Lesson 6 - Introduction to the console - Posted on 2013-06-02 by Matthew Furci

This lesson we spoke about mixing boards, and the variables of digital vs analog systems. As you may recall, when I first joined the program, I was set up at Planet Studios, where they had a giant analog mixing board. When the program didnt work out there, and I was put in Studio Du Chateau, I was somewhat discouraged that this studio was not equipped with the board. However, Stephen promised me that I would understand why he didn't have one during the course - and frankly, I do understand why he does not have one, especially after going on my field trip to McGill University. 

First off, analog mixers are tremendously expensive to purchase, AND to maintain - it also takes up a ton of room in your studio. Whereas a Digital System, such as protools, has its own virtual mixing board, and takes up a corner in your studio. We went through the benefits of having either or, and at the end of the day, it is safe to say that both do the same thing. One is Analog, one is Digital. The chapter explained that there have not been any real studies to prove that one is better than the other - and both Stephen, and the head of the McGill studio agreed that at the end of the day, its what the sound engineer, producer, masterer, is more comfortable with.

I have experience doing bus/aux routing, and we have been doing this from day one at the studio, with both post/pre fader. Stephen made me set up a 1 channel microphone, to record his voice, and set up an Aux channel to have talk back to just test if I knew what I was doing. Total success.