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Gain structure, threshold problems

Edreams75Edreams75 Posts: 29
edited December 2011 in PA Connectivity
Ok ran through the "start here" steps with the pink noise track. I am obviously doing something wrong. The pink noise signal coming from the mixer is just below peak but the th lights up red! So I turned down the gain on the lows and highs in the xover to we're the th barely lights up.....that puts the xover gain at -30!!!!! The meters on the lows and highs don't go above 20 and both my amps gains are turned all the way up and the signal is weak. What am I doing wrong!!!!!

Comments

  • DraDra Posts: 3,777
    The limiter should be OFF to to set the gain structure. Reset the x-over gains to -0- to start.

    DRA
  • Edreams75Edreams75 Posts: 29
    thanks, that was my problem. didnt even realize i had turned them on. now on to learning how to set the compressor/limiter and peq
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    Also make sure the button on the back of the unit is on +4 not -10
  • Edreams75Edreams75 Posts: 29
    I had it set to +4, the signal on the mixer was right at 0 but the input meter on the driverack was weak (around -20, -10 I think) do I switched to setting to -10, now the input on the driverack is bouncing close to 0. Only problem is that there is a slight buzz but I'm sure it's cause of the cheap mixer we bought
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    I have found that the meters ballistics are somewhat slow as well...so what that means for you is that the signal EXCEEDS that of what the meters display...
  • Edreams75Edreams75 Posts: 29
    so then should i set it back to the +4 setting and adjust the xover gains to output at the desired level even thoughthe input meter reads weak at +4?
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    No, if your mixer is a pro level mixer, it's at +4 level output. What I'm getting at is don't be too picky about getting an "analog" type just peaking signal into the Driverack...you aren't registering the peaks anyway.. the thing that IS important is NO peaks input or outputs into the red. With the DRPA / PX you have no input gains other than the crossover gains...and I usually like to have at least one of them in the -0- gain area or have it average that. HOWEVER, if the horn output is 15-18dB hotter than the LF I wouldn't probably set the LF @ -0- and the horn xover point @ -18dB... if it's 6-9dB difference .. fine.. but again that's me...

    Just to clarify a point here... we WANT the individual channels on the mixer to all have a goood strong signal, averaging at around -0- or above on an analog mixer, and good strength on a digital..(NEVER clipping) the main output faders on the mixer usually end up looking pretty low... sometimes even 30-40dB down.. or more.

    It's more important (especially analog) to have a good signal to noise ratio, and with the majority of the gain in the channel stages that is also where your going to get the MOST noise injected...SO press the PFL button on each channel and that will give you the main meter as a guide for channel setup...

    Are you using the "Start here" gain structure method?

    G
  • Edreams75Edreams75 Posts: 29
    I am using the "start here" method. I have a cheap mixer that does not have the plf. so what I'm doing (which is probably wrong) is I am running the pink noise into the channel from my iPhone through 1/4". I set the channel level to 0 and raise the gain till the red clip light comes on then back the gain down a bit till it no longer lights. The master mixer level is also at 0. The master meter lights read 20, 0, 6 and clip. The master meter bounces between 0 and 6 but never clips. My way of thinking is that the input meter on the driverack should also read the same but it's more in the 10 20 range. I am thinking that the mixer should be pro level (balanced, xlr outputs=pro level. Im Probably off on that idea) but the input on the driverack showed to be weak, which is why I switch the input sensitivity from +4 to -10
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    No that would drop the level even lower..don't be too concerned, your elcheapo mixer can probably only put out +18dB ... not the +26-28dB of other (el-cheapo) (or not) mixers that crank out more juice. As long as the signal isn't distorted or HISSSSYYYY you should be fine at 10-20 on the DRPA input meter...thats about where I end up...

    G
  • Edreams75Edreams75 Posts: 29
    Ok well the 20-10 I was getting was at the +4 setting. With the -10 setting I am in the yellow almost clipping on the DRPA meter. I thought the 10-20 range was too weak but you say it's normal. So I will go back and redo it at +4
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