Constructs Required in a Song

Constructs Required in a Song

The constructs required in a song

Sound mixers are amongst the most common type of equipment in the world of audio production. Every sound operator must know what a sound mixer is and how to use it. A sound mixer is a device which takes two or more audio signals, mixes them together and provides one or more output signals [1]. The diagram on the right shows a simple mixer with six inputs and two outputs. As well as combining signals, mixers allow you to adjust levels, enhance sound with equalization and effects, create monitor feeds, record various mixes, etc.

Mixers come in a wide variety of sizes and designs, from small portable units to massive studio consoles. The term mixer can refer to any type of sound mixer; the terms sound desk and sound console refer to mixers which sit on a desk surface as in a studio setting. Sound mixers can look very intimidating to the newbie because they have so many buttons and other controls. However, once you understand how they work you realise that many of these controls are duplicated and it's not as difficult as it first seems.

Some of the most common uses for sound mixers include:

Music studios and live performances: Combining different instruments into a stereo master mix and additional monitoring mixes[2].

Television studios: Combining sound from microphones, tape machines and other sources.

Field shoots: Combining multiple microphones into 2 or 4 channels for easier recording.

An audio mixer is an electronic device that channels incoming audio signals while maintaining control over such effects as volume level, tonality, placement, and other dynamics for music production. In professional sound mixing an audio mixer is sometimes called a soundboard (sound board), mixing console, or mixer.

Traditional audio mixers are physical pieces of equipment with inputs for instruments; digital devices such as drum machines, auxiliary line-ins, and microphones. Mixing technology is also available via software, but requires an advanced sound card that features instrument inputs. Alternately, one can transfer pre-recorded tracks to a computer for use with audio software[3].

Modern digital audio mixers are made for both professional and nonprofessional use, covering a wide range of quality and price. Studios commonly use a dedicated audio mixer, while in the nonprofessional market, an audio mixer is often coupled with a digital recorder. The least expensive, nonprofessional models feature 4-track digital recording with built-in mixer. Additional channels add to price, all else being equal, with high-end models featuring 24 channels.

Each channel on a mixer or soundboard is dedicated to a separate track, such as one channel for drums, one for lead guitar, rhythm, bass, keyboards, and so on. By keeping each instrument on its own track, channels not only stay clean of artifacts, but the sound engineer has maximum control over every element and aspect of the project.

Even after a track is recorded, volume, echo, reverb, equalization, and various other effects can be applied as needed to tweak the ...