Mixing tracks manually

[shaunthesheep]

Yes, I have had this mixer for about six-seven years and I still struggle to understand all its routing possibilities. I only use it infrequently and have to re-learn things that I have forgotten in the meantime. I have never had any training and the manual is rather cryptic in its descriptions of how it functions. I think it assumes an existing competence in using mixers.

I only ever use it to record myself (and occasionally a few musician friends) playing music at home to a PC. I have never used it in a gig situation where functions like PFL would be needed. The mixer is probably overkill for what I need.

Do you know of any books or websites that explain all the ins and outs of these mixers in a more elaborated user friendly way?

[steve]

I have never used it in a gig situation where functions like PFL would be needed.

PFL is also useful in the studio/home studio.
When you are setting your input levels, turn down the channel fader (slider) and the master fader and press the PFL button.
Turn up the "gain" (knob at the top of the channel) so that you have a good level. With these desks it's OK to go into the orange on the meters, but avoid going into the red - aim for a high green level on loud sounds.
Turn up the master fader a bit and you should hear the input.

This gives you an optimum signal level through the rest of the channel circuitry.
Note that as you adjust the tone controls, this "pre fader level" will change, so if you adjust the tone controls check the pre fade level again.

Not sure about recommended reading, but there's several forums dedicated to home recording, such as homerecording.com and Gearslutz.com

[shaunthesheep]

Many thanks for this.