Signal flow starts with your acoustic audio signal, aka: source. Over the years, signal flow and evolutions of technology have enabled us to route audio signals into many different effects processors before getting to the end result – listening to a speaker playback the recorded sound. To make things simple, an input goes to an output, or an output goes to an input. Signal flow is an order of operations for your audio signal path. If the signal is routed incorrectly or cut short at any point, it won’t make it to the last step in the chain. It will make or break whether your audio is able to be recorded. In our world of audio recordings, signal flow is the single most important element. Once you grasp the idea it’s much easier to understand the functions of your receiver.Īudio signal flow is the path an audio signal takes from source to output. Don’t worry you won’t need an advanced degree in electrical engineering to understand this concept. So turn on your learning lightbulb and let’s untangle this mess!īefore we jump in and start throwing cables at your receiver, let’s go over a basic concept of signal flow.
Audio signal path how to#
With the proper knowledge in your pocket, you can decide how to hook everything up in a way that works best for you. We’ll also discuss some of the highlights and why you might consider using a particular input or output. We’ll keep it simple and break down one fragment at a time. In this article we will go over each individual section of your receiver. But which cable goes where on the receiver? You might scratch your head and wonder. Once everything is perfectly in its place, now it’s time to wire it up. There’s a knock at your door and finally, your crystal clear 4K HD TV, top of the line speakers and future proof receiver have arrived! The excitement hits and you start cracking open all of the boxes. To keep these signals accessible, a few rules apply.Picture this. An assortment of devices sporting various generating, processing, and time-shifting functionality.Īll device chains in Bitwig Studio support both audio and note signals. Devices utilizing The Grid, Bitwig's modular sound-design environment (see chapter 16: Welcome to The Grid).
Incoming note messages are used to synthesize audio. Synthesizer instruments that either generate their audio from rudimentary source material or use audio samples. Devices that divert a track's signal path, allowing signals to exit and/or reenter the track.
Time-based processors that operate on their incoming audio signals. Devices that manipulate incoming note messages before passing them onward. Processors that manipulate incoming audio signals with an LFO, etc. This is useful for sending messages to plug-ins or to external hardware (when used in conjunction with Bitwig's hardware devices). Transmitters for sending various MIDI messages via the track's device chain. Keyboard instrument emulators that use incoming note messages to synthesize audio. This can include transmitting and/or receiving audio signals, control voltage (CV) signals, and clock messages. Interface objects for sending signals and/or messages to devices beyond Bitwig Studio (such as hardware synthesizers and effect units, etc.). Frequency-specific processors that operate on their incoming audio signals. Sets of frequency-specific processors that operate on their incoming audio signals.įilter. Processors that operate on their incoming audio signals, based off of those signals' amplitude levels and trends.ĮQ. Individual drum piece emulators that use incoming note messages to synthesize audio.ĭynamic. Shapers and other mangling processors that operate on their incoming audio signals.ĭrum. Delay line-based processors that operate on their incoming audio signals.ĭistortion. Utility devices whose primarily function is to host other devices.ĭelay. Devices that manipulate incoming audio signals before passing them onward.Ĭontainer. They make no effect on the audio chain they are a part of.Īudio FX. Devices that merely visualize the signals that reach them.