Techniques - Mixers

Mixers

In principle, all mixers do much the same thing - take input signals (e.g. microphones, synths, etc.), route them through various modifiers (e.g. amplifiers, EQs, etc.) and output the modified signal to the appropriate destination(s) (e.g. multi-track recorder, headphone amp, etc.).

Microphones plug into the microphone pres (XLR), the outputs from your hardware synths, etc. plug into the line inputs (usually 1/4'' jacks, but some mixers also provide RCA connections too) and the output from your soundcard will plug into another spare pair of line inputs (assuming that your soundcard is stereo, rather than multi-channel).

My audio interface (soundcard) is multi-channel and I have 16 outputs going to my tape returns - these would normally be connected to a multi-track, which, effectively, is what my computer is anyway - plus a further 8 outputs going to 8 of my line inputs. All of these connections are via a patchbay but they can be made directly if you don't have/want a patchbay.

The mixer will probably have at least two sets of outputs one of which will be labelled as 'Control Room'. Connect these outputs to the inputs of your amplifier or active speakers.

The other mixer outputs (not including any direct and/or group outs) will be labelled 'Main' or 'Mix' (or something similar) outs and these can be connected to the inputs of your stereo soundcard or 2 track 'mastering' device.

In my set up the direct and group outs (same physical connectors, different switch settings) run into 16 analogue inputs on my audio interface, thereby allowing me to record up to 16 microphone and/or line signals into my DAW via the desk simultaneously.

Your mixer may have other I/O in the form of aux sends & returns, insert points, groups, tape sends & returns, etc. Auxiliaries are generally used for effects; delays, reverbs, etc., and inserts for processors; EQs, compressors, etc.

Auxiliaries are sometimes able to be switched between pre- and post- fader but they tend to fixed as one or the other in cheaper consoles.

Inserts are inputs and outputs that are literally inserted into the signal path, i.e. whatever goes through the channel goes through the insert. These can have balanced connections but, again, on cheaper consoles they tend to be unbalanced to save room and money.

This may seem confusing at first but all you need to remember is that these are just ways into and out of the mixer and once you work out the route they take (did your mixer come with a manual?) you should find them easy enough to use.