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Levels - from laptop to mixer to active speakers
https://mail.karaokescenemagazine.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13587		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Nlouch [ Thu May 15, 2008 2:56 am ]
Post subject:  Levels - from laptop to mixer to active speakers
I'm running a very simple setup as a secondary system that I use for smaller (personal) venues.

Laptop running Compuhost
-
Into Mixer
-
Into Active Speakers

OK, so let's forget mic's and so on for now.

Am I right in working this way:

1) Turn laptop volumes up to full
2) Adjust laptop input levels in mixer so I am showing 0db on my peak meters (just slightly touching the red for loud areas)
3) Adjust gain on my active speakers so they are just touching the peak levels.
4) Adjust volume on my speakers as desired.

Just a quick clarification, cheers?
Author:  mckyj57 [ Thu May 15, 2008 5:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Levels - from laptop to mixer to active speakers
I am not sure about this. I think it would be nice if we knew which mixer you have and where the music channel is going in.

Here is what I do:

  1. I set the computer volume to barely twiddle the peak light on the input channel with the trim knob (not fader) being mid-low center scale.

  2. I set the speaker input gain knob to midrange, as is specified in the manual. I don't know how you can adjust the peak on the input with my Tapco Thump pair (or my Behr. B212 pair, for that matter).  They both say midrange is designed to operate with a +4dBu signal.

  3. I set the faders on mic and music to about a -10 dB starting point.

  4. I adjust the main volume level to please.

  5. I ring out the room with an RTA or my ear, whatever is available. On regular gigs, this step is skipped and presets are made.

  6. I now can use the faders to adjust the vocal mix or the music mix from track to track with some easily available headroom. As the room fills up, I adjust the mains out, though I will of course crank some songs a bit. 8-)
Author:  MorganLeFey [ Thu May 15, 2008 6:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Levels - from laptop to mixer to active speakers
If I recall Lonnie's advice to me on a similar question it was to turn your speakers up to full and adjust via mixer only.
if you limit the headroom you risk clipping.

no doubt someone will correct me if I am wrong
Author:  Lonman [ Thu May 15, 2008 7:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Levels - from laptop to mixer to active speakers
MorganLeFey @ Thu May 15, 2008 6:00 am wrote:
If I recall Lonnie's advice to me on a similar question it was to turn your speakers up to full and adjust via mixer only.
if you limit the headroom you risk clipping.

no doubt someone will correct me if I am wrong


That's the way I would do it!  You are controlling the volume from the mixer so there is no reason not to have the amp wide open.
Author:  Nlouch [ Thu May 15, 2008 7:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Levels - from laptop to mixer to active speakers
But (and remember I'm not questioning you - only asking as I don't fully understand sound technology)...

I turn the speakers GAIN up full and VOLUME up full...
Then adjust the sound levels from the mixer...

Would I not be aplifying a quiet signal, thus creating hiss?
Author:  mckyj57 [ Thu May 15, 2008 8:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Levels - from laptop to mixer to active speakers
Nlouch @ Thu May 15, 2008 10:45 am wrote:
But (and remember I'm not questioning you - only asking as I don't fully understand sound technology)...

I turn the speakers GAIN up full and VOLUME up full...
Then adjust the sound levels from the mixer...

Would I not be aplifying a quiet signal, thus creating hiss?

With regard to "turning them up full", I recommend you listen to the manufacturer who recommends a +4dBu signal as an operating level. Without knowing which powered speaker it is, but the ones I have experience with are designed to have their level control operate at midrange. They get plenty loud at that setting, believe me, providing you have a normal mixer providing the input.
Author:  Nlouch [ Thu May 15, 2008 8:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Levels - from laptop to mixer to active speakers
OK, will take all this into account.  Thanks :)

I really need an empty room to setup in sometime and see what I can do...
Author:  Lonman [ Thu May 15, 2008 9:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Levels - from laptop to mixer to active speakers
Nlouch @ Thu May 15, 2008 7:45 am wrote:
But (and remember I'm not questioning you - only asking as I don't fully understand sound technology)...

I turn the speakers GAIN up full and VOLUME up full...
Then adjust the sound levels from the mixer...

Would I not be aplifying a quiet signal, thus creating hiss?


Not if you have a good mixer.  Your music & mics are still being set to their normal levels so the signal will be fine, you are just controlling the output with the mixers main fader.
Author:  LondonLive [ Thu May 15, 2008 10:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Levels - from laptop to mixer to active speakers
As mentioned earlier by Mike, I would excersise caution if you are going to turn your powered speakers volume up full. I would consult the manual on your particular speaker. I have Yorkville U15P's and the recommendation from them is to turn them to about the 12 O:Clock position, which is all the voltage the amps need to reach their full rated power( they have three amps 600 watts on the 15, 150 watts on the fives and 150 on the compression driver). That is considered unity for them. I have run them between 10 and 2 just for test purposes, but at the 12 O:Clock position I have all the volume I will ever need.
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