Choosing a Mixer

The faders at the bottom right side are bus faders.  The switches above the channel faders switch the channel to one of the busses

What is a channel insert?

An insert is a pathway out and then back into a single fader. You use it to patch in an external piece of gear that only affects that one channel. Typical uses of inserts are patching compressors, outboard EQs, exciters, pedals, multi-track recorder i/o, and FX boxes. Lots of people route channel inserts to a patchbay where they can plug in various devices conveniently. We are talking Hardware plugins here. On a well featured mixer, there are inserts on individual channels, buses and the master fader.


You should be getting a sense that there is no one way to set up a mixer. Its really just a matrix of audio pathways that can be used to build up a sculpture of sound that is called a mix.

What is "In-Line Monitoring"

In line monitoring is a feature on some recording consoles, like the Mackie 24-8 or Behringer MX900 and Alesis Studio 32 that allows each channel strip to have 2 separate inputs, with a switch that sends either input to the fader on that channel. Usually, the input that is not selected goes to a knob on that channel where it can be turned up and be "monitored" on one of the busses. This is how 16 channel boards can have 32 inputs at mixdown. This is sometimes called a "Mix B" feature. The input for the Mix B channel is the "tape in" jack. On this kind of mixer there is a tape in on every channel.

"Balanced" ins and outs.

A mixer with balanced inputs and outputs allows you to connect gear that is balanced with XLR or 1/4 inch TRS cables. This essentially allows you to run cables in greater lengths, even to the next room, and not pick up hum or noise. Mixers with unbalanced ins and outs require shorter cable runs, and use 1/4 inch TS cables or RCA jacks. More on cables. If your audio interface has balanced inputs and outputs you may want a mixer with balanced inputs and outputs. Most mixers with balanced inputs will accept unbalanced cables too. So if you are using a soundcard with unbalanced RCAs you can still use a mixer with balanced inputs most of the time.

What's a Send and Return?  

A send is a major audio path that goes out of the mixer.  On each channel, ideally, there is a knob for each send so you can direct variable amounts of that channel to the pathway.  This can function as a separate monitor mix if you are doing a live show, where every player has a monitor in front of them.  Or in the recording situation, the send typically goes to an effects unit.  See the 4 turquoise knobs in the pic?  Those are sends.  And in my system, each knob goes to a separate hardware device. The signal is brought back to the mixer by the returns, then is added to the main signal. 

Creatively speaking, a send is a submix, do with it what you want.  You don't have to bring back the sends to their returns. You can bring them back to an empty channel where you can continue to process with EQ, or to a bus fader if you want.   You can use the returns like any other line input, patching in synths, other mixers, computer soundcards even your cd player, turntables, TV whatever.

Time Out: What is the difference between a "live" console and a "recording" console?

To really understand how these terms came into being you have to go back to the days when multi-track reel to reel recorders ruled.  Each channel of the recording mixer had to have a direct path to the recorder, called a "direct out".  Many recording consoles had a "Mix B" as well, which allowed the band's instruments and the recorder to share the same fader so you could press a button an monitor what was exactly being printed on the tape.  The early live mixers did not have these features.  Mix B is still a useful feature today, particularly if you have a 24 track digital recorder.  You'll find it on the Behringer MX9000, Mackie 8 bus series, to name two.

A live console may omit the direct outs and usually won't have a Mix B.  However, they will have busses like the recording mixer and will more than likely have inserts as well.  Many Live consoles will have global EQ, an EQ that affects the whole mix, as well as channel EQ.  Recording boards typically won't have global eq.  Finally, a live console may have more sends on it.  Sends are used live to send signals to stage monitors.  In the studio, they are typically sent to FX boxes.  They work the same way though.

OK, the all important question:  Can you use a live console for recording to your DAW?

Answer:  Of course! Use the busses to get isolated signal to your DAW, soundcard, or audio interface.  They work the same way.  Or if you want, use the inserts to connect to the DAW with unbalanced cables.  Just shut off the global EQ. 

Rather than worry about the archaic category name of the mixer, focus on whether it has all the ins and outs you need.  Does it have enough busses?  Do you need direct outs? How many sends and returns, preamps do you need?  How is phantom power implemented? Are all the connections balanced? Which are not?  Those are the questions to ask.