Unit 49 notes, not the full write up

Headings for blog

Setting up equipment for a live performance, process and steps, Risk assessment

Using microphones and effects

Equipment list:

• Mixing desk – Yamaha EMX 5016 CF
• Power amp – ASX 18 dB Technology for mixing desk the t.amp A 1400 for the main speaker (x2), the t.amp A 2400 for the sub speakers
• Sub Speakers (dBs)
• Main Speakers (dBs)
• Support pillars
• XLR cables
• Speakon cables
• Jack cables
• Masking Tape
• Power leads
• Shure SM58 Microphone

Risk Assessment

Risk	How to minimalize/avoid
Lids from the boxes	The lids can be placed in a location out of the way of where people walk and be left flat and tidy to avoid people tripping on them.
The boxes moving	This is easily prevented by putting the brakes on the wheels to prevent the boxes from moving and hitting someone.
Tripping over wires	Ensure all wires have been taped down securely and kept out of the way to avoid people tripping on them.
Unwanted feedback	Flat line the desk before activating the power to ensure no feedback occurs when initially turning the amps and desk on.
Exposure to live wires	Check and ensure that all cables are in safe working condition before plugging them in to avoid electric shock.
Plug sockets	Only activate when using them, otherwise keep plugs off.
Water near electrics	Keep all food and drink away from the performance area. If water is required, keep it in a secured bottle.
Lifting heavy equipment	Ensure you bend your knees and keep your back straight when lifting heavy equipment to avoid back injuries.
Noise levels	Due to social laws do not exceed 120dB. this can be prevented by checking the sound levels of the speakers throughout the performance and using sound sensibly.
Feedback	Feedback is obnoxious and hurt peoples ears, as when the sound travels back and forth the noise levels get louder and louder. prevent this by keeping the microphone behind the speakers and avoiding microphone to speaker contact. Also ensure all volume and effect knobs on the mixing desk are inactive.

Dholder comments 23/09

Unfinished sections - Setting up equipment for a live performance, process and steps, Risk assessment and Using microphones and effects

Unit 2 - Make a blog post.
Upload all notes and research
Create web log of three albums (see sheet for headings)

Term	Description
Transducer	Microphones are transducers as they convert sound waves into electrical signals for them to be recorded on to digital devices.
Diaphragm	The diaphragm is attached to the coil. When an incoming sound wave vibrates against the diaphragm, the coil moves up and down around a magnet creating a current, which travels from the microphone through the wire to the amp or mixing desk.
Electromagnetic Induction	Attached to the diaphragm is a coil rapped around a magnet. When the diaphragm vibrates this coil will move up and down around the magnet producing an electromotive force.
Capacitor Plate	Two plates that have a voltage running between them, a thinner plate acts as a diaphragm and when a sound hits the diaphragm it vibrates changing the distance between the two plates therefore changing the capacitance.
Pre-Amp	Prepares a small electrical signal for further amplification or processing.
Sound Pressure Levels	Microphones measure sound pressure levels (Pascal). Sound pressure is the local deviation from the ambient atmospheric pressure caused by a sound wave.

My group was tasked with setting up a P.A. system and testing it.
these are the steps to setting up a live P.A. system:
First we put the portable desk in position, locked the wheels to ensure it doesn't roll and removed the lids, placing them in a safe location to avoid anyone tripping on them. We then placed two two large speakers evenly paced out on the performance area, we then attached the smaller speakers to the top of the speaker stands screwed into the main speakers. The carrying procedure requires two people carry a speaker at any time and that you lift the equipment with your legs not your back. After that we attached the speakon cables to the speakers and the amplifiers in the desk. we then used two jack leads to like the desk output to the amplifiers, left in left and right in right. we taped down all the wires to ensure nobody trips or gets caught on them. we then plugged in a microphone using a XLR cable. Then we turned on the desk first ensuring everything is flatlined before turning on the speakers to avoid feedback. Then we turned on the speakers via the amplifiers. We performed a sound test to ensure that both the left speakers and the right speakers were operational and working. We tested the levels for the gain, compression and eq. Once we the levels of the desk had been adjusted we tested some effects on the desk. The desk was then fully prepared and ready for a live performance.