Basic Civil Engineering first year Notes- Chapter 4 Building.pptx
Sound Engineering- Audio mixers and DAW system
1.
2. AUDIO MIXERS
Mixers are primarily used in four types of environments:
1. live (at a concert)
2. in a recording studio
3. for broadcast audio
4. film/television
3. THERE ARETWO BUILDS OF MIXERS:
In-line
An in-line mixer means there are two paths per channel.
Split monitor
A split monitor console has one path per channel. Each
channel can be used to either send or receive sound to or
from a DAW.
An audio mixer may also be referred to as a console , desk , or board. All three
of these terms are synonyms with “mixer.”
4. SIGNAL
Signal is the generalized term for any audio passing
through a mixer
5. PARTS OF A CHANNEL
Input Section
The input area of the channel strip may accept any or all of the
levels of signal.
EQ
The amount of flexibility and precision of frequencies can be
adjusted in the EQ.
Dynamics
High-end mixers commonly have a “Dynamics” area, either on
each channel or in the master section. Common dynamic effects
included in this area are compressors and gates
Fader
The fader is the device that raises or lowers the amount of audible
signal from the channel.
6. Group Faders
Group faders on an audio mixer are used to control multiple
channel faders at once
Auxes
Mixers have a dedicated area for auxiliaries (auxes) used to
send a copy of the channel’s signal to another destination
(Pre fader & Post fader)
Bus Assignment
A bus is no more than a path on which signal can travel
Pan
The purpose of the pan, is to pan a channel’s signal left or right
across the stereo bus
7. The Master Section
The master section provides areas for global adjustments to
the channels or modes of the console.
Patch Bay
A patch bay is a device located next to an audio mixer that
has a series of jacks meant for moving signal from one place
to another on the console
Snake
Audio snakes are long cables that run from your stage to
your soundboard.
9. FEATURES
Phantom Power
A Phantom power button is present on each channel of
most every mixer.
Polarity
A button on most mid-level and high-end mixers is a
polarity flip, commonly using the Ø symbol. Flipping the
polarity on a channel changes the phase relationship.
PAD
Many mixers have a button labeled only with a number
rating, such as “-10” or “-10dB.”This is the PAD for the
channel
10. Filter
High-pass filters are available as a button on the channels of
most mixers. Moderate and high-end consoles typically
have a numerical value next to the symbol.The numerical
value represents the frequency at which the filter begins.
Meters
Three common meters that may be found on a mixer are
VU : VU meters display the level of perceived loudness on a
channel or the stereo bus, with signals far across the zero
point likely to distort.
Peak: Peak meters, which are most familiar in modern
times, indicate the loudest part of a signal at any instant.
RMS: RMS meters display the average loudness of a
channel or the stereo bus, indicating the dynamic range of
the signal when compared to the zero point.
15. A digital audio workstation (DAW) is an electronic device
or software application used to record, edit, and produce
sound files.
In the music industry, DAWs are typically used to acquire
and save multiple tracks of audio recordings, and to mix,
equalize, and add audio effects.
DAWs are also used in the production of radio, television,
film, podcasts, games, and anywhere complex
manipulation of audio signals is needed.
DAWs generally support plugins, which are smaller pieces
of software with unique functionality, therefore expanding
the abilities of the DAW user
16. AUDIO PLUGINS
Plugins are self-contained pieces of code that can be
“plugged in” to DAWs to enhance their functionality.
17. MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DIGITAL
INTERFACE (MIDI)
Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) is a technical
standard for communication between electronic
instruments, computers, and related devices.
