“If you understand the workings of a single channel then you’ve got the basics of the entire desk”: How to use a mixing console

Mixing desk.

While a mixing console may initially seem like an impenetrable maze of buttons, sliders and knobs, it’s actually a very simple to understand ‘what you see is what you get’ machine when you get down to it. And we're here to help.

The principles of using a mixing console in real life versus an on-screen in-your-DAW alternative are basically identical. That’s because your DAW essentially copied the tried and tested layout of the classic physical mixing console that’s been the focal point of recording studios for over 90 years.