Insert jacks are used to connect the channel to an effects device, such as an EQ, compressor or reverb. On any stereo channel strips, there’ll be a line input for both left and right sound sources. Guitars don’t sound great this way, but your average external sound source will sound fine, and often bass is cleaner this way than through an amp. This is where line inputs such as CD players, bass guitars, and (less frequently) guitars are plugged in. Signals that are coming in through this input are generally mic level inputs (remember this as it will be important later). This is where your microphone lead connects to the mixer. Keep the image open beside this tutorial and we’ll go through each element of the strip as numbered.

Here’s an image of a Yamaha mixer’s channel strip.

Then we’ll take a look at how you about setting up your mixer for a gig. We’re going to look at the channel strip in detail, followed by the master controls. That’s because those strips of buttons and dials are all pretty much identical to those surrounding them - there’s just one for every input you can jack into the mixer. Instead of having to learn 16 or 24 columns full of controls, you really only need to learn one (plus some master controls). The mixer has plenty of controls on it that can make it look rather intimidating, but there’s no reason to feel this way. It’s quite a bit different to the mixer in Logic and Pro Tools.ĭue its vast array of controls, many find it intimidating, but it’s really nothing to be scared of. One thing that’s stopping more artists from taking this step is their fear of the big fancy mixer. After all, no matter how many tracks you record in a studio or at home, nobody will know who you are until you get out there and play for someone. We don’t do a lot on live sound at Audiotuts+, but it’s an essential area of knowledge every musician should have.

How to change your picture on mixer