Overview Signal Flow Feedback Repairs Good Results

Getting Good Results

Here are just basic operation tips to keep everybodies ears intact and avoid common mistakes.

Powering Up Powering on and off the system should be done according to signal flow. Powering UP

  1. Instruments
  2. Effects boxes and equalizers
  3. mixing console (turn master volume down)
  4. amps
Powering off is the reverse order. In this way all inputs to a device are stable when turning on or off and large "pops" are eliminated.

Public Speaking
Do a mic check. Have someone (preferably the actual speaker) use the microphone in the actual speaking location. Check for feedback and unnatural sound in rehearsal.

Music
Set the monitor levels first. This goes for bands and singers and it will get them on to performing. If possible get them to play something through at full volume so that you can set levels to actual performance conditions.

Once you set the monitor levels the main levels will magically behave. If the band is comfortable, the house is comfortable.

Cell Phones
Cell phones put out an amazing amount of RF energy any time they are on (even if no calls are being placed). Keep them as far away from equipment as possible - especially guitar amps and microphones.

Mute the Channel

  • When it isn't used.
  • When changing instruments or cables.
  • When moving mics or mic stands.
  • When turning phantom power on or off.
Open mics are a source of unwanted noise and embarassment. Open channels during any cable or mic change cause distracting (and damaging) pops.
EQ the channel
Setting the system EQ for the room requires expensive equipment and training. Hopefully it is done already. In general start with a flat EQ and stay as close as possible to that.

Vocals: Vocal mics have a built in EQ including a low frequency roll off and a "presence boost" of 2-6 dB at 2KHz to 8KHz. A good vocal mic will not need additional EQ.

If the vocalist gets too close to the mic you may get a "muddy" sound. This is called "proximity effect" and can be corrected by rolling off the lower frequencies.

Acoustic Guitar: Acoustic guitar pickups usually need a cut in the midrange - maybe 500Hz to 3KHz to avoid sounding boomy. Listen to the guitar first without amplification and match that.

Passive acoustic guitar pickups should use an active direct box or preamp to avoid sounding thin (caused by loading the pickup). Active pickups can plug directly into a passive direct box.

Mic'd acoustic guitars - Aiming the mic at the sound hole will sound too boomy. Aim halfway between the sound hole and the neck/body joint for good sound without additional EQ (experiment).

Bass: Bass players like lots of bottom. Unfortunately at 30 feet out all the definition is gone. Cutting some of the 200Hz region may "tighten up" the sound and make it still sound good at a distance.

Electric Guitar: Mic the cabinet and let it be.

Other instruments: Most other instruments are a function of mic position. Check out the materials on these sites for more specific information.