C o n s o l e s

1. C o n s o l e s (Swell little helpers) Neve Console at Ocean Way, Nashville

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. SIGNAL FLOW The path a signal takes to its destination Start Finish

6. 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

7. Console Signal Flow • The signal first encounters the trim (a potentiometer) which allows the engineer to determine if all of the signal’s energy or just part of it is allowed to enter the input section

8. 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.

9. 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) Console Signal Flow Incoming signal levels are:

10. Potentiometer Console Signal Flow Pre-amp needs a device to control its output level:

11. EQ Section Console Signal Flow After the signal leaves the Pre-amp’s potentiometer it travels vertically to the:

12. TIMBRE EQ Section Alters the frequency/amplitude response pattern Changes

13. Equalization Bell Curve or Peaking Curve EQ The process of modifying the frequency amplitude response pattern by boosting or attenuating individual frequencies

14. Equalization Shelving EQ The equalization curve flattens out onto a plateau or a “shelf”

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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”

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. Meter Displays Needle LED Light Gas Plasma Etc. Metering Types VU Peak Peak & Hold Headroom Meters measure the energy level of signals VU Meters Needle LED

26. 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

27. 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”

28. 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”)