The traditional mixer forms a central hub for connections to and from all other equipment in the studio, and provides control over most parameters in a mix. For this reason, the mixer is generally regarded as the heart of the studio, and even though some musicians now favour mixing on a computer, many still do, and will always use the stand-alone mixing console. As with all equipment that has a software equivalent, the usual pros and cons apply - working ‘in the box’ is more cost effective and certainly more convenient, but the lack of a tactile control surface can leave musicians frustrated and uninspired.
In this guide we’ll concentrate on the functionality of hardware mixers, however due to the very nature of the software mixer being an imitation of its hardware equivalent, you should find the information contained useful in gaining a greater understanding of both. Of course, mixers are also an essential part of any live sound system, but again, the same principles still apply.
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