Fairmont Park Baptist Church Technical Support Ministry Sound System Training Program.

Fairmont Park Fairmont Park Baptist ChurchBaptist Church

Technical Support MinistryTechnical Support Ministry

Sound System Training ProgramSound System Training Program

In order to understand how to run the board

you MUSTMUST understand how the audio chain works.

However don’t let this frighten you … its just like going from Texas to California ... it begins with knowing the route you need to take to get there.

Once you start the car, you can follow the route.

So lets get started

What is the audio chain?

The audio chain is every stepevery step of the process that is necessary to get the sound from the source to the speakers. It is imperative that in order to properly

route the signal to where you need it, (like getting from Texas to California), you must know where it’s

coming from and where it’s going.

TheThe

OverviewOverview

There are five parts to our sound There are five parts to our sound system;system;

a) The source - a mic or instrument

b) The pre-amp - the BOARD

c) Signal processing - EQ & Crossover

d) The amplifier(s)

e) The speaker(s)

The inputsThe inputs

At FPBC we use microphones, (both hard wired and wireless), instruments, tape decks, CD players, computer generated sounds, and VCR audio as inputs to the board.

There are approximately 24 inputs coming from the stage to the sound booth. We seldom have to change these around but occasionally we have to. At a later time you will learn where they are all at and how to switch them around for the need.

The HardwareJust about everything you need to know about how to run the system hardware will be found in the owners manuals.

However … manuals can be boring and sometimes contain WTMI, way too much information. I, however, encourage you to spend time learning every configuration possible. You may at some time have to make an emergency “patch around” on a Sunday morning when you don’t have time to get out the manuals.

Inputs - Mic, Tape, CD, Computer, etc.

Board

LL RR11 22

CrownCrownMT1200MT1200BBAA CrownCrown

MT600MT600 BBAA CrownCrownD-75D-75 BBAA

EQEQLL RR

CrossoverCrossoverLL MM HH

PeavyPeavySB118SB118

JBLJBLCS15LCS15L

JBLJBL24102410

YamahaYamahaSM15-IVSM15-IV

JBLJBLSeries 1Series 1 Var.Var.

The “Board”

The “Board”The “Board”

The board has 24 inputs. Each input represents a microphone, instrument, etc etc.

Each input can be assigned to;

• up to two monitor sends (FB1 & FB2) each having a master send

• up to two auxiliary sends Echo 1 & 2 each having a master send

• up to 4 sub groups (although you will only use one) (S1-4)

Each sub-group is then assigned to stereo left.

Stereo right is used as a third FB send for special occasions

The FOH ProcessorsThe FOH Processors

From the board the FOH signal is routed through the top channel of the Yamaha graphic EQ. The purpose of the EQ is to make the response of the room equal at all

frequencies. EQ is not used for tone control (bass / treble)

From the EQ the signal is routed to the crossover. The crossover divides the signal so the high frequencies go to the horns, the mid-range go to the JBL boxes, and the lows go to the Peavey subs.

The Monitor ProcessorsThe Monitor Processors

The FB1 signal from the board goes to the bottom channel on the Yamaha EQ.

Again this is to flatten out the response of the speakers and not to make any tonal changes in the system.

There is no signal processing on FB2 which are the monitors for the band.

The FOH AmplifiersThe FOH Amplifiers

From the crossover;

The low frequencies are taken to channel “A” of the Crown MT1200 amplifier.

The mid-range frequencies are taken to channel “B” of the Crown MT1200 amplifier.

The high frequencies are taken to channel “A” of the Crown MT600 amplifier.

The FOH SpeakersThe FOH Speakers

The high frequencies use the two JBL horns in the cluster. These are JBL 4”x10” horns with 200 watt drivers.

The mid-range are three JBL 15” speaker horns.

The subs are two Peavey BW18’s in homemade Peavey SB-118 boxes.

The Monitor AmplifiersThe Monitor Amplifiers

The signal for the FB1 EQ is routed to channel “B” of the Crown MT600 amplifier.

The signal from FB2 is routed directly to Channel “A” on the Crown D75 amplifier.

We call the right channel on the board output “FB3” and it is routed to channel “B” of the Crown D75 amplifier (more about how we use this later).

The Monitor SpeakersThe Monitor Speakers

The front stage, (FB1), monitors are the Yamaha SM-15 IV.

These are a full range 15” & HF horn in one package.

The band monitors, (FB2), are the JBL mini-monitors. Hopefully these will be replaced with Galaxy Hot-Spots in the future.

Moving on to the fun stuff . . .

“ Running the Board “

Remember … I mentioned that running a

sound system is much like a trip to California.

Well here’s how we get from Texas to California

Board design

The

Input

Section

The “Input channel” The “Input channel” Each input channel consists of a:

20 db pad

Gain control

Hi EQ

Mid EQ with parametric sweep

Lo EQ

FB1 & FB2 sends

Echo 1 & 2 sends

Sub group assignments

Pan control

Channel cue button

Mute button

Volume fader

20 db Pad

This is used to CUT or remove part of the input signal … right off the top before you do anything else. This is useful for

inputs such as tape decks, CDs, guitars, keyboards and signal processors.

Gain

This is used to increase or decrease the amount of signal coming into the input channel of the board.

This is useful for getting the correct “gain structure” on the inputs.

More on gain structure later.

A quick

word about

EQ

You will encounter two types of EQ.

Shelving & Parametric

It is imperative that you understand how a parametric EQ works but we will discuss this in more detail later.

Channel EQChannel EQ

Hi EQ - This is a shelving control and is used to add or cut hi frequencies to that channel.


Mid EQ - This is a parametric control. The add / cut is based upon the frequency that the parametric control is set at.


Lo EQ - This is also a shelving control and is used to add or cut lo frequencies to that channel.

FB1 & FB2FB1 & FB2

Raising or lowering the FB1 or FB2 control raises or lowers the amount of signal sent to the FB1 & FB2 busses (outputs).

These are pre fade – pre EQ. What that means is changing the EQ controls will notnot make any tonal changes in the monitors and the output is not affected by the fader position.

FB1 is the front stage monitors

FB2 is the band monitors.

ECHO 1 & 2ECHO 1 & 2(AKA EFX, FX, Reverb)

This raises the amount of signal being sent to the FX1 & FX2 busses.

Echo 1 & 2 are post fade and post EQ. What this means is that the amount of signal being sent to Echo 1 & 2 busses will change as the fader is raised and lowered.

Group Assignments Group Assignments

& Pan& Pan

Each channel can be assigned to any of the four busses by pressing either the 1-2 or 3-4 button down and panning to the left or right.

Panning to the center will assign it to both 1 & 2 or 3-4 or all four if both buttons are depressed. Or to 1 & 3 or 2 & 4 by pressing both and panning left or right.

Channel CueChannel Cue

This is so you can monitor the signal coming into the channel.

Channel mute Channel mute

The red button will turn the channel on and off.

In the off position it will mute allall outputs off the channel.

Channel faderChannel fader

The fader will raise and lower the volume of the channel.

FOH Master sectionFOH Master section

Echo returnEcho return(AKA … FX … EFX … Reverb)(AKA … FX … EFX … Reverb)

We are not using the echo returns We are not using the echo returns but instead bring our effects unit but instead bring our effects unit back into a normal input channel. back into a normal input channel.

This gives us greater control over This gives us greater control over the tonal range and assignments the tonal range and assignments of the reverb to where we want it. of the reverb to where we want it.


Group OutGroup Out

At the present time we are not At the present time we are not using any of the group outs off this using any of the group outs off this

board.board.

Group outs can be used for any Group outs can be used for any number of things such as number of things such as

recording or auxiliary monitors recording or auxiliary monitors sends to nursery or hallways.sends to nursery or hallways.


Group PanGroup Pan

Group pan is used to assign Group pan is used to assign whatever has been assigned to whatever has been assigned to

that sub-group to either the Stereo that sub-group to either the Stereo L-R outputs. L-R outputs.

Since we are running mono you Since we are running mono you only need to know that we pan only need to know that we pan

everything to the left.everything to the left.


Group CueGroup Cue

The group cue is used to The group cue is used to monitor the mix of what has monitor the mix of what has been assigned to that sub-been assigned to that sub-

group.group.


Group On/OffGroup On/Off

This is used to turn the sub This is used to turn the sub group on & off. This will not group on & off. This will not affect any monitor or effect affect any monitor or effect

(echo) sends.(echo) sends.


Group FaderGroup Fader

This is used to control the This is used to control the amount of volume from the amount of volume from the

sub group to the main sub group to the main outputs.outputs.

This will not affect any This will not affect any monitor or effect (echo) monitor or effect (echo)

sends.sends.

FB OutputsFB Outputs

The FB outs are a “master”

volume control for how much of the Echo 1 & 2

busses are being sent to the amplifiers and speakers.

FB CueFB Cue

These are for you to monitor

the mix you have going to the amplifiers and speakers

Echo (FX) 1 Echo (FX) 1 OutputOutput

The FX outs are a “master” volume control for how

much of the FX1 buss is being sent to the reverb unit.

Echo (FX) 1 Echo (FX) 1 CueCue

This is so you can monitor what is

being sent to the reverb unit.

Echo (FX) 2 Echo (FX) 2 OutputOutput

In our set up, Echo 2 is actually being used as our record

buss.

The signal goes from Echo 2 to the

bottom (record) Yamaha tape deck

Echo (FX) 2 Echo (FX) 2 CueCue

This is so you can monitor what is

being sent to the record deck.

Special effects

processing

“Reverb unit”We have a Digitech special effects unit for reverb, chorus and other EFX on the vocals. We do not run any EFX on the worship leader or pastors mic’s. Likewise we do not run any EFX on the drama mic’s. The signal back from the EFX unit is brought into CH 13 and is assigned to all four sub-groups.

There are too many factors about using EFX to go into here. Basically if you don’t know what you’re doing with reverb … don’t use it period end of discussion.

Whats next?

Tape decks, CD players, audio from the computer and from the VCR!

The tape deck & CD player goes to the Tascam rack mixer before going to the board. This frees up a couple of channels on the board. If you get stuck playing a split track tape or CD you can turn off the track that has the vocals on it at the board. Do not mess with the rack mixer because its old and many of the variable resistors and capacitors in it are on their last legs.

Tape decks, CD players, audio from the computer and from the VCR!

The audio from the computer and the VCR go directly to the board and are so marked.

Am I ready to “rock & roll” now?

Well … I suppose so … hopefully you’ve got the basic’s down.

You still need to know where everything gets plugged in.

You have a lot to practice in your mind and in come up and hook things up and practice running through things.

Last … but far from least.

Read … you have a lot to read. The most important book on sound you can read is the

““Guide to Sound Systems for Guide to Sound Systems for Worship”Worship”

In addition to this get a book on “Basic Electricity” having a basic grip on electricity is a must for troubleshooting a system.

Remember Murphy’s laws … I can guarantee you one thing … if it’s going to break, it’s going to break on Sunday morning.

Fairmont Park Baptist Church Technical Support Ministry Sound System Training Program.

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Transcript of Fairmont Park Baptist Church Technical Support Ministry Sound System Training Program.