difference between a high-end audio mixer and so-so one

[Joep K.]

audio mixer transparency

Hello,

This is my first post here so I would like to start by saluting all members.

My main area of interest is the application of analogue electronics in making music. A while ago I saw a video demonstration of a modular synth which (re)aroused my interest in analogue electronics. It´s been quite a while since physics 101, so I bought a breadboard, destroyed an old VCR for components and started tinkering.

In the process, I became reacquainted with the basic concepts of signal processing etc. and I arrived at a question to which I have difficulty finding the answer:

Since an ideal audio mixer is transparent and does not change the characteristics of the original sound (in my personal opinion at least), what type of circuitry makes the difference between a high-end audio mixer and a so-so mixer? In other words; why are certain studios willing to pay thousands and thousands of Euros for a Neve console if its quality should be inaudible.

The answer has to be more complicated than just the use of first class components, so I was wondering if anybody can shed some light on the issue from the circuit perspective.

Kind regards,

Joep

 

[betwixt]

Re: audio mixer transparency

Most of the costs go into the name on the front, not the electronics inside!

The main technical differences are in noise, distortion and the technology used to process the audio. Many of the modern mixers digitize the sounds and process them as numbers rather than the older method of keeping everything analog. I'm not going to comment on the pros and cons of this, digital maintains the quality throughout the mixing process but loses some of it in digitizing and reconstructing the analog afterward.

Adding a computer interface makes a difference to ease of use and adds to the costs but it doesn't influence the quality of sound.

Component 'quality' doesn't really come into the equation, reliability is so high these days that the 'grade' of component makes little difference. There is some difference between capacitor construction and materials which some say influences the sound but I think it is more psychological than acoustic.

I have seen VERY expensive studio mixing desks using very old op-amp devices, not because they are better, just because they cost less.

Brian.