Audio mixer facts for kids
An audio mixer is a special electronic device that helps you combine different sounds into one main sound. Imagine you have a microphone, a music player, and a computer all making noise. An audio mixer lets you control how loud each of these sounds is, and then mixes them together so they sound great as one. It's like being a DJ or a sound engineer!
Contents
How Audio Mixers Work
Audio mixers have many different parts that help you control sound. Each sound source, like a microphone or a music player, connects to its own "channel" on the mixer.
Controlling Your Sound
Every channel on a mixer has its own volume control. This lets you make each sound as loud or as quiet as you want. For example, you can make the singer's voice louder than the background music.
Besides individual volume controls, there's also a main volume control. This knob or slider changes the loudness of all the sounds together at the same time.
Some mixers also have an equalizer, often called an EQ. An equalizer lets you change the tone of a sound. You can make the sound brighter (more treble) or deeper (more bass). This helps make sure all the sounds blend well and sound clear.
Connecting Your Devices
Mixers can connect to many different sound sources. Common sources include:
- Microphones: For voices or instruments. Many mixers have special "pre-amplifiers" that boost the quiet signal from a microphone so it's strong enough to be mixed.
- Sound cards: From computers or other digital devices.
- CD players: For playing music.
Some inputs on a mixer are "balanced." This means they are designed to reduce unwanted noise or interference, making the sound clearer, especially over long cables.
Where Audio Mixers Are Used
Audio mixers are used in many places where sound needs to be controlled and combined.
- Radio and TV Studios: To mix voices, music, and sound effects for broadcasts.
- Live Music Shows: Sound engineers use mixers to control the sound for bands and performers in concerts.
- Recording Studios: To record and mix music, podcasts, or voice-overs.
- Home Studios: Many people use smaller mixers to create their own music or podcasts at home.
Images for kids
-
SSL SL9000J (72 channel) console at Cutting Room Recording Studio, NYC
-
An audio engineer adjusts a mixer while doing live sound for a band.
-
Yamaha 2403 audio mixing console in a 'live' mixing application
-
Program channels on a radio sound board
-
A sound engineer at the controls of a SSL9000J mixer
-
Digidesign's Venue Profile mixer on location at a corporate event. This digital mixer allows audio plug-ins from third-party vendors
-
16-channel mixing console with compact short-throw faders
-
A studio engineer at a Control 24 mixing surface
-
A small mixer that could be used for a singer-guitarist's performance at a small coffeehouse.
-
BBC Local Radio Mark III radio mixing desk
-
Allen & Heath Mixing desk for live performance
-
Mackie CR1604-VLZ mixing console in a home studio
-
Solid State Logic SL9064J
-
Solid State Logic SL4064G+
-
Focusrite Console 72 in 48 out with GML Fader Automation
-
Harrison SeriesTEN
-
Gecko Exodus Odyssey MXR 5204L
_@_The_Cutting_Room_Recording_Studios,_NYC.jpg)
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Mesa de mezclas de audio para niños
