Systems and Methods for Efficient Processing and Mixing of Audio Received from Multiple Sources

Abstract

Mixer devices for efficiently processing multitrack audio including: at least one audio input port for receiving local audio from an audio input device as at least one local audio input; a memory; a user interface, the user interface including at least one adjuster; and at least one control unit electrically coupled to said receiver, said transmitter; said at least one audio input port, said memory, and said user interface; the at least one control unit programmed to control local gain of the local audio and local mixing. In another aspect, the mixer devices also remotely control the gain of bodypack receivers capable of receiving local audio input in analog or digital form. A novel display is also incorporated to facilitate such control surrounding the adjustor capable of performing the control.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A mixer device for efficiently processing multitrack audio comprising:
 at least one audio input port for receiving local audio from an audio input device as at least one local audio input;   a memory;   a user interface, the user interface including:
 at least one adjuster; and 
   at least one control unit electrically coupled to said receiver, said transmitter; said at least one audio input port, said memory, and said user interface; the at least one control unit programmed to control local gain of the local audio and local mixing.   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , the adjuster further comprising:
 an adjuster display.   
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 2 , the adjuster display including a plurality of lights surrounding the adjuster. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one of a color, an intensity, and combinations thereof of the plurality of lights are varied depending upon a selected bank and a value of the adjuster. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one control unit is programmed to provide an adjustor assignment matrix to a user, the adjustor assignment matrix adapted to allow the user to assign one or more of the at least one local audio input to specific ones of the at least one adjustor;   wherein the user interface includes a display adapted to display the adjustor assignment matrix to a user; and   wherein the user interface includes a menu controller adapted to control assignments made by the user via the adjustor assignment matrix.   
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one control unit is programmed to retain adjustor assignments for at least one bank, and wherein the at least one local audio input assigned to a specific one of the at least one adjustor varies depending upon the at least one bank selected by the user. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the user interface includes at least one indexing controller, the at least one indexing controller used to select a mode of operation, the mode of operations including control of the local gain of the local audio and control of the local mixing.   
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one indexing controller is an illuminable pushbuttons. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein a quantity of the lights surrounding the adjustor is greater than five. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein an orientation of the lights surrounding the adjustor is circular. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein the adjuster includes a rotary encoder including a knob and two potentiometers. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 11 , wherein the rotary encoder is endless. 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 11 , wherein the potentiometers are ninety degrees out of phase. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 a receiver adapted to receive remote audio as at least one remote audio input; and 
 a transmitter adapted to transmit commands; 
 wherein the at least one control unit is programmed to control remote gain of the remote audio in addition to the local gain of the local audio and the local mixing. 
 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein the adjustor assignment matrix is adapted to allow the user to assign one or more of the at least one remote audio input, one or more of the at least one local audio input, and combinations thereof to the at least one adjustor.   
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one control unit is programmed to retain adjustor assignments for at least one bank, and wherein the at least one local audio input, the at least one remote audio input, and combinations thereof assigned to a specific one of the at least one adjustor varies depending upon the at least one bank selected by the user. 
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein the user interface includes at least two indexing controllers, the at least two indexing controllers used to select a mode of operation, the mode of operations including control of the local gain of the local audio, control of the remote gain of the remote audio, and control of the local mixing.