Ella Walter
In audio production, pre-fade and post-fade refer to functions that happen either before or after the main fader of a channel in a mixing board. Pre-fade aux sends are useful in live sound reinforcement situations, such as when setting up stage monitor mixes, as they allow independent control of the levels of each mix. This means that changes to the main mix will not affect the levels of the monitor mixes. Pre-fade is also useful when applying parallel compression to drum tracks, as it allows the producer to hear both the dry and wet tracks simultaneously. However, post-fade sends are useful for controlling the levels of a group of instruments with a single master fader.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pre-fade/post-fade | Functions that happen either before (pre-fade) or after (post-fade) the main fader of a channel in a mixing board |
| Pre-fade listen (PFL) | Taken before (pre) the fader by definition |
| Pre-fade aux send | Used for headphone mixes or stage monitors, where levels can be set independently of the fader position |
| Post-fade | Used to drive effects units such as reverbs, where the mix of the signal sent to the reverb matches the overall mix |
| Pre-fader send | Allows independent adjustment of vocal and FX levels; used for dynamic processing on vocal FX send/return; prevents changes in vocal level from affecting vocal delay/reverb levels |
| Pre-fader reverb send | Results in the voice moving away in the space created by the reverb as the fader is lowered, creating a sense of distance |
| Pre-fader bus | Used to create alternate mixes for musicians in an ensemble, allowing each musician to control their own mix without affecting others |
| Pre-fader and post-fader | Refer to the point at which send effects on a channel are sent; pre-fade means the channel fader does not affect the amount of signal going to the bus |
| Pre-fader mode | Used temporarily to EQ the reverb return and make it easier to judge the sound of the reverb independently from the dry signal |
| Pre-fader aux send | Used in live sound reinforcement to control the level of stage monitor mixes independently from the front-of-house mix |
| Post-fader aux send | Used as "effects sends" to send a signal from a channel to an effects processor; the level of the "wet" signal follows the level of the "dry" signal |
| Pre-fader | Allows for independent control of the auxiliary or bus track, which can be used exclusively as an effect track like reverb; ensures that adjustments to the original track do not affect the reverb sound |
| Pre-fader sends | Used for applying parallel compression to drum tracks, allowing both dry and wet tracks to be heard simultaneously |
| Post-fader sends | Used for bussing, where multiple audio tracks are managed collectively through centralized control via a single master fader |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Pre-fader sends for live sound reinforcement
Pre-fader sends are useful for live sound reinforcement when the FOH console is also acting as the stage monitor mix console. In this situation, it is ideal to be able to control the level of the monitor mixes independently from the front-of-house mix. If the position of the channel fader affected the level in each monitor mix, the monitor mix would have to be adjusted every time the level of the channel fader was changed. For example, if a screaming guitar solo is boosted in the front-of-house mix, everyone on stage would also get an earful from their monitor mix.
Pre-fader sends are also used when creating alternate mixes for musicians during recording. Each pre-fader bus can be routed to a headphone amp, with a single volume knob for the musician to control. This allows each musician to adjust their own mix without affecting others.
Another use of pre-fader sends is to keep the level of effects constant while adjusting the level of the dry signal. For example, you may want to adjust the level of a vocal track while keeping the level of reverb constant. This creates the effect of the vocalist moving away in the space created by the reverb as the fader is lowered.
In some cases, pre-fader sends can also be used to create parallel compression for a particular sound that you want to be intact and compressed at the same time.
It is important to note that pre-fader sends do not include panning. Panning refers to the placement of a sound in the stereo field, and it is typically controlled by a knob or slider on a mixing console. Pre-fader sends are concerned with the level or volume of a signal, which is separate from the panning control.
When to Change Chip Pan Oil: A Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pre-fader for parallel compression
Pre-fade and post-fade refer to functions that happen either before (pre-fade) or after (post-fade) the main fader of a channel in a mixing board. Pre-fade is used for live mixing monitors from FOH, and can also be used to separate the channel fader from the bus, which can be good for different signal routings.
When it comes to parallel compression, there are different approaches. Some prefer to use pre-fader for parallel compression to ensure that the sound of the parallel track does not change. This means that the channel volume can be adjusted without affecting the effect volume. This is useful when you want to maintain the same amount of compression at all times.
Others prefer to use post-fader for parallel compression. This means that when the channel volume is adjusted, the effect volume will also go down. This can be advantageous when you want the effect volume to change along with the channel volume.
Some users choose to use both pre-fader and post-fader techniques depending on the specific situation and their personal preferences. For example, when using dynamic processing on a vocal FX send/return, a pre-fader send can be useful to set dynamic thresholds that stay relative to the input level, without being affected by adjustments to the vocal level.
Ultimately, the decision to use pre-fader or post-fader for parallel compression depends on the specific requirements of the project and the engineer's preferred workflow. Both techniques have their advantages and can be utilized to achieve different results.
Greasing and Flouring Paper Bread Pans
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pre-fader reverb send
Pre-fade and post-fade refer to functions that happen either before (pre-fade) or after (post-fade) the main fader of a channel in a mixing board. When it comes to reverb, both pre-fader and post-fader sends are commonly used, and each has its own advantages and use cases.
Using a pre-fader send for reverb allows you to adjust the volume of a source track while keeping the reverb level constant, which can be useful for creating the effect of distance. For example, if you want to make a person walking away from the camera sound farther away, you can lower the source track volume while keeping the reverb level the same. This gives you more control over the balance between the direct sound and the reverb. Pre-fader sends are also useful for creating alternate mixes for musicians during recording, as they allow each musician to adjust the volume of their individual mix without affecting the overall mix. Additionally, pre-fader sends can be used for special effects or when you want to apply parallel processing to a channel while retaining independent control of more parameters.
Post-Fader Reverb Send
Post-fader sends for reverb are often used to match the reverb mix with the overall mix. This is particularly useful for maintaining a consistent wet/dry ratio and for following the true nature of acoustics, where a louder signal results in more reverb. Post-fader sends can simplify the mixing process by eliminating the need for additional automation when making volume adjustments. They are also commonly used for dialogue reverb in audio post-production, as they allow for better level control of the dry signal and the ability to adjust the reverb return independently.
In conclusion, both pre-fader and post-fader reverb sends have their own advantages and applications. Pre-fader sends offer more control over the balance between the direct sound and reverb, making it easier to create distance effects and providing independent control over parameters. On the other hand, post-fader sends simplify the mixing process by automatically matching the reverb mix with the overall mix and adhering to the principles of acoustic realism. The choice between pre-fader and post-fader sends ultimately depends on the specific requirements of the project and the desired level of control.
Foil-Lined Baking: Does It Affect Temperature?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pre-fader for independent channel control
Pre-fade and post-fade refer to functions that occur either before or after the main fader of a channel in a mixing board. Pre-fader for independent channel control is a useful technique in audio engineering, allowing for more flexibility and creativity in the mixing process.
The pre-fader send allows for independent control of the channel's volume without affecting the level of the signal sent to the auxiliary or bus track. This means that the fader can be raised or lowered without influencing the level sent to the auxiliary track, providing an extra level of depth and the ability to create interesting sounds. For example, a musician can have more control over their individual mix without affecting the overall mix for other musicians.
In the context of mixing, using a pre-fader is often preferred over a post-fader as it ensures the signal remains independent of the channel fader. This is especially useful when working with multiple tracks and effects, as it simplifies the routing process and provides independent control over the effects. For instance, when using dynamic processing on a vocal FX send/return, using a pre-fader allows for the dynamic thresholds to stay relative to the input level, providing more consistency in the mix.
Another practical application of the pre-fader mode is in EQing the reverb return. By sending the vocal pre-fader and lowering the fader, the engineer can listen solely to the reverb return, making it easier to EQ and ensuring a more precise mix.
The pre-fader setting is also commonly used for live mixing monitors, allowing for independent control of the monitor mix without affecting the main mix. This ensures that unexpected levels are not sent to the artists when changes are made to the main mix.
The Truth About Cast Iron and Teflon: A Cook's Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pre-fader for alternate mixes
Pre-fader sends are used to create alternate mixes for musicians when recording as an ensemble. Each pre-fader bus is routed to a headphone amp, with a single volume knob for the musician to control. This allows each musician to adjust their mix independently without affecting the levels of other musicians' mixes. For example, a guitarist can increase the volume of their guitar in their individual mix without changing the volume for other musicians.
Pre-fader sends are also useful for creating separate mixes for performers and audio engineers during live shows and recording sessions. Performers often need to hear instruments at a steady level in their headphones or monitors, especially when the mixing engineer needs to adjust the volume for the audience. By sending the signal pre-fader, both the performer and the engineer can have their own mixes, allowing the engineer to make adjustments without changing the performer's mix.
Additionally, pre-fader sends can be advantageous when using dynamic processing on vocal FX sends/returns. For instance, when using de-essing before the delay and compression afterward, the dynamic thresholds are set relative to the input level. If a post-fader send is used, adjusting the vocal level will change the level that these thresholds react to, which can be inconvenient. With a pre-fader send, the dynamic thresholds remain constant relative to the input level, allowing independent adjustment of the vocal level and FX levels.
Pre-fader sends also provide an extra level of depth when mixing effects, creating interesting sounds that add another dimension to the mix. They are particularly useful for parallel compression, where a separate track is processed differently from the original, allowing for independent control of more parameters. For example, in a drum mix, a pre-fader send can be used to parallel compress the drums, especially room mics, overhead mics, kick, and snare, to thicken them up dramatically without affecting the original drum mix.
Perfect Pan Size for Cinnamon Rolls
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Pre-fade refers to functions that happen before the main fader of a channel in a mixing board.
Post-fade refers to functions that happen after the main fader of a channel in a mixing board.
Pre-fade is useful when you want to adjust the fader without influencing the level that is being sent to the auxiliary track.
Pre-fade happens before panning.
