The Mixing Board
The mixing board is one of the most important elements to have set up correctly in the DAW as it patches all of the instruments to the computer interface. People often get overwhelmed looking at the mixing board, but if you simply look at each column as one instrument, it is a lot less daunting.
The Main Volume Fader - this fader allows you to move within the volume range set by either the speaker or headphone volume knobs seen below — in other words, these knobs sets the maximum volume the Main Volume Fader can move to. Make sure these volume controls are turned down before you start working.
The Control Room - this is the small box right below the speaker volume knob. To get any kind of sound from the mixer, the "main mix" button must be pushed in. If you are recording anything, you'll want to make sure that the "SUBS 1-2" button is pushed in so that all sound is sent to the Digi002.
Sub-Out Volume Faders - these are the four sliders that are just to the left of the Main Volume Fader. If you are recording sound, make sure that faders 1 & 2 are up.
The Trim knob - this is the threshold for volume outputted to the computer. For instance if Trim is set to the middle, the Faders go from +15db to -10db and if you turned the Trim up, the Faders could go from +15db to -45db.
The Track Faders - these navigate between the threshold designated by the Trim knobs. If a Fader is at the bottom, the level output will be -infinity db — as you move it up, it increases to the volume set by the threshold of the Trim.
The Master Send buttons - these are important. They designate where we are sending the sound. If you wish to send the sound to the Computer, via the Digi002 then you would route the sound to 1-2 which coordinate to the numbers on the main mix to the right. If you push the L/R button, the sound comes out the monitors. If you click solo, all of the other channels will be turned off (conversely you could mute the channel by pushing the square button above the master sends).
Pan - This allows you to manipulate the amount of sound coming out of the left and right channels. Simply move the knob to the left to send more sound to the left side or move it to the right to send more sound out the right side.
The Auxiliary Sends - these are sends for effects. Most of the effects will be created using the computer, so you don't need to use them.
The Equalizer knobs - these are for manipulating the high and low ends. Most of the equalization we will be doing will be on the computer so set these knobs to the middle and don't worry about them.
Microphone Inputs - If you want to record vocals, there are 2 inputs for microphones. You will route the channels to the Digi002 by pushing in master sends 1 & 2.
