Broadcasters resist investing in highly priced, feature driven audio consoles. However the migration to digital platform is putting pressure to look for more advanced digital consoles with design similar to analog consoles.

Sales of digital mixing consoles have increased dramatically since their introduction in the 1990s. 2008-09 however saw a dull year with almost nil sales. The advent of modern digital computer technology has made it possible to install sound system components that will almost operate themselves. The operator can handle various functions and all he has to do is hit the recall button and the mixer automatically returns to all of the correct startup settings.

Digital mixers are more versatile than analog ones and offer many new features including the ability to save multiple mute groups, multiple VCA groups and channel settings into a scene and reconfigure signal routing at the touch of a button. It offers an abundance of control features that it provides for each microphone channel. The faders can be swapped to show aux send levels; a feature very useful in mixing artists' monitors. A range of special effects such as parametric EQ, compression, gating, reverb, automatic feedback reduction, tap delay and straight delay are also included. Several digital mixers include spectrograph and real time analyzer functions. Digital signal processing can perform automatic mixing for some simple applications, such as courtrooms, conferences and panel discussions. Auto mixing in live audio continues be a challenge. Consoles with motorized faders can read and write console automation.

Digital mixers can be designed to be quieter than most analog mixers. Digital mixers often incorporate very low threshold noise gates to stop inactive mix bus background hiss from summing with active signals. Digital circuitry is more resistant to outside interference from radio transmitters such as walkie-talkies and cell phones.

Mixing consoles are used in many applications, including recording studios, public address systems, sound reinforcement systems, broadcasting, television, and film post-production. An example of a simple application would be to enable the signals that originated from two separate microphones (each being used by vocalists singing a duet, perhaps) to be heard through one set of speakers simultaneously. When used for live performances, the signal produced by the mixer will usually be sent directly to an amplifier, unless that particular mixer is powered or it is being connected to powered speakers.

A mixing board has three sections:

• Channel inputs
• Master controls
• Audio level metering

The channel inputs are replicated monaural or stereo input channels with pre-amp controls, channel fader and pan, sub-group assignment, equalization and auxiliary mixing bus level controls. The master control section has sub-group faders, master faders, master auxiliary mixing bus level controls and auxiliary return level controls. In addition it may have solo monitoring controls, a stage talk-back microphone control, muting controls and an output matrix mixer. The audio level meters may be above the input and master sections or they may be integrated into the input and master sections themselves.

The audio console market is extremely price sensitive, giving lower weightage to innovative features. Broadcasters resist investing in highly priced, feature driven audio consoles. However the migration to digital platform is putting pressure to look for more advanced digital consoles with design similar to analog consoles.

Major Players

The major suppliers for audio consoles industry are Aditya Infotech Ltd., Avocent India, AVF Distributors (I) Pvt. Ltd., B&H Photo-Video Professional Audio, Cineom, Electro Dynamics, Falcon Technologies, Horizon Broadcast Electronics, Real Image, Richardson Electronics, Setron, VTIPL, West Country Broadcast, and Yamaha.

Aditya Infotech represents Mackie in India for audio mixers.

AVF

AVF represents Soundcraft and Studer in India. The principal features of the products include versatile out-door unit with robust design, battery operated, multi-purpose production console for location and continuity studio, and ergonomic design suitable for on-air application.

Cineom

Cineom markets large format analog and digital consoles from AMS Neve for music recording and mixing; final film mix; effects and folley; and broadcast application. The company offers complete location sync sound set-ups with combination of equipment from Zaxcom, Audio Limited. Yash Raj Studios, A.R. Rahman Studios, T-Series, Gaurav Digital, Sound City, and Studio One have been buyers for these consoles.

Yamaha

Yamaha M7CL and LS9 mixing consoles use USB memory storage devices for data transfer and firmware updating. Additionally, LS9 can play and record compressed audio files like MP3 from an external USB memory device.

USB standard ensure that the consoles work with USB 1.1 storage media. The capacity is upto 16GB. The compliant format is FAT12, FAT16, or FAT32. Many larger memory capacity devices including USB 2.0 storage devices also work with USB 1.1 products.