C o n s o l e s

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C o n s o l e s

• (Swell little helpers)

Neve Console at Ocean Way, Nashville
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Consoles are used in all three stages of
multi-track recording

• Tracking
• Initial recording of basic instruments
• Overdubbing
• Adding additional recorded tracks to existing
  recorded tracks
• Mixing
• Combining all of the recorded tracks into a final
  product (usually a stereo master)

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Multi-track Recording

• Developed and popularized by Les Paul in the
  1950s
• Allowed the recording of individual instruments
  on isolated tracks
• Necessitated a device to control the processes of
  amplifying, balancing, processing, and mixing
  incoming signals and then routing them to a
  destination

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3 BASIC CONSOLE SYSTEMS

• INPUT AMPLIFIES THE INCOMING SIGNAL AND ROUTES
  IT TO THE OUTPUT AND MONITOR SECTIONS
• OUTPUT ROUTES A SIGNAL TO A RECORDER OR MASTER
  CONTROL
• MONITOR CONTROLS WHAT IS HEARD FROM THE SPEAKERS
  AND THE HEADPHONES

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SIGNAL FLOW

• The path a signal takes to its destination

Start
Finish
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I/O MODULE

• SIGNAL FLOW FOR EACH INPUT OF A MODERN CONSOLE
  FOLLOWS VERTICALLY DOWN A PLUG-IN STRIP KNOWN AS
  AN INPUT-OUTPUT MODULE (I/0)
• The I/O MODULE CONTAINS MOST OF THE CIRCUITRY FOR
  EACH CHANNEL
• THE I/O CAN BE REMOVED FOR MAINTENANCE

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Console Signal Flow

• The signal first encounters the trim (a
  potentiometer) which allows the engineer to
  determine if all of the signals energy or just
  part of it is allowed to enter the input section

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Console Signal Flow

• Next, the signal is routed to a device that
  boosts the energy level of the incoming signal.
  This device is called a pre-amp.

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Console Signal Flow
Incoming signal levels are

• Line Level Higher in energy and comes from such
  sources as amplifiers, synthesizers, etc.

• Mic Level Lower in energy and comes from sources
  such as micro-phones (duh)

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Console Signal Flow
Pre-amp needs a device to control its output
level

• Potentiometer

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Console Signal Flow
After the signal leaves the Pre-amps
potentiometer it travels vertically to the

• EQ Section

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EQ Section
Alters the frequency/amplitude response pattern
Changes

• TIMBRE

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Equalization

• Bell Curve or Peaking Curve EQ

The process of modifying the frequency amplitude
response pattern by boosting or attenuating
individual frequencies
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Equalization

• Shelving EQ

The equalization curve flattens out onto a
plateau or a shelf
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Console Signal Flow

• Next, the signal is routed to a network that
  combines the signals. This network is called the
  bus.

This is where the signal which was previously
traveling vertically along each channel strip
(the I/O) now begins to travel horizontally
across the board
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Console Signal Flow

• Now the signal is routed in several possible
  directions.

One direction to a multi-track recorder Another
is to an auxiliary send or an insert point
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Auxiliary Send

• Aux send routes a signal to a processor (usually
  a reverb or delay unit)

Auxiliary Return

• Aux return brings the signal back to the console
  to a section labeled aux returns

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Insert Point

• An insert point is used to deliver a signal to a
  processor such as a compressor or an external
  equalizer or pre-amp and then return the signal
  to the exact point where is left the console

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Aux Send vs. Insert Point

• Any number of signals can be routed through an
  aux send, but an insert point can accommodate
  only one signal
• Aux returns are generally mixed with the original
  signals, while insert point signals replace the
  original

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Monitor System

• Controls what is heard from the speakers and
  headphones
• Allows us to hear signals that are processed
  without having to record those effects which, in
  turn, allows us to add all of our processing
  during the mixing stage

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Other Console Features

• Channel Assignment Section Allows a channel to
  be routed to any track of the multi-track
  recorder
• Solo a function which removes all other channels
  from the mix
• Mute a function which removes a single channel
  from the mix

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Other Console Features

• Pan Positions the sound in the right-left stereo
  mix
• Pad A function which lowers the energy level of
  a signal
• Talkback A function which allows those at the
  console to talk to those in the performance area

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Other Console Features

• Oscillator Tone generator for creating
  standardized tones
• Phantom Power A power generator that services
  capacitor mics
• Speaker Select A function which allows different
  sets of speakers to be used

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Other Console Features

• Meter Bridge The structure that holds the meters
• Cue Function that routes a signal from an input
  channel to the headphone system

A 32 x 8 x 24 console has 32 inputs 8
bus channels 24 outputs
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Meters measure the energy level of signals

• Meter Displays
• Needle
• LED
• Light
• Gas Plasma
• Etc.

• Metering Types
• VU
• Peak
• Peak Hold
• Headroom

VU Meters
Needle
LED
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Patch Bay A panel that contains a connector that
corresponds to the input and output of different
components in the control room

• Normal connections completely redirect the
  signal
• ½ Normal connections direct the signal along a
  secondary path but still maintain the original
  path

Break Normal - interrupting signal flow by
inserting a plug into a normal connection
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Console Automation

• Depended on the invention of the VCA
• Stores the voltage amounts from the VCA, and then
  during playback uses the stored numbers to
  control the VCA
• Modern automation can store virtually every
  parameter on the console
• Modern automation servo-driven or flying
  faders

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Console Automation

• Write Information is stored (in word processing
  corresponds to save)
• Read Information is retrieved (in word
  processing corresponds to open)
• Update Information is modified to include
  changes (in word processing corresponds to
  re-save)