications Systems"...
- PeaveyPeavey ElectronicsPeavey Electronics Corporation is one of the largest audio equipment manufacturers in the world, headquartered in Meridian, Mississippi in the United States.- History :...
- Phonic CorporationPhonic CorporationPhonic Corporation is a Taiwanese public company that manufactures and sells professional audio equipment, including mixing consoles, loudspeakers, studio monitors, and digital recording devices. Established in 1977, Phonic provided original equipment manufacturing to various audio companies during...
- Pioneer CorporationPioneer Corporationis a multinational corporation that specializes in digital entertainment products, based in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. The company was founded in 1938 in Tokyo as a radio and speaker repair shop...
- PresonusPreSonusPreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc. is an American manufacturer of recording and live sound equipment, founded in January 1995 by engineers Jim Odom and Brian Smith, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana...
- Rane Corporation
- Roland CorporationRoland Corporationis a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972, with ¥33 million in capital. In 2005 Roland's headquarters relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Today it has factories in Japan,...
- SamickSamickSamick is the name of a Korea-based musical instrument manufacturer, one of the largest in the world.The name refers to the entire Samick Musical Instruments, which owns several manufacturers of pianos, guitars, and other instruments. The company started as 'Samick Pianos' in 1958, manufacturing...
- Samson TechnologiesSamson TechnologiesSamson Technologies is an audio production conglomerate that is made up of the following companies or elements:* Hartke Systems* Samson Audio* Samson Wireless* Zoom Corporation...
- ShureShureShure Incorporated is an American corporation originally founded by Sidney N. Shure in Chicago, Illinois in 1925 as a supplier of radio parts kits. The company became a consumer and professional audio-electronics manufacturer of microphones, wireless microphone systems, phonograph cartridges,...
- Solid State LogicSolid State LogicSolid State Logic is a manufacturer of high-end mixing consoles and recording studio hardware headquartered in Begbroke, Oxfordshire, UK.- Company information :...
- SoundcraftSoundcraftSoundcraft is a British manufacturer of mixing consoles and other professional audio equipment. It was founded by sound engineer Phil Dudderidge and electronics designer Graham Blyth in 1973.-History:...
- Speck ElectronicsSpeck ElectronicsSpeck Electronics manufactures professional quality audio mixers, equalizers, and microphone preamps. It was founded in Los Angeles in 1973 by Vince Poulos. From 1973 through 1986 their primary product was 16-32 input, 8 bus "in-line" recording console. They were one of the early U.S....
- StuderStuderStuder is a Swiss manufacturer of professional audio equipment, founded in Zurich in 1948 by Willi Studer. It is known primarily for the design and manufacture of analog tape recorders and mixing consoles. Studer also produce other technology solutions, such as telephony management systems and...
- StudiomasterStudiomasterStudiomaster is a British manufacturer of mixing consoles, power amplifiers, speaker cabinets and other professional audio equipment. Studiomaster was established in the 1970s and the brand name is now under the umbrella of Studioking Limited based in the UK....
- TapcoTAPCOTapco is a brand name for sound reinforcement products including audio mixers, speakers, and amplifiers.The original Tapco, which stood for "Technical Audio Products COmpany", was founded in 1969 by Greg Mackie and Martin Schneider. Their original product line were guitar amps and PA speakers...
- TascamTASCAMTASCAM is the professional audio division of TEAC Corporation, headquartered in Montebello, California. Tascam is credited as the inventor of the Portastudio, the first cassette-based multi-track home studio recorders. Tascam also introduced the first low-cost mass produced multitrack recorders...
- Ward-Beck SystemsWard-Beck SystemsWard-Beck Systems commonly referred to as Ward-Beck or simply WBS, is a Canadian manufacture of Broadcast audio and video Equipment. It was founded in a garage in April 1967 by Ron W. Ward and director of engineering, Rodger K...
- Yamaha Pro AudioYamaha Pro AudioYamaha Pro Audio, Inc. is a company that offers a complete line of professional audio products for the live sound and sound reinforcement markets...
- YorkvilleYorkville- Locations :In Canada:* Yorkville, Toronto, Ontario, a neighbourhoodIn the United States:*Yorkville, California, in Mendocino County**Yorkville Highlands AVA, California wine region in Mendocino County**Yorkville, Placer County, California*Yorkville, Georgia...
See also
- Console automationConsole automationModern digital audio consoles or mixers use automation. Automation allows the console to remember the audio engineer's adjustment of faders during the post-production editing process. A timecode is necessary for synchronization of automation.- Types of Automation :...
- DJ mixerDJ mixerA DJ mixer is a type of audio mixing console used by disc jockeys.The key features that differentiate a DJ mixer from other types of audio mixers are the ability to redirect a non-playing source to headphones and the presence of a crossfader, which allows for an easier transition between two sources...
- Electronic mixerElectronic mixerAn electronic mixer is a device that combines two or more electrical or electronic signals into one or two composite output signals. There are two basic circuits that both use the term mixer, but they are very different types of circuits: additive mixers and multiplying mixers...
- Board mixBoard mixA board mix is a recording created by running lines directly off a mixing console while sound is mixed in real time. The alternative to a board mix is to mix a song on screen, using computer software, an increasingly popular approach....
- Pan lawPan lawPan law, or pan rule, is a recording and mixing principle that states that any signal of equal amplitude and phase that is played in both channels of a stereo system will increase in loudness up to 6.02 dBSPL, provided there is perfect response in the loudspeaker system and perfect acoustics in the...
- Aux-sendAux-sendAn aux-send is an electronic signal-routing output used on multi-channel sound mixing consoles used in recording and broadcasting settings and on PA system amplifier-mixers used in music concerts...