Unit 49 brief 1 - Setting up sound production equipment

Setting up the equipment for a live performance

Process/steps taken
To set up and test the studio for recording of a band, which isn’t as simple as it seems, this here is a list of equipment is and how to use it:

·         Microphones- microphones are used to take audio and convert into the mixing desks, the sound waves are converted into electrical sound through the Xlr cable, they can also be known as transducers

·         Mixers- mixers are an electrical device which can be used to change the volume of either a musician or a singer, it can also add effects to the vocals/music, they are also able to control signals that are submitted between the equipment

·         Speakers/monitors- speakers are able to balance the sound out and make it louder, speakers are also transducers that convert electromagnetic waves into sound waves, and also they produce a stereo sound/panning. The speakers are connected to the desk by using powered cables as it transfers the flowing current, the base bins are set up first along with the pillars at the same height for balanced sound and then the main speakers are attached, the speakon cables are plugged into both speakers then into the back of the amplifiers below the mixing desk

·         Amplification- The amplifier boosts the audio/sound to enable all personnel to hear the audio/sound as the sound needs to be panned

·         Recording/playing back chain- When recording the audio it is important to make sure no feedback loop, when played back it should be the same as the input that was given

·         Connections- The connections between the equipment varies as there is many leads that go in different places, for example the jack lead, is a ¼ inch/3.5mm cable which is used for instruments such as, guitar and piano, it is put in the SToutL and put in the STinL, L and R stand for left and right if they are in opposite then the sound/ audio wouldn’t be produced

The way the equipment is set up is:

1.  First the boxes are to be taken apart, making sure the lids are kept to one side of the area, lock the mixing desk in place
2.  Move the base bins to corners of the room to make sure the panning is equal and a stereo sound
3.  Next is to add the main speakers on top of the pillars which are screwed onto the base bins making sure that the pillars are of the same height
4.  Then connect the speakon cables to the power supply below the desk
5. Connect the jack leads to the amps and desks
6. Add Xlr cable to mic, put the mic behind the speakers to stop feedback
7. Turn desk on, turn speakers on and level testing                                                                       
8. The microphone goes into the desk which produces a signal and amplifies the audio sound through the speaker.

Risk Assessment 

Risk	How to prevent/avoid
Exposed to live wire	Ensure that all wires are highly maintained and are safe to use and are not broken in any sate of form
Plug socket	Make sure when the plugs aren’t in use that they are turned off at all times
Broken cable	If a cable is broke then do not try to use It, get another cable to use
Water near electric	Keep food/drink away from the area however if water is required then ensure that is in a sealed bottle to avoid spillages
Lift with your knees	Lift with the knees to prevent any injury happening as when lifting with your back can cause issues
Tripping over wires	Make sure all wires are moved to the sides away from the performance area to stop a tripping hazard
Things falling over	Make sure that all the equipment is maintained and all stable
Safe handling/storage	Be careful when handling the equipment as it needs two people to carry as it is too heavy alone
Keep lids out of may	By moving the lids it can prevent any tripping that can cause injuries
Tape up wires at end	To ensure that no one trips as this can cause damage
Leave it as found	By doing this it will stop dangers from happening
Noise levels	Make sure the noise levels are balanced and not too loud as it can be harmful to others
Don’t go over 120dB	If you go over 120dB then it can deafen people as people can average between 110dB
Feedback	Don’t put the mic near the speak as the connections interfere with each other causing a feedback loop which can be really irritating
Mic behind speakers	By doing this it stops the feedback loop from happening

Using Microphones and Effects

Term	Description
Transducer	Converts types of energy such as electrical to sound.
Diaphragm	The diaphragm is attached to the coil, in order to work vibrations are sent through in response to the incoming sound waves. The diaphragm is within the capsule, also electromagnetic induction which is where the coil wrapped around the magnet causes a current.
Capacitor plate	(AKA C1000s) 2 plates with voltage between Front plate (diaphragm) made of light material Sound waves Create a charged current (phantom power-48 volts)
Sound pressure levels	How loud the audio/sound is: Loud – diaphragm (high frequency) Quite – condenser (low frequency)
Pre – amp	Used to boost the original sound before amplification to prevent defending

                                                                                                                            

Shure sm58

Used mainly for vocals, to give an overall sound throughout the performances, even in extreme conditions it can be used to tailor the main source of sound while minimizing the background noise. It can also be popular with dj’s and presenters as it projects the sound, even when the sound waves being converted is are low frequency.

Shure sm57

Used mainly for instruments as it is a consender and picks up all types of frequency’s and sets them to an overall audio level enabling the audio to be balanced and not be over 120dB as it can then deathen people.

Rode NT2-A multi pattern

This is mainly used for vocals in studios in a sound proof room so therefore the sound waves not only travel through and into the mic they also are converted though the room to enable the sound to bounce to and from the walls around the room.

AKA C1000S condenser

This is mainly used for singing also but however this type enables the sound to be quite and loud as it can vary depending on the sound waves that are being converted.

Equipment list:

• ·        Mixing desk, Yamaha EMX 5016 CF
• ·        Power Amp, ASX 18 dB Technology for mixing desk, the t.amp A1400 for main speaker, the t.amp A 2400 for the sub speakers
• ·        Sub speakers (dBs)
• ·        Main speakers (dBs)
• ·        Support pillars
• ·        Xlr cable
• ·        Speakon cables
• ·        Jack leads
• ·        Masking tape
• ·        Power leads
• ·        Shure sm58 microphone

Effects, how they work and the different types

Equalisers

Equalisers manage the high/low frequency of audio/sounds, they do this by changing the wavelength which changes the pitch, humans can hear up to 20kHz but nothing below 20Hz. They boost the different frequency’s to get an overall sound.

On the mixing desk there is a series of green dials, these are the dials to use to change the frequency from low to high, or high to low, when you turn all to low the it stops frequency we call this the low pass filter.

Reverb

Reverbs simulate off the space of the room.

There are 3 different sections to the reverb overall section.

1.     Reverb time means that the audio continues for longer (dry & wet sounds)

2.     Size is where it alters depending on the size of the room.

3.     Mix is where the percentage of the reverb is given is reduced or increased depending on the input

Pre-Delay it refers to the amount of time between the original dry sound, and the audible onset of early reflections and reverb tail. Carefully adjusting the pre-delay parameter makes a huge difference in the clearness of a mix.

Compression

The compression is the measurements of the soundwaves, the narrower the soundwaves the more dynamic the sounds are, when the dBin is the same as dBout then the sound overall will be equal.

There are 2 sections within the compression system,

1.     Threshold which is where the point of compression begins.

2.     Ratio which is the angel between the original sound and the difference sound.

Noise gate

The noise gate also has a threshold like the compression but the noise gate only allows certain sounds through depending on the pressure of the audio sound.

Setting up a recording studio

When setting up a recording studio, you must follow the steps to ensure that when recording the studio is ready to use and set up to go;

• first you must log onto a mac and open Cubase 7(NOT 6)
• Close any applications that come up in the process of opening the system
• Click file and go to 'New project'
• Select empty from the top tab
• When the desk is set up, you need to check the following;
• Devices - Device set up and check that the audio driver (ASIO) is connected to the Onyx Firewire
• Devices - VST connections, under the inputs and outputs the preset should be on ONYX
• Next go to the project and 'add track' making sure its on mono, where then you can add as many tracks as you want. 

When setting up a recording studio, you must follow the steps to ensure that when recording the studio is ready to use and set up to go;

• First you must log onto a mac and open Cubase 7(NOT 6 because Cubase 7 has more features),
• I will then close any applications that come up in the process of opening the system otherwise the application wouldn't run fully,
• Then click file and go to 'New project' this will bring up a new empty score where the recording will show up,
• Select empty from the tab at the top but on the right which is 'more',
• When the desk is set up, you need to check the following;

• Devices - Device set up and check that the audio driver (ASIO) is connected to the Onyx Firewire
• Devices - VST connections, under the inputs and outputs the preset should be on ONYX
• Next go to the project and 'add track' making sure its on mono, where then you can add as many tracks as you want,
• Then the input is needed to be changed for each of the tracks using the bar on the right where 'mono' is stated, when the input is set up then the input put in will respond to the input in the desk,
• To test that the audio works I will click monitor on the track which has a 'speaker icon'
• After the microphone needs to be connected through the wall using a VST connection