Unit 65 Technical Stage Operations - Sound By Anna Smith

Sound Desk

A sound desk is a electronic device for mixing, routing, and changing the level, timbre/dynamics of audio signals. Sound Desks are used in many scenarios including recording studios, public address systems (PA System), sound reinforcement systems, broadcasting, television, and film post-production.

- There are 24 input channels - 6 Channels can be Mono/Stereo these are located at

the at the back of the sound desk- Microphones only take up one channel (Mono)- The Gain is located at the top of the sound desk, this

controls the frequency of sound the desk allows in

The gain controls the amount of sound that goes into the desk. The gain is directly linked to the channel volume control. The gain allows more or less volume to be given to the speakers therefore controlling the loudness of the input.

The EQ is used to control the sound for a specific input. There are two dials for mid frequency range (250 – 5Khz). There is a dial for high frequency and the last is for the base. The aim of the EQ is to make the input sound as naturalistic as possible e.g. a microphone might make a performer sound tinny therefore the EQ dials would need to be adjusted

People on stage need to hear what they sound like, this is important because they need to stay in time, be aware of their volume and the other people around them. The Aux allows us to control what the actor/singer hears through their headset, this is important because it will differ from what the audience will hear.

Sound Desk

Sound DeskThe PFL button should always be switched on when trying to adjust channel volume. The PFL button allows us to see the lights on the peak monitor (RHS). This is important because the volume should not reach a point where the lights are flashing into the red zone; this can be dangerous and blow the speakers.

The channel volume allows us to control the volume of each individual input by itself. This is important especially in live performances such as a musical theatre production where by more than one person is singing in unison. We want it to sound as though both singers are on a level playing field but one may be weaker than the other. Therefore we would adjust that persons channel volume so it is higher than their duet partners so that the audience feel they are both as strong as each other.

The master volume controls the sound output for the entire desk. Without the master volume being adjusted no sound will be heard even if the channel volume is adjusted,

Sound Desk

Step by Step Guide to Setting Up the Sound Desk:

1. Turn the desk on2. Set all dials to the top3. Turn master volume to Zero4. Turn the channels ON which you are using (Should glow orange)5. Turn the PFL buttons ON for the channels you are using (Should

also glow orange)6. Turn gain down to -Sixteen7. Bring the channel volume up to Zero8. Increase the gain to increase the depth of volume (Use the peak

monitor on the RHS so that the lights go into the orange intermittently but NOT the red)

9. Adjust the EQ high/Low frequency (And base if needed)

Speakers

Passive Speakers:

Passive speakers do not contain a power source built inside them. Passive speakers need an external amplifier so they can work when plugged into a power source.

Active Speakers:

Once active speakers are plugged in to a power source they should automatically work without hesitation (if the public address system has been set up correctly). This is because active speakers already have a 13 watt amp built in to them to convert the …

I would use a active speaker over a passive speaker if I was taking part in a music gig in my local pub. This is because I would have a lot to carry already and taking a passive speaker would add to my load as I would also need to carry an external amplifier, where as active speakers already have them built in.

I would use a passive speaker over an active speaker if I was hosting the biggest musical festival in the country. I would do this because although active speakers contain an amplifier built different bands may preform at different volumes/frequencies and therefore need different amplifiers in order to not blow the speakers

XLR CableThe XLR cable is a electrical connector, primarily found on professional audio, video, and stage lighting equipment. The connectors are circular in design and have between 3 and 7 pins. They have a male and female end and the male always goes into the female end. The male end has 3 pins where as the female part has 3 holes (as seen on the pictures below).

An example of when an XLR cable is used is to connect the sound desk to the speakers. The XLR cable goes from the output of the desk to the input of the speakers, one to the left and one to the right.

Phono LeadPhono leads are very common for connecting audio and even video equipment. Most domestic DVD and Audio equipment uses this format of connector. Phono cables are used to connect two pieces of hifi together to transmit an analogue audio signal, such as a cd player and amplifier.They are a twin cable with two single-pin plugs on each end, the plugs are coloured to allow correct connection of left and right stereo channels at both ends (usually they are white and red, as seen in picture below).

When setting up a public address system Phono leads are usually plugged into the output of a device e.g. CD player (the red goes to the right and the white to the left) and the input of channels 1 and 2 on the sound desk.

Jack LeadA Jack Lead is the most common connection to be found on musical equipment. The quarter inch jack is the type of connection that is used on electric guitars and guitar amps. The plug itself is always ¼” or 6.3mm jack, with a single black hoop called an insulating ring towards its tip (this indicates that this is a mono or single channel connection).

The ¼ inch Jack tends to be found on audio interfaces and recording equipment, mixing desks and PA equipment.

SpeakONA Speakon (sometimes stylized speakON) is a type of cable connector mostly used in professional audio systems for connecting loudspeakers to amplifiers. They lock into their sockets with a twisting motion, making them significantly less prone to disconnection than standard phone plugs. They are shielded from human touch, preventing electrical shock from a high-powered amplifier. The contacts do not short out during connection or disconnection which can be a benefit when working with sound equipment that is in operation.