Mixing and Signal Routing The Basics

A mixer, at its most basic level, comprises Inputs Gain stage(s) Summing Amp(s) Output

Translated into General Features Physical input connections Input channels with level (gain) control (faders or knobs) Internal output channels (summing - aux sends, busses for multitrack, and/or stereo out) Monitoring section Physical output connections

Typical Analog Mixer Input connectors (1/4” and XLR) Input channels with the input connectors, with knobs for levels Channel strip Usually multiple input connectors per input ch. Channel assignment Output levels (aux, bus, and/or stereo) Monitoring section (headphones, control room, also monitor inputs for tape) Physical output

Multiple Inputs Mixers have two basic functions: Route live input to tape Mix tape input to stereo (or multi-channel) Multiple inputs reflect these functions (mic/line and returns), but can be used in any way

Digital Mixer Differences With a digital mixer, more of the controls are virtual (in software). Many of the physical controls have more than one function depending on what edit screen or state is active. Editing functions, like the channel strip, often appear just once.

Digital Differences (2) The advantages of this multi-layer approach is that mixers can be smaller for the project studio, and cost can be less since physical controls cost money. The disadvantage is that it can cause confusion as to what is being controlled at any given time.

Tascam DM-24 Input connectors (mic, line, analog and digital slots) Input channels (virtual) Channel assignments via shared button controls Monitoring section (for stereo master and tape input) Physical output (analog and digital slots, TDIF)

DM-24 (2) Logical (virtual) connections between physical and virtual. 8 physical inputs on a slot are “copied,” and available in identical groups of 8 as different virtual input connections. Same with bus outputs to physical outputs.

Inputs and Returns Physical input connections are physical input connections. Calling one connection an input and another a return is merely conceptual. The DM-24 limits the number of return inputs that can be used at any one time to 24 (as opposed to 32 input channels). (virtual connections)

Inputs and Returns (2) The 24-return limit is enforced by way of target groups. (A, B, and C) Some physical returns have only one target group possibility. (TDIF) Some physical returns have multiple target groups possible through input copying. (analog slots)

Inputs and Returns (3) Return inputs on the DM-24 provide convenient ways of re-patching physical input connections to virtual input channels. Assignable in banks of 8 connections to 8 inputs. I/O assignments within the Tascam can be thought of as taking place within a virtual patch bay.