Sound Advice by Leon Sievers Sound Professional May 31, 2006
SYSTEM TROUBLESHOOTING
Ninety percent of sound
system problems involve simple solutions that you can perform, but most
operators overlook.
Make sure that your system
is plugged in. Verify that all power plugs on all equipment are connected
securely.
Power switches. Each
piece of equipment usually has a power switch and each one has to be turned
on to make the entire system work. Verify that all power switches are ON
and all power indicator lights on equipment are lighted.
AC fuses and breakers
at the power panel should be intact, not blown and of the correct amperage
rating for the circuit. If a breaker or fuse keeps blowing out, consult
an electrician to correct any potentially dangerous conditions.
AC fuses and breakers
on the equipment should be intact, not blown and of the correct amp rating
for the equipment. If a breaker or fuse keeps blowing out, consult your
local sound contractor technician to correct any internal component failure
conditions that could damage the piece.
Speaker fuses and breakers,
used to protect speakers and components from high power surges should be
intact. A blown fuse or breaker usually means that there is a direct line
short that has developed and must be remedied to allow normal service.
Check microphone cables
for dry rot, stress, broken internal wires, disconnected wires at the connectors
and broken connectors. Wiggle them all over and listen to the results (static,
pops, clicks, hums, buzzes) through the system. Replace suspect cables
with known good cables.
Signal lines between
equipment pieces and from microphones should be verified. Is the line coming
into the correct input? Are all the correctors securely fitted on the back
of each piece of equipment? Is anything hanging loose, obviously disconnected?
Are the batteries good
in any battery powered equipment such as wireless microphone transmitters
or hearing assistance receivers? Replace them with new batteries to make
sure.
Lowered sound levels
may have been caused by a mixer control turned down too far. Check the
GAIN control (if you have one), the channel level control (slider) and
the MAIN output control.
If the system is feeding
back (squealing, howling, ringing, etc.) try turning the main volume control
down slightly. If one microphone is much louder that the rest turn it down
and return the main control to where it was. Any sound system will feed
back, its just a matter of how far you can push it.
Sometimes there is evidence
that someone has played with the main equalizer controls. Look for an unlocked
equipment rack, missing protective cover or a slider pattern that looks
like an S, a U or has controls pushed above the 0 mark. Misadjusted
equalizers cause feedback.
Misadjusted EQ?
I wasn't sure about the last point that was made in that article. If it meant that any EQ setting above the "0" mark was bad, then it is wrong. If you put no highs or no lows (or a very low setting i.e.- below "0") then your sound will sound either t...more
Submitted by: Jeremy Location: Minot, North Dakota
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Used by churches all over the world to help teach worship, the Experiencing Worship study can help your worship team too.
Your team will learn why we worship and gain a better understanding of how to worship.
One user said..."Your 5 week study course has made a tremendous impact on my life in the study of worship... I would like to express my thanks for a well written study course that leads into a higher realm of praise and worship."
This is the debut album by EXW friend Paul Langford. Paul is a Chicago based singer, arranger, keyboardist, producer and conductor. Paul has a career that spans 14 years. Paul's work includes arranging for groups like GLAD, Voices of Liberty, VoiceTrek, The Chicago based "Caroling Party" and Day of Discovery Singers. His arranging has appeared on recordings side by side with greats like Gene Puerling and David Maddux, and he has sung with Don Shelton, Bonnie Herman and Bob Bowker, among others.