How To Use a Mixer for Live Sound & Studio Recording

This video will teach you everything you need to know to feel comfortable operating any analog audio mixing console. You'll learn about the layout of a mixer as well as the common inputs and outputs of a mixer. I'll walk you step by step through every knob, button, and fader on an audio mixer channel strip.

Live Sound Mixers:

Studio Mixers:

Used Mixers:

Need help setting up your new studio? Check out these free resources I've created for you...

0:00 - Introduction
0:42 - PART 1: Mixing Console Layout
0:52 - Inputs & Outputs
1:05 - Channel Strips
1:29 - Master Section
1:44 - PART 2: Inputs & Outputs
1:44 - Outputs
2:24 - Inputs
3:21 - Inserts
3:55 - Direct Outs
4:12 - PART 3: Channel Strips
4:22 - Phantom Power (+48 V)
4:54 - Fader
6:02 - Solo / PFL
6:21 - Mute
6:27 - Preamp Gain
7:04 - Pad (-20 dB)
7:18 - High Pass Filter (HPF)
7:35 - Equalizer
8:23 - Aux Sends
9:21 - Pan Knob
9:36 - Subscribe to Audio University!

Book a one to one call:

#AudioUniversity

Disclaimer: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click them, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

[AudioUniversity]

Need help setting up your new studio? Check out these free resources I've created for you...

[jeffrey]

There are a lot of people who really know what they are doing, there are few who can teach it well. You can teach. Thank you for your clear and detailed explanations.

[JZA]

This video is a great example of how a professional tutorial is done... Clear, concise, easy to follow and with no distracting background music! Really good. Thank you.

[KainyStyle]

4 years ago, when I started I was in a full panic mode and couldn't find anything useful to help me understand the sound better, having these videos would be awesome, but now it's also pretty cool to watch them to make sure I'm not being dumb somewhere, thanks!

[rajivpsaini]

Cannot say how much good you are in teaching 👍👍👍. Calm, precise and to the point. Love it. Appreciate it.

[alexkingvideo]

Yeah, honestly man you’re one of the most talented teachers I’ve ever witnessed. Please keep doing this.

[SeanMcAnarney]

Thank you! Just volunteered for AV guy at my church... I know your teaching will be a massive help to me / my little church.

[Fabsurf]

Kyle, your explanation of the audio recording engineering process is most systematic and elucidating. The last video with the shotgun mic was also so helpful. As a hobbyist in music and photography, I find myself getting fascinating information to help me to explore the subject. So thank you very much!

[meestuinier]

I'm managing a big project for my school (we have a night in which all bands perform). This video is helping me out a lot! You're a talented teacher

[junkawakami]

speaking of loudness, setting it up on the amplifier instead of cranking the master fader is gold!

[llll-lkmm]

This has made me feel better about my knowledge of mixers, hope I can hold my own whenever I get to see one!

[timzo]

Very informative thank you I am a front of house engineer as well as studio but now this boosts my confidence to set up pa's.

[GeoZero]

Very clear and concise video. On the Allen & Heath mixers (larger GL2400, GL2800, etc) you have to open the chassis to get to the direct out jumpers otherwise the faders will not change volume on the board in a recording situation per channel. I think that is a huge issue with their mixers and not something I had using say a Soundcraft LX7. I realize that they were designed primarily for live applications and live recording, but adding a button per channel would sure have helped. :)

[bushyeyebrow]

Really clear and no fluff. Better than my teachers.

[mandolinic]

Very clear and most useful. I've used small mixers in the past, but they've generally lacked the facilities of a large mixer, so having everything explained in detail is really handy.

[jakobole]

Im an old fart, so I know all of this - still, it was a damn good video for beginners. And nicely cut, worded and produced. Kudos! I will recommend this to any newcommer.

[djmarie]

Thanks Kyle I was going to invest over $400 for a pre-amp/mixer etc. I need to first begin by using the correct balanced cables to reduce noise...a simple fix! Thanks very much.

[willieburks]

Very helpful video. I’m new to running sound and was having problems with feedback. This video gave me a complete breakdown on how to use a mixer proper. The unity levels on the slides helped me out a lot. Something I didn’t know.

[TomCee]

You’ve done a good job of explaining this mixer. It was a little quick, and you might have rushed though the terminology, but that’s just my opinion.
The only technical comment I have is on your description of logarithmic scale on the faders. The reason for logarithmic vs linear is that our ears work in a logarithmic manner, meaning that from a dB standpoint, each dB of change sounds the same to us. The apparent change from -10 to -9 is the same as 1 to 2.

[vickigsolomon]

Outstanding! I wish I had found this channel BEFORE our performance. I rented a mixer because I've only got a 2-channel input on my DAI. I didn't quite know enough to make things sound good.