Mixer board functions

[RecordingMaster]

My chain is as follows...
CAD drum condensor mics (all close mic'ed) > Behringer Eurorack MX2004A > Alesis Microverb II (occasional) > Sound card
(I'm currently trying to record some nice drum tracks)
I just had a couple of questions about some functions on my mixer that I was never very clear on. Instead of me trying to describe my mixer, here is a link to the specs page: http://www.behringer.com/MX2004A/index.cfm?lang=ENG

1) First off, EQ....There are 8 mono channels, and 4 stereo (I only use the stereo ones for keyboards and stuff). The monos have a 3-band eq, and the stereo has 4-band for some reason. On the monos, instead of being a hi, hi-mid, lo-mid, and lo (like the stereo channels), where the lo-mid should be it says "Freq.", frequency I guess. It ranges from 100hz to 250hz to 800hz to 1k7 to 8k. What does this mean? Inderstand decibels, and hz/khz, but this doesn't seems to fit into the equation for me. How would I use it to equalize something?

2)Pre-amps...Each mono channel has a built-in pre-amp which is apparently the same one that Behringer puts in the eurodesk consoles. I understand a pre-amp just basically gives the signal a boost, but when would I use it ever? Why not just turn up the volume on that channel?

and 3) Faders vs. Gain knob: I never know which to use when trying to raise or lower the volume of certain channels. It seems like the gain knob makes the signal stronger, but so I hear, the Volume faders are just for extreme detail once the volume is set on each gain knob. Is this correct? If not, when should I use which?

Thanks for your help.
Jay

 

[travelin travis]

the extra knob is a sweepable mid knob, read about types of eq here:

http://artistpro.com/index.php?module=PnCourses&func=getPage&course_id=15&page_id=37

the gain knob is for the mic preamp. it brings mic signals up to line level. learn about gain staging. the gain knob is'nt really a volume control. here's some info on mixers:

http://artistpro.com/index.php?module=PnCourses&func=getPage&course_id=13&page_id=2

matter a fact, read all the columns under "free training" on that site. there's alot of good stuff there. hope this helps.

 

[c7sus]

1. the eq is parametric on the channels with sweepable mids. So you can dial in the frequency within the range of that knob, then cut or add gain as needed.

2. For most applications set your gain at UNITY. This way the preamp isn't adding or cutting your signal in any way. Now bring up your fader (if you're not going direct out of the channel). If the volume is too low, add gain. Too much gain = clipping and/or distortion of the preamp itself. Not enough gain = weak signals to tape/disc whatever. BTW, using a compressor later won't help a weak signal. It just amplifies the poor signal/noise ratio of the track and makes it sound like more ass.

3. Use the gain knob to set the level of the channel preamp. If your gain is set right your fader should be sitting at "0" when the signal is peaking near 0dB in your recording software. Now use the fader to back down to the level you want to record at, -12dB, -6dB, etc.

 

[Farview]

For setting gain,
1. solo the track
2. play the instrument going to the channel
3. look at the meter (when you solo the track, the main meter is your channel level)
4. Set the gain so that the meter hovers around 0db
5. Un-solo the track
6. set level in mix (or to recorder) with the fader



The preamp is what boosts a mic level signal to line level. Line level is what the board operates at. Every time you use a mic, you are plugging it into the preamp. The only way to bypass it is to plug into the line inputs. The line inputs handle line level signals (like keyboards) and don't need to be boosted because they are already line level.

 

[RecordingMaster]

1. the eq is parametric on the channels with sweepable mids. So you can dial in the frequency within the range of that knob, then cut or add gain as needed.

2. For most applications set your gain at UNITY. This way the preamp isn't adding or cutting your signal in any way. Now bring up your fader (if you're not going direct out of the channel). If the volume is too low, add gain. Too much gain = clipping and/or distortion of the preamp itself. Not enough gain = weak signals to tape/disc whatever. BTW, using a compressor later won't help a weak signal. It just amplifies the poor signal/noise ratio of the track and makes it sound like more ass.

3. Use the gain knob to set the level of the channel preamp. If your gain is set right your fader should be sitting at "0" when the signal is peaking near 0dB in your recording software. Now use the fader to back down to the level you want to record at, -12dB, -6dB, etc.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

I guess I forgot to add that there is a "pre" button for each channel, so I think it won't put a pre amp unless I push the button in. Is that correct? If so, should I even need to use the pre's anyway? What would I be using them for if each mic level is satisfactory?

 

[Farview]

The pre button has nothing to do with the preamp. It is probably by the aux controls and is to switch those control from pre-fader to post-fader.