How To Adjust Levels - Alesis 1622 Reference Manual

HOW TO ADJUST LEVELS

In order to ensure the cleanest signal with the least amount of background noise (hiss and hum),
it is extremely important for the proper levels to be maintained not only within the 1622 MIXER
itself, but throughout the entire audio system. Therefore, it's best to observe the following
guidelines when initially setting up your 1622 MIXER, and during daily use.
A) MAINTAIN PROPER INPUT LEVELS - To set proper input levels on either a mic or
line level signal, follow this procedure:
1) With mic or line level signal flowing through the channel, engage the
channel SOLO.
2) Observe the SOLO level on the MAIN LED Meter. Adjust the TRIM control
until the first red LED lights on the loudest peaks. If any distortion from
signal overload is still heard (due to possible brief peaks that don't register
on the meter), continue to decrease the TRIM control until the distortion
goes away. See Figure 11.
B) MAINTAIN PROPER FADER LEVELS - Ideally, both the input and output faders
should be run at about the "0" position (about the 3/4 of the way up the fader travel) if
possible. This position gives the greatest amount of headroom and lowest background
noise. It also allows for any additional increase or decrease in level that might be
required during mixing. Ultimately, the fader levels are dependent on the requirements
of the mix; the 3/4 level is only a starting point. See Figure 10.
FIGURE 10
IDEAL FADER POSITION DURING RECORDING OR MIXING
C) MAINTAIN PROPER SYSTEM LEVELS - As a good rule of thumb, it is always best to
try to run most volume level controls of your other equipment as well.
WIRING OF INSERT CABLE
TIP (SEND)
RING (RETURN)
+10
+5
-5
-10
-15
-20
-25
-30
-35
1 2
CHANNEL FADERS
17
SEND (TO INPUT)
RETURN
(FROM
OUTPUT)
3 4
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