Musical Skills!! 51The differences between recording consoles and mixing consoles have
narrowed. Channels can be assigned to tape recorders or digital audio
devices so that the material can be recorded or processed; although mixers
can be routed to recording devices, they are usually associated with live
sound reinforcement. Recording consoles and mixing consoles are manu-
factured in both computer-based software and hardware configurations.
Most engineer/programmers use a combination of the two. Consoles are
either analog, digital, or a combination of the two formats. Digital consoles
currently dominate the market and will continue to do so as technology
advances.
Digital recording consolesincorporate a computer and an interface;
they convert the analog signals into digital signals and route the signals
digitally. This enables an engineer to instantly recall the entire signal path
since the information has been stored in the computer or on a dedicated
hard drive. The most minute changes can be accomplished, saved, and
recalled without compromising the quality of the signal; there is no loss of
quality because it is digital. This process saves time and money. The digital
signal path also can sound cleaner (less distortion) than an analog signal
path.
Someanalog consolesare controlled digitally. The signal path is ana-
log, but all other parameters are controlled digitally. The signal path stays
in the analog domain in an analog console. Each time a mix is recalled, all
the parameters (EQ, the signal processing devices, and so on) have to be
set by hand, but the automation recalls the level changes.
Because audio technology has been moving at such a rapid pace, many
affordable digital consoles are available. Purists who do not like the sound
of digital use traditional analog consoles, but the majority of recording
will continue to be in the digital domain.
An instrument or voice might sound fine soloed but must be adjusted
when listening to a full mix. The recording or mixing console enables engi-
neers to equalize the sound of each track by cutting or boosting the fre-
quencies; this enables engineers to blend the instruments more effectively.
Channels enable input signals to enter the console.Recording and
mixing consoles have multiple channels. (The number of channels differs
between manufacturers and console models.) Microphone-level inputs
allow microphone signals to enter the signal path via XLP (three-pin)
cables or quarter-inch cables. Line-level inputs allow electric instruments,
such as an electric guitar, to enter the signal path via quarter-inch cables
or by routing the signal through devices such as a preamplifier. (The
instruments can also be inputted into a channel through other devices.)
The input levels are adjustable. Engineer/programmers must avoid distor-
tion that will occur if the input signal is too ‘‘hot’’ (loud).
Faderscontrol the volume levels (gain) of each track. (Faders are used
to adjust the levels of not only vocals and instruments but also signal pro-
cessors, groupings, and so on.) As previously discussed, in order to attain