How to Use a Mixer
Connect the audio equipment to the mixer's inputs., Connect the recording or monitoring equipment to the mixer outputs., Turn on the channel inputs that will be used to make the sound mix., Turn on phantom power for the channel if the item connected...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Connect the audio equipment to the mixer's inputs.
Mixers are identified by the number of inputs, or audio channels, they provide.
A 16-channel mixer offers 16 audio inputs, while a 4-channel mixing console has only 4 inputs.
Microphones and other monaural (1-channel) instruments and devices such as audio interfaces connect to a single input, while stereo devices connect to 2 inputs, 1 for the left channel and another for the right.
Some mixers may have separate inputs for the microphones and for CD and tape players, which are called line inputs.
These mixers feature switches to toggle between mike and line inputs.
Each type of musical instrument should be assigned its own input.
While 2 trumpets can be recorded from a single microphone input in a pinch, a trumpet and a violin should be recorded on separate audio inputs so their sounds can be properly balanced.
Some instruments, such as drum sets, may need separate microphone inputs for each component.
If your mixer has subgroup channels, you can group the microphones assigned to a complex instrument such as a drum set into 1 or 2 subgroups, mix them separately, then control the drum mix in the overall volume using only 1 or 2 sliders.
Generally, the more inputs the sound mixer has, the larger it is.
Portable or wearable mixers used in the field by videographers may allow only 2 or 4 inputs, while 32- and 48-channel mixers are larger consoles that need to be transported from place to place in a vehicle or kept in a recording studio. -
Step 2: Connect the recording or monitoring equipment to the mixer outputs.
Mixer output can be monitored on the VU meters, as well as by plugging in a pair of headphones to an auxiliary output jack.
Some mixers have outputs for a dedicated feed to a monitor separate from the master output, as well as output channels for the sound engineer to communicate with the recording booth or stage during the recording or performance. , Each channel has its own on/off switch. , Phantom power is direct electric current supplied by the mixing board to instruments or microphones connected to it.
Phantom power is usually required by microphones (except ribbon microphones), amplifiers and some video cameras and so is available on microphone inputs. , This can done with a knob called a potentiometer ("pot" for short), although the controller may also take the form of a switch, pad or slider known as a fader.
Each input source needs its own level for the overall mix to sound the best it can.
Individual channels can be turned on and off temporarily during the recording session with a mute switch so that the master mix can be analyzed without them.
A solo switch can also be used to mute all other channels except a particular channel so that channel can be heard by itself. , This helps improve the sound quality in each sound range.
The quality of its equalizers often determines the quality of the sound mixer.
Mixers may have both equalizer controls for each separate channel as well as a global equalizer that affects the entire sound mix. , Also known as "aux" channels, auxiliary channels create a copy of the original channel signal.
Routing is done with a control called a "send."
This is done with a panoramic potentiometer, known as either a "pan pot" or "pan knob." Turning the knob left moves the signal to the left of the stereo field, while turning it to the right moves the signal to the right.
For mixers with multiple outputs, the pan knob works in tandem with routing buttons.
Each routing button enables a pair of outputs.
If the pan knob is turned to the left, the signal goes to the left enabled output bus; to the right, it goes to the right output bus; and to the center, it goes out both outputs. -
Step 3: Turn on the channel inputs that will be used to make the sound mix.
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Step 4: Turn on phantom power for the channel if the item connected to it requires it.
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Step 5: Adjust the volume for each input as required.
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Step 6: Adjust the treble
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Step 7: bass and mid-range bands of each channel with the equalizer controls.
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Step 8: Route those channels needing special effects to an auxiliary channel.
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Step 9: Pan each channel in the master mix as required.
Detailed Guide
Mixers are identified by the number of inputs, or audio channels, they provide.
A 16-channel mixer offers 16 audio inputs, while a 4-channel mixing console has only 4 inputs.
Microphones and other monaural (1-channel) instruments and devices such as audio interfaces connect to a single input, while stereo devices connect to 2 inputs, 1 for the left channel and another for the right.
Some mixers may have separate inputs for the microphones and for CD and tape players, which are called line inputs.
These mixers feature switches to toggle between mike and line inputs.
Each type of musical instrument should be assigned its own input.
While 2 trumpets can be recorded from a single microphone input in a pinch, a trumpet and a violin should be recorded on separate audio inputs so their sounds can be properly balanced.
Some instruments, such as drum sets, may need separate microphone inputs for each component.
If your mixer has subgroup channels, you can group the microphones assigned to a complex instrument such as a drum set into 1 or 2 subgroups, mix them separately, then control the drum mix in the overall volume using only 1 or 2 sliders.
Generally, the more inputs the sound mixer has, the larger it is.
Portable or wearable mixers used in the field by videographers may allow only 2 or 4 inputs, while 32- and 48-channel mixers are larger consoles that need to be transported from place to place in a vehicle or kept in a recording studio.
Mixer output can be monitored on the VU meters, as well as by plugging in a pair of headphones to an auxiliary output jack.
Some mixers have outputs for a dedicated feed to a monitor separate from the master output, as well as output channels for the sound engineer to communicate with the recording booth or stage during the recording or performance. , Each channel has its own on/off switch. , Phantom power is direct electric current supplied by the mixing board to instruments or microphones connected to it.
Phantom power is usually required by microphones (except ribbon microphones), amplifiers and some video cameras and so is available on microphone inputs. , This can done with a knob called a potentiometer ("pot" for short), although the controller may also take the form of a switch, pad or slider known as a fader.
Each input source needs its own level for the overall mix to sound the best it can.
Individual channels can be turned on and off temporarily during the recording session with a mute switch so that the master mix can be analyzed without them.
A solo switch can also be used to mute all other channels except a particular channel so that channel can be heard by itself. , This helps improve the sound quality in each sound range.
The quality of its equalizers often determines the quality of the sound mixer.
Mixers may have both equalizer controls for each separate channel as well as a global equalizer that affects the entire sound mix. , Also known as "aux" channels, auxiliary channels create a copy of the original channel signal.
Routing is done with a control called a "send."
This is done with a panoramic potentiometer, known as either a "pan pot" or "pan knob." Turning the knob left moves the signal to the left of the stereo field, while turning it to the right moves the signal to the right.
For mixers with multiple outputs, the pan knob works in tandem with routing buttons.
Each routing button enables a pair of outputs.
If the pan knob is turned to the left, the signal goes to the left enabled output bus; to the right, it goes to the right output bus; and to the center, it goes out both outputs.
About the Author
Maria Gray
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in home improvement and beyond.
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