TFWM Audio Newsletter Articles: I’ve come to realize that those new to mixing the sound in their church might benefit from knowing some common shortcuts to marking inputs on their console.
Of course you can name things anything you care to, but the input strip or “scribble strip” on a typical analog console isn’t very wide. And some digital consoles give you a limited number of characters to use. That space limitation may lead you to use abbreviations, and sometimes those can be a little cryptic. So here is an introduction that should help.
5 comments:
Being able to efficiently label your console with logical, quick-to-understand abbreviations is pretty important when it comes down to dialing in a mix quickly in a live music setting. I have found myself using similar abbreviations over the past few years, including using two lines to group a range of backing vocals into "BGV" or a similar label, and a number identifying each specific channel based on what microphone is running to it. I wholeheartedly agree with using white electrical tape, because I've had to deal with consoles taped by previous operators who used masking tape and worked an outdoor show. Noooooo
I agree with the majority of the abbreviations presented in the article, but what the author failed to mention is actually laying out your inputs in a logical order. If you're mixing a band with a drum kit, 99.99% of the time the kick drum will be in channel one. It's the standard convention. Honestly, I think the layout of the inputs is more important than the way they're labeled. Randomly spreading the inputs from the drum kit all over the mixer would make no sense. If things are logically placed, the labels almost become secondary reminders, because a logical layout should be easy to remember while mixing.
I've always wondered how to lay out a sound console. I know enough to know that things get plugged in and then they get labeled, but I agree with Dan. There was absolutely no mention of how to lay it out logically. The semi standard abbreviations, i can tell, are very helpful, but is there a standard way of grouping the inputs? Vocals probably wouldn't be mixed with different instruments on the board, but is there a standard for which comes first? Where exactly does everything go? Also, I've never been able to get drafter's tape to stick to anything... I'd probably end up using electrical tape.
At my high school there was always quite a few users and we never had a common set of abbreviations. I wish that we had read this article back then because it could have helped us keep everything more clear. Something the article doesn't talk about at all is that it's a good idea to extend your abbreviations outside of the booth. For example labeling mics and other equipment using the same system. In short the best system that I have found is to always label everything clearly and consistently. That drafting tape tip was super helpful, in the past I've always used making tape.
I think this is the first time I've ever seen the part of a soundboard where you label things given a name. I do believe that organizing things in a manner that makes sense will also allow anyone else looking at the console to better understand your abbreviations. After all, it won't be particularly useful if someone else can read your console if you can't.
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