The Channel Strip

When looking at a mixing console, for the purpose of this website I am going to be utilizing an analog console. Specifically, for all of the referenced figures in this section, I’m using an Allen and Heath GL series console. This console is a very good analog console and will include many things other analog consoles have. The purpose behind using an analog console (before all you digital folks turn the channel—using the most analog analogy I possible could) is because in the digital realm, the concept of the channel strip is retained from the analog realm. Even though each digital console retains the same concept as the analog channel strip, there are many functions that are in flux which allow each digital console and manufacturer to have their own “footprint.” However, with an analog console, they’re highly similar, and many churches that I have gone to operate analog consoles to this day, as they either don’t have the funds or the need for a digital console. If they do dabble into the digital realm, it is usually with stuff like the Behringer X32, Allen and Heath QU series, Yamaha M7CL’s, or the QSC Touch Mix. These all retain the same basic concept of a channel strip, but have their own unique takes on things like aux sends, inserts, and effects.