Thanks Martin for your insight and the reasoning behind the method used for audio in vMix. It does make sense for those Users operating vMix sound using only the computer interface. Is there a way to include the option in the application Settings/Audio menu to facilitate PFL using DirectSound or whatever mechanism you have implemented, to split the signal that drives the vertical audio meter ‘PRE’ in the Audio Settings dialogue.

Further, I investigated this and found that the following features are POST Fader: Channel Balance, Channel Gain, Delay, EQ, Compressor, Noise Gate, Channel Mixer and the POST fader vertical audio meter. The actual Channel Fader control is at the input for the audio channel, not at or near the output of the audio channel. Is this correct? If so, then this is a reversal of functionality for any audio mixers, either software or hardware based, and makes any feature request for PFL (Pre Fade Listen) moot/unwarranted.

Is there a limitation in .Net that does not permit the functions within the vMix Audio Settings dialogue (Gain/EQ/Compressor/Gate/Channel Mixer) to be placed before the Channel Fader, thus permitting the PFL request to be considered?

Quote Admin: “The fader in vMix acts as both a gain and a fader in the traditional mixer sense ...” Rather, the fader in vMix acts as an attenuator. The Gain control for the channel resides in the Audio Settings/General dialogue. So Gain is applied after the channel fader. Is this correct?

Quote Admin: “ ... without them needing to learn the more complex analogue mixer workflow required by PFL.” PFL is not complex, one button, one function, to preview sound and adjust all the sound parameters/effects, no matter the current position of Fader, the status of the Channel Mute or the channel assignment to outputs M-A-B.

As I have spoken with several SAE audio directors locally regarding this post, no-one uses Mute to switch audio channels. It’s software with an audio mixer to mix audio, and PFL is their best friend. When Live, always check the next event in PFL and check again ....

Please free to comment if these observations are incorrect. A diagram of the audio signal path through vMix would be of great benefit to all, so we can better understand the implementation of sound in vMix. Including the Bus assignments, vMix Call and IFB. The vMix Audio reference in the Help HTML.

Regards,
Ross.

BETech,

All effects are pre-fader. In the audio meter, the sequence is Pre-Meter, Effects, Channel Fader, Post-Meter.

I have observed many live production setups over the years where an audio console was used, and all used Mute and had the channel faders
always up during the entire show. This was also the case back when I did sound mixing at my church, even when we had professional
sound engineers come by to teach the volunteers the same setup was used also.

So it appears there are two different worlds out there, with vMix modelling closest to the music production world since that appears
to be what are most familiar with.

Regards,

Martin
vMix

As I have learned in the last several years, yes, they are 2 different worlds.

I came from a music background and have used and owned many audio consoles. I use an X32 every week at our church for worship. I know the console inside and out.

But I get to the office where we have many x32's that we have deployed for live sports and the setup the A1's have is like foreign world, I can't figure out how to fade up some music sometimes! They live in a world where PFLed sources are on most of the time and DCAed groups control almost the whole console. The sound in the audio booth of a truck is almost NEVER what you are hearing on air. Program Audio is like a sixth sense to these guys.

Add on top of all of this - intercom and routing of all your sources there.

These folks would be bored mixing a band. :-)


Steve

Yes, it does seem that way. I did some research just to make sure I wasn't going crazy, and many of the audio consoles I have used and observed over the years
set AFL as the default operation for Solo. For example the Presonus StudioLive digital console, that has been used for the Teradek Live Show the past few years has this as the default.

Of course, these consoles also have a toggle to turn on PFL mode, but they also have a true analog gain control to set the levels which is key.
Such a control doesn't exist in the digital world and trying to emulate one would be troublesome at best, especially if audio is coming in distorted already.

Thanks everybody for your input, it has been an interesting discussion. As a reward for those that have read this far, we will be announcing a big new
audio feature in the next few weeks. It isn't a PFL button, but I think pro audio users will fine it extremely useful!

Regards,

Martin
vMix

Hi All
Has there been a resolution to this?

I also would like to see a PFL function in addition to a Solo function.

With my workflow, I have multiple audio sources and would like to be able to hear a specific input in my headphones alone without having to bring up that input fader after I have hit the solo button. This way, I won't ever have to worry about making the mistake of taking that source to air by accident.

If my audio mixer is external, this wouldn't be a problem since I'd only send 2 channels of audio to Vmix from my mixer and wouldn't have to worry about mixing within Vmix.

I realize its a different workflow, and I have seen it done both ways.

Thanks
Tony

+1

+1

+1

I have never in my life seen someone manage gains like that. You set the gain with fader down to proper level using meter and then ride the fader to set desired volume.

The audio meters should also be PRE-FADER

+1

+1

The option of having Solo be Pre Fader would be hugely welcome. Not sure why it still hasn't been implemented?!

Or, just add a PFL button.....