Detailed comparative analysis based on digital mixers and analog mixers

With the popularity of recording media and microcomputers in the broadcasting industry, from the digital interview machine in hand, to the full automation of the broadcast system, to the tapeless broadcast of the audio workstation form is basically already available. The entire signal is collected, processed, and broadcast in the form of digital audio files. Most of the radio station digital audio workstations are composed of desktop computer-based systems, mainly composed of personal computers, sound cards, and related workstation software (such as broadcast control and recording software).

Because there are still some traditional analog devices in use, in the analog transmission and digital mixing period, sometimes some peripheral devices have digital conditions, related interfaces, support for transmission audio formats, but because of the mixer as a core device The limitation still requires the conversion of digital signals into analog signals for processing. For example, YAMAHA Olv is a digitally controlled analog mixer. Since there is no digital expansion card installed and the corresponding digital peripherals are missing, the digital processing process is only reflected in the mixer. The production application is mainly effect processing and scene function. Etc., there is no special advantage of digitization.

Product updates, how to choose a reliable, cost-effective, suitable digital live mixer, is very critical.

The difference between a digital mixer and an analog mixer

The biggest difference between digital mixing consoles and analog mixing consoles: digital mixing consoles are based on the experience of analog mixers. People are familiar with the operation of analog consoles, so many digital mixer consoles are designed and simulated. Very similar, but the nature of the signals they process is different.

The main function of the analog mixer is to process the audio signal. The object is a continuous analog audio signal. In addition to the general amplification, distribution, mixing, and transmission processing, there are the following main functions:

2 (1) Level and impedance matching;

2 (2) Signal amplification and frequency equalization;

2 (3) Dynamic processing;

2 (4) Signal distribution and mixing;

2 (5) Creating special effects Sometimes, special processing is required by peripheral auxiliary equipment as needed.

The main function of the digital mixer is also the processing of the audio signal, but the specific processing object is the digital signal that has been sampled, quantized and encoded. These signals include two parts of the audio and control signals, and the digital mixer passes the A wide range of signal processing algorithms, digital control console control circuit and signal processing circuit are all digital, digital audio signals are transmitted through the interface in the form of files (or data streams), such as knobs, switches, faders, etc. The control amount is no longer the actual audio signal of the traditional analog mixer, but the control signal of the digital algorithm. The digital mixer makes the signal processing more flexible, more precise, and the processing flow and effect display are more vivid.

Analog mixer:

For example, only in the dynamic range parameter comparison, usually after a series of processing, the analog sound system has a dynamic range of about 60 dB, while the internal operation can achieve a dynamic range of 168 to 192 dB on a 32-bit digital mixer. It can be said that the function of a digital mixer is similar to the full functionality of an audio workstation, including hardware structure and software processing.

Digital mixer:

Digital mixer basic structure and module function A digital mixer may vary greatly in appearance. However, the basic components are mainly composed of the following parts. Separately, it looks like a workstation that includes multiple input and output function modules.

2 (1) 1/0 interface, equivalent to the analog input and output signal interface of the analog mixer. Most digital mixers can also use the analog interface card slot to connect analog signal devices. Currently, these analog input ports are used for The support platform seamlessly transitions to full digital. The types of digital interfaces are AES/EBU, S/PDIF and other standards.

2 (2) The signal processing part (DSP) is the core of the digital mixing console. It is responsible for various processing and processing of digital signals. It basically determines the function and quality of the entire mixing console.

2 (3) The console control part, this is the interface of the man-machine dialogue, the appearance is similar to the main body of the analog mixer, but the components are only some faders, knobs, indicators, etc. for control, and they are not passed by themselves. Audio signal, some mixers can also be connected to video display, keyboard, mouse, the user control through software and hardware control effect is the same.

2 (4) Mixer host (computer control part CPU), combined with software operation, realizes the command execution and signal flow control of the entire mixer.

2 (5) The power supply section is similar to an analog mixer. A separate external power module is generally used.