Are you wanting to learn about audio mixers or are you considering purchasing your first audio mixer? A couple months ago I purchased my first mixer, a Behringer Zenyx 1204, to connect multiple mics (including one needing phantom power) to my Sony VX2100 as I tape studio lectures. Granted, my mixing needs are super basic. I don’t need special effects, multi-track recording, or anything “fancy.” In fact, the 1204 is quite overkill from a features point of view on what I need.

Well, the manual that came with the Behringer might be of use to experienced console operators, but I found it totally confusing, having never used a mixer before. I did some searching and came up with a book I just finished reading, Mackie Compact Mixers by Rudy Trubitt (available on Amazon). Ok, I don’t have a Mackie (but am beginning to wish I’d spent the extra bucks to get one), but the general principles apply to any compact mixer. I learned tons and tons. Granted, I’m a very long way from being an accomplished mixer, but I finally have a vague idea of signal routing.

If you are in the market for a mixer or have one that you want to understand better, I couldn’t recommend this book more highly. It is written in simple language with a nice edge of humor. It is “Certified 100% math free” and indeed does avoid both math and technical jargon.