Audio console

Audio Console

By: Shubhanshu Pathak2015-2016,August Batch

Audio Console An audio console combines, balances and roots the

signal. A simple console combines several of the

incoming signals into a single output signal.

Mixer and Console The terms mixer and console are often used

interchangeably. However , a mixer is a small portable device

performing limiting functions while a console is a complex device performing larger processing functions.

Console Sections

Input- Allows signals from input sources such as microphones & line level devices.

Output-Allows signals to be sent to recording devices & signal processors.

Monitor-Allows the signals to listened to. For example: main mix, headphone mix, effects send mix etc.

Analog vs Digital Consoles The basic difference is the way sound is

processed. Digital consoles have gained a great

hold due to their convenience and resistance.

Digital Console features Settings can be pre programmed and

recalled when necessary. Mixing and processing feature that only

digital can provide like automatic feedback suppression.

Noise resistant digital transmission.

Analog Console features Lower cost for a limited set of features. Easy operation for first time users. Provides conventional approach

Signal flow in Analog Console

Channel Strip

Input Section Microphone-line input selector controls which signal

source enters the input section.

Phantom power -Just ahead of the microphone preamplifier is the phantom power supply ( 48 volts DC).

Trim/Gain Knob -The trim is a gain control that controls the nominal input levels of various input sources.

Pad -reduces the power of a signal. It is used when the trim, by itself, cannot prevent overload in the mic signal.

Insert Section

High-end production consoles usually include a inserts/dynamics section after each I/0 module for added signal processing

It often includes compression, limiting, and noise gating.

Auxiliary Sends Section

The aux (auxiliary) send control (also called effects [EFX or FX} send, reverb send, or echo send) feeds the input signal to an external (outboard) signal processor, such as a reverberation unit, compressor, or harmonizer.

Routing Section Track Routing Switches: The switches

route thechannel path signal to the multi track machine, and it is possible to route a signal to more than one track. Channel pan switch: used for panning

channel signals between odd and even tracks of the multi track in conjunction with the routing switches.

Odd/Even/Both switch: This switch will determine whether the signal is sent to the odd channel only, the even channel only or both

Channel Faders

The channel and monitor faders control the channel level of the signal being recorded and its monitor level, respectively.

During recording channel levels to the multi track recorder are set for optimal signal to-noise ratio.

Other Sections

Master section includes-master buses, master fader, aux (or effects) send, aux (or effects) return, and meters

Monitor section includes-Speakers volume, recorder select, send, mix, loudspeaker select, and mono switches.

Communications section includes-talkback, slate/talkback, and oscillator.

Equalization Section-HF, MID1, MID2, LF,

Peaking/Shelving or Bell, ‘Q’

Meters Types VU- Volume Unit- Useful in balancing

levels. Similar levels sound similar to the ear.

Peak- Useful for monitoring recording levels, especially digital when the absolute maximum level must be known.

Soundcraft Vi7000 The latest Vistonics™ & FaderGlow™ interface Up to 128 inputs and 32 mono/stereo busses Enhanced audio processing with 96kHz

sample rate option Powerful new features including BSS

DPR901ii™ Dynamic EQ New Local Rack hardware for 384 I/O

channels 128 channel record interface via MADI or

Dante™

Contd.

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