Valkyrie Sound Posted March 17, 2001 Share Posted March 17, 2001 Subject: An Audio Primer > > > > > >Q: What are the different types of inputs found on mixers, desk, consoles? > >A: There are three different types of inputs on mixers. One has three > >holes and is really big (which is why it's known as an "Xtra Large > >Receptacle", or "XLR"). If you look in the back of most TVs, CDs,Tape > >decks, etc., you'll see that audio only needs two wires, so why does this > >XLR plug have three wires? Simple, it's for "professional" use, so they > >add an extra wire to carry the signal twice, as a safety precaution, just > >in case the main wire breaks. > >XLR plugs usually connect to MIC inputs ("MIC" stands for "Mixer Input > >Connection" - the primary input on a mixer). > >A smaller set of inputs called LINE ("Less Intense Noise Environment") > >inputs are used for multiple telephone "LINE" inputs (for example, radio > >call-in shows use a lot of lines), and this type of input uses "phone" > >jacks (obviously). > >A final type of input is for tape recorders and some other functions. > >These use RCA plugs ("Resistive Connector Adaptors), so called because > >they use friction, and resistance to movement, to make their solid > >connection. > > > >Q: What is gain? > >A: Gain is actually a misnomer - everything that goes into a mixer is > >already at optimum levels, so these controls really just reduce some of > >the higher levels so that they match the softer instruments. That's why > >the long sliders on a board are called "faders" - because they only make > >things softer, never louder. > > > >Q: Equalisation, what does it do, how does it work, how different types > >are there? > >A: Equalization is used for one primary reason, as its name implies - to > >make everything equal. Without some help from the EQ controls, a triangle > >could never have the bottom end of a Marshall stack. Also remember that > >EQs do nothing below their center position. It's usually recommended that > >you simply set them all to maximum and forget them. > >There are 3 fundamental types of EQs: > >Shelving: used to compensate for the shelf across the top of the console, > >Graphic: used primarily for creating landscape pictures with the sliders, > >Pairometrics: which are simply two metric equalizers (so called because > >the controls use the British metric system, very popular after the > >Beatles recordings). > > > >Q: What are Auxiliaries? > >A: Another misnomer. Everyone thinks AUX stands for "Auxiliary", when in > >reality, it's an acronym for "Any Useless Xtra" signals that must be fed > >to the mixer, like a metronome, for example. > > > >Q: What are Faders? > >A: See "Gain" above. > > > >Q: What is Routing? > >A: This is a responsibility of the bus driver in relation to mobile > >recording studios, where the driver must figure out the best route to the > >session. > > > >Q: What are Output Groups? > >A: These are used for mobile recording studios, and are known as busses, > >since their primary function is to supply signals to the buss driver and > >his friends. > > > >Q: What are Main Outputs? > >A: These supply "mains" voltage (117VAC in the US) to power other > >quipment. > > > >Q: What is Monitoring? > >A: These are TV output jacks to provide an unobstructed video view of the > >stage or group. > > > >Q: What are Meters? > >A: These are used to check the condition of each signal coming into the > >mixer. Red means the signal is "ready" to go, yellow means the signal is > >falling to a possible dangerous low level, and green "means your ass is > >grass" if you leave the signal this low. > > > >Q: What are Mix Amps? > >A: Final mixes for commercial recordings are now measured in "amps", not > >dBs. > > > >Q: What are in-line and modular desk, consoles? > >A: In-line desks have each channel stacked in line - one above the other. > >With larger consoles, this became a problem in reaching all the channels, > >so they invented the "modular" desk, where you could move the channel > >modules that you use the most closer to you. Valkyrie Sound: http://www.vsoundinc.com Now at TSUTAYA USA: http://www.tsutayausa.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curve Dominant Posted March 17, 2001 Share Posted March 17, 2001 Yo, whassup, Val? What are ya wearing? Eric Vincent (ASCAP) www.curvedominant.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Sound Posted March 17, 2001 Author Share Posted March 17, 2001 It's 1:00am.... I'm mixing a hot Jazz track.... make a guess.... http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/wink.gif Valkyrie Sound: http://www.vsoundinc.com Now at TSUTAYA USA: http://www.tsutayausa.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curve Dominant Posted March 17, 2001 Share Posted March 17, 2001 Make a guess, ok, a hot Jazz track. Silk, or velvet, sheer, perhaps. Black satin? Are you my Black Satin Doll? "If you wear that velvet dress..." >-{???}--{!!!}-< Eric Vincent (ASCAP) www.curvedominant.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted March 17, 2001 Share Posted March 17, 2001 My my...this thread is getting a bit steamy, isn't it? I think I'll just sidestep my way out if you'll excuse me...nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more, say no more... http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/wink.gif "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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