D Signal - SoundCraft ZL0439 Manual To Mixing

D. Signal Flow
Now the typical mixer features have been explained in
detail it is important to understand how they form
together. The route which a signal source takes through a
mixer is normally shown using one of two devices:
a block diagram or a signal flow diagram.
Both diagrams provide a 'visual' description of the key
elements of the mixing console. They allow you to identify
which components are used in the audio path and help the
engineer to "troubleshoot" when signal sources don't appear
to be doing what they should! In simple terms, they are
electronic maps.
An example of a signal flow diagram is shown here. This
is the most basic representation of console layout, showing
a how a single sound source may pass through an input
strip to the various other parts of the mixer.
Block diagrams are slightly more complex, showing more
detail, electronic information, including the location of
resistors and capacitors, and the structure of the entire
console including bussing: an example is shown on page
37. Block diagrams also use a number of symbols to
represent electronic elements. A few minutes spent
understanding them some time during your journey
through this booklet will most definitely pay-off in future
mixing projects.
FIG. 1.6
A Typical Signal Flow Path
MIC
LINE
MIC
PREAMP
HI PASS
FILTER
INSERT
EQ
ON/OFF
SWITCH
AUX PRE
FADER
AUX POST
PAN
ROUTING
SWITCH
AUX PRE AUX PRE
MASTER OUT
AUX POST AUX POST
MASTER OUT
SUB GROUP SUB GROUP
OUT
FADER
SUB GROUP
TO MIX
MIX MIX
OUTPUT
FADER
7