Audio Mixers and Consoles Information
Audio mixers and audio consoles combine signals from microphones and/or line level sources to produce a combined signal or signals. They also route and change the levels of audio signals. A mixing console is used to mix digital or analog signals. Each input signal to the mixing board has its own dedicated channel. The channel is set to either stereo or monaural, depending on the type of mixing board. The amplification factor is controlled by buffering the signals received from the input device. This operation is necessary to adjust the signal value at the nominal level of processing. The mixing board also includes a potentiometer for amplitude adjustment before the final mixing of the signals takes place. Finally, signals from various input channels are added together to generate the main mix signal. In this way, the final audio production for audio mixers and consoles is a combination of several input signals.
Types of Audio Mixers and Consoles
There are many types of audio mixers and audio consoles. Examples include an M7CL digital mixing console and an M10-E mixing board. An M7CL digital mixing console is a digital audio mixer that uses audio mixer software. This type of mixing console is a compact, lightweight audio mixer with multi-effect processors that allows the mixer to deliver the best performance. An M10-E mixing board is a lightweight soundboard powered by a 9-V battery. This popular soundboard provides several input and output connections for accepting signals. Other audio mixers and consoles are also available. These devices can be used to power microphones, add external effects to audio, and create audio tones.
Specifications
Audio mixers and audio consoles differ in terms of operation. A fader mixer receives input signals through dedicated input channel lines and, after processing, sums up the input signals to produce the combined output signal. An M7CL digital mixing console consists of:
- 32 or 48 mono microphone input channel lines
- dual power modes
- virtual effect and EQ rack
- a combination of 16 mix buses
An M10-E mixing board consists of:
- 10 analog inputs
- four stereo output lines
- an AC adapter
- a 9-V battery required to run the mixing console
Other types of audio mixers and consoles may carry additional specifications or provide different features.
Applications
Audio mixers and audio consoles are used in many applications. Some products are used in public address systems, television studios, and film post-production. Other devices are used in recording studios and sound reinforcement systems.
