Audio Mixer Basics: Understanding Controls and Signal Flow

What is an Audio Mixer?

An audio mixer combines an array of inputs into a few controllable outputs. It features a variety of controls.

The channels are laid out in strips. The signal comes in physically through the back of the device, then passes through that channel's various controls from top to bottom, with the gain or trim at the top and the fader at the bottom.

Step 2: Gain/Trim

The gain knob sets the "input volume." Because of the way a sound signal is composed of several different sounds at different volumes mixed together, the gain will naturally eliminate some of the very quiet signals unless it is set very high.

Using Gain: Gain should be used just like any other control knob: to set the kind of sound you want and its quality. Any gain changes will also affect the sound in the monitors or other auxes.

Stop Motion Animation

1. Get objects and figures to use in your movie.
2. Set up the figures (characters) in a particular position and within the "set."
3. Place your camera in front of the "set" that you are going to photograph.
4. Set up a good source of lighting.
5. Take a single photo of the figure in the selected position.
6. Begin the movement sequence.
7. Repeat the movement sequence until your action step is completed, or your camera's memory is full.
8. Save the pictures on to your computer in an easy-to-remember place.

Use your movie-making software as instructed.

Glossary of Terms

Knob: A small piece of metal with a hole through it, through which you put a bolt.

Screenplay: Guion (Spanish for script).

A film treatment (or simply treatment) is a piece of prose, typically the step between scene cards (index cards) and the first draft of a screenplay for a motion picture, television program, or radio play.

A short film is any film not long enough to be considered a feature film. No consensus exists as to where that boundary is drawn: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits".

EQ: To equalize the levels of frequency response of an audio signal, or controls which allow their adjustment.