How to Mix on Stage
Live performances would be difficult to manage if there was no way to combine the different instruments into a single soundscape. Audio mixers act like an electronic conductor, combining the sounds of the various instruments into a single harmonious whole.
What's the Difference Between Digital and Analog Mixers?
As with almost all forms of audio technology, there are both analog and digital mixers. Both forms have their own benefits and the choice really depends on what you feel most comfortable with:
- Analog Mixers: The nice thing about using these mixers is that there's a direct relationship between every control and channel. Once you know your system you can see all the settings just by looking at the board and adjust them with the touch of a finger.
- Digital Mixers: Going digital means that you lose that direct connection between the channels but gain flexibility. You can program different mixes and then swap between them in seconds. This can be a huge advantage when you're mixing a concert and need to switch between the mix for the drum solo to the one for the guitar solo. You can even load different mixes on a USB stick and feed one to your console when you need it.
What Do You Want for Stage Performances?
Performers have different needs when they're up on stage than when they are recording in the studio, and this applies to the mixing console as well. Everyone needs features like an EQ and multi-track recording, as well as reverb, and even a fader; but there is more functionality involved than that:
- Recording Mixer: These mixers require enough inputs to handle all the different tracks you want to record as well as the ability to accept low level signals and then send them off to the preamp at line level.
- Performance Mixer: Most Yamaha performance mixers aim to not only provide signals to the musicians but also to provide a stereo signal to drive speakers for the audience. This is also why most also include an amp so that you don't have to add another stack of components to your setup every night.
Using a Mixer
The more you use a Yamaha mixer the more comfortable you get with it. One advantage of the studio is that you always get another try if you don't like the results of the first one, but that never happens on stage. When it's live, everything is happening in real time. You have to know your mixer, whether you're loading the right presets for the next song or moving all the sliders manually to ensure you have the perfect mix. In the end it's all about you, not your tools.