In the audio world, understanding pre- and post-fade and how to send audio are key concepts for troubleshooting. Let’s break them down:
Pre-fade vs. Post-fade:
• Pre-fade means the signal is sent before the main volume fader. This is typically used for things like monitor mixes, where you want the musician to hear themselves clearly, regardless of how loud their instrument or voice is in the main mix. The level the performer hears is independent of the audience's volume.
• Post-fade means the signal is sent after the main volume fader. This is used for things like effects (reverb, delay, etc.) or for the main audience mix, where the volume of the audio sent to a specific destination (like a speaker or effect) is directly tied to how high the fader is set.
Sending Audio:
• When you’re sending audio (like routing a microphone through a mixing console to a speaker or mix), it’s crucial to understand the signal path and make sure everything is patched correctly. You’ll often be sending audio to your main audio system, stage monitors, recording devices, or broadcast systems.
Troubleshooting involves checking if the signal is reaching the destination and at the correct level. Common issues and simple fixes include:
o Signal not reaching the destination
Could be caused by broken cables
Muted or turned down input channels
Muted or turned down output mixes
Inputs not patched to the correct outputs
o Signal is too low
Make sure your input device volume is turned up (for example, acoustic guitar volume into a DI box)
Check to see if your input device requires phantom power (for example, condenser microphones)
Make sure there is adequate gain and volume for that specific channel
o Signal is too high
If your input device has a pad, try engaging it to reduce the input signal
Make sure the gain is not too high on the specific channel with too much signal
In everyday troubleshooting, understanding these concepts helps you quickly pinpoint whether the issue lies in the patching (sending/receiving signal), fader settings (pre/post fade), or the signal chain (equipment like mics, mixers, DI boxes or cables).