Mixing Board Basics

Mixing Board Basics – Part One (Mixing Consoles, Mixers) – Analog

Mixing Boards are also referred to as Mixing Consoles and Mixers – these three names are commonly used “interchangeably.” There are literally a thousand different Mixing Boards on the market today. There are Analog Mixing Boards (below left) and Digital Mixing Boards (below right). No matter which type of Mixing Board you use, you should understand that the essential functions are the same on either kind of Mixing Board.

Let’s review some basic functions on a Mixing Board. We will use an “Analog” type Mixing Board for our demonstrations. Typical Mixing Boards can be thought of as having “3 Main Sections.” The Channel / Input Section, The Sub-Group / Sub-Mix Section, and The Mains / Master / Output Section. Section 1 will be covered on this webpage.

Analog Mixing Boards “Part 1”

Second, you will need to adjust the Gain (also called Trim) – This is where you will adjust the incoming signals to an optimal (usable) level.

Note: For Line level inputs – a common starting point is to start lower than “U” (Unity) and closer to the “0” and adjust from there.

For Mic level inputs – start at “U” (Unity) and adjust from there.

Important Note: Remember to NEVER plug a Line Level device into the Microphone Input – This will cause distortion and over-drive the input.

What happens when you plug a Line Level source into a Microphone Input – Video Clip!

AUX Sends – These are just more level controls for other mixes (auxiliary mixes), such as reverb, delay, monitors, etc. AUX sends when routed to outboard effects are used in conjunction with the AUX Returns to complete the signal path. AUX 1 and AUX 2 are commonly used as “Monitor” sends. Ex: AUX 1 for Vocals, AUX 2 for Instruments.

EQ – Used to increase or decrease the amplitudes of certain frequencies used in the signal. Equalization is a little tricky to get used to. Use only as needed or not at all. For example, if the signal has a lot of “high end” present, do not add “Low end” to the mix – turn down the “Highs.” This is called “subtractive” equalization.

What does Subtractive EQ Mean? – Video Clip!

Pan Control – This control allows you to either “Pan” the signal to the Left only, to the Right only, or stay in the “Center” position (which allows the signal to flow equally to the Left and Right at the same time. Also used with routing Channels to Sub-Groups.

Mute Button – This button is exactly what it sounds like, press the Mute button, and the signal turns off. Usually, Mute buttons will start flashing when active to remind the user that a channel has been muted (and is still muted).

Channel Faders – These are the individual channel level controls on mixers). Allows you to adjust signals for each channel (that route to a “Sub-Group” or “Main” Mix). Most mixing boards also have Channel Assignment Buttons used for routing signals to Sub-Groups (Sub-Groups are covered in Section 2).

Signal Routing Note – Signal Routing includes the Pan control (left / right), Mute button, Solo (Monitor button), Channel Assignment buttons, AUX Sends controls, and the Main Fader (slide control).

Phantom Power

Phantom Power is used for “Active” Condenser Microphones. Phantom Power buttons are not always located in the same place on Mixing Boards. Some Mixing Boards have a single Phantom Power button for each input channel, the button can be found on the top or in the rear of the mixer, and there can also be only one Phantom Power button that affects all the channels (or just a certain number of channels – see below).