mixers

Mixers are devices that combine two or more inputs into a single or coordinated set of outputs. The term covers a range of technologies and applications, from culinary appliances that blend ingredients to electronic devices that blend audio or video signals. In electronics, a mixer may also refer to a nonlinear circuit that multiplies signals to produce sum and difference frequencies.

Culinary mixers include hand mixers and stand mixers. A stand mixer typically features a motorized base, a bowl, and interchangeable attachments such as beaters, a whisk, and a dough hook. They provide planetary motion to achieve thorough mixing, with multiple speeds and sometimes pulse modes. Usage spans batter preparation, whipping, kneading, and emulsification; safety and proper bowl placement are important.

Audio mixers, or mixing consoles, blend multiple sound sources, adjust levels, and route signals to outputs. They come in analog and digital varieties and range from compact two‑channel models to large desks with dozens of channels. Key features include preamps, equalization, dynamics processing, auxiliary sends, buses, and built‑in effects or digital routing to effects units or DAWs.

DJ mixers are a subset of audio mixers optimized for live performance. They typically provide multiple line and phono inputs, a crossfader for transitioning between channels, channel faders, cueing via headphones, and booth and main outputs. Scratch‑friendly designs and robust construction are common.

Video mixers, or video switchers, select and blend video sources, add transitions, and route signals to displays or recording devices. They are widely used in broadcast, live events, and multi‑camera productions, often integrating chroma key, picture‑in‑picture, and effects.

Electronic mixers also describe circuits used in radio frequency and communications engineering that multiply two signals, producing sum and difference frequencies. These RF mixers are a fundamental building block in receivers, modulators, and frequency conversion systems.