worms_eat_birds
New member
hi ppl..would like to ask if there's any hardware we can add along the signal flow between the mixer board and house speakers to prevent signal overload? thanks..
how to prevent signal overload house speakers
- Thread starter worms_eat_birds
- Start date
the signal output from your mixer board is controlled by the master stereo fader. the sound engineer just have to make sure that his LEDs are not always in the red. This is controlled by the sound engineer. (That's why we need him).
between mixing board and the spearkers, there's another piece of very important equipment - the amplifier. This is a very expensive equipment and blowing this cost more money to fix then the speakers. (we talk about standard equipmet setup here ok).
we can insert a compressor/limiter between the output of the mixing board and the input of the amp. this way, if the singer accidently swing a microphone into a bass guitar. the transient outbust will activate the compressor/limiter to kick in and pad this loud sound from being proportionally amplified by the amplifier.
answer of the day : look at something along the line of compressor/limiter.
worms_eat_birds, is this a problem you are facing? in what situation do you face this problem?
between mixing board and the spearkers, there's another piece of very important equipment - the amplifier. This is a very expensive equipment and blowing this cost more money to fix then the speakers. (we talk about standard equipmet setup here ok).
we can insert a compressor/limiter between the output of the mixing board and the input of the amp. this way, if the singer accidently swing a microphone into a bass guitar. the transient outbust will activate the compressor/limiter to kick in and pad this loud sound from being proportionally amplified by the amplifier.
answer of the day : look at something along the line of compressor/limiter.
worms_eat_birds, is this a problem you are facing? in what situation do you face this problem?
Hey worms_eat_birds dude!
The equipment that you're looking for is a 'limiter'. This magic piece of device, if correctly setup' will prevent your amplifiers from overloading and protect your speakers from blowing. A fatal end to your gig :lol:
But the question is :why is your mixer output overloading in the first place?
- Are your inputs hot? If not:
- are your master outs (the LED) overloading - in the RED? or
- maybe your system is inadequate of producing enough volume and you guys are simply pushing it to its max?
my advice is: 1) the same as SOFT - buy a good limiter (not a dandy compressor / limiter with a soft-knee but a true limiter that has a infinity:1 setting with real brickwall limiting. and, 2) observe your signal chain. If your output is overloading - You Are Most Probably Doing Something Wrong!!
Buying a limiter is usually much cheaper than re-coning or replacing your blown up speakers :wink:
The equipment that you're looking for is a 'limiter'. This magic piece of device, if correctly setup' will prevent your amplifiers from overloading and protect your speakers from blowing. A fatal end to your gig :lol:
But the question is :why is your mixer output overloading in the first place?
- Are your inputs hot? If not:
- are your master outs (the LED) overloading - in the RED? or
- maybe your system is inadequate of producing enough volume and you guys are simply pushing it to its max?
my advice is: 1) the same as SOFT - buy a good limiter (not a dandy compressor / limiter with a soft-knee but a true limiter that has a infinity:1 setting with real brickwall limiting. and, 2) observe your signal chain. If your output is overloading - You Are Most Probably Doing Something Wrong!!
Buying a limiter is usually much cheaper than re-coning or replacing your blown up speakers :wink:
2 suggestions :
1. As mentioned, get a brickwall limiter. If you're going to be renting the system out, a lockable one as made by drawmer (http://www.drawmer.com/sp2120.html) will do the trick. However, many techno siao customers may not be happy with this setup.
2. Get a new soundman. No amount of equipment will protect against a soundman with disregard for system protection. Even limiters can be clipped, and clipped signals sent to your speakers arent a good thing.
1. As mentioned, get a brickwall limiter. If you're going to be renting the system out, a lockable one as made by drawmer (http://www.drawmer.com/sp2120.html) will do the trick. However, many techno siao customers may not be happy with this setup.
2. Get a new soundman. No amount of equipment will protect against a soundman with disregard for system protection. Even limiters can be clipped, and clipped signals sent to your speakers arent a good thing.
Indigo_blues
New member
It might be a good idea to read up on the basic topic of 'Gain Structuring' 
This is very important in any audio signal chain. Can do a Google search and read up on it. cheers
This is very important in any audio signal chain. Can do a Google search and read up on it. cheers
Indigo_blues
New member
i googled a couple of links.. can check them out.
http://www.prosoundweb.com/studyhall/lastudyhall/basic_gain.pdf
http://www.prosoundweb.com/studyhall/lastudyhall/murray_gain_paper.pdf
cheers!
http://www.prosoundweb.com/studyhall/lastudyhall/basic_gain.pdf
http://www.prosoundweb.com/studyhall/lastudyhall/murray_gain_paper.pdf
cheers!
