Recording feeds – When mixing a live event, we help reinforce the things that are soft onstage like voices or violins. Louder instruments such as a snare drum may need little reinforcement, but a singer usually needs a lot.

And some instruments like a loud amplified electric guitar may not even be in the mix because the stage volume from the amp and the bleed into other stage mics makes that item loud enough for the audience without any additional help from the PA. The live audience hears a balanced mix of both the stage sounds and the PA system.

But the live mix is not balanced for recording, and while the best way to record a live event is to multitrack all inputs and mix them down later in a studio, it’s just not practical for common, basic recording needs.

Using a matrix can help conjure up a serviceable recording mix in mono or stereo that is going to sound way better than recording from the PA main outputs. Adding a few audience mics into the recording can also be accomplished easily.

Webcasts and podcasts – Mixing live audio for webcasts and podcasts usually involves tailoring the EQ for the specific end user, as well as applying some leveling and limiting to the signal so it does not overdrive the smaller speakers usually associated with computer audio.

Using a matrix, I can set up a specific mix and use the console’s internal output EQ and dynamics (or insert external units if need be) to adjust the signal as desired.

Extra monitor mixes – More than a few times I’ve been mixing monitors and have run out of aux sends. Using a matrix, I’ve set up side fill mixes as well as individual performer mixes.

For performers, I run a direct out of their mic or instrument into the external input of the matrix so they can hear as much of themselves as they want, and then can offer them a basic mix of the band from the group buses through the matrices. While not the best way to mix monitors, it sure beats telling a performer they have to share a mix with somebody.

Phantom mixing – We’ve all been there: standing at the console, thinking we’ve finally nailed the mix, starting to enjoy the performance, when a person walks up to FOH and tells you that he can’t hear his child, girlfriend, wife, niece, etc. A quick twist of an unused matrix send and a sincere “Is that better?” usually gets them out of your hair.