Some Live-Mixing Thoughts
Here are some tips for building a successful live mix with the M-16DX.
•Keep onstage volumes to a minimum—When onstage amps are turned up too high, you’ll have little chance of getting the mix under control, with quieter elements such as vocals being hard to bring out in the mix. Talk to your performers about keeping their onstage amps down to the lowest possible level so you can more effectively control the audience’s mix, which is what counts most of all.
•Keep headroom in mind—As you set up the mix during soundcheck, start with the instruments, but don’t go for maximum volume yet. Leave some room, called “headroom,” for vocals and solo instruments. Once you’ve got the vocals and solo instruments where you want them, you can raise the level of the whole mix.
After you’ve set up your mix as desired, you may be able to pump up its apparent volume even further using the M-16DX’s Finalize feature, as described in the Using the M-16DX’s Finalize Tools Workshop booklet.
•Use the M-16DX’s internal effects—TheM-16DX contains reverb and delay effects that you can add to various input signals to add depth and polish. If you’re not already using Aux 2 for monitor purposes, consider using the built-in effects to complete the aural picture you’re painting.
•Stereo mixing—If you’re working with a stereo PA, consider taking advantage of the M-16DX’s stereo capabilities and effects. Stereo can make the performers’ sounds that much bigger and clearer. To connect the M-16DX to the power amp of a stereo sound system, use the MAIN OUT L and R jacks on the back of the I/O module.
•Mono mixing—If you decide to mix in mono, or are working with a mono sound system, connect the MAIN OUT L jack on the back of the M-16DX I/O module, and pan each input channel all the way left to get the most signal out of the M-16DX.
