Audio News

A sound mixer is a device which mixes two or more input audio signals and provides one or more output signals. These mixers not only combine signals but they also enhance sound with equalization effects, adjust levels and also record the mixes.

Mixers come in a variety of sizes and designs, with anything from small portable units to massive studio consoles. The mixer used in the professional recording industry, such as the Yamaha PM5D can cost thousands of pounds, while many other mixers, like the mini Alesis MultiMix 6FX, are designed for personal use. Mixer is a very generic term and can be used for any of the sound mixers. Sound console and sound desk also refers to mixers, which are massive in size and sit on the desk. These kinds of mixers are used in studio settings. The first impression of these mixers is quite intimidating, mainly because of a number of buttons or controls. But as they say, looks are deceptive; the same is true for nearly all mixers. Once you have understood their working model, you realize that there are duplications of the controls and they are not as difficult as they seem.

Some of the most common uses of mixers are in live performances, music studios, field shoots and television studios. Mixers are described totally based on the number of channels, for example, “12 channel mixer” would typically refer to a mixer with 12 channel inputs and a specification such as “24*4*2 would mean 24 input channels, 4 subgroup channels and 2 output channels. As the number of channels increase, the flexibility also increases. Therefore, it is always better to have more channels. Advanced mixing such as recording, monitoring etc, can be achieved by providing additional outputs.