Mixing Monitors for Worship - Part 2
Having outlined the various
equipment and signal routing methods, we begin to look at the technique
or process to mixing sound. A good sound check is absolutely necessary
to getting a good mix for both the monitors and house systems.
Before performing a sound
check, first initialize the mixer controls by setting them to off, flat,
or zero. This establishes a frame of reference and eliminates complications
later. Make sure the master volume fader is all the way down or set to
zero. After powering up your mixer console and other audio equipment you
may then turn on the loudspeaker power amps. You always want to power up
the main speaker amplifiers last to avoid audio "thumps" when you turn
on the mixer.
Before the worship team arrives,
you should test each microphone and label it's channel position along the
bottom of the console. Begin by having someone speak into the main vocal
microphone and repeat this process for each microphone on stage. Set the
input trim to unity gain. This is the point at which no level is added
or subtracted from the nominal signal. Most mixers have a mark, which identifies
unity on the fader and input trim controls. Check the owner's manual for
your particular console for the proper settings.
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