SBF SOUND SYSTEM TRAINING AND REFERENCE MANUAL

Transcription

1 SBF SOUND SYSTEM TRAINING AND REFERENCE MANUAL Revision 1.0

2 Contents 1.0 SETTING UP THE SERVICE SETTING UP THE BAND PIANO (OPTIONAL VOCALS) ACOUSTIC GUITAR (OPTIONAL VOCALS) VOCALIST BASS GUITAR DRUMS KEYBOARD (OPTIONAL VOCALS) ELECTRIC GUITAR (OPTIONAL VOCALS) ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS (OPTIONAL VOCALS) CONFIGURING THE SOUND BOARD CONFIGURING FOR A BASIC SERVICE (NO BAND) CONFIGURING FOR A FULL SERVICE (WITH BAND) USING THE SOUND BOARD CONFIGURING CHANNELS (GAIN/EQ) MUTE GROUPS STAGE MONITOR CONFIGURATION THE MATRIX SUB, MAINS AND BUILDING ADDING FX FX150 MONITOR CONFIGURING THE MONITOR USING THE MONITOR ADJUSTING THE MONITOR CHANNELS...29 Revision Comments Pages 1.0 Initial Release -

3 1.0 SETTING UP THE SERVICE To set up a basic service, the only configuration that is required on the stage is to connect microphones to either or both of the inputs labelled Podium 1 and Podium 2 in the stage plate at the front of the stage (see illustration below). The wireless microphone, the Presentation PC, the Audio PC and the hearing loop are all pre-configured on the sound board and require no setup. Figure 1 - Basic Service Podium Connections If you don t have a band then you should proceed to Section 3.0 which details how to configure the sound board. If you do have a band, continue on to Section 2.0 (the next section). Page 1

4 2.0 SETTING UP THE BAND In addition to setting up the basic service as outlined in Section 1.0, if you have a band it will be necessary to configure monitors, hook up instruments and microphones. The following sections provide specific details for a cross section of common configurations encountered at SBF. As you set up the band, it is helpful to use one of the provided worksheets (see illustration below) to record the stage setup up and simplify configuring the sound board. Figure 2 - SBF Stage Map (available as worksheet) Once the band is set up, you should proceed to Section 3.0 to configure the sound board. Page 2

5 2.1 PIANO (OPTIONAL VOCALS) Place one of the FX150 monitors on the left side of the piano and run an XLR cable from one of the monitor feeds under the back stage plate to INPUT 1 on the monitor. Now hook up the power supply to the monitor, and plug it in to an outlet under the stage plate. OPTIONAL VOCALS: If the piano player is going to use a vocal mic as well, then run an XLR cable from the microphone, into the INPUT 2 on the FX150 and then run an additional XLR cable from the THRU connection into an input channel under the stage plate note the channel number and musician on the worksheet. Finally, run an XLR cable from the microphone inside the piano, to CH8 (labelled PIANO) under the stage plate note the channel number and label it piano on the worksheet. Make sure the monitor is OFF, check the settings on the back panel and reset the monitor to defaults See Section 9.1. The piano is now configured. See the section on using the FX150 monitor and remind the musician how to use the monitor. In this configuration: INPUT 1 on the FX150 controls the monitor level INPUT 2 on the FX150 controls the voice level (OPTIONAL) The MASTER knob controls the overall level of the monitor Figure 3 - Monitor Setup for Piano Page 3

6 2.2 ACOUSTIC GUITAR (OPTIONAL VOCALS) Place one of the FX150 monitors on a mic stand (if setting up for vocals) or a music stand and run an XLR cable from one of the monitor feeds under a nearby stage plate to INPUT 1 on the monitor. Now hook up the power supply to the monitor, and plug it in to an outlet under the stage plate. Run a ¼ cable from the guitar to the instrument input on a DI box, and then run one of the special ¼ to 1/8 cables from the through connection on the DI box into the AUX input on the FX150. Now run an XLR cable from the DI XLR output into an input channel under the stage plate note the channel number and musician on the worksheet. Figure 4 - Acoustic Guitar DI Configuration (typical DI shown) OPTIONAL VOCALS: Run an XLR cable from the microphone to INPUT 2 on the FX150, and then run an XLR cable from the THRU connection into an input channel under the stage plate note the channel number and musician on the worksheet. Make sure the monitor is OFF, check the settings on the back panel and reset the monitor to defaults See Section 9.1. The guitarist is now configured with optional vocals. See the section on using the FX150 monitor and remind the musician how to use the monitor. In this configuration: INPUT 1 on the FX150 controls the monitor level INPUT 2 on the FX150 controls the voice level (OPTIONAL) AUX on the FX150 controls the guitar level The MASTER knob controls the overall level of the monitor Page 4

7 Figure 5 - Monitor Setup for Acoustic Guitar 2.3 VOCALIST Place one of the FX150 monitors on a mic stand and run an XLR cable from one of the monitor feeds under a nearby stage plate to INPUT 1 on the monitor. Now hook up the power supply to the monitor, and plug it in to an outlet under the stage plate. Run an XLR cable from the microphone to INPUT 2 on the FX150, and then run an XLR cable from the THRU connection into an input channel under the stage plate note the channel number and musician on the worksheet. Make sure the monitor is OFF, check the settings on the back panel and reset the monitor to defaults See Section 9.1. The vocalist is now configured. See the section on using the FX150 monitor and remind the musician how to use the monitor. In this configuration: INPUT 1 on the FX150 controls the monitor level INPUT 2 on the FX150 controls the voice level The MASTER knob controls the overall level of the monitor Page 5

8 Figure 6 - Monitor Setup for Vocalist 2.4 BASS GUITAR The bass guitar uses one of the single channel Voice Solo powered monitors placed on the floor. Simply connect an XLR cable from the MIC/LINE IN input on the monitor (see illustration below) to one of the monitor outs in the stage plate next to the bass amp, and plug in the power cord to one of the outlets. The monitor should then be turned on individual volume for the monitor can be controlled by the bass player using the volume knob. This adjusts the entire mix, customization of the mix is not available. The DI outlet from the bass amp should now be connected to the input labelled BASS in the stage plate using a short XLR cable, this connects the bass amp signal to the pre-configured sound board channel. Figure 7 - Monitor Setup for Bass Page 6

9 2.4 DRUMS Use one of the single channel powered Voice Solo monitors for the drummer, mounted on the short stand and pointed towards the drummer. Simply connect an XLR cable from the MIC/LINE IN input on the monitor (see illustration below) to one of the monitor outs in the stage plate next to the drums (on the back left side of the stage, when facing from the auditorium), and plug in the power cord to one of the outlets. The monitor should then be turned on individual volume for the monitor can be controlled by the drummer using the volume knob. This adjusts the entire mix, customization of the mix is not available. Figure 8 - Monitor Setup for Drums The snare and kick drum are intended to be miced and there is a specific microphone for each. Connect each microphone to the kick and snare inputs located under the stage plate these have been prelabeled and configured at the sound board. Page 7

10 2.5 KEYBOARD (OPTIONAL VOCALS) Place one of the FX150 monitors on a mic stand (if setting up for vocals), on a music stand or sitting on the top of the keyboard and run an XLR cable from one of the monitor feeds under a nearby stage plate to INPUT 1 on the monitor. Now hook up the power supply to the monitor, and plug it in to an outlet under the stage plate. Run a ¼ cable from the keyboard MONO out to a DI box, and then run one of the special ¼ to 1/8 cables from the DI box into the AUX input on the FX150. Now run an XLR cable from the DI into an input channel under the stage plate note the channel number and musician on the worksheet. Figure 9 - Keyboard DI Configuration (typical DI shown) OPTIONAL VOCALS: Run an XLR cable from the microphone to INPUT 2 on the FX150, and then run an XLR cable from the THRU connection into an input channel under the stage plate note the channel number and musician on the worksheet. Make sure the monitor is OFF, check the settings on the back panel and reset the monitor to defaults See Section 9.1. The keyboard is now configured. See the section on using the FX150 monitor and remind the musician how to use the monitor. In this configuration: INPUT 1 on the FX150 controls the monitor level INPUT 2 on the FX150 controls the voice level (OPTIONAL) AUX on the FX150 controls the keyboard level The MASTER knob controls the overall level of the monitor Page 8

11 Figure 10 - Monitor Setup for Keyboard 2.6 ELECTRIC GUITAR (OPTIONAL VOCALS) Electric guitars cannot be directly plugged into the sound system using a DI, they must use a traditional amplifier with a microphone, or a guitar processor. Place one of the FX150 monitors on a mic stand (if setting up for vocals), a music stand or on the stage and run an XLR cable from one of the monitor feeds under a nearby stage plate to INPUT 1 on the monitor. Now hook up the power supply to the monitor, and plug it in to an outlet under the stage plate. If the guitarist is using a guitar processor, run one of the special ¼ to 1/8 cables from the guitar processor into the AUX input on the FX150. Now run an XLR cable from the guitar processor into an input channel under the stage plate note the channel number and musician on the worksheet. If the guitarist is using an amplifier, then you must use a microphone on the amplifier, and run an XLR cable from the microphone into an input channel under the stage plate note the channel number and musician on the worksheet. There is no need to run any signal from the guitar into the monitor if a traditional amp is being used, since the amplifier can be heard on stage. OPTIONAL VOCALS: Run an XLR cable from the microphone to INPUT 2 on the FX150, and then run an XLR cable from the THRU connection into an input channel under the stage plate note the channel number and musician on the worksheet. Page 9

12 Make sure the monitor is OFF, check the settings on the back panel and reset the monitor to defaults See Section 9.1. The electric guitarist is now configured with optional vocals. See the section on using the FX150 monitor and remind the musician how to use the monitor. In this configuration: INPUT 1 on the FX150 controls the monitor level INPUT 2 on the FX150 controls the voice level (OPTIONAL) AUX on the FX150 controls the guitar level (IF USING A GUITAR PROCESSOR) The MASTER knob controls the overall level of the monitor Figure 11 - Monitor Setup for Electric Guitarist 2.7 ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS (OPTIONAL VOCALS) Other types of instruments that don t directly plug in to the sound system including acoustic guitars with no preamp, flutes, violins, etc. require the use of a microphone and it is not necessary to provide any input into the monitors because the instrument can be heard on stage. Place one of the FX150 monitors on a mic stand (if setting up for vocals), a music stand or on the stage and run an XLR cable from one of the monitor feeds under a nearby stage plate to INPUT 1 on the monitor. Now hook up the power supply to the monitor, and plug it in to an outlet under the stage plate. Page 10

13 Now set up a microphone to pick up the instrument, and run an XLR cable from the microphone to an input channel under the stage plate note the channel number and musician on the worksheet. OPTIONAL VOCALS: Run an XLR cable from the microphone to INPUT 2 on the FX150, and then run an XLR cable from the THRU connection into an input channel under the stage plate note the channel number and musician on the worksheet. Make sure the monitor is OFF, check the settings on the back panel and reset the monitor to defaults See Section 9.1. The musician is now configured with optional vocals. See the section on using the FX150 monitor and remind the musician how to use the monitor. In this configuration: INPUT 1 on the FX150 controls the monitor level INPUT 2 on the FX150 controls the voice level (OPTIONAL) The MASTER knob controls the overall level of the monitor Figure 12 - Monitor Setup for Acoustic Instrument Page 11

14 3.0 CONFIGURING THE SOUND BOARD The sound system is turned on by using the switch on the power bar, turning the switch on will turn on the sound board, and the amplifiers. Once the power is turned on, the board will boot up and when it gets to the home screen it is ready to use. The first thing you want to do is confirm that the digital snake at the stage has connected and the connection lights are showing green (see Figure 13 below) you should have a green square beside the line that says A:S16 at the top of the screen. Figure 13 - Digital Snake Connection Indication If not you need to reset the digital snake on stage open the access panel on the right of the stage and unplug the S16, wait for a few seconds and plug it back in (see Figure 14 below). Now check the status of the connection lights on the sound board. Figure 14 - Resetting the S16 Digital Snake Page 12

15 When the board starts up it will be in the exact state it was left in by the previous sound person. Now that the board is powered on, you will need to load an appropriate scene as a starting point to work from. Don t just assume that the board is ready to go as it will be configured according to how it was last used. There are two options: Option 1 - a basic service with no band, just a speaker and maybe some visuals. Option 2 adds a band to the basic service. Scene management is accomplished using the SCENE section of the sound board, located on the far right (see Figure 15 below). Figure 15 - Scene section of the X32 On the far left of the board you will see two buttons labelled BAND and SERVICE, these will be referenced later on in the manual. Page 13

16 3.1 CONFIGURING FOR A BASIC SERVICE (NO BAND) For a basic service with no band you will want to load the SBF Default scene this is accomplished by going to the SCENE section on the far right of the sound board, and pressing the VIEW button (circled below). Figure 16 - Selecting the SCENE View The screen will then show a page that is mostly blank, because we don t use this feature you will need to use the right arrow key to move over to the SCENE tab. Figure 17 - Home Screen showing SCENES tab Page 14

17 Once on the SCENES tab, you can then use the LOAD knob to highlight the SBF Default scene and then press the LOAD knob to activate the scene (see Figure 18). You will be asked to confirm using the right arrow button. Figure 18 - Loading Scene into X32 Now the board is configured to a default starting point, with all channels muted, and only a basic configuration that supports Pulpit Mic 1, Pulpit Mic 2, Wireless Microphone, the Presentation PC and the Audio PC. Press the button labelled SERVICE (CH 17-32) on the left hand side of the board and you will see these preconfigured channels ready to use (see Figure 19). Figure 19 - SERVICE button active with channels showing Page 15

18 3.2 CONFIGURING FOR A FULL SERVICE (WITH BAND) To configure the board for a full service that includes a band you have two options if the worship team you are doing sound for has a pre-configured scene (we will be maintaining a list of scenes in the soundboard binder) then it is a matter of loading that scene as a starting point and modifying it as required. In most cases you will start with the SBF Default scene and then configure the board as outlined in this section. Loading a scene is accomplished as outlined in Section 3.0 please refer to that section to select and activate the appropriate scene in the X32. Now the board is configured to either a default scene, or a scene specifically customized to the Worship Team (if one exists in the scene library). If you are using a specific scene for the worship team, it may require some small tweaks which will be covered in the next few sections on configuring channels. When starting from the SBF Default scene, all of the band channels (CH 1-14) are un-configured with the exception of the Piano, Kick, Snare and Bass channels which are ready for use if required. The podium microphones, wireless microphone, Visual and Audio PC s are already configured and ready to use as for the Basic Service referenced in Section 3.0. To switch back and forth between the BAND and SERVICE channels, you simply press the appropriate button on the left side of the board SERVICE (CH 17-32) or BAND (CH 1-16). Figure 20 - SERVICE button active with default channels showing Page 16

19 Figure 21 - BAND button active with default channels showing To configure the band channels (1 to 14), you should plug in all the microphones, instruments and monitors on the stage and record the configuration on the supplied worksheet (see Section 2 on stage setup). Once this is complete, you can then use the worksheet to configure the sound board. Make sure that you are on the BAND series of channels, and referencing your worksheet select the first channel that you want to configure by pressing the SELECT button for that channel. Figure 22 - Channel SELECT button depressed Page 17

20 Then press the LIBRARY button beside the display and this will bring up pre-configured channel settings that you can then load. If the person you are setting the channel up for has a saved configuration, you will see it on the list a master list of custom channels and their uses will be maintained in the soundboard binder so please reference that as a guide. Figure 23 - Selecting channel preset from LIBRARY To load a channel configuration, simply use the LOAD PRESET knob to highlight the item on the list and then press the LOAD PRESET knob to activate the configuration. You will be asked to confirm using the right arrow button. If you load a channel that has been customized for an individual, then the entire configuration and labelling has been loaded. If no custom channel has been saved for an individual and you need to start from scratch, press the SELECT button on the channel you want to configure and load the BLANK configuration this configuration has no customization or EQ and is a good starting point. Once a blank channel has been loaded, you should customize the channel with a label (such as the person s name), and optionally a color, and icon. To accomplish this, make sure the SELECT button on the channel you wish to configure is highlighted, and press the SETUP button beside the screen. You can then use the right arrow to move over to the SCRIBBLE STRIP tab and select the color, icon and also enter a specific name. The name, color and icon are now viewable on the small LCD screen associated with that channel Page 18

21 Figure 24 - SETUP screen showing options for naming and customizing a channel You should continue to load in the remainder of the channels on your worksheet until the entire band has been loaded and labelled as you require. The board is now configured and ready to use. Page 19

22 4.0 USING THE SOUND BOARD The following sections cover the basics on how to access and adjust common settings on the sound board. 4.1 CONFIGURING CHANNELS (GAIN/EQ) Now that the board is set up and configured, you can adjust parameters for each channel as you would for any other sound board this includes Gain and EQ which are the two primary items you may want to work on. In order to adjust the parameters on a channel, you need to press the SELECT button on the appropriate channel and then the controls on the upper left corner of the board become active and will affect the selected channel. We are primarily worried about Gain and EQ. If you wish to see the parameters on the LCD screen, you can simply select the VIEW button located on the lower right in each section on the board, and this will immediately switch the display to view the relevant parameters. For example, to view the CONFIG/PREAMP settings on the LCD you will push the VIEW button located in the bottom right of the CONFIG/PREAMP section and now you can see the settings on the LCD. Setting gain is done just as you would a conventional sound board. Figure 25 - Selecting the VIEW button for Config/Preamp EQ can be configured by using the knobs in the EQUALIZER section, specifics around setting and using EQ will not be covered in this manual. If you wish to see the EQ settings on the LCD screen, press the VIEW button. Page 20

23 Figure 26 - Selecting the VIEW button for EQ Once the GAIN and EQ are configured for each channel, you can then control the channel volume and set the mix by using the fader. We have already covered the SELECT button, here you will also find the scribble strip LCD, a channel MUTE button (see the section on Mute Groups) a SOLO button and a VU meter for the channel. Figure 27 - Channel Controls Page 21

24 4.2 MUTE GROUPS Mute groups provide a very easy way to mute multiple channels with the press of a single button we have set up four custom mute groups for the sound board as follows: 1 - Mute Band 2 - Mute Service 3 - Mute Stage Monitors 5 - Mute ALL The mute groups have been labelled, and are available in the MUTE GROUPS section of the board just to the right of the main fader that controls the Front of House volume (right side of the board). Figure 28 - Mute Group Buttons Note that when you first load a default scene into the board, the Band, Service and Stage Monitors are all muted by default. This provides a quick way during the service to mute things or if everything goes crazy to mute EVERYTHING using the Mute ALL button. If you are not getting any sound, check the MUTE GROUPS. Page 22

25 4.3 STAGE MONITOR CONFIGURATION So up to this point we have configured the board, set up all of the channels, and we are ready to configure the stage monitors. To view the Stage Monitor send, press the Bus 1-8 Button (labelled Monitor/FX) and you will see the first slot identified as MONITOR. Figure 29 - Monitor Bus Selected The fader controls the overall volume to the stage monitors all stage monitors 1-7 are controlled from this one fader. Individual volume control, or more me mix control (if configured that way) is done on the Stage Monitors themselves so remind your musicians about that when they ask you to turn things up. If you turn up the monitor fader, it turns up ALL monitors. Page 23

26 To adjust the Monitor mix, press the SELECT button for the Monitor send and then press the SENDS ON FADER button (just to the left), which will flash red. Now the faders on the left side of the board can be set to feed the monitor mix once you are done, press the SENDS ON FADER button, it stops flashing and the board reverts back to viewing the channel faders on the left side. Figure 30 - Setting Monitor Send Levels for Piano, Drums and Bass (example) If anyone asks for more of something in the monitor, just press the SELECT button above the monitor send, press the SENDS ON FADER button and adjust the fader on the appropriate channel, then remember to press the SENDS ON FADER button so it stops flashing and reverts back to the channel faders. There is no need to send any of the SERVICE channels to the monitor bus, you should ONLY send BAND channels. Remember to press the SENDS ON FADER button when you are done to return the left side of the board to controlling the overall mix. Page 24

27 4.4 THE MATRIX SUB, MAINS AND BUILDING Now that the board is all configured, the channels are assigned and labelled and the monitor mix is set it is time to bring up the front of house volume and set the individual channels into the mix. The board is set up to drive our front of house full range speakers, the ceiling mounted sub and the building speakers. The volume levels for each of these can be set relative to each other by selecting the MATRIX 1-6 MAIN C button near the center of the board, and you will see three channels labelled Main, Sub and Building. Normally you will not need to touch these as we have preconfigured them for the best all-around mix, but if you think you need to have a bit more oomph from the sub, you can reduce the mains, or boost the sub if required. Figure 31 - Matrix Section for Mains, Sub and Building To the right side of this section is the main LR speaker fader that is the master volume for front of house and building speakers. Page 25

28 4.5 ADDING FX Occasionally you will want to add a touch of reverb or delay to the vocals in order to fill them out a bit, setting FX level is quite similar to setting the monitor mix. Press the Bus 1-8 Button (labelled Monitor/FX) and you will see two FX channels - identified as FX Reverb and FX Delay. Figure 32 - FX Reverb and FX Delay The FX Reverb and FX Delay fader controls the overall level of FX applied, and just like the monitors if you press the SELECT button, and then press SENDS ON FADER, you can then adjust the amount of FX for each channel on the left side of the board. If you need to increase or decrease the overall FX level, use the FX fader, if you wish to add more FX to only a specific channel, then use the SELECT button, press SENDS ON FADER and then adjust the channel there. Always remember to turn off the SENDS ON FADER button when you are done, so it stops flashing and you get back to controlling your mix. Page 26

29 5.0 FX150 MONITOR 5.1 CONFIGURING THE MONITOR Make sure the monitor is OFF, and in order to reset to a clean configuration, depress and hold the three LOW buttons on the front while turning the unit on, continuing to hold until the unit is powered up. These monitors remember the settings used previously, and resetting gives you a clean configuration to work from. Figure 33 - Resetting the FX150 to Defaults Now confirm that the Hi-Z, +48V and Full Mix/CH1 buttons are NOT DEPRESSED (in the out position). Figure 34 - FX150 Rear Panel Settings Page 27

30 5.2 USING THE MONITOR The monitors are configured to provide you with a complete monitor mix, vocals and instrument (or any combination) on three separate channels, controlled independently from the monitor. These channels have been labelled on the monitor for your convenience. Each channel is configured as follows: Monitor use this channel to adjust the monitor channel settings My Vocal use this channel to adjust your own vocal settings (if you are singing) My Inst use this channel to adjust your instrument settings (if you are playing an instrument) The master volume knob is used to adjust the overall volume of the monitor. To adjust the channels, see Section 5.3 for specific information on how to accomplish this in most instances, you will only require setting the Level, although there are options for EQ and reverb. Page 28

31 5.3 ADJUSTING THE MONITOR CHANNELS (Reprinted from the TC Helicon FX150 Manual see Manual for full details) There are two knobs on the FX150: 1. The Edit knob controls parameters depending on selection. The Edit knob has a semi-circle of LED s surrounding it. From left to right, these LED s represent minimum to maximum values for each parameter. LED s may light one at a time or in groups, depending on how many options are available. 2. The Master knob controls the overall monitor volume. Each channel has several controls available, to adjust any of the parameters listed below, push the button for the parameter that you d like to change: Level, High, Mid, Low or Reverb (Monitor and Vocals only Input 1 and 2). For example, press the Level button and use the Edit knob to control the volume of the associated channel. NOTE: If the Vocal Tone (Input 1 or 2) or Voice Cancel (Aux) button lights red at any time during your performance, the Input is clipping and the level should be reduced. Page 29

32 Use the Edit knob to make changes. Press the button again to exit and save your changes. Page 30