Soundcheck - Dynacord PowerMate3 Owner's Manual

3
P M
OWER ATE

5.4 Soundcheck

First, adjust the input levels of the microphones that are
connected to the mono inputs (MIC 1 to MIC 4) or stereo
inputs (MIC 5 or MIC6) of the PowerMate. Please pro-
ceed as follows:
1. Set the corresponding GAIN controls and the chan-
nel faders to their lowest position.
2. Speak or sing as loud as possible into the micro-
phone.
3. Use the GAIN control to adjust the level, so that
even at loud passages the red PK LED does not light
but the green SIG LED lights constantly.
Adjust the EQ:
1. Slide the channel fader and the master faders up a
bit, so that the sound coming from the main speak-
ers is heard.
2. Adjust the HI, MID and LOW controls, starting from
their centered position, until the sound matches
your personal taste.
3. Repeat steps 1 - 2 for all monaural input channels in
use.
In case you are also using the stereo input channels LINE
9-10 or 11-12, you can adjust the levels in a similar way:
1. Set the TRIM LINE CD controls and the channel
fader to their lowest setting.
2. Play the corresponding sound source at the highest
volume that is to be expected during the perform-
ance.
3. Use the TRIM LINE CD control to adjust the level, so
that even at loud passages the red PK LED is not lit
but the green SIG present LED lights constantly.
Adjust the EQ of the stereophonic input channels:
1. Slide the channel fader and the master faders a bit
up, so that you can hear the sound through the
main speakers.
2. Set the EQ controls to their center position.
3. Play the corresponding sound source.
4. Starting from the center position, you can adjust
the HI, MID and LOW controls until the sound is to
your liking. Please, keep in mind that major altera-
tion of the EQ-setting does not necessarily result in
the improvement of the overall sound. Especially
when sound shaping is concerned, less can be
more.
5. Repeat steps 1 - 4 for all stereo input channels in
use.
If musical instruments are connected directly to the mon-
aural inputs, follow the descriptions above describing the
adjustment of the microphones.
Make sure, that all channel faders, GAIN and TRIM LINE
CD controls of unused input channels are at their mini-
mum setting. In this way you avoid unnecessary noise.
M M
ASTER IX
Position the master faders in the range between -30 dB
and -20 dB. Establish a basic mix, using the channel fad-
ers, so that the individual sound levels relate to each oth-
er according to your personal taste. The best range for
the channel faders to be set to is in the area of -5 dB to
0 dB. In this way you are provided with enough tolerance
for later adjustments.
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Use the master faders to adjust the overall volume.
E
FFECTS
In case you are using the FX units, please proceed as fol-
lows:
1. Set the EFFECT RETURN fader of the FX 1 unit to
the -5 dB mark.
2. Use the UP/DOWN buttons below the display to
select the desired effect preset.
3. Press the FX ON button.
4. Play the sound source of the desired input channel
and adjust the desired amount of the FX signal,
using the FX controls of this input channel. Repeat
this step for all input channels that you want to
include in your effect mix.
5. Adjust the FX controls, so that the PK LED of the FX
unit only lights frequently at highly dynamic signal
peaks.
M M
ONITOR IX
For now, let's presume, that you don't use the PowerMa-
te as FOH-mixer in the audience area but on-stage. The
following procedure is explained for MON 1. For setting
MON 2, please perform the same steps analogous.
1. Set the MON fader located in the master section to
the -5 dB mark.
2. Set the MON controls of all input channels accord-
ing to your personal taste.
3. Use the FX 1/2 to MON control to add the effect mix
to the monitor mix, without influencing the master
mix. Normally, the monitor mix needs less FX than
the master mix.
F T
INE UNING
Let the artists perform and check the sound of the system
from different angles and distances. If you come to the
conclusion that some corrections in the overall sound im-
age are necessary, use the 9-band equalizer and match
the sound to your liking. By doing so, you should keep in
mind, that during the performance the sound is going to
be altered because the audience is present, which has a
major effect on the acoustical condition of the location,
the degree of first reflections, and the absorption of low
frequencies. If possible, you should check the "sound in
the house" during the performance and – if necessary –
adjust it to the changed conditions.
And for the rest, we like to wish you lots of fun and suc-
cess with your new PowerMate mixer.