Version 2 of Producer's Audio Mixer provides more granular control over the audio of your content in Producer. Some of the new features include: source grouping, custom path routing, monitoring modes and compression.
Overview
Modes (Receives, Sends, Automation and Compressor)
Layers (Inputs, Groups and Outputs)
Paths and Preview/Program indicator
Pre-Fader Listening (PFL), After-Fader Listening (AFL) and Trim
Volume fader and VU meter
Mute button
Main Output controls
Global monitoring settings (user-specific)
Program preview
Terminology
Path | An audio channel can be input, group or output type and can be mono, stereo or 5.1 surround |
Input | An audio channel that serves as an entry point (input) for a single source. It can be routed to Groups and Outputs |
Group | An audio channel that serves as a bus for multiple sources to be grouped and controlled with shared parameters (e.g. volume, automation, send destination) from a single point. It can be routed to Groups and Outputs |
Output | An audio channel that serves as a summing channel for multiple sources and groups to be grouped and controlled with shared parameters (e.g. volume, automation, send destination) from a single point. It can be routed to Groups, ISO recorders, and other Outputs |
Receives | This mode shows the audio sources currently coming into a Group or an Output Path. For input paths, it shows the menu selection for sources, track (for sources with multiple audio tracks) and leg routing |
Sends | This mode shows the destination of the audio signal. Destinations can be Groups and Outputs. An audio path can have multiple destinations |
Automation: | This mode shows controls for how the audio signal behaves when taken on and off air (program) |
Compressor | This mode shows controls for the audio compressor and its parameters |
Trim | It gives control over the base signal level before the volume fader |
Pre-Fader Listening (PFL) | This function allows for monitoring sources without impacting the program, similar to soloing. The signal level will be that of the source before the volume fader |
After-Fader Listening (AFL) | This function allows for monitoring sources without impacting the program, similar to soloing. The signal level will be that of the source after the volume fader |
Latch Listening | This option allows for PFL and AFL monitoring of multiple paths. When this option is disabled, toggling PFL/AFL on another path will switch to the new path and disable monitoring in the previous |
Audio Mixer Preferences
Auto-configure | This option takes care of all the audio configuration. The audio follows the video when it is pushed to the program and is muted when the source is removed from the program. Disabling this option will prompt the user to manually set up the audio routing for each source in Producer |
Create Input paths for live sources | This option creates input paths and auto-patches input receives for live streams, Guests, local sources, media players, and web sources whenever a new source is added |
Create Input paths for VOD sources | This option creates input paths and auto-patches input receives for clips and playlists whenever a new source is added |
Route recordable Input paths to ISOS | This option creates an output path for automatically created recordable input paths and patches this to the corresponding ISO output |
Route the main output path to Guest returns: | This option patches the main output path to the Guest return when a new Guest source is added |
📕 Note: Enabling the "Auto-Configure" option will permanently delete all audio routing done when the feature was disabled.
Manual Path Configuration
Following these steps will recreate the routing and behaviour of the “auto-configuration” mode of the audio mixer but will also allow you to edit your paths and add sub-mixes with groups or additional outputs.
On the Audio Mixer page, click on NEW PATH
Select TYPE > INPUT
Select WIDTH > STEREO
Add a NAME
Click the red plus (+) button to add more paths
Click on CREATE to add inputs
Under MODES, click on RECEIVES
Select the SOURCE, TRACK and LEG ROUTING
Under MODES, click on SENDS
Click on NEW SEND on the newly created path
Select the MAIN OUTPUT
Under MODES, click on AUTOMATION
Enable FOLLOW VIDEO
✅ Tip: You can create “sub-mix” buses by creating groups, routing specific sources to these and then routing those groups to the main output.
Automation
Audio-follow-video automation will automatically mute or enable audio for sources taken on or off air (program) as well as fade it in or out.
Parameters
In Level | The level at which the volume fader will be set when the asset is pushed live (program) |
Out Level | The level at which the volume fader will be set when the asset is taken off the program |
In Duration | The duration of the fade-in automation (from 0 to 3 seconds) |
Out Duration | The duration of the fade-out automation (from 0 to 3 seconds) |
In Delay | The duration of the delay before the cut or fade-in automation (from 0 to 3 seconds) |
Out Delay | The duration of the delay before the cut or fade-out automation (from 0 to 3 seconds) |
External Control | This option allows the source to be muted from the control room (vision mixer) when a source set to “Mute Sources Below” is in Program. |
📕 Note: The "auto" value for IN/OUT duration and delay is very short (close to 0 seconds). This reduces audio clicks and pops while maintaining a snappy transition.
Compressor
The compressor controls the dynamic range of sound by automatically reducing the volume of louder signals that exceed a set threshold while boosting quieter parts. This reduces the dynamic range of audio signals and ensures a more consistent and balanced sound, preventing distortion from sudden peaks.
Parameters
Threshold | The minimum level the audio signal must reach before the compression is applied |
Ratio | How much an audio signal is reduced when compression is applied. This measure is expressed in ratios, e.g. 2:1 |
Knee | It controls how gradual or abrupt the transition from no compression to full compression is |
Attack | It controls how quickly the compressor applies gain reduction once the audio signal exceeds the threshold. |
Release | It determines how quickly the compressor stops reducing gain once the audio signal drops below the threshold. |
Make-up Gain | It is used to boost the overall level of the signal after compression has reduced its dynamic range. |