 | Sound And Light Trainingby Ken Ellis |
(last update 2001-05-19 - Ken Ellis)12. Set-Up of a Sound System
- Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed. - Make a diagram of the stage layout with the location of all people and all instruments identified and all mixer inputs numbered
- Decide what equipment needs to be transported
- Carefully pack equipment for transport
- Unload equipment at destination
- Place all equipment (mike stands, speakers, amps, mixer) in its desired location
- Resolve equipment and people placement problems
- Run "snake" from stage to mixer (if snake is being used)
- Put mikes on stands (with stands set too high so that there will be enough slack in the cords)
- Select correct length cord for every mike, instrument, and speaker and lay out cords
- Label all channels on the mixer board
- Run all mike, speaker, power, and instrument cords NEATLY
- Connect mixer to main and monitor amplifiers
- Connect auxiliary equipment such as FM microphone receivers, equalizer, effects unit, taper recorders, and CD
- Power up all equipment
- Perform a sound check with a tape or a CD, confirming that all main and monitor speakers work
- Check all mixer controls to see that they are in the correct position. Set channel trim pots to expected operating level (from previous experience). Set equalization flat (unless there is a reason not to). Set all monitor send controls to half-way position (unless there is a reason to set them different). Determine which channels should be assigned to each sub-group. Set any other controls unique to the mixer to desired starting point. Start with all channel faders off!
- Perform a sound check on all microphones and instruments (one at a time) to see that they work and are connected to the correct channel
- Carefully position all microphones and speakers in their final positions
- If time permits, use the graphic equalizer spectrum analyzer, a pink noise source, and a calibrated microphone to analyze the room acoustics and set the equalizer to compensate
- Play a good CD through the main speakers and adjust equalization ONLY if needed so that it "sounds good"
- With master control and monitor control off, set all mikes at their expected working level (normally the "0" position on the channel sliders), then slowly turn up monitor and master levels
- "Ring Out" monitor system using graphic equalizer spectrum analyzer
- "Ring Out" main speaker system ONLY if necessary to get enough gain before feedback (this will effect the overall tonal quality of the performance)
- Perform a sound check with all people in their final positions
- Watch carefully for any overload lights and adjust channel trim pots if necessary.
- Listen to each input channel (mike or instrument) individually and adjust its channel trim pot to balance with the rest of the system
- Listen to what the performers hear on stage and adjust monitor mix to suit the performers
- Listen to tonal quality of the sound from the position of the audience and adjust ONLY if necessary
Go directly to: Index -- 1) Intro -- 2) Terms -- 3) Goals -- 4) Job -- 5) Source -- 6) Mixer -- 7) Effects -- 8) Equalizer -- 9) Amp -- 10) Speakers -- 11) Understand -- 12) Set-Up -- 13) Operation --14) Performer -- 15) Trouble -- 16) The Rest -- 17) Advent -- 18) Sound Requirements -- 19) Light Requirements -- 20) Building Requirements -- 21) Links -- 22) Video
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