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Just like we use aux sends to feed monitors and FX, we use both groups and the main left right mix - which is also just called the mains, or the master buss - to feed the main speaker system.
In this video, we look at the main left-right mix, which feeds the main speaker system. Then, we talk about groups, which have flexible routing. And, we discuss how using EQ on your outputs gives you control of the overall tone of your mix.
When we're mixing FOH - meaning the sound for the main speaker system - we need to create a good balance so the audience can hear everything on stage. Once the signals hit the console, we make adjustments to the gain, and to the channel strip, and keep a balanced mix on the faders. Then, we could send the signal directly to the main mix and on to the speakers - but, there are other output options on most consoles.
For example, we can route channels to a Group. This sends the selected channels to a subgroup, which can then be sent on to the main mix, or routed somewhere else completely, like a separate physical output of the console. We do need to remember, though, that each fader along the way is part of the signal chain and needs to be assigned correctly.
So, if we assign the channel to Groups 1 and 2, we would then need to assign groups 1 and 2 to left right. And the channel fader must be up, as well as the group faders, for the signal chain to reach the main outputs.
We usually assign channels to groups in the same place we assign them to the main mix. On digital consoles, this is done in the software, and on analog consoles it is usually near the fader. Or, on really small consoles, the channels are just automatically routed directly to the main outputs.
Analog consoles often have the groups in stereo pairs, and the pan knob can be used to send the signal to the odd, or the even, group. Large-format analog consoles could have 8 or even 16 groups, and we could, for example, assign a channel directly to one group, then assign that to both the left and right.
Or, the signal could be sent through the group, and ALSO be assigned to the left-right on the channel. This is called double bussing, and will actually increase that channel in the mix. Nothing is necessarily wrong with this, just be cognizant of everywhere the signal is being routed.
So, as far as using groups, what we commonly do is to have a set of mics, like, all the vocal mics, assigned to a group, and then that group fader can be used to turn all those mics up or down in a mix. Or, that group could be EQed, or compressed, or even sent to a separate output of the console to feed things like additional speakers.
However, we definitely don't have to use groups, and I quite often just assign my input channels directly to the main left-right mix, which then feeds the speaker system. This keeps it simple, which is quite often the best way to go in live sound.
Once we have our mixes built, we can insert EQs on the outputs to control the overall tone of any mix. This could be an overall EQ for the main speakers, or an EQ for each of the monitor mixes. Many people use graphic EQ on their monitor sends to help quickly eliminate feedback, and I personally always use parametric EQ for my FOH mixes.
Either way, using EQ on each output can add up pretty quickly. And, since analog consoles don't have these built in, they need racks full of outboard gear, including all the gates and compressors for the inputs. Of course, digital consoles have these built-in, which we talk about more later on.
In this video, we looked at groups and left-right, then we saw how groups have flexible routing, and we discussed using EQ on outputs.
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5 сен 2024
