The Mixer

The Mixer No matter how sophisticated or expensive, all mixers carry out the same basic function - to blend and control the volume of a number of input signals, add effects and processing where required and route the resulting mix to the appropriate destinations.

Inputs XLR – Microphone level ¼” – Line Level Insert Direct Out The Mixer Inputs XLR – Microphone level ¼” – Line Level Insert Direct Out Gain Sets how much signal from the mic or line input is fed to the channel.

HPF – High Pass Filter Cuts out low fre quency content. The Mixer HPF – High Pass Filter Cuts out low fre quency content.

The Mixer EQ Section Adjusts tonal qualities of the signal in the channel. Split in to bands which control a range of frequencies.

The Mixer Auxiliary Sends Typically used for one of two functions, 1. To control the level sent to an external effects unit, like reverb. 2. Create a separate mix for musician foldback systems. (monitors)

The Mixer Pan Determines the position of the signal within the stereo mix image or may be used to route the signal to particular GROUP outputs. PFL or SOLO Allows you to monitor a selected channel independently from the rest of the mix.

The Mixer Fader – Volume Control Mute button (or ON for Yamaha) - Mute Groups Assignment switches Route the output of the channel to the main mix, or to GROUPS.

The Mixer Groups Allows assigned channels to be routed to a group so that they can be controlled with one fader. The audio passes through the group.

Groups

The Mixer VCA (voltage controlled amplifier) /DCA Controls the volume of assigned channels by remotely adjusting the channel volume. Audio does NOT pass through the VCA/DCA. Matrix Outputs A matrix is an output mix that takes its inputs from the group, aux, or stereo mix buses and remixes those an output.

The Mixer Outputs Main Mix Bus Aux Sends Groups Matrix Direct Outs Inserts

The DIGITAL Mixer More processing onboard the mixer. Flexible input/output routing. Physical is abstracted/Soft patching Scenes/Libraries – save and recall settings. Leads to more modular and easily expandable systems. Sends on Faders. Scribble strips/channel naming