Operating the Audio Mixer, A Beginning Sound Engineer Course

Learn to Mix Live Sound

4.50 (261 reviews)
Udemy
platform
English
language
Production
category
instructor
892
students
34 mins
content
Jun 2018
last update
$39.99
regular price

What you will learn

You will be able to operate a small to medium-sized mixing board.

Description

This course provides a no-nonsense approach for beginning audio engineers, allowing them to quickly learn to operate a professional  audio mixer. The course  is great for all beginning band, venue and  church sound engineers and it covers all of the basic features of mixing  boards and exactly how to implement them. There is no filler in this  course. Every minute is packed full of valuable information.

This course focuses on using analog mixing consoles in live sound applications. It is beneficial  for a beginning sound engineer to learn to use an analog mixer before applying  that knowledge to digital mixer operation because digital mixers are  primarily based on the emulation of analog controls. 

When you complete this course, you will know the basic workings of operating an analog audio mixer. In the future, if you decide to pursue either digital mixer operation or computer recording using programs like Pro Tools and Logic, this knowledge will give you a head start. It will help you learn those platforms much quicker as well.

The first three video lectures explain each component of a mixing board (control knobs, faders, buttons, etc.). The next three lectures show you exactly how to use those components. The final lecture shows you how to sound check a band from start to finish.

The information in this course is applicable to all manufacturers'  mixing boards. Every mixer has a few unique features and the labeling  varies a bit by the designer (we cover that). However, all analog mixers  primarily work in the same way.

Videos segments include:

  • Types of mixers

  • Basic signal flow of a sound system

  • Gain control

  • Equalizers

  • Auxiliary Sends

  • Groups (or Submixes)

  • Phantom power

  • Other features

  • Setting the gain controls

  • Using equalizers

  • Using groups (or submixes)

  • Setting the stage monitors and/or in-ear monitors

  • Using effects

  • Compressors and limiters 

  • Connecting devices using inserts

  • Controlling feedback

  • How to sound check a band

Content

Introduction

Introduction: A Quick Overview of Mixers
Mixer Controls Part One
Mixer Controls Part Two
Mixing Procedures Part One
Mixing Procedures Part Three
Mixing Procedures Part Two
The Sound Check

Screenshots

Operating the Audio Mixer, A Beginning Sound Engineer Course - Screenshot_01Operating the Audio Mixer, A Beginning Sound Engineer Course - Screenshot_02Operating the Audio Mixer, A Beginning Sound Engineer Course - Screenshot_03Operating the Audio Mixer, A Beginning Sound Engineer Course - Screenshot_04

Reviews

Daniel
January 11, 2023
Very clear, concise, and well broken up into digestible chunks. Most of my limited experience has been with a digital board so having aspects of the analog board so thoroughly covered gave me a greater understanding of some of the options on the analog board that I did not fully understand due to different options/labels in the digital environment. Very good course overall and I will be suggesting it to others I know would like an introduction to these topics. Only critiques are that: -I'd have liked to see a few terms defined such as the wet/dry signal. -A bit of explanation on the different reverb types when discussing effects. Such as why you selected that specific reverb type for the example venue. -Some examples of non phantom power mics. -Coverage of what to do when you have a mixture of phantom and non phantom power devices but a board that only has a blanket on/off switch for phantom power.
Juanita
October 23, 2022
This has explained so much to me! I loved the process - clean and easy to understand, and very good detail about feedback. I have now more confidence heading in to the soundboard and being able to start the process of getting good sound.
Sarvotham
September 13, 2022
I wish there would be simple explanation for basic terminologies: EG "auxiliary" what is auxiliary? Explain "frequencies" Low mid high??? This is a "beginner sound engineer Course" I am a beginner. Do not assume that I am familiar with these terminologies. I am not. Hope this helps.
Trent
June 9, 2022
this course taught me a lot about to how to operate an analog board. I do think if more notes and videos were in the lesson, then I would have a better understanding.
Jeff
June 30, 2021
Way too basic. Did not cover a lot of the controls and no input connections. Control of the faders and master fader not adequately covered. Sorry to say this was a total waste of my money.
LaJuana
June 23, 2021
I expected more. it seems pretty simple. i rated it 3, because I'm jus not certain about material. Based on what I know its pretty simple.
Alexandra
June 16, 2021
I love how information packed it is, and how simple the explanations are to understand. However, some terms I feel were hard to understand due to them drawing on a bigger understanding of the whole live mixing process which I don't completely understand yet and made me confused (ex. auxiliary sends section referred to feeds, monitors, etc. and I wish those could be explained too). Other than that it's great!
Malti
January 30, 2021
Too technical for a beginner, who wants to set up their own little mixer, was hoping it would be in laymans terms.
Gregory
October 26, 2020
This was a great overview of what each piece is on a mixer as well as a procedural look on how to set gains, Eq, and fader settings. I think it was a great starting place for most amateur sound operators. Thanks!
Jan
September 24, 2020
This course is explains the various knobs and buttons and sliders found on a mixer, and briefly goes into the functions of each. I gave ir 3 stars because first of all the lectures are out of order - it has Mixing Procedures Part 3 before Part 2. And while the course encourages one to “look for problems” while sound checking, it gives no hint as to what kinds of common problems may crop up or what to do about them. But it does illustrate a nice systematic method for dealing with feedback. Overall I was left wanting more.
Ola
November 7, 2019
The course was definitely a good fit for my level. I'm definitely going to do it again but this time with my mixing desk in sight.
William
July 21, 2019
Pretty good, but I have to listen several times to absorb the terms and explanations. The terms "wet" and "dry" were not explained.
Don
May 25, 2019
Course was a good match for me. Short course overall but lots of good introductory info to the basics of an analog mixer. Very good stepping stone to more advanced courses.
Larry
February 23, 2019
My biggest concern is getting the mix in the monitors with only two aux sends. For example, the drummer wants to hear mostly the bass, the bass player wants to hear the lead player, the lead player wants to hear more of the keyboards, and the lead singer wants an even mix of all of the above. We only have two auxsends, which limits the number of different mixes in each member's monitor.
Ross
October 14, 2018
I think the course can be improved if it showed the instructor moving the faders/knobs instead of showing the location on the mixer. The essence of movement would enhance the teaching experience. But overall very good.

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1657086
udemy ID
4/21/2018
course created date
9/15/2020
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