An Introduction To Mixers
By Max on Jan 2, 2008 in Home Recording
Mixers are what perform the much needed task of taking multiple audio tracks and combining them into one stereo or mono track. They are necessary to every recording job and should be added to your growing studio equipment stash.
The standard mixers you will find in any recording studio or perhaps on stage at a concert, have multiple mic preamps, a 2 to 4 band EQ per channel, 1 to 4 effect loops per channel, and a slider for each channel to adjust the channel’s level.
For clarification of effects loops, an effects loop is a part of the mixer where a knob “sends” a partial channel signal to an output which is usually attached to an effects processor (like reverb). Then it comes from the output of the effect to the “receive” inputs on the mixer. Another knob, on said channel, is labeled “receive” which specifies the amount of the returned signal that is mixed into the original.
EQ’s are generally pretty basic–offering a low, mid, mid high, and high band. What determines a budget mixer from a pro mixer, however, is the amount of mic preamps, how many bands of EQ it offers per channel, how many send and receives there are per channel, and how long the sliders are for each one. Longer sliders usually suggests more range.
Analog mixers and digital mixers
The difference between Analog and Digital mixers is pretty simple. A digital mixer is essentially an analog mixer that has had a few things replaced and added. The analog sliders are replaced by motorized sliders whose states can be saved and recalled without you needing to touch the sliders.
There is also an analog to digital convertor that converts the analog signal into a digital signal to be hooked up to other digital equipment, a computer, or a digital recorder. Usually these have built in effects and signal processing.
There are also mixers called “MIDI Mixers” which interface with digital recorders or PC’s via a midi connection. These don’t usually offer any analog connections and are used only to control the recording software.
Which type of mixer should you start with?
For beginners, I definitely suggest choosing an analog mixer. Analog mixers are relatively inexpensive and will get the job done without complication beyond basic recording knowledge.
Digital mixers bring on a whole new world of electronics and recording as well as coming with a large price tag. The bottom line is digital mixers are complicated and most start around $500, certainly unequal to analogs, which start at $50, making a moderately priced analog the best compromise.
Popular brand names
As for brand names, Behringer is a mixer that will suit most purposes as far as inputs, but they do not come equipped with effects. They have a reputation amongst some musicians, to be poor on quality and sometimes sound, so be sure to research your product thoroughly. For my personal preference, I suggest you step on up to a Mackie. Mackies come equipped with effects and give better quality sound in the recordings. They’re also that mid-range price which seems to impress me most.
If you are looking for a high end machine, however, I suggest the Aleen-Heath, which is a slightly more superior machine, obviously at a higher price.
