Common Problems - Joemeek British Channel VC6Q User Manual

One can be used as a recording output while the other is used for
monitoring/PA.

COMMON PROBLEMS

1) The microphone doesn't work!
Have you got something plugged into the INSTRUMENT input? (this
disables the microphone input)
Is the phantom power on? (capacitor microphones).
If there is indication on the VU LED, is the output volume control turned
down?
2) Got signal going through but no compression.
Is there enough signal? Use plenty of drive.
Is the compressor push-button engaged.
Have you turned the COMPRESSION control high enough?
3) It's noisy.
The British Channel input amplifier and compressor are extremely quiet,
but by definition compressors raise the level of quiet passages, and the
equaliser can contribute high frequency hiss if overused; this also
means that if there is noise in the microphone channel, there will be
more noise on the compressed and equalised signal. It's a compromise
so try reducing compression and equalisation. If you still have excessive
noise, either there is serious noise in the input signal being fed into the
unit, or something is still turned up far too high.
Start turning things down.
4) It distorts.
No it doesn't! Distortion inside the compressor is virtually impossible,
however it is possible that the microphone amplifier is overcooking (red
overload light?); turn down the COMPRESSION control and readjust.
Too much equaliser can sometimes sound like distortion.
5) I can't make the compression gentle enough!
It takes practice. The settings on all the controls is critical. Start with
compression at 3/4 full. Ratio at near full clockwise, Attack near full
anticlockwise, and release near full anticlockwise. This represents fairly
punchy compression, to soften it try increasing attack and release times.
6) I can't make it compress hard enough!
Is the 'Comp on' switch in?
Again it takes practice; generally you are not pushing it hard enough.
Try adjusting the ratio to 'hardest' (full clockwise) and turning the attack
faster and the release to minimum, then with the compression control
near full up turn up the input gain control
VC6Q
British Channel
11
- User's guide