Karaoke Forums

Is there such a phenomenon as channel stress? In other words, a channel's ability to function weakens the longer it's in use.

Do you mean electronically? For the most part, no, especially not at the low current levels of a mixer or other line-level equipment. As far as an amp goes, if you aren't overloading it, it should not signifcantly degrade over time.

Now you are going to see mechanical parts, i.e. faders, connectors, and cables, have stress, corrosion, and contamination. That can definitely cause problems with mixer channels.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

No actual "channel stress", or I should say, channels would generally be "stressed" at an equal level, so one shouldn't degrade before another. However, that doesn't rule out component failure. If all of the mechanical parts noted above check out, you MAY have a failed or failing power component ( i.e. regulator or descrete such as a capacitor. A resistor would most likely fail outright, as would most diodes, with the exception of a Zener diode, which may be cutting out at lower thresholds than it should).


Is this just a matter of constant lower output, or intermittent cut out, or fading in and out?

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

Just seems sometimes that I'm adding more highs to the mix later in the evening.

Keeping in mind that I'm not looking at or testing the equipment:

If the change happens later in the evening, my top of the head guess is that it's heat related. It may be something as simple as one channel's electronics being located closer to a heat source ( power section) but the likelihood is more that one side is getting less ventilation than another. If, say, you're set up in a corner, the side near the corner may be getting slightly less ventilation. If the vents on the unit are only on top, make sure that there is plenty of clearance ( several inches). Either way, a small fan for cooling the unit may solve your problem.

Another thing that can add to heat buildup is dust. If it accumulates within the unit it will act as an insulator, keeping it from dissipating heat.

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

There is very definitely hearing stress, it is a known phenomenon called "threshold shift". Bear in mind also as your venue fills, the amount of HF sound absorption will increase. It would make sense to have to add more highs.

Here is some information.

http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.p ... msg_283008

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Woah! Thanks for that link. I just got sucked into that whole site. Great reading, especially the EQ section. Lots of info there, well written, easy to understand. Highly recommend opening it up and reading what this guy has to say.

High frequency roll off in the audio range is rare due to system parameters including heat . Usually as the bar fills up one has increase the bass. I would venture to say it is due to low speaker height or placement including the angles. Also heavy crowd noise will affect the acousitcs just about as much as anything esp in a room with solid walls and echos..

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Just like Ollie said.....more people, more noise to overcome, more sound absorption(mabe a bad choice of words.. )....like the S H Alabama song starts out ....... turn it up...