How To Use a Mixer for Live Sound & Studio Recording

[@AudioUniversity]

Need help setting up your new studio? Check out these free resources I've created for you... Recording Studio Checklist: audiouniversityonline.com/free-home-studio-checklist/ Speaker Placement Guide: audiouniversityonline.com/speaker-placement-guide/

[@mdmadzlan5112]

I am new student with very little audio enginring knowledget an audio academy in Singapore. Your lessons helped me to be steps ahead in my learning process. Thank you. Btw i am a rock/metal guitar player

[@ralphups7782]

thank you again, young sir. :-)

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for watching!

[@cliffgillespie7679]

Great tutorial. Have you done a video on dj mixers or does it work the same ?

[@jeffrey7012]

There are a lot of people who really know what they are doing, there are few who can teach it well. You can teach. Thank you for your clear and detailed explanations.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Jeffrey!

[@dancediff]

Yea his cool.

[@steveprudell9976]

Great voice too 😍

[@mattwaters6987]

Good video and explanation. Well done sir!👍😊

[@rajivpsaini]

Cannot say how much good you are in teaching 👍👍👍. Calm, precise and to the point. Love it. Appreciate it.

[@alexkingvideo]

Yeah, honestly man you’re one of the most talented teachers I’ve ever witnessed. Please keep doing this.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thank you, Alexander! I really appreciate that.

[@bushyeyebrow]

Really clear and no fluff. Better than my teachers.

[@Fabsurf101]

Kyle, your explanation of the audio recording engineering process is most systematic and elucidating. The last video with the shotgun mic was also so helpful. As a hobbyist in music and photography, I find myself getting fascinating information to help me to explore the subject. So thank you very much!

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for watching, Sunny! I'm glad to hear this.

[@Fabsurf101]

Being an old fellow, I listened to all genres of music and love songwriters and recording artists from the 30s to 80s. My favourite would be the wrecking crew, George Martin and the Beach Boys etc. So I appreciate all the recording engineering requires to give us such memorable soundtracks of our lives. Your teaching of the subject is the one I always wonder about but am afraid to ask, for I wouldn't know where to even begin. So thanks again.

[@willieburks7251]

Very helpful video. I’m new to running sound and was having problems with feedback. This video gave me a complete breakdown on how to use a mixer proper. The unity levels on the slides helped me out a lot. Something I didn’t know.

[@1flat1sharp47]

This is quite possibly the best mixing console instruction I have ever seen. Thank you!

[@vickigsolomon1241]

Outstanding! I wish I had found this channel BEFORE our performance. I rented a mixer because I've only got a 2-channel input on my DAI. I didn't quite know enough to make things sound good.

[@djmarie2058]

Thanks Kyle I was going to invest over $400 for a pre-amp/mixer etc. I need to first begin by using the correct balanced cables to reduce noise...a simple fix! Thanks very much.

[@JD-kf2nz]

You are a very small channel on KZbin but one of the best. Seriously quality videos here mate.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, JD! I’d be very grateful if you’d help spread the word about the Audio University channel!

[@jakobole]

Im an old fart, so I know all of this - still, it was a damn good video for beginners. And nicely cut, worded and produced. Kudos! I will recommend this to any newcommer.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thank you!

[@luisrubio416]

My first language is not English but I can understand you really good and I'm learning a lot thanks you and God bless you

[@sampsonaborah1190]

You’re really organized bro. Beautiful presentation... thanks for sharing

[@lifeinthevillage2494]

Love your teaching. Very clear and understood. Thankyou.

[@DannySKesapathy]

You are an outstanding teacher without a doubt>

[@RavirajaShetty]

Great presentation.... Very clear & straight to the point.... 👌👌👌👏👏👏 An unique & worthy channel for any audiophile. Thank you Mr. AudioUniversity...👍😊

[@AudioUniversity]

Thank you!

[@jza84]

This video is a great example of how a professional tutorial is done... Clear, concise, easy to follow and with no distracting background music! Really good. Thank you.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, J! Glad it’s helpful!

[@nilsandersson4654]

great video! I know most of this stuff, but needed to know how direct outputs and inserts behave, and found it right away :) ima recommend this to anyone who needs to know how to deal with a live board.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks! Glad to hear that!

[@jasminer4859]

This is a really great resource for me. Thank you!

[@AudioUniversity]

I'm glad it's helpful to you, Jasmine! Thanks for watching!

[@iAccoustic]

This video is pretty cool, and useful, highly recommend!

[@greenpea9412]

These are so good. You crush these tutorials.

[@chuckschaible5410]

Excellent presentation, very informative and professional...keep on rockin, Man excellent commentary

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Chuck!

[@leonbanks719]

Dude! Your channel is so awesome.

[@sushantabiswal1644]

Hello sir ,your tutorial is best, knowledgeable.Thank you sir.

[@denisbrazeau5031]

Informative video very well explained. Thanks!

[@maEsxczint]

Thank you for this. I really learned a lot!!! GOD bless you!

[@jr.rasentertainment4074]

Thanks for the information. Watching all the way from Vanuatu 😁😀👍🔥🔥🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺

[@jopavelozo]

Great video. I hope you can post more like this one. Thank you!

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Jopa! What other topics would you like to see me cover?

[@sandahamwinston]

THANK YOU for your wonderful service on teaching us.. LIKE to get more knowledge on this subject..

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for watching!

[@anthonyjourneymusic]

It would also be helpful to do a feature on digital mixers as this is where the live sound industry is moving toward.

[@mariabr8954]

So wonderful. 🙏 thank you

[@Frumess]

Thank you for this!!!

[@xelmotivation]

For years I thought Alchemist was a mute yet this was pretty good.

[@norbertmuyale28]

Thanks alot for the knowledge

[@BOBOUDA]

Thanks for all your vids, I got some good basics out of them.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad you like them! Thanks for your support, BOBOUDA!

[@szfpro]

This video is pretty damn good. Thank you Kyle. This is extremely informative. Whoever disliked this video must be a serious hater.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Sam. I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@AndrewCCM]

Loving my Soundcraft GB8 48ch console for hybrid mixing. Crazy price I got it for from a church.

[@petenztube8592]

Ooh, I just learned some things, thanks! :-)

[@LymanMilanoX1]

Cool.. thx for sharing this video....

[@GeoZero]

Very clear and concise video. On the Allen & Heath mixers (larger GL2400, GL2800, etc) you have to open the chassis to get to the direct out jumpers otherwise the faders will not change volume on the board in a recording situation per channel. I think that is a huge issue with their mixers and not something I had using say a Soundcraft LX7. I realize that they were designed primarily for live applications and live recording, but adding a button per channel would sure have helped. :)

[@TomCee53]

You’ve done a good job of explaining this mixer. It was a little quick, and you might have rushed though the terminology, but that’s just my opinion. The only technical comment I have is on your description of logarithmic scale on the faders. The reason for logarithmic vs linear is that our ears work in a logarithmic manner, meaning that from a dB standpoint, each dB of change sounds the same to us. The apparent change from -10 to -9 is the same as 1 to 2.

[@JUSTO33344]

I was about to comment about the same thing but your words describe it perfectly lol

[@simon-d-m]

That is true but irrelevant in this context. He is spot-on about working faders as close to "normal stop" (unity gain) as possible. Whenever I see a 1/3-open fader at a gig, I know the mixer hasn't got full control of the mix. It's very common and also indicates either ignorance or poor training. There is an idea called the "straight-line balance", meaning that when the balance is right to the ear, all the faders line up across the mixer, at normal-stop. Obviously you never "set and forget" but adjust all the time, but I worked with many superb mixers (people!) down the years, and the very best aimed for this. The other thing is that many desks (and mic inputs to other stuff) have gain in steps, not continuously variable ("thinking of you, Neve!), so you cannot mix on the gain presets, and they can also be a pain when setting up stereo pairs.

[@oliviersadoulet337]

dB is already a logarithmic scale, the reason faders aren't linears is you can't have 3 meters long faders.

[@thilinaalagiyawanna3680]

Thank You very much

[@nikkic36]

I can do it but certainly can’t really describe what or how I do it. Thank you for this

[@KainyStyle]

4 years ago, when I started I was in a full panic mode and couldn't find anything useful to help me understand the sound better, having these videos would be awesome, but now it's also pretty cool to watch them to make sure I'm not being dumb somewhere, thanks!

[@arstudioproductions9263]

Thank you lot brother

[@timzo5313]

Very informative thank you I am a front of house engineer as well as studio but now this boosts my confidence to set up pa's.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to hear that! Thanks for watching!

[@meestuinier4486]

I'm managing a big project for my school (we have a night in which all bands perform). This video is helping me out a lot! You're a talented teacher

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help, Mees! Thanks for watching.

[@cyrillambert76]

Excellent video!!! I'm glad I found your channel. I definitely gonna learn more. Very little out there that can teach and explain things properly.

[@steveprudell9976]

Such a pro great "Steve jobs" son in law bought me one this is the one.

[@pcpanikMusik]

I'm not convinced about the way to set the gain post fader at 0db. The advantage of having the faders at 0db and avoiding the logarithmic in the lower segment is of course an approach that may make sense with older analogue mixers or those with extremely poor preamps to keep the level lower. In my opinion, however, this is no longer a problem with modern and digital mixers. There may be microphones with a lot of inherent noise that you don't want to use at high gain. But then I would reconsider their use if I had to use them in an area that is not optimal. The way I've learned is to turn the channel PFL on and then adjust the channel's gain so that the signal is clean and clear around -12db to -6db levels and allow for enough headroom to get the most out of the preamp. In the meantime, you can briefly check the signal via the fader to see if it sounds good. However, the goal is not 0 db of the fader, but an optimally used preamp that delivers its best performance in the range about -12db. If you adjust the volume of the gain post fader, it can happen that the signal via the direct out is too quiet and the signal has to be increased, especially in post-processing and recording, which leads to more noise. In addition, the signal runs through the entire chain of EQs, which is also unsuitable for leveling.

[@melisseson]

I think you are right 👍🏻

[@oliviersadoulet337]

not sure where the 0 dB comes from honestly, usually gain needs to be around -18dB when handling lot of channels, you can of course adapt that depending on the number of chans but the theory is 64 chan at -18dB is a 0dB master (leaving way enough headroom out of gigantic setups i never saw).

[@SeanMcAnarney]

Thank you! Just volunteered for AV guy at my church... I know your teaching will be a massive help to me / my little church.

[@dnlbeture1]

Its wonderful ,from Africa Ethiopia

[@satyamsatyamanchim8182]

Hai sir If possible in telugu

[@createataco2076]

Great video, extremely helpful and informative. One thing that could be better is the picture and image quality of the mixer here and on your website. With most still images, you can't read the text on the mixer.

[@llll-lk2mm]

This has made me feel better about my knowledge of mixers, hope I can hold my own whenever I get to see one!

[@haroldjohnson1451]

Fantastic will be watching more, just can't learn enough about mixing

[@junkawakami3193]

speaking of loudness, setting it up on the amplifier instead of cranking the master fader is gold!

[@DMSProduktions]

I always hated using A&H mixers if I was doing mixing gigs!

[@scoredkoi]

I accidentally hit dislike- but changed it- my bad I got fat fingers

[@leinexkeith291]

Great vid

[@kuya1M]

Thanks Kyle...i want to remix songs thanks to your cHannel

[@TheFendertak]

Kyle in all the years using mixers, I have not been using them correctly, by far the best tutorial I have seen and well explained, I have a question I hope you can help me with I'm using 2 powered desks one is the yamaha emx 5000 and the other is Allen and heath pa 12-cp, I want to bypass these mixer power amps use only the mixers and connect to my yamaha stagpas 1k powered speakers, can you tell me where I should be connecting to on my desks to correctly achieve this? thank you.

[@pikirantakbernama27272]

Watching this without like and subs is a SIN.

[@TheRsmith0118]

Wow! Welp ..I guess I've been doing it all wrong. LoL. I'm going to review and give myself a quiz

[@rocketrollsvlogs7625]

Great video. I've learned more in this one video than what I was able to pick up in 40 yrs. Seriously, I remember seeing Michael Jackson sitting at a mixer in the early 80's. Great work.

[@catchmypoint6756]

Your explanation is very good but there is a hissing noise coming in this video try to attenuate it bro

[@yahyazakria6023]

Appreciate the easy way of teaching. thanks a lot 🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@Nirolevy1]

"How to use a mixer" sounds quite entertaining - To increase volume push the fader up ! To decrease volume push the fadee down !

[@stephenudoh7333]

Noted and this is interesting

[@DanielSRosehill]

Fantastic info Kyle - thank you for sharing!

[@atsrikumar1307]

Thanks❤🌹🙏

[@RegalToneT]

You are very clear and concise with the information that you provided. I am laughing because to some people the mixing board can look rather intimidating..lol but you were able to break it down in a way that it’s simple to understand. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 great work from

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, @Regal Tone T! That’s what I like to hear!

[@RegalToneT]

@@AudioUniversity your welcome bro, you should become a teacher.

[@JaderVoiceMusicMinded]

Just applied to my 1st time using and operating this mixer... Thanks for the tutorials bro... 🎼

[@gazicj]

helpful, ty much

[@AudioUniversity]

You’re welcome, Free Hunter. Thanks!

[@utkalnetwork6060]

Please sir upload more video on your audio university youtube channel ...it is my favorite youtube channel ... Best audio engineer learn tutorial .. please sir upload mixing mastering video .. please sir please

[@AudioUniversity]

Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIDElaOPm62rf7M

[@RockVoice4Real]

I think when more new audio guys try mixers in their studios they will want to keep using them. The audio benefits are worth it.

[@AudioUniversity]

I agree! How do you use yours?

[@RockVoice4Real]

@@AudioUniversity I use my mixer as a summing board but I also use the aux sends to apply outboard FX I.e. reverbs and delays and also channel inserts to process outboard compressors, EQ and tube enhancers. Then I record that all back into the DAW as a stereo 2 track

[@robfriedrich2822]

I learned last time, how not to use 1) You doesn't need a master equalizer, you can fix everything with the 3 band channel EQ. Especially when using the cheapest PA speakers. 2) Always use a subwoofer, also when no one of the artists has some bass instruments. The cheaper the better, the best subwoofers give a boost about 130 Hz. 3) Let the subwoofer on, also when it causes low mid feedback. 4) Don't do soundcheck before the event starts, the audience loves the noises of feedback 5) Don't provide DI boxes or microphones for guitar amp, the artist has to provide a balanced signal. 6) Don't be the super hero, that knows all the skills. Act always, as would it be your first time you do it without advice from an experienced sound man.

[@train4905]

Absolutely awsome sir,thanku😊

[@harkityon5879]

I've watched alot of audio videos & yours are excellent.. Thanks..

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Harkit! I’m glad you think so!

[@lylewyant3356]

Good information. I have a Beringer Xenix 1204usb.... probably overkill for just me

[@eddted2876]

Love this video for a dummy like me!!!!

[@vinzanity68]

Great teaching skills, thanks!

[@inspiresmallbiz]

This tutorial was extremely helpful. Thank you for sharing your expertise!

[@Wagaxoxo]

Question… Will the signal that comes out of the direct outs be affected by the inserts or do the inserts count as “adjustments made on the mixer”?

[@AudioUniversity]

Direct outs are usually only affected by the preamp.

[@johnhefter3815]

Does it matter what input channel you plug into. I noticed you used 1 and 2 naturally but can you just plug into any channel? Any issues with random.

[@AudioUniversity]

No. Most channels work the same way, with the exception of line channels vs microphone channels.

[@OneroomBeatz]

Nice one, I'd like to see how you can use it in a DAW and also combine it with effects such as Compressors. I'd love to have some analog gear myself

[@emmahillstv]

Thanks I like learning new skills thanks for sharing this knowledge or skills

[@davidscanlan]

Awesome video! I always wondered how inserts worked... One comment, at 6:55. For studio mixing, I've always taken the opposite approach, where I keep the monitors at a higher volume and send less signal. I've found this gives less distortion since the speakers have all the power they need. It does probably mean a lower signal/noise ratio though.

[@oliviersadoulet337]

most "serious" analog amp work best at max power so it doesn't surprise me.

[@toutoutalt.3895]

That’s my first time hearing and watching your videos, I really appreciate the way you talk

[@chrisvega9606]

What if I don't have powdered monitors on stage only passive speakers, how would i then use the AUX sends?

[@AudioUniversity]

Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqWwgX5unLNmjpI

[@weldninja6922]

If a mixer has a lpf and hpf can i use this as a crossover? Or will i need a dedicated crossover for my subs and mains. I am using amps for my subs and my mains are self powered.

[@AudioUniversity]

That's a good question. It's possible to use an lpf and hpf to distribute high and low frequencies, but it's sometimes helpful to have the ability to delay the speakers so that they are phase aligned at the crossover region. Check out this video for more info: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4XSh2uHYrBradU

[@masirotechnical]

You re' with bright skills my brother you know how to do it

[@djkenjaspenofficial8374]

It's another very useful video sir 😊 thank you 😊

[@AudioUniversity]

I'm glad you like the video, Ken Jaspen Dela Cruz! Thanks for watching!

[@BenoyMathewsGeorge]

Excellent tutorial on Audio Mixing console. 👏🏼👏🏼

[@BryanBowser]

Nice tutorial for the most part. I'm no expert but isn't setting the gain a critical first step to getting a good signal that doesn't clip as opposed to 'hearing the signal in the speakers' ?

[@AudioUniversity]

You're right. Gain structure should be considered at every stage throughout the signal chain. Here are some videos that explain this concept in more detail: - Gain Staging Secrets Every Great Audio Engineer Understands!: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inSleayph7tnrNU - How To Set Up A Sound System For A Live Event [PA System Setup Tutorial]: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6fEkmeVbJVlm68 Hopefully those videos can help to explain my recommendation for setting gain based on what you're hearing in the speakers.

[@emilemoissinac8727]

Thanks for your very well planned explanation. Appreciate it very much.

[@GEMINDIGO]

Very helpful thanks Kyle! I love watching your videos because they are so clear and concise!

[@AudioUniversity]

Happy to help!

[@Seanalbertt]

6:40. Push back time. Gain stage shouldn’t be set based on how loud something needs to be in the mix. It’s quite important to set your gain stage correctly because the fader controls overall volume, and the gain knob controls the amount of electricity actually passing through the microphone, or DI. For example. The more you gain up a microphone the bigger you’re making the pickup pattern which can very easily induce feedback. If the gain is set correctly the mic is operating with a much smaller field of pickup thus making it easier to control the overall volume of the source in the mix, as well as eliminating needles background noise, and making feedback much easier to control.

[@Seanalbertt]

But other than that there is some very good information in this video.

[@AudioUniversity]

Hi Sean! Good to hear from you! I think the way that you and I set up gain structure is much more similar than it might appear. With the input fader and master fader at unity, setting the preamp gain based on how loud the source needs to be is a way to minimize noise and feedback potential. Of course, the assumption here is that the amplifier is set to the appropriate level and the amplifier/speakers are properly equipped to supply the SPL needed. In this video on PA system setup, I show the process I use to set this up: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6fEkmeVbJVlm68 I do need to push back on some things in your comment... First, the pickup pattern of the microphone is independent of the preamp gain setting. No matter how the preamp gain is set, the microphone will output the same signal to the preamp. Adding more gain to the signal does appear to extend the reach of the microphone pickup pattern, but that's just because the signal as a whole is amplified. The pickup pattern stays the same. Second, the gain knob doesn't affect the electricity passing through the microphone or DI. The microphone diaphragm oscillates with the sound pressure waves, which creates a mic level voltage on the microphone-side of the input transformer. On the preamp-side of the input transformer, that mic level signal can be amplified, but the signal from the microphone is exactly the same regardless of the gain setting. I think we agree that amplifying the microphone signal only as much as necessary will help to avoid clipping, minimize noise, and minimize harmonic distortion, while leaving headroom before feedback occurs. This concept is more thoroughly explained in this video on gain staging: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inSleayph7tnrNU

[@tjbonzo]

@@AudioUniversity you're assuming all PA speakers are active/amplilfied. What if you are using passive speakers. You have a choice of running the master fader at unity and lowering the preamp gain OR setting your preamp gain as recommended in most manuals (using the PFL and meter to get a max signal near 0db) and adjusting your master fader to control room volume. Is one method preferred over the other?

[@kaiheinonen9672]

@@AudioUniversity This does not work like that. First of all, this is more like audio grammar school or nursery level of stuff you are teaching. Albeit that - very well done, kudos to that. Your videos are good and you do present your subject really well. And I do believe your channel is really good for beginners in audio industry. But for preamp gain or gain staging - especially when you have analog MixWiz to show...Nope, not like that. In order to get healthy preamp signal you need to dial gain to clipping stage and then back some. To maximize sound to noize ratio. This is how analog mixers (like MixWiz) were designed for - even with low rail voltage. Then you can use your insert points and even D.O. to feed optimal signal to external recorders / processors. Same for pre-fade auxes... Does not make any sense to use preamp gain as a volume fader and then sacrifice all other processes downstream. Mixer faders are your volume. Not gain pot. With digital systems you have bigger operational window. But same thing applies - why not to get the best signal to noize ratio for your AD converters.

[@bradywilliams2951]

I'm so glad to see that I wasn't alone in my horror. You should never use the gain knob for 'volume adjustment'. The explanation of the channel strip layout and functions was great, but setting master and channel faders to unity and then adjusting channel volume with the gain knob is just a recipe for disaster.

[@stasazaryarozet]

Thank you much. I enjoy your delivery. Best wishes from the heart!