Mackie Mixer
Mixers - How to choose the right
A mixer is designed so that you have many plug-in signal them to change these signals, and mix them together in one or more signals that can lead to a PA or recorder will be sent. A common way into the mixers are described by the number of buses. A bus is a pathway and you can group a number of channels and control them with one fader. You can take 3 of your inputs, mix them together, then the Route 3 signals in a bus. You can the rest of your inputs and to another bus. That is why you see Buss described as a mixer 4, 8, Buss, etc.
Here is an example, say you You have the sound check, and you have the drums sound great. Now the band is out of line, the place is packed, and you have to turn the drums. But you have 8 microphones drum, all on different channels. Is it possible to turn all 8 faders through the exact same height and keep your great mix? Probably not, you can but this route every 8 channels in a bus. Well, if you turn the volume for the bus, you are all turn of the drums!
Most consoles all have separate channels on the left side, and the master section on the right. Whether it is a 4-Channel Mixer or a 32-channel mixer, the controls for each channel the same. You have the receipt, then a preamp, then some aux sends, then your EQ, then the balance, and finally the Volume Control. The signal travels After that line, and then sent the master section. This is repeated for each channel. The master output then goes to your amplifier.
Your signal goes through all these Switches and buttons. Each adds a small amount of noise to the signal. Why a Mackie mixer is better than a Behringer? Less noise. If the manufacturer of high quality components used to get so much less noise than if cheap components are used. These make a big difference and you get what you for.The quality of the mic are paid equally important. Did the manufacturer use a $ 100 pre-amplifier or a made-in-China $ 1 preamp? There are reasons why better-cost mixers Money.
Some mixers have built-in effects. This makes it easy to use, but the effects are usually not as good as a stand-alone effects processor. You would not use these effects for the recording, but they are likely to consider good enough for Live Sound.The last thing, now is the number of aux sends. You need a pre-fader send for each monitor mix you have. You will also need a post-fader effects send for each external unit that you want to use.
So the best mixer? Consider the preamp quality, the number of buses (which sends you lots of routing options), the number of channels, the number of Assistants (Pre-and post), and effects.
About the Author
Neal is a freelance audio engineer based out of Chicago. He works for several local production companies as well as with his own clients. He also has a website at www.livesoundweb.info
Be sure to check back often as new Sound System help articles are added every week.
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