Mixers

Mixers are the control centre of every PA-system. Here is where all signals run together, are arranged and sent back through the different outputs either to the active cross-over network or straight to the amplifier. The most important features for a (live-)mixer are the clear arrangement, the required number of input-channels, the largest possible number of output-channels and a solid mechanical construction, so that the equipment can be transported from one gig to another without being damaged - and this every week-end or more often. Of cousre, you´ll need the electromagnetic components like a fader, potis, controllers etc. Alongside table panels, 19" rack-mixers are also applied.

Digitality is vastly on the march! If the analogue representitives (Yamaha MG-series, Behringer Xenyx) of the lower price catagories can hold their ground against their digital competitors due to their price structure and simple serviceability, then the decision in the pro-audio-sector and in the mid-price segment towards digitality has already be taken. Especially the saveability of all settings (total recall) concerning recurring events (cover- or top-40-bands) have considerable advantages. With the mixers 01V 96 & LS-9 Yamaha has set a standard which can only be challenged hesitently by equal alternatives (Roland M-400, Tascam DM-4800).

No matter how good the full operation of digital consoles are concerning their instrumentation, in the semi-pro-area analogue mixers (e.g. Allen & Heath ML-series, Soundcraft GB-series) are one step ahead when operator convenience is concerned. A combination of digital signal processing and intuitive operating can only be found in the profi-league of digital consoles (Yamaha M7-CL, PM-series, Digico D-series). Yet, it´s only a matter of time until the inexpensive digital consoles will offer convenient operating systems.

In this regard, the classical analouge multicore will become a burden of the past in the next few years. Once you have reached the digital level, unneccessary analogue/digital-conversions should be avoided. Therefore digital multicore-systems can be considered as a logical and consequent addition to a digital mixer. Even if the first digi-cores were meant for the profi-league due to their price category (optocore), by this time the first affordable digi-cores are on the market (Roland Digital RSS Snake, Mackie DS-3232). Sharp weight advantages (most digital consoles need CAT5-cabels for signal channeling) and practically no interspersion at all when connected to the stage are only two reasons that argue for mulicore-systems.