Subs on an Aux V.S. Full Range

So which is better? Well before we decide, let’s be clear on what each technique entails.

Explanations:

Subs on an aux is the process of feeding your subs off an auxiliary on the console, this gives the engineer control of exactly which channels are sent to the subs through some kind of crossover.

Full range is where the main stereo or mono mix is sent to a system processor that then determines which frequencies go to the subs VS the mains.

Studio/Live mixing mindset 

Sub as part of your system can be an effect used to add more low end punch and impact at specific parts of a song. It also keeps non sub instruments out of the subs thus decreasing muddiness. It basically acts as an automatic high pass filter (HPF). This is especially helpful when the console doesn’t have an adjustable HPF on every channel.

For many strictly live engineers, they learned that subs go on an aux. this is how they control both muddiness and low end impact as an effect.

In the case of the studio, the mix has to translate across any and all speaker setups that it will ever be played on. So muddiness is typically tamed with a HPF and careful channel EQ and Comp, same with creating low end impact

See my other post for a deeper dive into the sonic differences between live and studio.

Other things to consider 

• Changing the sub level also changes the cross over point due to dB per octave fall off at the cross over point.

• Console high pass filters may be at a different slope than system crossover settings, potentially allowing minimal info into subs depending on the settings.

• Using subs on an aux won’t translate to online mixes which can leave those mixes sounding thin if time isn’t taken to treat the low end EQ on each channel

• What tools do you have available? Sometimes the tools at your disposal will make one option or the other better for your specific situation.

Wrap up

So which one is better?

Well, that largely depends on the engineer running it. Both methods can produce great sound and both can lead to a mess. The better question is which one is right for you? 

Do you have people who have run live sound other places? How did they learn? 

Do you have a team of people who have have never mixed before? Which way creates a simpler environment for them to learn?

Ultimately it comes down to which way is easier for you to think about when building a mix?

If you’re interested in talking through which option is better for you send me a message.