Audio Production Console
Huber, Ch. 11
Three Stages of Multitrack Recording
Recording (Tracking)
Overdubbing
Mixdown
Analog Console
Signal path (signal chain)
Vertical signal flow through input strip
Strips are modular
Channel Input
Preamp (boost signals 30 to 60 dB)
Mic and line levels
Auxiliary Send Section
Equalization
Insert Point (direct send/return) (direct or
insert)
Dynamics
(compression/limiting/expansion)
Auxillary Send Section
“Horizontal” signal flow from input
Can be fed to a mono or stereo output bus
Used for any purpose
Effects send
Headphone cue
Broadcast feed
Alternate mixes
Alternate speaker outputs
Equalization (EQ)
Used to adjust frequencies (bring out or
cut, to compensate for recording
discrepancies, or to create a certain
timbre)
Usually, 3 to 4 continuously variable,
overlapping frequency bands
Adjustable Bandwidth (Q)
Boost or cut control (+/- 18 dB)
Inserts
Useful for inline, external signal
processing.
Unbalanced, stereo TRS jacks
Mono send to first click: signal to direct out,
without interrupting channel signal flow
Mono send all in: signal to direct out,
interrupting signal flow
Stereo TRS all in: send/return loop
Dynamics
Inline Dynamics processing is common on
higher-end analog consoles, and most
digital consoles.
Compression, limiting, expansion
discussed in Ch. 12.
Monitoring
A listening mix for the control room,
separate (indendent) from what’s going to
the record medium.
Inline, separate section, or direct insertion
monitoring
Inline Monitoring
Some higher-end consoles incorporate a
small fader section above the main input
strip fader.
SSL XL 9000
Separate Monitor Section
 Typical of older British consoles. Also used by
Mackie and Tascam analogs to some degree.
 Digital Mixers (via the fader flip)
 Independent level, pan, effects, and headphone
control.
 Often have direct inputs to the monitor section,
and can be used at mixdown to increase the
number of effects returns and electronic
instrument inputs.
Direct Insertion Monitoring
Most often used when separate or inline
monitoring is not available.
Use direct send/receives for sending
signal to record device, then output of
record device back to mixer for monitoring.
Record level set by preamp gain trim.
Output Fader
Channel strip fader, determining strip’s bus
output level.
Pan Pot
Solo and Mute buttons
Output Bus
Conceptually, a horizontal signal path.
Multiple entrance and exit points, and
ways to duplicate signals
Aux sends, monitor sends, channel sends,
and main outputs are all types of signals
that can be inserted to a bus.
Channel Assignment
Assignment of input channel to output bus.
Can be associated with fader (buttons), or
through menus.
Individual assignments (with pan), or
stereo pairs.
Master Output/Group Faders
Master Stereo
Master Bus faders (group)
Bus faders can be used to change overall
levels while maintaining relative levels.
Metering
LED, Peak, VU, Overload on input
Standard: RMS/root-mean-squared. (Not
peak and overload)
Analog: aim for near zero levels, but
slightly above may not be a problem.
Digital: anything over zero results in
unpleasant distortion.
Patch Bay
Contains accessible jacks that correspond
to the various inputs and outputs of every
access point within a mixer or console.
Often contain input and output points of
studio effects, monitoring devices, and
connections between different production
rooms.
Patch Bay Connection Types
TRS balanced 1/4”
RCA
TT or mini (telephone-type)
Rear connections can be any of above, or
hand-wired connections (punch
connectors or soldered)
Patch Bay Connections (Normalled,
etc.)
 Open: without plugs inserted, each I/O
connection entering or leaving the bay is
independent of other connections.
 Half-normalled: without plugs inserted, each I/0
connection entering the panel in the rear is
electrically connected to the point below it. When
a jack is inserted to the top jack, the I/O rear
connection is still intact, allowing you to tap into
the signal. Jacks into bottom connection break
I/O connection.
 Normalled: same I/O as half. Rear I/O broken
when a jack is plugged into either top or bottom.
Digital Consoles
Analog signal converted to digital at mixer
inputs, or prior to inputs
All internal signal routing done in digital
domain.
Centralized channel strip/control panel
Fader, pan, mute, solo for each input
One EQ and Dynamics section for whole
console.