Homework 10 Responses: Mixing Desk Research Questions - Gabriele 1.

What types of equipment share the same basic audio design as an analogue mixing desk? 6. Name the sections of the mixing deskin figure 1 below, and describe what each of them does. You should download fig. 1 so that you can zoom in for a closer look. A/B = inputs and outputs connect signals from microphones or playback machines to the mixing desk Correct A = XLR and B = jack connections C = Trim - adjust level of input or gain. D = EQ - allows you to boost/cut certain frequencies when recording Correct also can turn on phantom power if needed for a condenser mic E = Auxiliary sends - allow you to control the amount of signal being sent to the auxiliary bus Correct F = panning - lets you choose the direction of which the sound is perceived to either the left right or in the center Correct G = Faders - allows you to vary the amount of resistance and the level of signal Correct (that we can hear, not that is going into the desk that volume level going in is GAIN) L = Meters ??? Correct (LED type) J/K = Aux masters and monitoring Correct H = Group faders Correct volume unit correct I = Master fader Correct

2. What are the three main areas of a mixing desk? 3. (a) Describe (Hint 16x8x2) what a bus is.

3. (b) give three examples of types of buses.

4. (a) Explain what a pot is.

4. (b) what is a pots full name.

4. (c) give three places you might find a pot on a mixing desk.

5. (a) What do we call the feature of an analouge mixing desk that shows a visual representation of input / output levels?

5. (b) Name the two different types of this feature.

5. (c) What is the difference between the two types?

5. (d) What does VU stand for?

mixer amps audio recording consoles live sound mixers digital mixers software mixers correct

channel inputs busses stereo outputs correct

Busses are electrical signal paths which signals travel along correct

auxiliary solo monitoring main stereo correct

potentiometer - "a knob that adjusts level upwards in a clockwise direction" don't really know else that can be put correct (dont need to put anything else, other than perhaps a rotary knob that adjusts a parameter, e.g. level)

Potentiometer correct

volume knob??? 1. Gain (volume coming into the desk) 2. Pan 3. Aux Send volume unit meter it needs and/or return to have meter in the answer!

analogue meters represent an average so that the needle is able to cope with physical movement correct moving needles coloured LEDs arranged as bar graphs correct Bar graph LEDs move rapidly and show a more accurate, detailed representation of levels compared to the average found in the moving needle variety

7. (a) What do we also call 0dB on an analogue mixer?

7. (b) 8. (a) Every describe 6dB of gain what this results in a is, referring doubling of to input amplitude. and output When does dB levels. this happen in (Further relation to research negative, using other positive, and sources neither than the A2 negative or Revision positive (i.e. Guide 0dB) decibel needed) values?

8. (b) What is amplitude? Refer to waveforms as well as sound in your answer.

9. The [decibel values] are not distributed evenly but follow a logarithmic scale. What does this mean?

10. (a) If a pot is a rotary control, what is a fader and what does it effect?

10. (b) When would you use a group fader?

11. (a) Analouge mixers have a range of EQ functions, depending on how advanced the mixing desk is. Label the EQ functions A and B that are missing on the more advanced EQ diagram (fig. 2) on the right.

11. (b) What do A and B do?

12. What is the name for the collection of controls that are identically present on every input channel?

13. With the development of digital technologies, what digital features where often incorporated into analogue desks? Give two features.

14. (a) When were digital mixers first introduced?

15. Control 24 linked to Pro Tools 14. (b) Software with Comment Digidesigns on their I/Os is an early example of a commercial control success surface. What with relation is a control to cost. surface?

16. List 5 advantages of digital mixing desks.

17. List 2 disadvantages of digital mixing desks.

unity gain Correct

or this Above Positive Gain dont get this (e.g. +1db, +2 Unity Gain db, +3db etc) = is when the a doubling of input and amplitude for output level every 6db of Amplitude is of a signal is level. the size of the same. the vibration E.g. if 10dB For 0db and which can be is going in below, which is seen in then we get negative gain waveform, 10dB going (e.g. -1db, and this out; the gain 10db, -3db determines control on etc.), the how loud the the desk is amplitude does sound is not tuning not double for the level up every 6db as or down, this is a Correct hence its logarithmic set at 0 scale

dont knowwww Not a straight line, but a curve on a graph (see bleow)

when u want to assign certain sounds eg. all string A fader sounds allows you to one to vary the output. amount of Allows resistance one and level fader to of signal do the Correct job of several Its a also a faders slider Correct

?? A = Freq., B = Q control

?? Freq. (A) selects the specific frequency and Q Control (B) selects the amount of spread around the selected frequency.

flying faders Correct Channel Strip Digital Effects is 1990s the other answer Correct

Allows the user to control a digital audio workstation or other digital audio application Correct in particular, a expensive physical and so controller not a relatively rare virtual one

easy recall of mixing session full automation of all switches, faders and knobs resistant to outside interference Correct (x3) Other 2: remote control; built in signal processing;

18. List two advantages of a virtual mixer. Have all the features of digital mixers without hands on aspect can customize display. Correct This homework gives me a headache every time. I know for a fact i wont remember any of this :@ :@ :@ Gives me a brain ache marking it too

latency problems with earlier models compact design can lead to wrong switches being pressed, particularly when quick adjustments need to be made Correct

LINEAR

LOGARIMTHMIC