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One of the major benefits of VCA’s is that any move made on a VCA Subgroup will cause all inputs assigned to that Subgroup to move in direct proportion with it. Inherently, all effects assigned (or turned up) on any input modules that are controlled with VCA’s will “follow” any moves made in the exact proportion also. If a subgroup is moved “3db”; then all effects will move “3db”. The wet/dry blend always remains the same.
Wet / Dry Blending
The word “blend”, is used to describe the relationship between the dry “mix” (all inputs minus the effects) and the wet “mix” (all the effect returns).
There is no such thing as Wet/Dry Blending when using Audio Submasters, unless mixing is done on the inputs. Any time an Audio Subgroup is moved the wet/dry blend is destroyed, as there is no Mix Integrity or True Post Effect Sends. The only true way to change the wet/dry blend would be to adjust the Master Output on any effect send. This is also an undesirable way to adjust a mix.
With VCA’s assigned as in the previous example, it is a simple task to adjust the balance between the ‘dry’ and the ‘wet’ by simply moving VCA Subgroup 6. Any moves made with the Band Master VCA (Subgroup 8) will cause everything will fol- low in direct proportion. The same is true for the background vocal mix (on VCA Group 7). If VCA Group 7 is moved up or down, all reverbs and delays turned up on all background vocal inputs will remain in the exact proportion you have estab- lished. Therefore, once a wet/dry blend is established, it can never be changed by moving VCA groups.
Now it is possible to mix with 4 faders, or if you will, 4 VCA’s: Lead Vocal, Background Vocals, Band and Effects. Of course, there will always be small adjustments that need to be made on the input faders from time to time to tweak a mix.
It has been suggested that when attempting to mix on VCA’s for the first time, the operator turn off the sound system and monitor with headphones. All the subtle nuances achieved can then be heard, and the ability to easily control a mix will become obvious. C
This “VCA Mixing” section was adapted from an article enti- tled “Mixing with VCA's,” written by Mark Smith, which appeared in LIVE SOUND! Magazine.
Anthony McLean is the editor of LIVE SOUND! You can contact him by Fax at (913) 677.6621, by
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