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5.
Mixer Automation
Initially available only on profesional consoles, automation systems have
evolved over the last 25 years, becoming less expensive and more powerful
in the process. Today there are moving fader and VCA based systems available.
Many only require insert points on the console and can be up and running fairly
quickly. Cheap VCA's and MIDI have brought automation to the masses.
a. SMPTE
We discussed SMPTE earlier in reference to locking up tape machines. It
has also become the industry standard for running automation systems. An obvious
advantage is that one track of SMPTE is all you have to give up on your multi-track
to give you both synchronization and automation capabilities.
b. VCA vs. Moving Faders
I'm a big moving fader fan, particularly the "Flying Fader" system used
on Neve VR consoles. Moving fader systems utilize sophisticated mechanical,
motorized faders running under the control of a computer and software that
keeps track of the physical position of the faders relative to the SMPTE timecode
on the tape. After recording a move, you simply rewind the tape and the faders
replay your moves. With this type of automation, the fader is actually in
the audio path controlling the output of the signal.
Initially only available
in very expensive hi-end consoles, motorized faders are showing up in low
priced consoles like the Yamaha 01v(about $1800), the O2R rev2(about $6000)
and O3 consoles, Mackie has the d8b (about $9000), the Panasonic DA7(about $5000),
the TASCAM TM-d4000(about $4000) and the Roland VM-72 system(about $4000).
In 2000, Sony came out with its little "Oxford", the DMX-r100 for about $25,000.
None of these machines existed in 1995!
A VCA or "voltage controlled amplifier" is the heart of the SSL automation
process. In this type of system the fader controls the output of the VCA which
is actually passing the signal. As in moving fader systems, a computer and
software keep track of the fader movements relative to SMPTE. Instead of the
faders physically replaying your moves, their movement is represented on the
computer monitor as a vertical bar moving up and down. Many people don't like
VCA's in the audio path, because they can color the sound. This was more of
a problem 25 years ago when VCA technology was young. The fact that SSL is
such a major player in big budget mixing says a lot about how little a problem
that is. You can decide for yourself.
c. MIDI Automation
The wide acceptance of MIDI and low cost, high quality VCA's has fueled
the development of inexpensive MIDI based automation systems. The mixing board
gets a MIDI plug!
The TASCAM M-3700 is a good example of this approach. It's on-board system
has a disc drive and small LCD screen and allows you to automate channel volume,
channel mute, monitor mute, EQ on/off and effects send on/off. With additional
software and an external computer you can have the moving bars on the screen
and some useful utility options.
Add-on outboard systems like the Mackie system utilize, a VCA package that
ties in via the insert points on your mixer and a smaller fader pack of 16
faders with mute buttons to record your moves on. This is all translated into
MIDI data which can be displayed on a Mac computer. Other systems come with
software or are already configured to work with several popular sequencer
programs like Vision, Cubase and Logic. These add-on VCA systems are a powerful
and relatively inexpensive way to add sophisticated automation capabilities
to your mixer.
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