No-input mixing generates sound by routing a mixer's outputs back into its own inputs to self-oscillate

No-input mixing generates sound from a mixing board with no external sources: its outputs are routed back into its inputs, creating feedback and oscillations largely driven by the self-noise of the device and the gain and EQ stages it passes through. With no oscillator involved, the loop’s gain structure and tone controls become the sound generators, so the mixer stops being a routing utility and becomes an instrument. Results range from delicate tones to dense noise depending on channel gain, EQ, and which output-to-input paths are open; small changes in level can swing the loop between silence, tone, and roar.

Examples

Control Room Out routed back to line inputs to start a feedback loop, then shaped with channel EQ and aux sends into different timbres.

Assessment

Explain the core patching idea of no-input mixing and what actually produces the sound when there is no external source.