Digital Mixing Boards – Basic Notes and Information
The main component of any sound system is the mixing board. The “Digital” mixing board is more common than ever, and there are plenty to choose from. Large or small – they are out there and here to stay. Analog and Digital mixers have their “Pros” and “Cons,” and both still have a use in the audio world. There is no set date when Analog mixers will eventually fade away like so many other “analog” technologies (only time will tell). But for now, it would be a good idea to start working with Digital mixers when an opportunity arises.
Important Note: You must remember that the essential functions needed to “mix” on an Analog Mixing Board are the same essential functions needed to “mix” on a Digital Mixing Board. Yes, a Digital Mixing Board will have more “bells and whistles,” it might take longer to learn your way around it, but you still have to have knowledge of the main functions on either mixing board to properly “Mix” a Live show.
Here are some advantages of Digital Mixing Boards
Sound Quality – Digital mixers convert “Analog” signals from microphones, instruments, and music (and other sources) to Digital signals (basically any Analog signals to Digital signals). Since Analog signals are known for being prone to noise, interference, hum, and annoying “hissing” sounds – Converting to digital signals results in a much cleaner sound quality. Analog mixers take lots of processing (and extra gear) to get the same results.
Flexible, with Tons of Features – There is so much available on a digital mixer, such as additional AUX Sends and Returns, Channel Grouping, Built-In EQs (all types at your fingertips), and Effects such as Compressors, Limiters, Noise Gates, Digital Delays, Reverb and more. One of the best features of a digital mixer is being able to create “Scenes.” Once you create a Scene and save it, you can recall it with the press of a button. Motorized Faders are also an excellent feature – press a Scene button, and the faders automatically go to the levels you have pre-programmed in the scene. It’s incredible how many different functions you can assign, how many scenes you can build, and how easily you can recall those functions and scenes while “mixing” a performance.
Digital Snakes
One of the best options available with Digital mixing boards is utilizing a Digital Snake. A traditional snake has multiple cables wound up in the cable jacket, is relatively bulky, and can be a pain to install. With Digital Snakes, you place the digital stage box on stage, plug in the Ethernet cable from the digital snake, and you’re done (maybe a little more to it than that, but easier than running a traditional snake). The significant limitation is that you cannot run Ethernet over 300 feet, but that’s usually not an issue. See the diagram below.
While we are on the subject of “Snakes” and stage boxes, let’s review some basic information regarding “Traditional Analog Snakes” (usually referred to as a Stage Snake or Microphone Snake). Whirlwind is a very popular brand of traditional snakes (left image). When you think about purchasing a mic snake, the name Whirlwind will always come up in the conversation. These “traditional” mic snakes are still in use and will most likely continue to be utilized until the whole audio world switches over to Digital (which is most likely still a long time from now). They come in all lengths, but the standards usually include 25, 50, 100, and 150-foot lengths. The snake to the left is a 32-Channel snake with 24 Inputs and 8 Outputs (you can get these mic snakes in just about any configuration of Inputs and Outputs). As stated, these snakes are still in use, and even though they are somewhat bulkier than a single Ethernet cable, they are still reasonably easy to install. For now, you should make sure that you are familiar with all types of “Analog” equipment until the time comes when the “Digital World” completely takes over.
Connectivity
Another great feature of Digital Mixers is that most offer a Remote app for iPads (iPhones, Laptops, etc.) that allow the sound board operator to walk out into the space or audience and mix the show (walk around the audience area, making changes from a “listeners” point of view). This is an excellent feature, but use caution not to “over-mix” attempting to satisfy every listener standing in every area of the venue. This should not be the primary goal of your mix. The main goal is to provide a quality mix to the majority of listeners (you will not be able to satisfy every listener at every spot in the venue or area). Use these tools wisely to create a great mix.
Ex: Using an iPad to remotely control the mixing, routing, effects settings, and gain adjustment functions of your digital mixing board has many advantages.
Recording
Everything that is going into the Digital Mixer can easily be recorded. The analog outputs of a Digital Mixer can plug directly into the Audio Interface that is “connected and configured” to work with your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Although there are several ways to record from Digital Mixers to a computer, an Audio Interface is the most utilized setup. There are also USB cable adapters that also work just as well. The example below shows a typical Audio Interface setup using two outputs from the Digital Mixer.
If you want to record more than just two channels (as shown above), you need an Audio Interface capable of handling the additional channels. And the Digital Mixer will need to have enough outputs for each track you want to record. An example of an 8-Channel Audio Interface is shown below.
Still, with all the great features that Digital mixing boards offer – you will still need to be efficient with running the board. This includes EQs, Compressors, Effects and how to set them up, experience mixing live shows, and a great ear in order to provide a quality mix for the audience. Listening is the most important aspect of mixing a show. Just because a Mic channel was at a certain level during yesterday’s performance doesn’t mean it should be at that same level during today’s show. Marking the board and setting levels to the “marks” (called “canned” mixing) may occasionally help with a mix. Still, it’s essential to understand that a great blend is only possible when sound board operators mix “in the moment” (make adjustments with their ears not to “canned” marks on a board). Expect that there will be a “learning curve” when switching from Analog to Digital Mixers.
