Multi-Track Mixers.
How to choose the most suitable multi-track mixer for your needs. What multi-track mixers do and how to use them. How to buy a multi-track mixer.
Multi-track mixers are designed for two main purposes. The most common purpose is to record and mix a recording in a “recording studio” environment. The second purpose is to mix multiple signals to send to the PA system for live use on stage. A powered mixer includes power amps for live use. Different types of audio mixer are designed for these two different purposes although there is not a huge difference. A DJ mixer is a lot more different and not very suitable for either recording or live use.
A multi-track mixer is an audio mixer designed to mix sound from a multi-track recorder, i.e. an audio recording device designed to record more than just a mono or stereo signal . . . a signal which has at least 3 separate tracks simultaneously. So the mixer will have more than three separate channels.
When choosing which one you need you first need to look at what multi-track audio recorder you are using, or intend to use, so you know how many channels you might want to record at once. One example is recording a band, where ideally each instrument would be recorded on a separate track. A drum set is ideally recorded with a different microphone for each drum, and a keyboard will typically have a stereo rather than mono output. So the mixer you choose needs to have at least as many channels as you will record simultaneously.
If the instruments all need to be recorded simultaneously, then you will need at least one microphone channel for each microphone or other low-level signal from the instruments. While a line-level signal such as keyboard can often be connected directly to the multi-track recorded, microphone signals typically need to be amplified by the mixer first. This also means that you need enough separate outputs for the signals. Outputs are usually provided by the “groups” on a mixer and one stereo group out can of course be used to output 2 separate mono signals using the pan settings on the channels.
Learn more about multi-track mixers. Stop by Thomas Goldman’s site where you can find out all about choosing and buying one, and how you can buy them from the most trusted seller on the internet at the best online prices.