I've been tinkering with electronics ever since I was a kid - starting with taking apart and putting back together televisions and radios. I always got them back together again and working. I took courses in radio and electronics as a teenager, and became a ham radio operator. I worked in my high school's stage crew, running sound, lights, and a movie projector. After college, I joined a rock 'n roll band as the soundman and learned how to lug around and operate the gear that helps make music sound good and loud.
Working in a music store in Austin, Texas, I spent a few years manufacturing, installing, repairing, and operating sound systems. Our customers were recording studios, nightclubs, and touring bands. Eventually I moved back to Charlottesville, Virginia and opened a small demo recording studio. In 2006, I finally came to my senses and got this job at Crutchfield. They actually pay me to ramble on, rant, and explain the things I love about music, electronics, and getting good sound.
Please,put in file name,the name of car for witch is this set. Turbo Flutter Sound I would like to share my sound mod of realistic Turbo Flutter sound that I have made for LFS. It is very clean and HQ sound, so if you have any critism about it, just tell.
Given my background, they put me to work writing about some of the most complex electronic products Crutchfield sells: car amplifiers, digital signal processors, wiring, professional sound mixers, and PA systems.
More about Buck
More from Buck Pomerantz
What does a mixer do?
A mixer blends the audio signals coming from microphones and musical instruments. It then sends a combined and polished output signal on to loudspeakers or a recording system.
In this basic PA system, sound flows from microphones and instruments to a mixer, then on to powered speakers.
Each of the three types of mixers — analog, powered analog, and digital — has its pros and cons. This article will help you choose the right mixer for your purposes.
Analog mixers
Analog mixers are great for live sound, and often for recording as well.
Each control on an analog mixer performs a single function. You can see at a glance exactly what the mixer's doing and make quick adjustments.
Analog mixers cost less than digital models, but they lack the automation and programmability you might need for complex shows and recordings. And there’s no wireless remote control — the operator has to be at the board.
Analog mixers have fewer onboard audio effects than digital mixers. You'll have to buy extra outboard equipment to get advanced effects.
Yamaha MG16XU 16-channel mixer features onboard effects and USB output.
Powered mixers
A powered mixer is an analog mixer with built-in amplification. Powered mixers are compact, portable, and easy to set up and take down. They work with non-powered PA speakers.
Most powered mixers have two amp channels. They can power two main speakers or one main speaker and one monitor. (A monitor is an onstage speaker aimed so the performers can hear themselves.)
Powered mixers usually feature line-level outputs so you can expand a system by adding powered PA speakers and monitors. With a powered mixer, you don’t have to carry around separate amps. But you don't get a lot of features or output power.
Behringer's PMP2000D powered mixer features 9-band graphic equalizers for the main and monitor outputs.
Digital mixers
Digital mixers offer a wide range of control capabilities. You can save and recall setups, which is a big time-saver for bands that play the same rooms on a regular basis. This is also great for making quick scene-by-scene changes during theatrical productions.
A QSC TouchMix-16 digital mixer hard at work with two remote pads.
Some digital mixers feature wireless remote control. You can walk around a room while mixing on your smartphone or tablet, making sure the music sounds good everywhere. It’s much more awkward to mix from the audience with an analog mixer because you also need to use an expensive and heavy multi-channel extension cable called a snake.
With a digital mixer, you can apply more than one audio effect to every channel. You won’t have to invest in outboard effects units.
Making quick changes with a digital mixer can sometimes be a challenge. You may have to use a touchscreen to dig through a menu before making an adjustment. And to change two or more settings at the same time, you have to pre-program the changes.
How will you use your mixer?
Before looking through a random selection of mixers, consider how you intend to use one.
Beginners
Just getting started? Consider a live sound bundle, which will include all the electronic components, cables, and hardware you’ll need. These packaged PA systems usually feature powered mixers and are simple to set up and operate.
Our Coffeehouse PA bundle: everything you need to start travelling the road to stardom.
Acoustic musicians
A powered mixer will work well for a soloist or small acoustic act. The compact size and modest output of most powered mixers make getting one a good choice for playing in coffeehouses, classrooms, and other small spaces.
Yamaha STAGEPAS 400BT portable PA works great for a solo act.
Portable PA for school, church, and business events
A powered mixer will also work in a portable system used for events in small auditoriums and meeting rooms. But a PA system for a single microphone doesn't need a mixer. You can plug a microphone directly into a powered speaker for a complete and compact PA.
A small analog mixer running a powered PA speaker will give you more options for your presentations.
Rock band
A band should look for a mixer with at least enough input channels for every member of the band. It should also have enough auxiliary outputs for the number of monitor mixes the band wants.
An analog mixer with onboard digital effects like reverb and delay works for a lot of bands. With a digital mixer, you can store and recall settings, saving a lot of time during set-up and sound-check.
Even if you're just practicing in the basement, a mixer comes in handy to keep all the sounds organized.
Permanent PA system for church, club, or theater
For permanent installations, look for a mixing console that performs the most functions and has the most inputs and outputs you can afford. More than one operator will use the system, so choosing a mixer with the simplest, most intuitive controls will be helpful.
Example of a large mixing console for a church PA.
Recording studio
For recording, the mixer's output goes to your computer running DAW (digital audio workstation) software. Some analog mixers have digital outputs, so you can use them in the studio. With a digital mixer, you can set levels and route signals with both the DAW software and the physical controls on the console.
Radio, podcast, voice-over, and narration
For broadcasting voices and background music, you'll need a small mixer with a digital output so you can stream or upload your mix to your network.
What to look forFree Sound Remixer DownloadThe number of input and output channels
Consider choosing a mixer with more inputs than you think you'll need. This will allow for future system expansion.
Does your band need several different monitor mixes onstage? Then your mixer should have several monitor/auxiliary outputs.
Mackie 1402-VLZ4 14-channel mixer.
Common features
Handy features to look for
Digital features
Ready to shop?Song Remixer
Check out our entire selection of live sound mixers at crutchfield.com/mixers.
For expert one-on-one advice, call, chat, or email us today. To talk directly with a Pro Audio specialist, call 1-800-555-9369. Free lifetime tech support is included with your Crutchfield purchase.
Want to learn more?
Watch this How to use a mixing board video for more details about mixers. If you want to learn more about PA equipment in general, check out our Introduction to live sound equipment.
Some of our other pro audio buying guides feature:
Best Sellers in Audio Mixers
Music Remixer Free Download
Lfs Car Sound Remixer Download Free![]()
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