The mixing desk is the heart of any sound system. It controls every input and output of the system, and it’s where the sound engineer works their magic so everyone can hear the show clearly.

Depending the type and size of the show, the mixing desk may only need a few inputs from microphone or laptops, etc. For larger shows there may need to be thirty or more inputs into the mixer.

Digital vs Analogue Mixers

For most or our summer events we will use a 32 channel digital mixing desk. Fundamentally a digital mixer and analogue mixer will do the same job. The digital mixer will just have to convert the analogue signals from the microphones, etc, to a digital signal for internal processing, then back again to send the sound to the speakers. Digital mixers allow for a lot more processing and effects internally in the mixer. In the past, if you needed to process the different sounds, then you would have needed to bring additional processing units with you to every gig. This was heavy, time consuming, and needed a lot more cabling. Digital mixing desks, not only have this processing and more built -in, they also now have a lot of automation, that reduces the workload on the sound engineer.

Channels on a mixing desk

You will need a separate channel on the mixing desk for each microphone, direct instrument connection or playback device. This is important, so the sound engineer has fully control over every input to be able to get a balanced sound.
There are several main controls you will find on most digital and analogue mixers. These would be Gain, EQ, Aux Sends, panning and volume fader.