Get the Right Mix

Digital mixers have been around since the late 80s but due to increased processing power and reduction of cost, they are now more popular than ever. With the myriad of latest and affordable digital mixers on the market, it’s easy to be overwhelmed with features, options and pricing and choosing the perfect digital mixer for your application can be a daunting task.

The advantages of a digital mixer over analog is due to their convenience, expandability, and resistance to noise. Enhanced versatility and functionality, the possibility of pre-setting or programming the mixer, saves time and effort. Wide range of built-in signal processing settings, do away with the need of purchasing dedicated signal processing equipment.

Digital mixers are often quite compact and portable, and easy to installation and configure. The possibility of expanding a sound system by connecting external devices to a digital audio mixer is immense.

Better Sound Quality
In every sound system, noise is lurking. Since digital audio is just zeroes and ones, underlying signals are less affected by noise. Digital excels in the ability to resist noise and signal degradation.

Recallable Settings
One of the main advantages of most digital mixers is their ability to be pre-programmed. On-board memory allows the user to set the mixer up, and then save the settings for future use.

Processing Power
DSP or Digital Signal Processing in Digital mixers process audio in real-time with useful tools such as delay, reverb, equalization, compression, limiting, gating, pitch and modulation effects, and de-essing on every input channel and often on every output channel as well. Software aids in additional processing and it is very flexible based on application. They also negate the need for external equipment such as compressors since everything is possible from within the console.DSP or Digital Signal Processing in Digital mixers process audio in real-time with useful tools such as delay, reverb, equalization, compression, limiting, gating, pitch and modulation effects, and de-essing on every input channel and often on every output channel as well. Software aids in additional processing and it is very flexible based on application. They also negate the need for external equipment such as compressors since everything is possible from within the console.

Room to Grow / Digital Snakes
Many digital mixers offer expansion capabilities such as the addition of digital I/O (USB, DANTE, etc.) for recording, or digital snakes. Dante (Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet) is a network protocol that delivers multi-channel, low-latency digital audio through an Ethernet cable.

Function Switching Controls
Since digital mixers are built on software, each button can change function based on the application. This makes it possible to pack lots of features into a board that might be the same size as its analog counterpart. This holds true for channels as well, which lends to a significantly smaller footprint. As with anything as complex as a mixer, the choice of which one to go for comes down to a variety of factors.

Channels and Inputs –
It is always better to get a mixer with more input channels to accommodate special occasions where extra inputs are needed and also allow for future expansion of the system.

EQs -
Most mixers have at least treble and bass EQ controls, and often midrange as well, so one can adjust the tone of each channel for clarity and fidelity.

Directs Outs/Inserts –
These are required for input channels to be routed to external processing gear or recording systems, or mixing input channels to the main mixer outputs.

Onboard Processors and Effects -
Mixers that have onboard effects conveniently add sonic effects like reverb and echo to enhance dry and lifeless sound without needing any extra outboard equipment or cables.

Buses and Routing -
This depends on the signal routing needs. While sending out monitor mixes, recording feeds, and external effects mixes, enough aux sends will be required to handle the demand.

I/O configuration -
For extra-fine control over an input channel, there's a feature to look for called "insertion" or "I/O" (for input/output). A 1/4" TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) jack provides a way to insert sound processing devices into a channel's signal flow.

iPad/remote mixing integration -
The majority of digital consoles now offer iPad remote mixing integration. But this requires careful planning at how it integrates, taking into consideration things like the need to add a host computer or a router, which will increase cost and complexity.

Personal monitoring options -
With the popularity of personal monitor mixing, it’s a good idea to find out options offered by digital console manufacturers, and also, to look at integrating third-party solutions.

Storage/recall/presets - Evaluate how the presets/snapshots work. Are they global, or can one recall individual channel settings separate from a global preset? There are several options of how this is done.

Recording – Considering what type of recording software is available is very vital. Recording multi-track or a USB option that allows recording stereo right to a USB drive are some of the must haves these days.

Digital mixers have no doubt changed the way shows and events are mixed today. With a large library of effects on hand, the sound quality is phenomenal. These are usually low maintenance and since they are software-based, firmware can be updated to fix bugs or add new features. With the ability to save and recall settings, digital mixers are rider friendly and great return on investment.