AUdIoCoUrSeS
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 2014
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| Week 6 - Digital Mixing Consoles |
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Focussing entirely on digital mixing consoles and their operation this week Instinct.
This is hardware based rather than software so you are going to have to research lots of different models.
When descibing these do also think about how the function works in terms of the binary.
Describe and explain digital mixing consoles and their operation:
• Comparison with analogue consoles
• Analogue components of digital mixing consoles
• Microphone preamplifiers and line-level inputs
• Talkback and communications
• Interface with analogue and other digital equipment and systems
• Features and functions
• Assignability in digital consoles
• Operational procedures
• Automation and recall
• Plug-ins
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It's all in the ears. - Learn the concepts not the software.
Audio Courses is a way into the music business for you
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Mon Oct 11, 2004 4:32 am |
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iNSTiNCT2765
Joined: 05 Nov 2003
Posts: 60
Location: Denmark |
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Week 6 – Digital Mixing Consoles
Describe and explain digital mixing consoles and their operation:
• Comparison with analogue consoles
Digital consoles, even the low-end ones are more ergonomically advanced than most analogue consoles. They have the advantages of automation, which is only found in the hi-end analogue consoles by way of computer automation. This is normally an inclusion in most digital mixing consoles in all price ranges. Digital consoles also have the benefit of scene memory where routing and effects settings can be stored for each mix and instantly recalled when needed. Analogue mixers have the characteristics of having harmonic distortion if the mix is overdriven a little bit.
• Analogue components of digital mixing consoles
Digital mixing consoles include analogue components such as microphone preamps and line-level amplifiers. They are used to amplify an incoming analogue signal and are then fed into the A/D converter to convert the signal to digital. The quality of these depends on the mixer, as a more expensive digital mixer will probably include better microphone preamps and A/D and D/A converters than a less expensive mixer.
• Microphone preamplifiers and line-level inputs
Answered above
• Talkback and communications
A dynamic microphone can be plugged into an input and routed to bypass the mix bus and only into the headphone bus for the performer. This way the microphone can be used as a talkback device used to communicate with the performer.
• Interface with analogue and other digital equipment and systems
Digital mixers can double as MIDI control surfaces so software sequencers such as Steinberg Nuendo can be controlled externally. This way the mixer can control the recorded data on the PC and used to set fader levels, panning, EQ and automation. When using external effects processors, selected channels can be bussed from the mixer to the processor through the auxiliary outputs and then routed back into the mixer. Digital in’s and out’s can be used to send mixes to digital recorders such as DAT machines or Minidisc recorders. Different mixes can be set and sent to individual headphones through the busses.
• Features and functions
Digital mixers include many features and functions. All included DSP effects and EQ’s usually come with libraries of presets for different instruments and inputs. Optional add-ons for a digital mixing console can include a meter bridge or extra input channels. Digital mixers also include a screen for visual navigation and menus for browsing through different internal routing and features. Using the screen, plugin effects can be edited and routed to selected channels.
• Assignability in digital consoles
A benefit of a digital mixing console is the extensive routing that can be executed. Virtually all channels and effects can be routed to any other output or input. Even the most compact of digital mixers can contain extensive routing, which can be beneficial if the mixer is lacking output busses and such. Many channels can also be grouped to one stereo output and from there a group plugin can be applied. All these routing settings can be stored and recalled when needed and instantly.
• Operational procedures
All instruments, samplers, external devices that need to be recorded should be connected to the mixer. If effects are required during recording, such as a compressor on vocals, then the effect should be routed as an insert to the microphone channel. The channel should also be routed to be output to the desired in of the recorder (PC with sequencing software). If no internal effects are desired then the input signal should be routed directly through the digital mixer and into the recorder at the highest possible bit rate available for optimal sound quality.
• Automation and recall
A major difference between analogue and digital mixing consoles is that with digital consoles you have the ability to save settings such as EQ, panning, effects, dynamics, fader levels and even routing settings into scenes. Different settings can be made and saved to separate scene memories and instantly recalled when needed. Since the digital mixing console can be used as a MIDI control surface, the automation can be recorded onto the external sequencer and stored there or on the console itself. This can then be edited and updated by navigating through the screen on the console.
• Plug-ins
Digital mixing consoles have DSP plugins that can be used to process the input signals. These include eq’s, compressors, reverbs and delays etc. Some may come included with the mixer but mid and hi end digital mixers usually come with expansion slots for further adding additional effects cards. The internal processing should at least be done at 24 bits as not to compromise the sound by truncation. This is why 32 bit internal processing is preferred for optimal sound quality. |
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Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:21 am |
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