Live Audio Mixing: The Fundamentals

Detailed tips for live audio mixing with info that every sound tech needs to know. Whether you're mixing on an analog console, or a digital console, the knowledge base is the same. You still need the fundamentals. In fact, knowing the fundamentals helps make the transition from analog mixing consoles to digital mixing consoles much easier.

Live sound reinforcement and live production work can be very rewarding. You're dealing with both the technical aspects of audio engineering as well as the creative aspects of music production. But you don't necessarily get to one without a solid foundational grasp of the other. This video tutorial seeks to teach some of the most important foundational concepts for audio mixing. It's for those just getting started in this field, as well as those needing a refresher course, or just wanting to better understand the job of audio mixing.

►►There are PDF materials on the Patreon page, including a PDF Study Guide package of materials that I've written that dovetails with this video and gives more context for a deeper dive. It is available as part of the 4.00 Patreon tier.

►►Affiliate Links:

►Digital Mixers for sale at Sweetwater:

►Vocal Mics for sale at Sweetwater:

►►Amazon Affiliate Links To Equip Used/Shown/Mentioned In Video-

►►Amazon Channel Storefront:

Equipment used to make video:

►Sony ZV1 Camera on Amazon:

►Canon EOS M50 Mark II on Amazon:

Equipment shown in use this video:

►Shure SM58 on Amazon:

►Behringer XR18 on Amazon:

►Midas MR18 on Amazon:

►Behringer X32 on Amazon:

►Midas M32 on Amazon:

►Yorkville NX55P Powered Speaker on Amazon:

►►Behringer Store on Amazon:

"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases."
"As a Sweetwater Affiliate member I earn from qualifying purchases."

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Suggested videos:

►5 Tips for Better Live Vocal Mixes:

►Mixing Live Bass Guitar:

►How to EQ a Kick Drum:

►How to EQ a Snare Drum:

►How to EQ Toms:

►Cable Management For Live Audio:

►DI Box 101 - What's a DI Box and Which One Should I Use?

►My Most Used Audio Adapters for Live Sound:

►Patch Order and Input Lists For Live Sound:

►Connecting an MP3 Player to a Mixer - Don't Make This Mistake!:

►Analog Audio Over Ethernet Cables via Adapters:

►► Behringer X32, XR18, Midas M32, MR18 Specific Videos:

►XR18/MR18 Channel Setup and Walk-thru video:

►5 Typical Mistakes Behringer X32 and Midas M32 Users Make:

►5 Typical Mistakes Behringer XR18 and Midas MR18 Users Make:

►X32/M32 Gain Staging and Signal Flow (Soundcheck Basics Series):

►Ringing Out Monitors/FOH on a Behringer X32 (or XR18):

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►Facebook Group:
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0:00 Intro
0:06 What is signal flow?
0:30 Pre Fader and Post Fader as part of signal path
1:02 Signal Flow Inside a Mixing Console
1:29 Pre Fader and Post Fader Explained
2:56 Learning About EQ
3:40 EQ Frequency Graph
4:03 HPF What is a High Pass Filter
4:23 Lo Cut Audio Demo
4:50 LPF What is a Low Pass Filter
5:26 What is a shelving EQ
5:54 What is a PEQ and what is Q or bandwidth
6:36 What is a Graphic EQ
7:16 Input Gain
7:32 Input Meters PFL Meters Solo Meters
7:52 Gain and Signal Flow Visually Charted
8:03 Gain's impact on outputs shown on meters
8:40 Gain Myths, Misconceptions, and Mistakes
10:06 What is the point of the gain control

#livesound
#alanhamiltonaudio
#liveaudio
#soundsystem
#soundman

[AlanHamiltonAudio]

This video is non-console specific, and much of it applies to analog or digital consoles. But, since it's rooted in console fundamentals, it's definitely things that can help you make the transition to digital easier. Signal flow, routing, gain, EQ terms, etc. are all discussed. It's actually more than 3 tips because there are tips within the 3 fundamental topics discussed.
As always, please like, subscribe, and share the link. And post any questions or comments here.

►►There are PDF materials on the Patreon page, including a PDF Study Guide package of materials that I've written that dovetails with this video and gives more context for a deeper dive. It is available as part of the 4.00 Patreon tier.


Suggested videos:


►5 Tips for Better Live Vocal Mixes:

►Mixing Live Bass Guitar:

►How to EQ a Kick Drum:

►How to EQ a Snare Drum:

►How to EQ Toms:

►Cable Management For Live Audio:

►DI Box 101 - What's a DI Box and Which One Should I Use?

►My Most Used Audio Adapters for Live Sound:

[FormulaOneLeclerc]

This year has been huge for me in terms of growth in the industry and I want you to know a huge part is thanks to you. THANK YOU!

[larslengberg]

The tip about signal flow is an important one. I remember struggling with my Midas MR18, understanding how to send audio into different mix buses, and getting the audio back out from those buses... It was both about understanding the concept, but perhaps even more about learning how it was represented in the control software UI (this mixer is all computer/tablet - no physical knobs/faders!). So invest a bit of time in learning the signal flow for your gear - well worth it!

[wpbuilding]

I had to come back and comment again after watching the whole video :) I wish I could just keep hitting the "Thumbs Up" as many times as I wanted :) Excellent information on here!!! Thank you!

[wpbuilding]

EXCELLENT!!! I just purchased the Yorkville VGM14 Analog mixer because I want to connect 2 mains, 2 monitors and a sub and run them on their own channels. I never really understood Pre-fade / Post - Fade :(. Nothing like learning and just diving in and buying something you don't know how to use you to learn right!!! ;)

[StevenJonessoundman]

This information was well explained and very appreciated. I’m learning my M32.

[trevortucker]

I find your videos extremely interesting. I've taken an interest in live sound only within the past year. Wish I had got into in my younger years. We have a pulpit mic in our church that's hard to hear. I asked the sound guy why that was, his response "when we turn up the gain we get feedback". I accepted that answer and I just learned from this video that his answer is incorrect. I'm guessing he has no idea on waht to do to get rid of the feedback other then decrease the gain on that channel.

[TimMaynardguitar]

Thanks! I need basic vids like this to learn the vocabulary. Started watching the channel in hopes to get the great eq and reverb an engineer got with the xr18, to finally go to OBS. No success yet but understanding the terms and signal flow path does clear some general things up.

[stephentyler]

Could you kindly explain the differences and/or similarities between the system eq and channel eq? I hesitate to make any assumptions sometimes even if they end up being correct. Clarity is important to us all, which is why I continually return to your YouTube channel with questions. You are among the best communicators I know of.
Thanks, friend.

[darcyduncantech]

Hi, great video! :) Can you make one regarding delay speakers/towers and how they work/create a good one? Thanks in advance

[deePreal-timE]

❤❤❤❤
10:27
Very large amount of aural mixing knowledge by you!
it’s must be payable...
I'm pleased! 🇧🇩🇧🇩🌍🇧🇩 🇧🇩

[marcosstern]

Hello :

I have a little mixer question for ya.

I have a small mixer for my live performance percussion playing.
The mixer has fx but once you choose an effect, that’s what goes to all the channels and you can only control how much or how little.

I need to put multi fx on all channels and on some of the channels, I need different fx than the other channels.

How can I achieve this ?

Is there a live performing mixer that can do this or do I need to chain pedals together and connect to the aux send of the mixer ?

( I need a small mixer that can handle my 6 mic inputs.)

I would love to be able to put a simple reverb on say…my congas, but then a flanged wilder reverb on my timbale. Those are the kind of things I’m trying to achieve while playing live.

Thanks for your help !

[EugeneKnapp]

Hello, is it possible to get an image that is on 4:00? Just in the end of EQ freq graph. Thanx anyway :)

[danielalexis]

Hi Alan, Good morning Sir! Thank you so very much this video. Looking at the RTA EQ screen, what do the different color bars mean please?

[FOHguy]

Wait. You mean that it consists of more than putting my "No. You can't charge your phone here" sign at FOH? 😁

[ryanchristophernunes]

Do I need an amplifer from my Behringer XR 18 to Behringer powered speakers?

[willsgro]

forgot about the human ear in signal flow, thought this was audio engineering

[huntercurry]

Hello Al! How are you doing my friend?

[yanlawrence]

hi alan, can you tell me how you get to -18db on the main input gain control when using a Ipad, because it doesnt show the same layout as per Laptop many thanks yan

[NonnyStrikes]

Now that I have more knowledge of these tap points, I have one question I previously asked poorly.

DDJ800 by rekordbox - xlr to xair18 (b52s are on AUX 5, 18's are on AUX 6)

With the DDJ800 being the source of all instrumentals, do I still send those bus channels from the ddj800 as "post fader" or "pre-fader" since I don't have control of singling out particular instruments?

I know it may still seem confusing, I'm just wondering if it's simplified to the point of basic HPF at 30hz and LPF to about 150hz on the aux 5-6 sub channels. Or if I would do my cuts within the ddj800 xlr channels which are based on 15-16 via xair 18. I've tried a few methods, but the early stages of mixing might have me overthinking the loudness of the subs, or the amount of frequency they are pushing out. There are times the bass seems overbearing around the 60hz-100hz range.