Patent Publication Number: US-2013236033-A1

Title: Mixing console and method of mixing by means of a mixing console

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to EP Application No. 12 158 856.0 filed on Mar. 9, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Various embodiments relate to a mixing console having a housing and a method of mixing via a mixing console. In particular, various embodiments relate to a mixing console having an audio processing module and a light processing module arranged within the housing. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the art, audio mixing consoles comprising an audio processing module for processing and mixing of audio channels are known. For example, in applications such as live performance or studio recording, a plurality of audio channels may be present. Each of the audio channels comprises at least one audio signal. The audio mixing consoles are configured for processing (i.e., providing effects such as echo or fading) and/or mixing of the various audio signals. After processing, the processed audio signals can be output. 
     On the other hand, lighting consoles or light mixing consoles are known. Such consoles allow for controlling of a lighting system for example by setting such parameters as color, brightness, shape, gobo, and/or position of the different lights being part of the lighting system. Light mixing may be achieved. 
     In some applications, combined and synchronized control of lighting properties and audio signal properties is desired. For example, in on-stage performances, the synchronized control of a plurality of audio channels together with the stage lighting can be desired. Solutions are known which allow for coupling of separate lighting and audio mixing consoles via external and/or third-party interfaces. For example, a control signal, such as a signal employing the musical instruments digital interface (MIDI) standard, may be fed from the audio mixing console through a third-party interface to a lighting console in order to provide a synchronized control of audio and lighting. 
     However, such techniques for providing synchronized control of lighting properties and audio signal properties suffer from drawbacks. For example, the overall number of system components, as well as the combined size and weight of the equipment involved may be large. This makes such an assembly difficult to handle and move. Moreover, during operation, a user must be capable of handling the two devices at the same time in order to extensively control all properties of sound and light. This may be difficult, as typically the type and number of actuation elements as found on lighting versus audio consoles are considerably different. A one-man operation may therefore be limited and it may be necessary to have two operators at the same time. This all may increase costs in production and operation. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, a need exists to provide techniques for controlling audio signal properties as well as lighting properties, the techniques allowing for a more flexible workflow as well as reduced hardware requirements. 
     This need is met by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims define embodiments. 
     According to a first aspect, a mixing console having a housing is provided. The mixing console comprises a plurality of audio interfaces arranged on the housing and being configured for inputting or outputting audio signals. The mixing console further comprises an audio processing module arranged within the housing and being configured to control audio signal properties by processing of the plurality of audio signals. The mixing console further comprises a lighting interface arranged on the housing and being configured to output a lighting control signal to a lighting system. The mixing console further comprises a light processing module arranged within the housing and being configured to generate the lighting control signal to control lighting properties of the lighting system. The mixing console further comprises a plurality of actuation elements arranged on the housing, wherein each of the plurality of actuation elements is selectively coupled to the audio processing module and/or the light processing module for controlling of the audio signal properties and/or the lighting properties. 
     For example, the audio signal properties may be selected from the group comprising: echo, fade, volume, and mixing. For example, it may be possible to mix two audio signals using the audio processing module to obtain a single output audio signal. Different audio mixing techniques are known to the skilled person. 
     The lighting control signal may be a standardized control signal such as a digital multiplex (DMX) control signal. Such a lighting control signal may allow individual control of lighting properties of a plurality of lights of the lighting system (i.e., provide mixing). The lighting properties may be selected from the group comprising: intensity or brightness, position, color, gobo, and beam shape. For example, the plurality of lights of the lighting system may be coupled to a signal bus used for transmission of the lighting control signal. The signal bus may be connected to the lighting interface. 
     In other words, the mixing console according to the present aspect may be also referred to as a combined console for audio control and lighting control (i.e., it may be referred to as combined audio console and lighting controller). This is because audio functionality may be integrated with lighting functionality and/or vice versa. Light mixing (e.g., control of brightness), flash, strobe, mixing of different light channels, and so forth, may be possible in combination with audio mixing. 
     By providing a mixing console which comprises the audio processing module and the light processing module for the controlling of the audio signal properties as well as of the lighting properties within one housing, a number of effects may be obtained. For example, it may be possible to have fewer separate items to store, transport, flight-case, maintain, and manage when compared to the case where a separate audio mixing console and a separate lighting console is required. At the same time, during operation, less space and fewer power connections may be required; also the overall power consumption may be reduced. This may result in reduced costs of operation. 
     Furthermore, the mixing console may comprise a synchronization interface. The synchronization interface may be coupled to the light processing module and the audio processing module and may be configured to synchronize controlling of the audio signal properties and the lighting properties. By providing the synchronization interface, automated and synchronized control of the lighting properties and the audio signal properties may be obtained while, at the same time, operation by a single user may be possible. For example, by operating a single one of the plurality of actuation elements of the mixing console, combined and synchronized control of lighting and audio signal properties may be obtained. The complexity of system operation may be reduced when compared to a case of separate audio and lighting mixing consoles. However, it may be possible to individually address the audio signal or the lighting properties by accordingly configured actuation elements which address either audio or lighting. 
     Furthermore, the synchronization interface may be configured to enable synchronized control of the lighting properties based on the audio signal properties. In order to further decrease the complexity of the system, it may be possible to base the control of the lighting properties on properties of one or a plurality of the audio signals input or output through the audio interfaces. Such properties could be the volume or the frequency spectrum of the audio signal. 
     If compared to a case where separate audio and lighting mixing consoles are present, with a microphone being attached to the lighting console for control of the lighting based on sound, increased flexibility in the control of the lighting may be obtained. For example, in the latter case, it may be required to play back the audio signal at an audible level in order to control the lighting properties based on the audio signal properties as received via the microphone and fed into the lighting console. However, in the performance space it may not be possible or practical to do so. For example, very late or early in the day or during certain rehearsals where playing sound would be a distraction to the rehearsal. Differently, in the present case, according to an embodiment, the outputting of the processed audio signals via audio interfaces may be disabled. Therefore, using the synchronization interface, control of lighting properties based on the audio signal properties may be possible while, at the same time, no audio signal is output via the audio interfaces. Therefore, increased flexibility in the control of lighting properties may be achieved. 
     The mixing console may further comprise a control user interface being configured to allow user-defined assignment of control of the lighting properties and/or control of the audio signal properties to at least one of the actuation elements of the plurality of actuation elements. By flexibly assigning audio-related and/or light-related functions to the actuation elements, simple one-man operation with an improved workflow during operation may be achieved. For example, it may be possible to assign functions related solely to the control of the audio signal properties or solely to the control of the lighting properties to one of the actuation elements. It may also be possible to assign combined control of the audio signal and the lighting properties to a single actuation element. Therefore, a single user or operator may flexibly control the lighting and audio signal properties according to his needs. 
     In particular, the actuation elements may be selected from the group consisting of: fader, rotary knob, motorized fader, mouse, trackball, touchscreen, 360° continuous encoder, universal serial bus (USB) device, and a button. Depending on the particular task to be controlled by the particular actuation element, the various types of actuation elements may have advantages and disadvantages. For example, it may be possible to assign the function related to a change of the volume of an audio signal and the function related to a change in intensity or brightness of the lighting system to a single actuation element in the form of a fader or motorized fader. At the same time, it may be possible to assign color of a light of the lighting system and echo of one of the audio signals to one of the 360° continuous encoders. Such examples are merely illustrative and are not to be construed as being limiting. In particular, using a control user interface, it may be possible to assign any combination of functions, be it related to the control of audio signal properties or the lighting properties, to each of the actuation elements. This may allow for increased flexibility of the control of the lighting and the audio signal properties during performance. 
     At the same time, the mixing console may comprise a storage device which is configured for storing combined audio and lighting control scripts. The audio processing module and the light processing module may be configured for automatic and synchronized control of the audio signal properties and the lighting properties, respectively, based on the combined audio and lighting control scripts. In other words, the audio and lighting control scripts or audio and lighting cues may be sequences for synchronized control in one system, thereby eliminating the need for a separate third-party system. They may allow for automated and synchronized and combined control of the audio signal and the lighting properties. For example, it may be possible to provide appropriate software to facilitate the managing of those presets and scenes stored in the control scripts. Particular firmware may be stored in the storage device which may be required to generate the lighting control script. Thereby, also when automated control of the audio signal and the lighting properties is desired via the control scripts, a high degree of flexibility and simple operation may be obtained. 
     The audio processing module and the light processing module may share at least one of the following: a digital signal processor, a central processing unit, a non-volatile memory, and a random access memory. It may be possible to integrate the audio processing module and the light processing module by sharing hardware to a large degree. In such a case, for example, a shared central processing unit and a shared digital signal processor may reduce the overall hardware requirements of the mixing console. Particularly, if compared to a case of separated audio mixing and lighting consoles. Therefore, different components of the mixing console may be implemented as software executed on the units. In particular, the synchronization interface, for example, may be implemented as software executed on shared hardware. 
     Also, the mixing console may comprise a wireless interface being configured to enable remote control of the audio processing module and/or the light processing module and/or at least one of the actuation elements via a remote unit. With such devices, for example, it may be possible to allow for remote control via the external unit, such as a laptop, portable tablet computer, or similar wireless enabled devices within the same application executed on the remote unit. This may increase the flexibility in the control of the mixing console. 
     In particular, the audio interfaces may be selected from the group consisting of: digital audio interfaces and analog audio interfaces. For example, the digital audio interfaces may be according to the standard AES or EBU. The lighting interface may be selected from the group consisting of: DMX outputs, and MIDI interface. 
     In this regard, the audio interfaces and the lighting interface may be configured to be selectively enabled. This may allow for individual control of either the lighting properties or the audio signal properties using the mixing console. 
     According to a second aspect, a method of mixing via a mixing console is provided. The method comprises receiving a plurality of audio signals via a plurality of audio interfaces and processing the plurality of audio signals through an audio processing module based on a state of at least one of a plurality of actuation elements. The method further comprises outputting the plurality of processed audio signals through the plurality of audio interfaces. The method further comprises generating a lighting control signal through a light processing module based on a state of at least one of the plurality of actuation elements and controlling lighting properties of a lighting system through the lighting control signal being output via a lighting interface to the lighting system. 
     Through such a method as discussed above, effects may be obtained which are comparable to the effects obtained for the mixing console according to the first aspect as discussed above. 
     It is to be understood that the features mentioned above and the features yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combinations indicated, but also in other combinations or in isolation without departing from the scope of the present invention. Features of the above-mentioned aspects and embodiments may be combined with each other in other embodiments. 
     The foregoing and additional features and effects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a mixing console according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of a mixing console according to a further embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  schematically illustrates different actuation elements of a mixing console according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a method of mixing by with a mixing console according to an aspect of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a mixing console  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mixing console  1  comprises a housing  1   b  on which a plurality of actuation elements  20 - 28  is arranged. The actuation elements  20 - 28  are coupled to an audio processing module  2  and a light processing module  3 . The actuation elements  20 - 28  can be used by a user in order to control operation of the modules  2 ,  3 . 
     The audio processing module  2  is configured to control properties of audio signals  50   a,    50   b.  The audio signals  50   a,    50   b  are input and output via audio interfaces  5   a.  In particular, the audio interfaces  5   a  are configured to selectively input (for the case of audio signal  50   b ) or output (for the case of audio signal  50   a ). For example, the audio signals  50   a,    50   b  can be retrieved from an audio source  100  (e.g., a microphone or a playback of pre-recorded audio tracks), and output to loudspeakers or a recording media  101 . Processing of the properties of the audio signals  50   a,    50   b  may relate to properties such as: volume, fading, echo, and mixing. Respective techniques of processing the audio signals  50   a,    50   b  through the audio processing module  2  are known to the skilled person such that there is no need to discuss further details in this context. 
     The light processing module  3  is configured to generate a lighting control signal  51  which is used to control lighting properties of a lighting system  102 . In this regard, the lighting control signal  51  is output via a lighting interface  5   b  to the lighting system  102 . The lighting system  102  can comprise a plurality of individual lights which, for example, can be connected via a data bus system. The light processing module  3  can be configured to control the properties of all lights of the lighting system  102  individually through the lighting control signal  51 . A typical standard known to the skilled person is a digital multiplex standards (DMX). There is no need to discuss further details of these techniques in this context. 
     A reference implementation of a lighting console may be supplemented with audio features. It may also be possible that a reference implementation of an audio console is supplemented with lighting features. 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the audio processing module  2  is coupled with the light processing module  3  via a synchronization interface  4 . The latter is configured to synchronize controlling of the audio signal properties and the lighting properties within the modules  2 ,  3 . For example, the synchronization interface  4  may provide a clock signal or similar aspect to the modules  2 , 3  in order to provide the synchronized control. For example, this can occur via the connection between the actuation elements  20 - 28  with the synchronization interface  4 . A user can manually control the respective audio signal and lighting properties by operating one of the actuation elements  20 - 28 . The synchronization interface  4  then forwards this manual control in a synchronized manner to the modules  2 ,  3 . 
     Another possibility is automated control of the audio signal and light properties based on combined audio and lighting control scripts which may comprise a sequence of commands, possibly with a time stamp, addressing the different properties which are controllable by the modules  2 ,  3 . A user may predefine the audio and lighting control scripts and store them in a storage device  40  until needed. For example, a user may externally create the audio and lighting control scripts and provide them to the storage device  40  via an interface  40   b.    
     Moreover, the mixing console  1  of  FIG. 1  comprises a control user interface  41 . The control user interface  41  is configured to allow user-defined assignment of the control of the lighting properties and/or the control of the audio signal properties to at least one of the actuation elements  20 - 28 . For example, the actuation element  20 , such as a fader, can be configured via the control user interface  41  to adjust the volume of the input audio signal  50   b.  At the same time, the actuation element  21  (e.g. a rotary knob), can be configured via the control user interface  41  in order to change the direction of lights of the lighting system  102  via control of the operation of the light processing module  3 . At the same time, the actuation element  22  (e.g. a motorized fader), can be configured via the control user interface  41  to change the echo of the output audio signal  50   a  and, at the same time, change the color of the lights of the lighting system  102  via control of the operation of the light processing module  3 . As can be seen, any combination of user-defined functions with respect to the audio processing module  2  and the light processing module  3  may be assigned to the actuation elements  20 - 28  via the control user interface  41 . This allows flexible and synchronized control of audio signals and lighting properties. These are merely illustrative examples and must not be construed as being limiting. 
     The mixing console  1  further comprises a wireless interface  42  which may establish a bi-directional wireless transmission to a remote unit  43 , such as a laptop, tablet computer, or other portable communication device. An application being executed on the remote unit  43  may be used in order to configure the functioning of the mixing console  1 . In particular, control over the assignment of the actuation elements  20 - 28  for controlling of the audio signal and/or lighting properties in a manner comparable as set forth above with respect to the control user interface  41 . Moreover, via the wireless interface  42 , it may be possible to enable remote control of the audio processing module  2  and/or the light processing module  3  directly. In such a fashion, using one and the same application being executed on the remote unit  43 , it is possible to control the audio signal and the lighting properties in a flexible and synchronized manner. In other words, the remote unit  43  in connection with the wireless interface  42  may function as another actuation element by controlling the operation of the processing modules  2 ,  3 . 
     The drawings are to be regarded as schematic representations. In particular, the various elements are represented such that their function and general purpose becomes apparent to a person skilled in the art. Any connection or coupling between functional blocks, devices, components or other physical or functional units shown in  FIG. 1  and the following Figures or described hereinafter may also be implemented by an indirect connection or coupling. A coupling between components may also be established over a wireless connection. Functional blocks may be implemented in a hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the audio processing module  2  and the light processing module  3  are shown as separate units. However, it is possible that the modules  2 ,  3  are implemented as software code being executed on a single processing unit or are implemented as functions on a single board. Moreover, a separate synchronization unit  4  is shown in  FIG. 1 . It should be understood that it is not necessary to provide a separate synchronization unit as in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . Rather, it may be possible to achieve functionalities of the synchronization unit  4  through an appropriate system layout as well as functional software codes being executed on a central and possibly shared processing unit. 
     An example of integration of different units into a single device is shown in the embodiment of the mixing console  1  depicted in  FIG. 2 . The audio processing module  2  and the light processing module  3  are integrated as parts of an on-chip system formed by a digital signal processor  30 , a central processing unit  31 , non-volatile memory  32 , as well as random access memory  33 . For example, the operation of the modules  2 ,  3  may be implemented as a combination of firmware and software within the system formed by the units  30 - 33 . In such a case, the modules  2 ,  3  share hardware which allows to inherently provide synchronization which, in the example of  FIG. 1 , was provided by the separate synchronization interface  4 . Moreover, the hardware requirements of the mixing console  1  can be reduced, thereby reducing costs and maintenance requirements. 
       FIG. 3  schematically illustrates different types of the actuation elements  20 - 28  arranged on the housing  1   b  of the mixing console  1 . Shown are faders  20 , rotary knobs  21 , motorized faders  22 , a mouse  23 , a trackball  24 , a touchscreen  25  (for example a LCD screen), connector devices  26  for a USB device, buttons  27 , and 360° continuous encoders  28 . Audio interfaces  5   a  and the lighting interfaces  5   b  are further depicted in  FIG. 3 . For example, the lighting interfaces  5   b  can be a five pin male XLR or a three pin male AXR which provides an electrical interface to a DMX bus. Such examples are merely illustrative and are not to be construed as being limiting. For example, other wireless technologies or interfaces may be employed as the lighting interface  5   b  to connect with the lighting system  102  such as Ethernet, Bluetooth, or wireless Ethernet. 
     It should be understood that via the control user interface  41 , different functions with respect to the audio signal and/or light processing can be assigned to the different actuation elements  20 - 28 . The control user interface  41  itself can in one embodiment be implemented in the form of one of the actuation elements  20 - 28  as, for example, through the use of the touchscreen  25 . By depicting respectively adapted graphical menus, for example it can be possible to allow user-defined assignment of control of the lighting properties and/or the control of the audio signal properties to the faders  20 ,  22  via the touchscreen  25 . It can also be possible to load and execute predefined audio and lighting control scripts using menus depicted on the touchscreen  25 . However, such a task may also be performed by using a wireless connection via the wireless interface  42  using the remote unit  43 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a method of mixing using a mixing console such as the mixing console  1  discussed with respect to the  FIGS. 1-3 . The method starts with step S 1 . 
     In step S 2 , a plurality of audio signals  50   a,    50   b  is received via the audio interfaces  5   a . For example, the audio signals  50   a,    50   b  are received from a audio signal source, such as microphones or other playback devices for playback of previously recorded audio signals. In general, the audio interfaces  5   a  can input and/or output the audio signals  50   a,    50   b.    
     Next, in step S 3 , a user-defined assignment of control of lighting properties and/or control of audio signal properties to at least one of the actuation elements  20 - 28  is established based on the input received from the control user interface  41 . For example, one of the actuation elements  20 - 28  may be assigned with control of lighting properties or control of audio signal properties or combined control of lighting and audio signal properties. The user-defined assignment allows for flexibility in the manual control of lighting and audio signal properties by a user of the mixing console  1 . 
     Next, in step S 4 , the plurality of audio signals  50   a,    50   b,  as received in step S 2 , is processed. The processing occurs via the audio processing module  2  and is based on at least one of the following: state of one or more of the actuation elements  20 - 28  (particular as previously assigned in step S 3 ), input from the synchronization element  4 , input from the remote unit  43  received via the wireless interface  42 , and a combined lighting and audio control script. For example, the synchronization element  4  can ensure that the synchronized control of the lighting and audio signal properties is achieved. However, it should be understood that the synchronization element  4  can be implemented in one embodiment as software as being part of a processing unit or being part of one of the audio processing module  2  and/or the light processing module  3 . 
     A lighting and audio control script or lighting and audio cue may be used to predefine certain scenes or procedures used during operation of the mixing console  1 . This may be advantageous in cases where a previously planned on-stage performance is being executed. Then, for example, a combined automatic control via the control script and a manual control via the actuation elements  20 - 28  can be possible. 
     Respectively, in step S 5  a lighting control signal is generated by, for example, a light processing module  3  based on at least one of the following: state of at least one of the actuation elements  20 - 28 , input from the synchronization element  4 , input from the remote unit  43  received via the wireless interface  42 , combined lighting and audio control script, for example, received from the storage device  40 . It should be understood that the manner in which the state of at least one of the actuation elements  20 - 28  influences the processing of the audio signals  50   a,    50   b  and lighting control in steps S 4  and S 5 , respectively, is determined in step S 3  where a user-defined assignment of the respective controls to the different actuation elements occurs. 
     In step S 6 , a synchronized control of lighting properties and audio signal properties is obtained based on the processing and generating in the steps S 4  and S 5 . 
     The method ends in step S 7 . 
     Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to certain embodiments, equivalents and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon reading and understanding of the specification. The present invention includes all such equivalents and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.