Would you like to mix on a computer?
What is a Mixer in a Box?
There
is a
software package designed for mixing live sound on a computer.
This software provides a very powerful and full featured
solution
for the live sound engineer. The Software Audio Console on
a good computer
is equivalent to a good digital mixing console made by one of the major
manufacturers, but the expense is much less.
The developer of this software is the developer of the Software Audio Workshop. The SAW studio software has been in use for around 15 years with constant development. The SAC software has been introduced recently as a live mixing solution. The knowledge gained from the development of the studio software has been incorporated in the live software package. For more information about the SAWStudio software visit The SAWStudio Website. For complete information about the SAC software visit The SoftWare Audio Console Website.
My Mixer in a Box
Early in February of this year (2009) a friend told me that I should check out this software. I read through the information on the website and got enthused about the product. I have built several computers and upgraded some other computers in the last few years (see my computer building hobby site). I decided to combine my business, sound reinforcement, and my hobby of building computers to build my own SAC system. (Now, with this site I am combining another hobby, the hobby of building websites.)
I have
recently built
and begun to use my
own SAC system. I have three levels of business. The most active of
these levels is the event and convention segment. I also occasionally
do a smaller club or party date and I do a more complex concert date
from time to time. I targeted this first SAC system at the event and
convention business. I put together a 32 input system to use for these
events. I built the computer in a rack mountable server case and
mounted the computer and the four strips of pre-amp/converters in a
small rack case that I had in the warehouse. I have begun to use this
for my primary mixer. I intend to assemble a more compact system for
the smaller shows and also to use for second stages at larger events. I
will also build a full concert system if I can convince touring
engineers to use the system.
While the software supports hardware control surfaces it is designed to be used with a keyboard and mouse as the primary input devices. The navigation is set up so that you can quickly get to any section of the virtual board from any place that you might be. Last week I mixed a fairly complex church convention with only the computer.
The Major Features of the Mixer in a Box
The software will handle up to 72 stereo channels. It is designed as a full stereo system, front to back. If you have a true stereo source you can control it with one fader. Each channel has a patchable compressor and noise gate. There is a delay unit and a 7 band para-graphic EQ as part of the package and many freeware reverbs are available. The software supports DX and vst plugins as long as they do not add latency within their algorithm.
The package includes the Front of House console and 24 identical monitor consoles. This allows unprecedented flexibility in providing both the audience and musicians with the best quality sound. The system is also fully remote controllable. It is even possible to use the remote control functions over a wifi network. This allows the engineer to mix the show from any place in the venue. It also allows a monitor tech to adjust the monitor mix from a position next to the musicians during the sound check.
For full information about the software visit the SAC website and check out the user group forum. The developer offers a free demo and a manual in the form of a pdf from the downloads area of the site. The demo has some limitations but you can experience the look and feel of using the virtual mixer.
The Mixer in a Box Offer
While many people run the software on a prebuilt computer or even a laptop the best way to use the software for serious work is to set it up on a dedicated system. If you are comfortable assembling a computer system or doing upgrades to a system you can easily do this yourself. I have some information about building computers on my computer hobby site that you may be interested in reading through.
If you would like to have a dedicated system but do not feel competent to assemble it yourself or do not have the time to invest in the project I would be pleased to give you a quote on a custom system to your specifications. I will give quotes on basic systems that might be used for a band with a few inputs up through a concert system with some included control surface. If you have questions about this service please email them to: info@mixerinabox.com. If you would like a price quote describe the system that you would like and submit your request to: quotations@mixerinabox.com.
The software has a great deal of potential for customization and personalization. When you download the software it is a blank page waiting for your input. I will set up a starter mix session and some other customizations that I find useful and include these with the package. This will allow you to get started using the system without all of the initial configuration.
