42
Chapter 6: Mixing and Automation
ProMix 01 Getting Started Guide
General Mix Procedure
This section is for users who are relatively new to audio mixing. It pro-
vides a general mix procedure for successful ProMix 01 mixing.
•
Reset all controls
—this is simple on ProMix 01, just recall mix
scene memory 00. Don’t forget to reset the GAIN controls, PAD
switches, and monitor controls by hand, though.
•
Connect your sound sources
—inputs 1 through 8 are bal-
anced XLR-types, with 48V phantom power for condenser micro-
phones, while inputs 9 through 16 are TRS balanced phone jacks.
•
Set up your monitor
—if you’re monitoring via headphones or
the monitor outputs, turn up the PHONES or MONITOR OUT
LEVEL control and select a CUE mode. LAST CUE mode allows
you to monitor individual input channels and the main stereo out-
put using the [SEL] buttons. If you’re listening to the stereo output
mix, set the ST OUT fader to about 0 dB.
•
Optimize the input signal levels
—this is an important stage
and you should take time and care setting these levels. Listening
to each channel in turn, use the GAIN control and PAD switch to
optimize the input signal level. Levels for all input channels are
displayed on the METER LCD function. See “Setting the Input
Level” on page 14 of this Getting Started Guide for full details. If
you’re monitoring via CUE, use the [SEL] buttons to select each
channel in turn. If you’re monitoring via the stereo outputs, raise
each fader in turn to about 0 dB. You can always readjust later.
•
Clean up sounds
—unwanted noise and distortion reduce clar-
ity, making the mix sound muddy and confused. If you can’t elim-
inate noise problems at source, use EQ to cut it, or patch in a noise
gate. The EQ library contains several preset programs for reducing
mains-born hum, hiss, and noise.
•
Apply EQ
—you can use EQ at this stage to filter out any
unwanted hiss, hum, or frequency abnormalities in a sound. If
you’re after a natural sound, it’s always better to try to correct the
sound source itself (i.e. microphone type and position) rather
than correcting with EQ. You’ll probably need to readjust the EQ
when listening to all sounds in the mix, anyway.
•
Pan the sounds
—pan allows you to position sounds from left
to right in the stereo field. This is often used to provide space for
individual instruments. Bass instruments and lead vocals are usu-
ally panned around center. Rhythm guitar maybe panned to the
left and lead guitar or piano, to the right. A drum kit with two over-
head microphones and one front microphone would have the
overhead microphones panned hard-left and hard-right and the
front microphone panned center. Backing vocals can be panned
to the left or right as required. Bass sounds are not very directional,
so it’s usually best to keep them panned about center.
