Consoles

Question 1

The Audio Console

Answer 1

Control center of the sound
system
✤ "The artist's palette"
✤ A good sound can be achieved
by plugging a microphone into a
pre-amp then sending the amplified signal into a tape recorder or power amplifier

Question 2

For modern recording/sound reinforcement applications there is a need for more flexability:

Answer 2

Control of volume, tone,
blending, and spatial positioning
✤ Control various inputs applied
by mics, line level sources and
tape recorders
✤ Combine the signals to
appropriate devices ( tape
recorders, signal processors, or
monitor amps) to be recorded or
heard

Question 3

Input

Answer 3

Input levels and signal processing, effect sends, routing of all input signals

Question 4

Output

Answer 4

Output levels and signal processing of combined input signals and effect returns

Question 5

Monitor

Answer 5

Control room and studio monitoring of console input and/or output signals

Question 6

Comminucation

Answer 6

Talkback to studio/ stage, slate-to-tape

Question 7

Meter

Answer 7

Visual indication of signal level

Question 8

Two Types of Consoles

Answer 8

Split console, In-Line

Question 9

Split Console

Answer 9

Input/output are individual as
well as the monitors
✤ Multitrack recording could make
the size of these consoles…huge

Question 10

In-line (input/output
module style)

Answer 10

✤ The input and output are in one linear module

✤ Monitoring for the I/O will also be found in the same module

Question 11

Channel Path

Answer 11

Path from mic/line switch to bus selector

Question 12

Monitor Path

Answer 12

From Bus/Tape switch through two-channel mixdown system

Question 13

Solo Modes

Answer 13

✤ The input and output are in one linear module

✤ Monitoring for the I/O will also be found in the same module

Question 14

Auxiliary

Answer 14

Any input/ monitor signal can be fed through the aux send
✤ The signals are summed at the master module
The signals are then sent to external device
✤The aux sends can be fed to headphones or stage monitors for studio/stage monitoring
✤ The cue system
✤ Signals can be picked up in many different points in the
signal path
✤ Pre/post channel
✤ Pre/post monitor

Question 15

Patchbay

Answer 15

✤ Allows for the interconnection between various pieces of equipment and the console
✤ Allows for the interconnection between various portions of the console itself
✤ Bypass faulty components
✤ Change signal path order
✤ When the signal between two jacks is connected directly to the other with no plug in either jack they are said to be normalled.

Question 16

Full-Normal

Answer 16

Both the output and input jacks will break the normal signal flow when a plug is inserted

Question 17

Half-Normal

Answer 17

Only when a plug is placed in the input jack will the normal signal flow be broken

Question 18

Recording Console Signal Flow (Input)

Answer 18

Source
                                 Pick Up
Phantom Power
Pad
Pre-Amp\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Line Amp
Mic Trim\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Line Trim
                  Phase Reversal
                         Filters
                   EQ/Dynamics
     AUX......................
                    Channel Fader
     AUX.....................            Direct--> (Multitrack)
                     Channel Pan
                     Bus Matrix------------> (Buss Trim)

Question 19

Recording Console Signal Flow (Monitor)

Answer 19

Monitor Amp
              EQ/Dynamics
Cue/Aux...........
              Monitor Fader
Aux....................
              Monitor Pan
  (Stereo Bus)

Question 20

Recording Console Signal Flow (Output)

Answer 20

Stereo Buss
Stereo Fader—–>(Monitor Select)

(Buss Matrix)—-> Buss Trim

Question 21

Sound Renforcement Reinforcement Console Signal Flow (Input)

Answer 21

Source
                                 Pick Up
Phantom Power
Pad
Pre-Amp\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Line Amp
Mic Trim\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Line Trim
                  Phase Reversal
                         Filters
                   EQ/Dynamics
     AUX......................
                    Channel Fader
     AUX.....................            Direct--> (Multitrack)
                     Channel Pan
                     Bus Matrix------------> (Buss Trim)

Question 22

Recording Console Signal Flow (Monitor)

Answer 22

(Stereo Bus)

Question 23

Recording Console Signal Flow (Output)

Answer 23

Stereo Buss
Stereo Fader—–>(Monitor Select)

(Buss Matrix)—-> Buss Trim

Question 24

Pad

Answer 24

Before the preamp, typically 20-30dB of fixed attenuation

Question 25

Phantom Power (48 VDC)

Answer 25

Condenser microphones require external powering to charge the plates of the diaphragm and to power the pre-amplifer

Question 26

Gain Trim

Answer 26

Typical mic trim is +20-+70dB

Typical line range is 20-30

Question 27

Channel Buses (ACN Active Combining Network)

Answer 27

Many input signals may be routed to the same buss

One input signal can be routed to the same buss

Question 28

Direct Routing

Answer 28

Can bypass busess