The general inputs and outputs section contains the phantom power switch, which controls the voltage and power to the microphones. The input button is where the microphone attaches to the mixing board so the sound can be recorded. There are various input options to suit different types of microphone, but you can usually only use one input outlet at a time. The outlet "Direct Out" is for the signal coming out of the mixing board. This is the sound that needs to be recording on a separate recording interface.
The strip on a mixing board has various functions. This is where you can adjust the volumes on the inputs and sound levels to create the ideal mixing product. This is also where you find auxiliary outlets for additional AUX devices, including video screens for musicians or devices that can add sound effects to your music. You can also find the music equalizer on the strip section. This is often used to level out different sounds in a collaborator mix. The fader part of the strip is common on most mixing boards and controls the sound direction. For example, the fader controls whether sound is more present in the left ear than the right.
The master section of your mixing board is where you combine multiple mixing tracks into fewer tracks to make a personal music mix. You can do this by adjusting the volume on the various tracks you are blending and control each track's output to the mixing process. The master section also allows you to control solo sections of each track, if you have chosen to include a solo in the mix.
If you cannot find the main master INs and OUTs, they could be on the back of your mixing board. The main master plugs help you control the mix effects, sending mix information to screen monitors so all participants can contribute to the mixing procedure. They also provide a connection from the mixing board to the sound studio, where the music is recorded. This section allows you to connect to things and devices outside the mixing board itself to make your music mixtures original and unique.