Editing Mixing console (section)

====VCA groups====
Some higher-end consoles use [[voltage-controlled amplifier]] (VCA) VCAs function somewhat like a submix but let the operator control the level of multiple input channels with a single fader. Unlike subgroups, no sub-mix is created. The audio signals from the assigned channels remain routed independently of VCA assignments. Since no sub-mix is created, it is not possible to insert processing such as compressors into a VCA group. In addition, on most VCA-equipped consoles, post-fader auxiliary send levels are affected by the VCA master. This is usually desirable, as post-fader auxiliary sends are commonly used for effects such as reverb, and sends to these effects should track changes in the channel signal level. When implemented on a digital console the same functionality may be referred to as a DCA or control group (CG), depending on the brand of mixer.

For example, if an engineer wishes to control microphones for three background vocalists at one time, muting them or changing their volume relative to a lead singer, they might create a VCA rather than adjusting all three volumes separately.  A sub-mix would be useful if they wanted to process all the singers together, adding the same amount of reverb or compression to each; but the VCA allows each channel to retain its distinctive processing while giving the engineer the ability to quickly adjust the group's volume or mute them.