Buying microphone cable, 100m drums.

[Mike Stranks]

Most mixers specifically designed for broadcast have microswitches in the fader tracks. This meant that when I was in BBC Local Radio, faders could:

* Switch on the Red Light when a mic channel was opened
* Mute any loudspeaker in the room when a mic channel was opened
* Auto-start a CD player (f'r instance) when the relevant channel was opened

... and of course being BBC faders they opened by being pulled towards you!

[Hugh Robjohns]

In addition, on big network broadcasting consoles, the same microswitches could also be configured to auto-cancel the channel's PFL mode, and unmute any pre-fade audience PA foldback sends.

Sadly, the days of faders opening towards the operator are long gone.

[Forum Admin]

If you've got 100m drums, you're going to need some bloody long drumsticks!

And a gargantuan Persian rug!

[Eddy Deegan]

Sadly, the days of faders opening towards the operator are long gone.

Just turn the mixer around 180° - instant nostalgia!

[RichardT]

If you've got 100m drums, you're going to need some bloody long drumsticks!

And an elephant to hear the fundamental.

[Dan LB]

Sadly, the days of faders opening towards the operator are long gone.

Hugh, why do you say ‘sadly’? Do find reverse faders more intuitive or preferable in some way?

The option is there on a couple of Calrec Alphas that we have but I’ve never tried it. I must give it a shot sometime!

[Hugh Robjohns]

I found them much easier to use, especially when needing to open or switch between faders quickly.

Reversed quadrant faders were the best, ergonomically -- that up and over action follows the natural movement of the wrist very well -- but reversed flat faders are okay.

To open a fader to a set level, you just drop your thumb in front of the required fader level, and then use your 3rd/4th fingers to pull the fader up to the thumb. Fast, accurate and comfortable.

It's not as easy to place your 3rd/4th finger beyond the mark and push the faders up with a thumb. Possible, of course, but it's not as comfortable or easy to do, and I don't think it as accurate or precise, either.

For semi-static music mixes the faders direction makes little difference, but for a fast news or panel programme it really does!

And then there are other practical benefits, like not accidentally knocking a faders open with your jacket sleeve...

[Rob Kirkwood]

Also gives you space to put your coffee cup.

Rob

[Hugh Robjohns]

[Arpangel]

I’ve got a red LED studio light, it’s only small, but it works, I’ve just never got around to wiring it up.

[Music Wolf]

And then there are other practical benefits, like not accidentally knocking a faders open with your jacket sleeve...

For the benefit of any younger readers who may have wandered in. This is how we used to lay down those sick beats back in the day.

[Wonks]

Back in the day? Look into the studio and you can see Ed Sheeran! This is cutting edge technology.