Author: user

Our sound mixer is a Yamaha MC1602 it has 16 channels which means that it can mix the sound of 16 different input devices together to send through the amplifiers and out the speakers.

Who is the maker of our sound board?
How many inputs can we mix together with our soundboard?
Name the three pieces you need with the wirerless microphone?

How to use an audio mixer (soundboard)

step 1Channels

step 2From the top: Gain

What is the strip of knobs and the fader called?
Where does the signal come from to the channels?
Where is the gain located?
What does the gain do?
What type of control is the fader?

step 3EQ: Equalization

step 4Auxiliary outputs (Auxes)

step 5 Faders

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Name the 3 main frequencies controlled by the EQ?
What would be a good use for the Auxiliary outputs?
Can you adjust each channel of the Auxiliary output?
How many Auxiliary outputs are on our soundboard?
On the graphic representation of the back of the soundboard what number indicates where the Auxiliary output located?

Types of microphone
1: Dynamic microphone
Dynamic microphones are one of the simplest and most rugged of microphone designs.
Common uses: Microphones for Individual singers, speakers or instruments
2: Condenser microphone or Choir Microphone
Condensers are used by us in plays and Choir productions where it is needed to pick up sounds from large groups and people far away from the microphone.
Disadvantage: they require power so you need to flip the phantom power located on the back of the sound board.
3: USB microphone
USB microphones are used to record voiceovers, podcast, and of course playing Rockband and other singing games.
Røde Podcaster USB microphone
4: Lavalier microphone
The term “lavalier” refers to a miniature and usually body-worn microphone. Lavaliers can be of condenser or dynamic types, and often come paired with a beltpack to transmit the signal wirelessly.
Common uses: Television interviews, lectures, seminars etc
Advantages: Small size, clip-on.
Lavalier microphoneSome common terminology
Terms to know
Lavalier– small microphone that clips on a person
Diaphragm– Thin layer that turns sound vibration into electric signals
Phantom power– Power for condenser/choir microphones
Microphone Stand– Metal stand used to hold microphone at different heights.
Boom Mic Stand– Metal stand used to extend microphones over things.
XLR - 3 pin microphone connection
Microphone care
Remember that all microphone have a very thin Diaphragm that make the sound so you should not tap, yell, hit, or drop a microphone even if turned off.
Connection
Almost all microphones will terminate in one of two connection types:
XLR
The most common connector for professional microphones is the XLR connector.
Jacks 2.5, 3.5, 1/4”
Single pin connectors with rings that separate internal connections for mono and stereo
Used for loud speakers, general audio, head phones, ipod and mp3 players.

Amplifier - an electrical circuit designed to increase the current or voltage of an applied signal.

What is the main type of microphone connection we use?
What type of connection would we use for an MP3 player?
What do the lines on a jack plug tell you?
What are some of the things to not do to a microphone?

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Stereo Main output to the ampifiers. This is the master on the front, we only use one side.
Auxiliary outputs
ON / OFF switch
Phantom Power
9. General input both XLR connections and 1/4” Jack Connections

For those of you who are new to audio, equalization refers to the control (boosting, cutting) of certain frequencies (IE. Low, mid, high) to achieve a better sound or to eliminate feedback or unwanted noises. The EQ section of most mixers will be located right under the gain control, and can consist of anything from 1 to 13+ knobs. We have 4 knob for the EQ.

On any good size mixer there will be a knob at the very top (first one in the strip) labeled "Gain" Put simply, the gain knob sets the "input volume." Think of a water faucet: a full water "signal" comes in through the pipe (input cord), and the faucet itself (gain control) sort of limits the amount coming into the sink (mixer).

The most important aspect of understanding mixers is understanding the channels. On almost all consoles, the channels are laid out in strips; the signal comes in physically through the back of the device, then passes through that channel's various controls from top to bottom, with the gain at the top and the fader at the bottom.

Auxiliary outputs, or auxes, are incredibly useful tools. If you can, picture the signal coming into the mixer, going through the gain and the EQ, then hitting an aux knob. That knob controls how much of that signal from that channel gets sent into the aux out. On this board there are 3 aux outputs, thus 3 aux knobs on each channel. Each row of aux knobs controls the level of all the channels in its auxiliary output. Example: The most common use for auxes is stage monitors.
The Auxiliary outputs on our board are labeled # 2 below.

The fader is used to set the volume of that channel's signal in the mix. It is the most basic component in any channel strip. Faders are essentially volume sliders.