Sound Board Basics: Parts of the Board

Overview of a Mackie SR 24 Soundboard, describing the basic layout of controls typically used in a live environment

[@Bonesie-37]

Had my theater director ask me to learn how to use a soundboard as she wants me to start learning it. This really helped me with the basics of it, great video!

[@norahidvegi846]

This is awesome. I'm a complete beginner, never worked with any kind of soundboard, but always wondered about all the stuff that's going on here... So thank you!!!!!

[@AndrewBellous]

Glad it was helpful :)

[@comment2009]

The explanation is well presented. Having operated many analog and digital boards, I can say your explanation generically applies to most audio boards. Keep up the good work.

[@AndrewBellous]

Glad to hear it helped :)

[@DennisBuckley180]

Thanks Andrew...Best explanation, clear, consise, everyday language anyone can understand.

[@AndrewBellous]

Glad you think so :)

[@simiyutube]

Thanks Andrew. We use the Mackie SR32 VLZ Pro. I am not a sound engineer rather a computer engineer and lead the tech team that includes the sound desk. I've had to tinker with it when I can't get the help I need on the sound desk. Frustrating when I don't know what am doing. Your instructions break this down and give me the confidence I can make the most of this mixer. So thanks!

[@AndrewBellous]

Glad you found the videos helpful :)

[@f.w.1318]

Very nice break down, and educational wish I had this video in 1990, we had a very picky singer who always wanted to hear the full mix on stage, so aside from aux1 being send out for vocals on the floor wedges I used a submaster out, for keyboards, bass and guitar, especially in large venues, It made it really easy I could just hit submaster 4 on that channel and it was on his dedicated speaker

[@AndrewBellous]

Cool :)

[@bbbro34]

Very good explanation. I would like to add a tip. The Solo button is also really helpful for setting the gain level on any mic as when it's engaged on solo everything else is out of play; aux, eqs, faders, etc are taken out. That is, put the input mic(s) on solo and just adjust the gain (the first knob up top) to get a good level there. Hope that makes sense. It's a great way to start the inputs on mics, and then adjust the volume (faders), EQ, outboard effects from there...

[@AndrewBellous]

Good tip :)

[@LnJsmom]

Thank you. Trying to learn this myself and this was a nice clear understandable explanation of the board!

[@AndrewBellous]

Cool. Glad it helped :)

[@pennystocklocks]

Bruh mad respect for you. I can tell you are explaining it well, but I'm just stupid

[@AndrewBellous]

I'm sure the problem is with the explanation, these things are hard to explain well.

[@datguatboii]

Been looking to learn more about working soundboards, thanks for posting :)

[@AndrewBellous]

No worries!

[@glensnowdon1383]

Great video, i use what they call a "Gain Stage," you put the channel into PFL ,"SOLO" mode turn your trim knob to 12 o clock, bring the appropriate channel up to unity, then check your master VUs make sure they are running in unity 0db the green LEDs if not bring the trim knob down or turn up until they are and do this for every channel what's in use and you will eradicate 99% of THD, and and then switch back to AFL, on the "Mackie SR24-4 VLZ" its the solo/mute button, a very well in depth tutorial keep up the great work, FANTASTIC.

[@AndrewBellous]

Yes, thank you. I became aware of gain staging after this video was created. Much better approach, I agree.

[@glensnowdon1383]

@@AndrewBellous Hi Andrew, would love to see another video on using an effects unit on the Mackie SR 24-4-1, VLZ, me personally I use two Lexicon effect units and how I like to connect them is using channel 21-22 and 23-24 the two stereo channels, I would go in as mono from AUX 5 left channel on one unit and AUX 6 for the other unit on left channel, reason why drummers tend to have different effects to vocals so you can patch in the appropriate effects for one another and have full control over them, plus you've got FULL EQ on the effect through Front Of House and on stage monitors which is great !, I heard many bands using the Effect Returns, there is "NO EQ" and limited routing options plus the effects is still there on stage while tracking, "doesn't sound good and not professional, remember the is for live music, Keep up the good work, God Bless.

[@AndrewBellous]

@@glensnowdon1383 sorry, I no longer have access to that board. It belonged to a church I no longer work for.

[@Bane313]

As all the other comments say, this video is amazing. Saved me from purchasing a new soundboard. Ours was fine, just not set up properly!

[@joejnyc]

Thoughtfully and clearly explained.

[@AndrewBellous]

Glad you appreciated it

[@douglasrawe]

You dude are awesome. perfectly laid out teaching format

[@AndrewBellous]

Glad you think so :)

[@keonjones1763]

Thank you very much for you time in putting this video together!!! This Rocks!

[@lancefordable]

Nice video, after 7 years still informative and easy to understand... thanks for making it, much appreciated. I have 2 questions though... 1) what does the FLIP button near the top of the channel do ? 2) I have a headphone connected to the board during church services, how can I hear the music channel (while muted) and the microphones are in use by P&W members or the pastor ?

[@andree0101]

Second to none explanation Andrew, thank you.

[@AndrewBellous]

Glad it helped :)

[@phanessalaines1821]

You explained it very well, thank you very much, I've learned a lot!

[@AndrewBellous]

You're very welcome!

[@garrowe01]

very informative, thanks for such detailed explanation.

[@AndrewBellous]

Glad it helped you 🙂👍

[@michelevitarelli]

You explained this perfectly. Thank you.

[@AndrewBellous]

Cool. Thanks :)

[@sophiarodriguez1861]

Thank you very much!!! Very clear 😘

[@AndrewBellous]

You’re welcome 😊

[@braydenblankenship1432]

Gain isn't used for volume control. Gain is what we use to set levels. In other words, gain controls how much signal you are allowing to flow.

[@AndrewBellous]

Yes. That's correct. This video was recorded a long time ago, and there are a number of things that I would do differently if I were recording it today :)

[@randyfinchum4601]

Thank you for this....very informative!

[@AndrewBellous]

You are so welcome :)

[@vinozi]

Thank you, I’m in a extra-curricular that needs you to know about sound boards🙁

[@AndrewBellous]

Happy to help :)

[@charlescharamba1976]

Am your student, starting to learn, thank you for the clarity

[@AndrewBellous]

Glad this was useful to you :)

[@charlescharamba3016]

Andrew Bellous may I have an in depth tutorial that you may have on this and mixer, though I use a 48 channel one. I may also explain better through email if you can kindly avail address.

[@AndrewBellous]

@@charlescharamba3016 I no longer work at the church where I made this video, so I no longer have access to it. I'm sorry, but it would be hard to provide such a tutorial without access to the equipment.

[@charlescharamba3016]

Andrew Bellous All the same, I thank you for many reasons that include your humility, prompt response and the content in your tutorials. I will try to get as much knowledge as possible from the other three lectures on the mixer. The further info I wanted pertains to the connectivity of outboard gear that comprise a small presonus amp, compressed and effects processor.

[@AndrewBellous]

@@charlescharamba3016 you can email me and I'll do my best to help [e-mail].

[@PurplePenguinPowa]

Thank you!

[@Zam_Muan]

Thank you. I learned lot... : )

[@AndrewBellous]

Glad to hear it was helpful :)

[@josephmalecki8790]

Thanks!

[@AndrewBellous]

You're very welcome. Thanks for the tip :)

[@johnroseman9087]

Andrew: That was the best presentation I've seen to date. I know it was a beginner format, but that's what I needed. Now I need to set it up and go for it. I have a Mackie 1604VZL3. I just bought an IEM and want to know which input jack do I use, for me to hear through the (In-Ear-Monitors)? Also am I able to get a second , third or fouth pair of IEM's into the board? Thank you!✌♥️

[@AndrewBellous]

For IEMs, you want to have a signal coming from the board, not into the board. You would generally use an Aux output for that, and control the levels going from each channel to the Aux with the dials. It depends how many independent Aux outputs are available. If you're using one for recording or to send to another part of the building, you might run out of Auxes on an analog board pretty quick, but with a splitter you could easily send one signal to multiple units.

[@johnroseman9087]

@@AndrewBellous Andrew: Thanks. From the looks of your channel, you're way above my level but would love to chat. Im using this for gigs. The Mackie is very intimidating to me. Getting through Med School was easier than this stuff!! ✌👍🤣 What's the best way to chat. I don't have social media, but can use a friend who does to share contact info. Thanks so much. John

[@AndrewBellous]

@@johnroseman9087 Hi, John. This is a video that was made years ago while I was working for a church that had one. I no longer have access to the board and it would be difficult for me to give you specific advice. You can email me at [e-mail] and we can set up a quick chat via Zoom or whatever. If I can be of some help I'm happy to give a little of my time.

[@johnroseman9087]

@@AndrewBellous Thank you Andrew for the quick reply I really appreciate it ireally appreciate it I will be contacting you in the next week or so to get some information from you again thanks again pal

[@AndrewBellous]

@@johnroseman9087 I only check comments every few months ago, so you just happened to comment at the right time. Apparently I hadn't checked in for 6 months.

[@talongregory4375]

Does this board (Mackie SR24-4) have powered output? That is, does the output power speakers or do I need a power amp in between?

[@seriksson9721]

Very useful, thanks.

[@AndrewBellous]

Glad it was useful :)

[@CajunsYouTubeChannel]

thanks for the info

[@AndrewBellous]

No problem

[@auroratech97002]

my church has this board, I notice little if any change when i adjust the "gain" / "trim" to start my setup, is this normal?

[@AndrewBellous]

No, it isn't not normal that there's no change when you adjust the gain. There should be an increase in volume.

[@andrewdsouza16]

Thanks Andrew!

[@AndrewBellous]

You're welcome.

[@bboyacademy5221]

Do you know where the pads, potentiometer (pot), and the peak program meter is typically located for both analog and digital mixers? I saw a video on how important those controls are, but I don't have a mixer around me to find these controls. Thank you for this video, it is very helpful!

[@AndrewBellous]

Typically the pads and pots are right at the top of the channel strip, usually the first and second controls. The meters are usually at the right hand side, midway down.

[@relicreapers571]

very helpful thank you

[@AndrewBellous]

Glad to hear.

[@mattjwatson5089]

Nice job!

[@AndrewBellous]

Thanks :)

[@andrewpenter1858]

I have a Mackie 24.8 and my main slider and busses are not working the only way I get any sound is through the solo button being pressed, I don't know much about this board, any ideas how to get them to work. thank you for any help you can give me

[@AndrewBellous]

Sounds like you have some broken connections. I'd recommend taking it in for service if your Main and Bus faders aren't working.

[@royalgospeltv3074]

Hallo.. please I need your assistance on how to connect Mackie 24.4 to alesis 24bit

[@AndrewBellous]

I'm sorry, I don't have either of those devices. Would not know how to help.

[@STEVEFINNERTY]

GREAT.,,,thanks

[@AndrewBellous]

You are welcome.

[@zomb1334]

Hi... do you think it's worth buying a table like this today? My goal with her is to make some recordings of my band in my home studio, to be able to have a more analog sound.

[@AndrewBellous]

Depends on the price and condition of the board. These don't live forever, and if you're buying a used one, be sure to take wear and tear into account. But, not many buy them anymore, so if you can find someone upgrading, you might find a good deal.

[@llen376]

y la verdad que si sirve, gracias .

[@AndrewBellous]

Eres muy bienvenido

[@TheCandoheavy]

Thx!!!

[@AndrewBellous]

You're most welcome :)

[@pennystocklocks]

how do i get a wireless mic to work on this?

[@AndrewBellous]

You should be able to plug the output of your wireless mic receiver into a channel. I'm not sure I understand the question, sorry.

[@georgedamis2495]

Hi For some reason I only get sound or level from the right channel on my sr24/4. Any thoughts?

[@AndrewBellous]

That's not an easy problem to diagnose without more details, sorry. Sounds like you've got a short in your system, unless your PANs are all turned hard to the left???

[@georgedamis2495]

@@AndrewBellous thanks for your reply. I get a left and right out from the buses but not the main out. Just one channel. Mixer probably fried.

[@AndrewBellous]

@@georgedamis2495 seems likely.

[@joeward5535]

So helpful🤍🤍🤍

[@AndrewBellous]

So welcome :)

[@douglasrawe]

what is the difference between this board and the vlz pro ?

[@AndrewBellous]

I'm not familiar with the VLZ pro, but it seems like the main difference is an upgrade in the quality of preamps. The operation of the board shouldn't be any different, but it will have lower noise on long cable runs in the pro version.

[@thiscommentwasposted262]

I think I'll stick with the cowbell.

[@AndrewBellous]

Always more cowbell.