Sound Mixing Software for Your PC
From concert sound to a solo or duo act playing local gigs there is now a software program that runs on a PC that will allow you to mix your sound. Even the smallest system, with just a few inputs, has all of the features available to the largest full blown concert system. This software provides most of the functions of the most expensive digital consoles and even goes beyond their capabilities in many areas.
The Software Audio Console
For live sound mixing there is now available a virtual mixing software developed from the ground up to mix live sound on a computer. The music business has been converting to digital hardware for several years. The equipment list for most major concerts includes a digital console, at least as an option if not the first choice. The music recording industry made the move to digital many years ago.
In addition to very good quality sound the digital consoles have much of the signal processing onboard. This saves carrying an additional rack of signal processing equipment and provides processing for every channel without external patching. The SAC system provides all of these features.
The Programming Concept
Music recording has been done on computers for many years. The requirements for working with live sound are even more stringent. Low latency, the time between when a signal goes in the input device of the system to the time it makes its way through the processing chain and is presented to the output device, is not a big problem in the recording process but is a major concern for a live application. A SAC system typically operates with complete stability with a latency of under 3 milliseconds.
Because speed is important the software is programmed in assembly language. Assembly language programming is recognized to be much faster than the higher level languages. Assembly language programming is also easier on system resources and typically has a much smaller memory footprint. There is an old geek joke about the three reasons to use assembly language programming: speed, speed, and more speed.
The Feature Set
The SAC software has been developed specifically to mix live sound on a virtual console. A hardware controller can be hooked up to the system but is not necessary. All functions can be carried out real time with a mouse and keyboard. The console handles up to 72 full stereo channels. The package includes the front of house console and 24 additional identical monitor consoles.
Each input channel includes an input trim with up to 20db of digital gain, a five band full parametric EQ section with additional adjustable high and low cut filters, a dynamics section with switchable compressor and gate, patch points for plug in effects, an aux send section with six sends, and the main fader with panning and output assignment. The output section has eight stereo outputs and sixteen output control channels that can be used as traditional sub-groups or DCA group controllers. The aux section can be patched virtually or as a send and return to external signal processing.
There is a powerful scene system built into the software. This allows you to control most functions of the system with a double click of the mouse or a tap on the space bar. There will soon be a sequence view within the scene module that will take show automation to a new level.
There are unparralleled remote functions built into the software package. Some of the digital hardware on the market gives you a limited remote capability. The SAC system allows up to 28 remote units to be connected at the same time. There are assignable user rights for these remotes. A remote station can be used for a personal monitor controller as easily as using it to mix front of house sound. If this is done over a wifi network there are no wires to run and the front of house engineer can work from any place in the venue.
The SAC system is available and in use today. Harrah's main show room in Las Vegas recently installed a SAC system and two stages at a major street festival in Las Vegas were recently mixed on one SAC system. Because of the low cost of entry for a top level feature set the system is finding wide use in Houses of Worship across the country as well. Most engineers that mix on a SAC system have no desire to go back to a hardware system.
For live sound mixing there is now available a virtual mixing software developed from the ground up to mix live sound on a computer. The music business has been converting to digital hardware for several years. The equipment list for most major concerts includes a digital console, at least as an option if not the first choice. The music recording industry made the move to digital many years ago.
In addition to very good quality sound the digital consoles have much of the signal processing onboard. This saves carrying an additional rack of signal processing equipment and provides processing for every channel without external patching. The SAC system provides all of these features.
The Programming Concept
Music recording has been done on computers for many years. The requirements for working with live sound are even more stringent. Low latency, the time between when a signal goes in the input device of the system to the time it makes its way through the processing chain and is presented to the output device, is not a big problem in the recording process but is a major concern for a live application. A SAC system typically operates with complete stability with a latency of under 3 milliseconds.
Because speed is important the software is programmed in assembly language. Assembly language programming is recognized to be much faster than the higher level languages. Assembly language programming is also easier on system resources and typically has a much smaller memory footprint. There is an old geek joke about the three reasons to use assembly language programming: speed, speed, and more speed.
The Feature Set
The SAC software has been developed specifically to mix live sound on a virtual console. A hardware controller can be hooked up to the system but is not necessary. All functions can be carried out real time with a mouse and keyboard. The console handles up to 72 full stereo channels. The package includes the front of house console and 24 additional identical monitor consoles.
Each input channel includes an input trim with up to 20db of digital gain, a five band full parametric EQ section with additional adjustable high and low cut filters, a dynamics section with switchable compressor and gate, patch points for plug in effects, an aux send section with six sends, and the main fader with panning and output assignment. The output section has eight stereo outputs and sixteen output control channels that can be used as traditional sub-groups or DCA group controllers. The aux section can be patched virtually or as a send and return to external signal processing.
There is a powerful scene system built into the software. This allows you to control most functions of the system with a double click of the mouse or a tap on the space bar. There will soon be a sequence view within the scene module that will take show automation to a new level.
There are unparralleled remote functions built into the software package. Some of the digital hardware on the market gives you a limited remote capability. The SAC system allows up to 28 remote units to be connected at the same time. There are assignable user rights for these remotes. A remote station can be used for a personal monitor controller as easily as using it to mix front of house sound. If this is done over a wifi network there are no wires to run and the front of house engineer can work from any place in the venue.
The SAC system is available and in use today. Harrah's main show room in Las Vegas recently installed a SAC system and two stages at a major street festival in Las Vegas were recently mixed on one SAC system. Because of the low cost of entry for a top level feature set the system is finding wide use in Houses of Worship across the country as well. Most engineers that mix on a SAC system have no desire to go back to a hardware system.
Mixer in a Box
Information about the virtual mixing system based on the Software Audio Console software package.
Information about the virtual mixing system based on the Software Audio Console software package.
By Wink Longnecker
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