Topic: mixers

[pnobles]

hey all -
so i got a mixer ( samson mixpad 12 ) to mess around with martixes and personal studio stuff, can someone please give me a breif run down of the different highs and lows, aux pre's and etc of the mixing board.  i am new to this setting.

thanks

Pat

[radioboy1977]

PM alexherd.  he runs this unit in the field so can probably tell you a lot about it.

[joeshambro]

hey man.. here's a quick rundown on the basics of a mixer.

First thing to remember -- Starting up at the XLR input/1/4th input, all the way down to the fader/level dial, you need to learn everything from top to bottom...  once you do that for one channel strip,  yo'uve got the concept mastered for the rest!  It looks a lot more daunting than it is.

Starting at the top, you have your XLR input on the first six channels.  Channels 7/8, 9/10, and 11/12 are all stereo channels that can operate in linked stereo mode or single mono mode if you choose.  

On the XLR input there's a mic preamp, with a trim control (simply, an attenuator) that goes from +4dbu (unity) to -50db.  

Below that, on channels 1-6, you have your 1/4th inch input connector.  This allows you to run line-in and bypass the phantom and preamp stage.

Beneath that, you have your high and low EQ.  You have a disadvantage with this mixer that you do'nt have a seperate mid-range notch filter, but by killing the right amount of high/low end you can probably notch out something comparable if the need arises.  

Below that, you have your two AUX (auxillary) sends.  The first one is "pre-fader", hence the "PRE".  That means that the signal being sent from that aux send is independant of the actual level on the board.  This would be mainly used for recording sends as well as monitor mixing.

The one below that is your next aux send.  This one is post-fader, which means that, when sent, it will be sent out at the same level that you have the fader set at.  This is useful for effects/reverb sending when you desire a unified gain setting on your send.  

After that is your panning control.  This will allow  you to pan the signal left or right int he soundfield, assuming you're using a stereo output.  When using this for taping, you'll want to hard-pan your mics left and right.  Also, for matrixing you'll want left and right ins and outs to match.

Beneath that is your level control.  This is just what it says, it lets you increase or decrease the level of sound.

The aux returns are in stereo, which let you use stereo effects.

The stereo channels 7-12 offer the ability to balance them left or hard right, or centered (meaning true stereo left/right equalibrium).

Easy as pie!  Enjoy the mixer!