Unit 49 Brief 1 Introduction to music technology DONE

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 (dB’s)

Main Speakers (dB’s)

Support pillars

XLR cables

Speakon cables

Jack cables

Masking tapes

Power leads

Shure SM58 microphone

Process of setting up

·        Take the lids off the boxes.

·        Move the mixing desk into position and put brakes on.

·        Move bass bins into position, left and right.

·        Add the pillars from the bass speaker that connects to the main speakers on top, left and right.

·        Set the main speakers on top of the pillars, about the same height, right and left.

·        Ensure that everything is tight to prevent the speakers from moving.

·        Connect the speakon cables to the power supply.

·        Make sure all wires are taped and out of the way.

·        Connect the desk to the speakers with jack leads (balanced)

·        Flat line the desk before you plug in to the mains to prevent feedback and bad noises

·        Insert the XLR cable for microphone

·        Check the desk and turn on

·        Turn on the speakers and make sure desk is flatlined to prevent feedback.

·        Level testing.

Risk assessment

Risk	How to avoid
Lid from boxes	These can be kept away from where people would walk. This can be achieved by leaving the lids flat and tidy.
The mixing desk could potentially move/hit someone/fall over	Make sure the brakes are on
Speakers moving and potentially hitting someone	Ensure they are tightly secured
Loose wires can trip people up and also be an electrical hazard.	Tape all the wires down and untangle them.
If there are any liquids near the desk or sockets.	Make sure all liquids do not come near the sockets and desk.
Broken cables may not work, and also can mean you are exposed to live wires.	Check the cables, or replace them if needed.
Sound could be too loud and cause damage to peoples ears.	Make sure the sound does not go over 120decibells.
Feedback can also cause damage to peoples ears and also the speakers.	Make sure the desk is flatlined when not being used and when you turn it on, also make sure the microphone is behind the speakers to the speakers to prevent feedback.

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 cables

·        Speakon cables

·        Jack cables

·        Masking tapes

·        Power leads

·        Shure SM58 microphone

Condenser/Capacitor Microphones

A capacitor microphone is used for more harder sounds like drums and loud instruments. A capacitor microphone has two plates which have a voltage in between them. One of these plates are made from a very light material which acts as the diaphragm. When sound waves hit the diaphragm, it vibrates which changes the distance between the front and back plate, which changes the capacitance. When the two plates are closer together, the capacitance increases and a charge current occurs. When the two plates are further apart however, the capacitance decreases and a discharge current occurs. For this to work, a voltage has to be present across the capacitor. This voltage is supplied by a battery or by the external mains power. 

Dynamic Microphones

A dynamic microphone is used for softer sounds like singing. The diaphragm on a dynamic microphone is attached to a coil. When sound waves hit the diaphragm, it vibrates and the coil moves backwards and forwards past the magnet. This creates a current which runs through the coil and then through the wires to the microphone. 

Effects and dynamic processors

Equalisation (EQ): Equalisation is the process of adjusting the balance between frequency components using an electric signal. Equalisation is mostly well known for being used in sound recording and production. The equipment that is used for equalisation is called an equaliser. The equaliser can strengthen or weaken the energy of frequency ranges. 

Reverb: Reverb is an environment that surrounds a sound. Natural reverb occurs everywhere. Reverb is composed of echoes that you hear, and it slightly changes depending on the environment you are in, like if you are in a big gymnasium then the echoes will take longer to reach you and bounce off the walls, whereas is you are in a small room then the sound will bounce back a lot quicker. Also, it depends what the environment consists of like furniture or objects. 

Compression: Dynamic range compression is the process of reducing the volume of loud sounds or amplifies quieter sounds by compressing an audio signals dynamic range. Compression is often used in sound recording, live concerts and some music amplifiers. 

Noise Gate: A noise gate in slightly like a compressor. A noise gate is used to control the volume of an audio signal. You can also automatically turn off a channel with a noise gate if there is no signal. When the noise gate is closed, what happens is the gain of a device has been set to a minimum. 

Delay: Delay is an audio effect which records an audio input signal, to an audio storage, then plays it back a few seconds later, a bit like an echo. The delay can be played back once or multiple times. 

Key terms of a microphone

Transducer: Microphones are a type of transducer. A transducer is a device that converts one energy to another. Microphones convert sound waves into electrical energy which is the audio signal.

Diaphragm: The diaphragm is what the sound waves hit in a microphone. The diaphragm then vibrates, either changing the distance between the two plates in a condenser microphone or vibrates the coil in a dynamic microphone.

Electromagnetic Induction: An electromagnetic induction is the process of creating a current in a microphone. Like in a dynamic microphone, when the diaphragm vibrates, it moves the coil around the magnet which creates an electric current.

Capacitor Plate: A capacitor plate is the second plate in a condenser microphone. When the diaphragm vibrates and the plates move closer together, the capacitance increases and a charge current occurs.

Pre-amp: A pre-amplifier is an electronic amplifier that prepares an electrical signal for then to further amplify it.

Sound pressure levels: Sound pressure levels are the pressure a sound creates at different volumes.