/portstewart-cssm-sound-handbook.github.io

Primary LanguageCSS

Contents:

All you need to know

Equipment you'll need:

  • 2x Speakers
  • the desk
  • 3x power cables
  • 2x long XLR Cables (3 pinned)
  • 2x Radio Mic Kit
    • a headset mic
    • a transmitter pack
    • a receiver unit
    • receiver unit power adapter
    • short jack cable
    • Europe to UK plug adapter
  • AA Batteries

Speaker setup:

  1. Unpack each speaker and power cable and place it where you want. The edges of the stage are a good location.
  2. Connect the power cables to the back of each speaker and plug it in to a plug or extension lead.
  3. Plug an XLR (3 pin) cable into the back of the speaker in the port labeled INPUT 1. It can only go in one way up and only one end will fit into the speaker! Make sure this cable is long enough to run to where you want the desk.
  4. Set the knobs on the back of the speaker:
  • INPUT 1 should be a third up - roughly pointing towards the word LINE. This is the speaker power and we do not need all of it!
  • INPUT 2 should be all the way down as there's nothing plugged into it.
  • EQUALIZER should be set to 0 on both HIGH and LOW - this means treble and bass sound neutral.

Desk setup:

  1. Unpack the mixer and its power cable.
  2. Connect the power cable to the back of the mixer and plug it in.
  3. Plug the XLR cables connected to the speakers into the desk. Plug the right speaker (looking at the stage from the audience) into the MAIN OUTPUTS R and the left speaker into the MAIN OUTPUTS L. Mixing these up just means sound comes out the opposite speaker (but it will work)!

Mic and music Setup

  1. Open the radio mic box and take out the receiver unit. Place it somewhere near the desk.
  2. Plug the power cable into the receiver unit and the plug into the EU adapter. Plug that into an extension cable or wall plug.
  3. Plug the short jack cable into the receiver unit and then into Channel 1's LINE IN input.
  4. Unbox the transmitter pack. Take out the headset mic and carefully screw the headset mic plug into the transmitter pack input.
  5. Repeat 1-4 for the second radio mic. Note that each transmitter pack is bound to a receiver unit, they are not swappable and do not interfere.
  6. Take the Stereo AUX Cable and plug it into Channel 5/6. The white jack plugs into L and the red jack into R.

Start it up!

  1. Turn on the power for the desk using the switch on the back at the right hand side labelled POWER ON. An amber light should appear on the front.
  2. Turn on the power for the speakers using the switch on the back labeled POWER. An amber light should appear on the back of each.
  3. Turn on the receiver units. A red power LED should be shown on the front.

Testing

Desk and speakers

  1. Ensure the MAIN MIX button in the SOURCE box is depressed.
  2. Plug your phone into the stereo AUX cable. Ensure the volume on your phone is up.
  3. Start playing some music.
  4. Turn the MAIN MIX sliders up to zero.
  5. Move the 5/6 slider up.
  6. The L-R LEDs should be lighting up and sound should be playing.

Mics

  1. Turn on the transmitter pack, the receiver unit RF LED should light up amber.
  2. Speak into the headset mic, the AUDIO LED should light up green.
  3. Turn up the mic's channel slider on the desk, the L-R LEDs should be lighting up and voice should be playing.
  4. You may need to adjust the VOLUME setting on the Receiver Unit and/or the channel's GAIN knob on the desk. Turn the VOLUME all the way up on the Receiver Unit and the GAIN knob to the lowest required.

Basic Operation:

  1. Ensure MAIN MIX slider is up.
  2. Have someone speak into each MIC. For each adjust the MIC channel volume slider towards zero and then the gain to get the volume you want. Use the mute buttons and sliders to mute when not in use.
  3. For music use channels 5/6 or 7/8 and use the volume slider to adjust to the desired volume.

Guides

The desk crash course

  • The desk is split into vertical channels numbered 1-4 then 5/6 and 7/8. Each channel has an input, settings and a volume slider.
  • On the right the MAIN MIX is the master volume, it's the output volume to the speakers.
  • From the top of the channel to the bottom you have
    • COMP (light blue) - Compressor: you can and often should ignore this but it reduces peaks in volume, "compressing" it.
    • EQ 3x(BLUE): HIGH, MID and LOW, adjusting these adjusts treble, mids and bass, you can turn each up or down.
    • AUX: you don't need this
    • PAN: moves the sound on side or the other. Panning left sends the sound out the left speaker and vice versa.

Wired Mics and Instruments

Wired mics can be easily added, simply plug a long XLR cable into a channel on the desk and into the Mic. Adjust settings and sound should come through.

Instruments such as keyboards and guitars can be added simply with a Jack cable or can be added with a DI Box for improved quality. If using a DI box run a jack cable from the instrument to a DI Box and an XLR cable from the balanced output into a desk channel. Phantom power or a battery may be required for DI box power.

Settings reset

You might want to do this if you're not sure what's going on and want a blank slate

For each channel set:

  • the GAIN knob (black) to the lowest (turn up if more volume is needed)
  • the COMP knob (light blue) to the lowest
  • the 3 EQ knobs (dark blue) to the middle
  • the AUX knobs (red and orange) to the lowest
  • the PAN knob (black) to the middle
  • ensure channel is not muted (MUTE LED off)
  • volume slider to lowest (then turn up as needed)

On the right hand side

  • AUX SENDS and STEREO AUX RETURNS are not used
  • 2-TR/USB up
  • ALT 3-4 up
  • MAIN MIX pressed
  • 2-TR/USB TO MAIN pressed

Troubleshooting

Work backwards

  • Is the desk outputting something? Test with your phone in AUX. Is the MAIN MIX up and LEDs lighting up? If so the issue lies with the speakers. If not then it is likely the desk and some setting.
  • If troubleshooting speakers then ensure INPUT volume is turned up and speakers are on.
  • If troubleshooting desk ensure MAIN MIX is turned up and that input volume slider and GAIN are turned up.

Extra nerdy stuff

Specifications

  • Speakers (active):
    • Behringer B115D
    • 1000W Peak
  • Desk:
    • Behringer Xenyx 1204USB
  • Mics:
    • 2x Shure SM58 Wired Mics
    • 1x the t.bone TWS One Headset (A Channel)
    • 1x the t.bone TWS One Headset (B Channel)