Sound Mixer

Control Your Sound System in the Best Way with a Mixer

One of the most important facts that today's technology has brought to the music world is undoubtedly sound systems and sound equipment. Since the opportunities provided by technology have developed much more compared to previous years, many operations can be easily done in the music world with a mixer.

What is a Mixer?

Today, a sound mixer is an indispensable equipment in the music sector that is used to mix one or more sound signals. The mixer sound system used also provides a good opportunity to control all other known sound systems.

One of the areas where sound mixers are used is undoubtedly karaoke. Karaoke has recently become a sound system that many people frequently prefer for entertainment purposes. During karaoke, the sound given from the CD and the signals of sounds coming from other places are mixed with each other.

As a result, the mixer sound system creates the feature of recording by adjusting the levels of human voices coming from microphones together with any music. Accordingly, the sound volume or tone changes with the mixer when desired.

In this context, the mixer system is needed not during organizations such as concerts, entertainment, parties, but during conferences, panels, or meetings with a large number of people. In this way, the state of the speaker's voice and how it sounds can be adjusted. In addition, the mixer can prevent the audience from hearing the voices of speakers who are talking among themselves.

What is a Mixer Used for and Where is it Used?

In the music world, professional music studios are undoubtedly the places where sound mixer systems are used most frequently. Almost every day, tens and thousands of recordings are made in these studios. Accordingly, the sounds are corrected by sound engineers according to certain rules and the mixing process is carried out meticulously with the mixer.

The devices that are used to make all these sound-related corrections are called sound mixers. For example, the lowering and raising of the sound heard in certain places in any vocal recording are easily done thanks to the mixer sound system.

This event is extremely important in the music world in terms of mixer sound system. Similarly, sound systems are installed in live music venues such as concerts and bars, and the mixer sound system is used during the installation.

Because when live performances are made, sound mixers are definitely preferred, especially in speaker connections and instrument connections. In this way, each channel is controlled separately and sound mixer systems are used in adjusting the height, timbre and tone of the sounds during the live performance.

What is a Digital Mixer?

In today's conditions, it is possible to divide digital mixer products into two groups. These are; digitally controlled analog mixers and fully digital mixers. In digitally controlled analog mixers, signal flow and processing are generally realized analog. However, the controls of mixer products work on a digital parameter basis.

In mixers that operate completely digitally, signal distribution and processing are realized digitally. The signal coming from digital recording devices or computers enters the mixer product digitally. The signal coming from analog sources is also converted to digital via an external unit or an analog and digital converter on the mixer.

The output from the mixer can be made digitally or analog via a digital and analog converter. In this context, it is possible to choose a digital or analog mixer sound music system by taking into account the preferences.

As technology develops, there are always certain developments in sound equipment. In this context, the leading one in sound-related developments is undoubtedly the sound mixer, which is one of the sound equipment. This mixer is a tool that allows the user to control all devices in the studio in terms of volume, tone and balance.

Mixers ensure that any signal is sent to the necessary devices for recording or monitoring. The mixer sound system used also helps to blend the sounds in two or more input channels. The features of the sounds are also controlled by the mixer.

In previous years, before technology advanced this much, analog sound mixers were widely used in old studios. However, as technology developed, digital mixer products replaced analog mixers. Now, sound mixers are controlled by software called DAW.

Companies that produce various analog mixer products design the same products for digital systems. This situation is quite efficient, useful and budget-friendly for users. Because buying analog sound mixer products is always much more expensive and regular when compared to processing via DAW.

What are the Channel Options for Audio Mixers?

Mixer types are divided into two in total. There are two types of studio mixers or consoles. These mixer types are; Split mixers and Inline mixers.

In split mixer consoles, generally the channel during recording and the channel where the recorded signal enters and the channel of the signal returning from the tape are different. In inline mixer consoles, in general, the channel where the recorded signal enters and the channel of the signal returning from the tape are the same, just the opposite of split consoles. It is also possible to think of this as a channel within a channel.

This concept may seem extremely confusing at first, but in inline mixers, there is a separate input next to the line and microphone inputs in almost every channel for the return of the tapes. Since the return inputs in this tape can be used for different purposes and independently, they are generally numbered separately from the channel they are connected to.

For example, a 24 channel inline mixer actually has a total of 48 channels. Inline channels start numbering after the number 24. Channel number 25 is usually the inline channel located in channel number 1.

Channel number 26 is the inline channel located in channel number 2. Finally, channel number 27 is the inline channel located in channel number 3. Examples can continue in this way and the channels can be named.

How are Inline Mixers and Split Mixers Used?

There is a flip key in the inline sound mixer system. In these mixers, the inputs of the tape returns usually come to the Mix B section located in the channel as normal. During channel recording, the tape returns are usually monitored via Mix B, which is in the monitor room. The flip key is pressed during mixing and the flip key changes the places of the tape, mic/line inputs. In this case, the tape returns come to the main channel.

For example, if the tape returns of a 24-channel inline mixer come to channels number 25 and 26, these channels are actually inline channels located in channels number 1 and 2. Accordingly, when the flip button is pressed, the tape returns will come to channels 1 and 2.

Then, there is a source button on the Mix B level and thanks to this button, you have an option regarding the use of Mix B. When the source button is in the channel positions, the Mix B level generally receives the signals from the main channel it is connected to. This feature also allows you to perform a second mixer operation independently of the main mix.

While the inline audio mixer can be used as a split, the split audio mixer cannot be used as an inline audio mixer in this way because it does not have inline features. If the number of channels is sufficient, it is more comfortable and easy to use the mixer as a split. People who record 24 channels with a 24 channel inline audio mixer have no other choice but to use the mixer inline.

How to Connect Microphones to Mixers?

The first step is to connect frequently preferred microphones and or instruments to the inputs to be used in mixers. A four-to-one cable must be connected to almost each of the “Insert” jacks, which correspond exactly to the input channels used. The other end of these four-to-one cables must be connected to the inputs on the audio interface.

As a result of these, it is necessary to select the inputs of each track in the DAW. After this process, a microphone is connected to the mixer. By connecting a microphone to the mixer, people can comfortably use this sound system equipment in the music world.

What are the Types of Mixers?

In the music world, sound mixer products are demanded by many people. Sound mixers are produced with various features to meet the needs of many users according to their brands and models. First of all, if we talk about the input and output features of the sound mixer product features; there are different types of sound inputs and sound outputs on it.

If we need to give an example; There are a number of input and output port types such as 3-pin xlr, 5-pin, 4-pin, and 6.3 mm nail jack, aux, 3.5 mm jack, toast, speakon connector. The number of these types of audio inputs and audio outputs can also be shown in their features. These input numbers are generally called channels in the sound mixer.

The channels on the music mixer are completely divided into mono and stereo channels. In this context, there are channels with +48 volt phantom power features in addition to these inputs on the sound mixer. In this context, people who choose between the types of mixer sound systems should also follow the pricing according to their quality and variety.

Midex Effect in Deck Mixer Models

The frequently preferred deck mixer is a very good auxiliary element for the mixer sound system in places where two or more sound devices need to be used. In deck mixer models, as in other musical instruments and equipment, the midex is effective. The first example that stands out among these and requires sound mixer types is the mixer sound system.

In karaoke systems, sound mixers are an inevitable factor in order to transfer the music to be karaoke together with the voice of the users to the sound devices smoothly. It is examined under 3 main headings in total as digital, amplifier (power) and deck.

In deck mixer models, the midex effect is undoubtedly one of the most demanded products among music mixer products. In the sound mixers category, these main headings are also filtered according to the interests of the users and divided into sections. In this context, amplifier (power) sound mixer products, as the name suggests, contain amplifiers and can be used connected to columns.

Those who want to combine previously recorded sound recordings or music substructures with sound should also choose digital mixers. The buttons on digital mixers can also use their movement capabilities according to the previously recorded sounds. In this context, deck mixer products are used in live music, weddings, clubs, bars and studio areas.

Indispensable deck mixer products; Unlike amplifier models, they can only work with active cabin speakers. In addition, while the sound mixer product does this process, it also performs the task of adding sound color with sound processing and effect features depending on the model. As a result, the deck mixer or sound mixer is only used for sound mixing, that is, for sound management.

The Importance of the Mixer for the Sound System

Mixer products used in the sound system, which is preferred by many people in today's conditions, are extremely important for the music world. In this context, the mixer sound system is one of the indispensable products.

Sound mixer products serve as brains in sound system products compared to our organs. In addition, the sound mixer system is a sound system product that fully undertakes the task of managing the incoming and outgoing sounds. The mixer sound system performs the operations of collecting sound input devices and directing them to the sound outputs.

In addition to the features of the music mixer, it is necessary to mention its effects. Mixer options with effects are generally divided into digital effects and analog effects. There are dozens of different sound effects that users can think of, such as echo and reverb, in sound mixers with effects.

Some sound mixer systems are also described as dual-effect. As a result, there are also digital dual-effect features in models related to the sound mixer system. In addition, there are keypads to control many sound features such as volume, bass, treble, mid and gain.

Sound Mixer Prices

As a result, the pricing of the product obtained in the music mixer sound system is very diverse. Accordingly, the sound mixer system varies depending on the quality, color, type, model, strength, durability and brand of the raw material used.

In all researches made for the price of music mixer systems, it is possible to compare the prices of very cheap sound mixers with the prices of high-priced sound mixers in the upper class. In other words, it is possible to find a cheap music sound mixer system as well as a high-priced music mixer product in the market.

When the most basic reason for the difference between the highest and lowest prices of sound mixer systems is wondered and researched, many reasons emerge. These situations that cause price differences are generally the brand, model, resistance, sound quality, long-lasting use, additional features, number of channels, parts, seller companies and people's competitive situations and being original.

In addition, the origin of the brand in sound mixer systems is also very effective on the price of the final product. Some music mixer products can be offered for sale with high price differences in different brands with the same number of channels and the same features.

In addition, even the same brand and the same model of sound mixer can be offered for sale at different prices when sold by different sellers. These situations create competitive environments between brands and sellers.