Sound System Manual Version 1.3 26MAR16

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Contents Introduction ................................................................................................... 2 Why Have a Sound System? ....................................................................... 3 What Equipment Do We Have?.................................................................. 4 Overview of the System ............................................................................ 5 Using the Mixer ............................................................................................. 8 Snapshots................................................................................................... 10 Switching on the mixer............................................................................ 11 Connecting another sound source to the system................................... 12 Duties for the 9:00am service .................................................................... 14 Before worship.......................................................................................... 14 During worship ........................................................................................ 15 After worship............................................................................................ 16 Duties for the 10:30am service .................................................................. 16 Before worship.......................................................................................... 16 During worship ........................................................................................ 18 After worship............................................................................................ 18 APPENDIX A:Input and Output Channel Listings .............................. 19

Introduction This manual pulls together a number of previously separate documents into one place. It provides lots of information about the sound system at St Mary's Burghfield: • • •

The equipment we have How it is connected together How we use it

There is also a full set of supporting manufacturers manuals: these are all stored on the website, together with this document, at: http://www.stmarysburghfield.org/index.php/resources/173-howto-information.html (scroll down the page). The manuals are also available via the PDF reader application on the iPad. Page 2 of 20

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Why Have a Sound System? The sound system plays an important role in our worship: • • •

It allows all of the congregation (especially those with hearing difficulties) to hear clearly what is being said and sung, It allows parents with restless babies to feel more at ease if their child should make noise during worship. It allows those who do not have strong voices (e.g. young children) to participate equally in leading the worship.

In short, the sound system makes worship more accessible, helping everyone to participate fully. Full participation allows everyone the best opportunity to meet God through worship. This only happens if the sound system (and those who operate it) are effective and unobtrusive. Unwanted buzzes, clicks, hisses, voices too loud, voices too quiet, batteries wearing out and unnecessary walking around the church during the service – all these things distract worshippers from the focus of the worship. Hence the need for trained sound system operators. These are the two core responsibilities: 1. To ensure the sound system is operated correctly and carefully looked after. 2. To ensure it works unobtrusively, allowing worshippers to focus on the worship. Sound system operators are not expected to maintain or repair the system, but the role does include reporting to the Rector or wardens anything that does not work as expected. It is expected that sound system operators will complete training before taking on the role.

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What Equipment Do We Have? Best thought of in groups: Microphones • • • •

Two AKG radio lapel mics (stored in the clergy vestry) Two AKG handheld mics (stored in the clergy vestry) Three JTS gooseneck condenser mics (one short, two long, stored in the clergy vestry) Two Shure vocal mics (stored in the old choir vestry)

Mixers and Amplifiers (all in the steel cabinet) • • • •

Mackie DL1608 mixer, controlled by iPad via wireless router PAM 60 Public Address amplifier (used to amplify speech) Trojan 900 Power Amplifier (used to amplify music) AVX PDA1000 Induction loop driver

Various other devices • • • •

Apple iPad 1st generation used to control the mixer (stored in steel cabinet when not in use) HT300 Electronic Hymnal (stored in the clergy vestry) Radial PRO AV1 stereo-to-mono direct input box (stored with the HT300) Shure Prologue mixer (provides input to the induction loop driver, on top of the steel cabinet)

Speakers • •

Array of speakers over the nave (for speech) Pair of Peavey speakers high in the organ case (for music)

Connection points • • •

Wallbox on the front of the organ case (several connections) 2 x XLR sockets in the 'electrics' cupboard at the back of church 1 x XLR socket in the floor access point halfway along the south aisle

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Miscellaneous items • • •

• •

Cables (mix of XLR and TRS cables, hanging up in the organ cupboard, or in the old choir vestry) Microphone stands (choir vestry) Microphone holders (in the organ cupboard, on the shelf), note there are holders specially for the two handheld radio mics, then others which fit the other wired mics Two sets (8) of rechargeable AA batteries for wireless mics, plus charger (steel cabinet) Spare AA batteries (clergy vestry, cupboard behind the door).

Overview of the System At the core of the system is a steel cabinet in the organ case, which contains the main items of equipment: • • • •

Mackie DL1608 mixer Trojan 900 power amplifier PAM 60 Public Address amplifier AVX PDA1000 Induction Loop Driver

Keys to the organ case and steel cabinet are held in the clergy vestry key cupboard. The Mackie mixer has up to 16 source inputs (microphones, instruments, etc.) and a series of outputs to the amplifiers and loop driver. See Appendix A for a full list of input and output channels. It should be noted that the Mackie mixer is a stereo mixer, however the left and right channels are used in an unconventional fashion: •

•

The left channel is used for speech and connects to the PAM 60 public address amplifier. This in turn connects to the speaker array over the nave, which is best suited to speech. The right channel is used for music and connects to the Trojan 900 amplifier. This drives two Peavey speakers, which are rated at a much higher level, suited to music.

The two output channels are used independently of one another, thus this is a mono system. Version 1.3 26MAR16

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Wireless network The Mackie mixer unit is controlled wirelessly from a remote iPad or iPhone anywhere in church via a domestic broadband wireless router, also located in the organ case. The wireless signal is weaker at the back of church: since wireless signals do not travel so well through human bodies, reception at the back is often poor when there is a large congregation. Charging the iPad There is a separate power supply in the steel cabinet (socket in the organ console) controlled by a timeswitch. It comes on between 5am and 9am Saturday and Sunday mornings. Whenever we finish using the sound system, replace the iPad in the cabinet and connect the white charging cable (as shown below), so the iPad will be charged up by the following weekend.

This supply is also used to charge up rechargeable batteries for the wireless microphones (keep them in two sets of four, swap all four at once, at least fortnightly). Figure 1 shows a schematic of how the whole system is connected.

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Figure 1: Schematic of the Sound System

Note: when seating is configured 'in the round', the HT300 connects using channel 6 (where the lectern mic is shown in this figure). Version 1.3 26MAR16

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Using the Mixer Overview This is at the heart of the system, so let's explain this first. All the signals from the various sound sources are brought into the mixer on separate channels. They are 'processed' and then sent out to the amplifiers. 'Processed' can mean any or all of these things: • • •

Change the volume (or level) of the signal. Mute the signal (e.g. when a microphone is not being used) Alter the tone of the signal (we don't normally need to do this)

All this is controlled wirelessly from the iPad 'Master fader' app. There is a very detailed user guide for the mixer, but the key things are described here. Changing levels During a service, we can adjust the levels of each input channel for optimum listening (for example when someone with a quiet voice comes to reads the lesson, we can boost the level of that channel). Most of the time we know roughly what the levels need to be. From experience we can pre-set the levels (see 'Snapshots' below) so they are about right from the start, and only need minor adjustments, thereafter. Muting channels We typically use 3 or 4 microphones in any service, but usually only one is being spoken into at a time. St Mary's is a resonant building, and the other three microphones will be picking up the sound around them, amplifying unwanted sound or causing feedback (the high pitched whistling we sometimes get). When a microphone is not being used, you can 'Mute' that channel to reduce these unwanted extraneous noises. Un-muting a channel returns it immediately to its previous level.

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This image shows part of the main screen of the Master Fader app:

Mute button (orange when muted) Balance control: full left for speech, full right for music

Level control for the channel (the higher up the screen, the louder the channel)

Channel label

In normal use, only change the level of individual channels, do not change the MAIN level control (on the right side of the screen)

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Snapshots The mixer stores a number of 'Snapshots': these are pre-set combinations of levels, which we can recall as needed. Snapshots not only recall the levels, but they label the channels (so you don't need to remember that Lapel Mic A is on channel 7 - it's already written on the screen). So we have a number of Snapshots stored, for typical settings so that we don't have to set the mixer up from scratch every time we use it. Here they are: •

• •

9am. For a traditional service, with seating in the round, using the electronic hymnal plugged into the XLR connector on the south side of the nave. 10:30am. For a contemporary service, with seating in the round and music group. MANUAL. For services with seating in traditional rows, using the electronic hymnal from the back of church, plus a gooseneck microphone at the lectern connected to the XLR on the south side of the nave. This setting also allows the connection of sound sources at the wallbox on the organ case: microphone (XLR) at socket 1; and stereo keyboard (2 x ¼" TRS) at sockets 7 and 8.

There may be others from time to time, but these are the main ones. Important: When you switch the mixer on, it always powers up with the same settings it had when it was switched off. So, in case there is a midweek service, funeral or wedding (with no sound operator present and maybe visiting clergy), ALWAYS load the MANUAL snapshot before switching off, as this is the basic default setting.

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Switching on the mixer The mixer (and all the other sound equipment) are switched on from the single Sound System master switch on the front of the organ case. Wait 2-3 minutes while the mixer and wireless router start-up. Then turn on the iPad and start the Master Fader app. The top right corner of the app screen looks like this:

1. Bring the iPad online: a. Tap the 'OFFLINE' icon b. At the bottom of the screen, in the 'WIRELESS' section, tap 'St Marys Burghfield'. If prompted to synchronise, always choose to synch from the DL1608 2. Load the snapshot you need: a. Tap the 'Shows' button at the top of the screen b. In the 'Snapshots' section choose the snapshot you want, touch 'Recall' (in red) and confirm 'Yes' c. The mixer display comes up with preset settings d. To load another snapshot, just repeat steps a. and b.

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Connecting another another sound source to the system Often, we will want to connect an external sound source, to amplify music or a soundtrack. Examples of this: • • •

Audio to accompany a video played from a laptop Music from a mobile phone or tablet A visiting group bring their own CD player.

The way to do this is via our PRO AV1 (also known as the 'green box' usually stored with the electronic hymnal). This allows three types of connections. If outside groups want to use this, they need to provide their own device and cable with one of these three connections on the end: 1. A 3.5mm stereo jack (commonly known as a headphone connector), looks like this:

2. Stereo RCA connectors, which look like this:

3. Stereo signal via 2 x ¼” mono jacks like these:

The audio player connects to the sound system wiring via the green ‘PRO AV1’ box shown below. Start with the player switched off and the volume set low.

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Connect the cable(s) from the audio player to the input side. INPUT SIDE

OUTPUT SIDE

We will connect the OUTPUT connection to the XLR socket in one of these locations: • • •

In the electric cupboard at the back of church (ch 4 or 5) In the floor along the south side of the nave (ch 6) At one of the connections in the wallbox (sockets 1 or 2) on the organ case at the front of church (channels 11 or 12). We will need to provide an XLR cable for this location.

Switch on and test, increasing the volume to the required level. This is the most complex visiting organisations usually get. If a full band or music group wants to use the system, we need to give them more personal support.

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Duties for the 9:00 9:00am service Duties for of a sound system operator on a normal Sunday 9am service are described below. Other non-standard services (one-offs, annual services or other events such as concerts) will have slightly different requirements.

Before worship Arrive 20 mins before worship starts, so that everything can be set up, checked, corrected if necessary and is ready before the majority of congregation arrive in the 10 minutes before start time. The list of preservice tasks is as follows: In the clergy vestry: 1. Check who is leading worship, confirm what microphones they will need. 2. Check the battery health for all radio mics to be used (set to ‘mute’ and check green light steady for at least 60 secs – if light goes red, change the battery). Leave switched off for the time being. 3. Set out lapel microphone(s) for clergy. 4. Collect electronic hymnal (if needed, a gooseneck microphone also for the lectern). At the back of church: 5. Check the master volume switch. Normally set at ‘6’, but can be ‘5’ for a quiet service or ‘7’ for a noisy service. Above ‘7’ will cause feedback. 6. Put intercessions/lectern mic(s) in place. Check who is the intercessor – some will need to sit down or lead from a different place – ideally get them to sit/stand exactly as they will do for the intercessions and position the mic correctly for them. An alternative mic stand is in the south transept vestry and mic holders are in the sound equipment cupboard. 7. Connect the electronic hymnal: • Connect 3-pin XLR connector to the Green box. Page 14 of 20

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• • •

Connect the Green box to the electronic hymnal (two cables with ¼” plugs). Connect Electronic hymnal to mains power brick. Power brick to mains and switch on.

At front of church: 8. Switch sound system on (white master switch by piano). 9. Take iPad from steel cabinet. Check mixer settings: 10. Allow 2-3 minutes for the wireless router to start up. 11. Start the iPad 'MyFader' app and load the required snapshot as described on page 11. Carry out pre-service checks: 12. Microphones (test they are all switched on and working). 13. Electronic hymnal (working and correct volume level).

During worship On the My Fader app, adjust channel levels as necessary to keep a consistent sound level in the nave. NB don't adjust the main volume level on the right, but adjust individual channels. You may also mute those channels not in use. Operating the electronic hymnal (use ‘Start’ button to begin each piece of music). At Communion, start the background music immediately distribution begins. As a last resort, adjust the master volume control at the back of church (this should only be necessary if the service becomes particularly noisy/quiet). Ensure the sound is clear but not intrusive. Note any signs of equipment not working as expected.

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After worship Here's the full process, but if the 10:30am service follows straight after, just pack away the Electronic hymnal, step 2. 1. It's really important that before the mixer is switched off, the MANUAL snapshot is loaded. This resets the mixer to a default setting which will be used if the mixer is started with no iPad connected (e.g. for a funeral or baptism). See page 11. 2. Return Electronic Hymnal to the ‘Home’ screen, then switch off. Disconnect Electronic hymnal, green box and cables and pack all equipment (including the green box) carefully into the bag. Coil cables carefully, no more tightly than necessary. 3. Return Electronic hymnal, gooseneck microphone and handheld microphones back to the clergy vestry: • Electronic hymnal in bottom of vestments cupboard. • All microphones to cupboard behind door (above radiator). 4. Collect lapel microphone(s) from clergy and pack them away carefully in the cupboard. Ensure all radio microphones are switched off before packing away! 5. Return the iPad to steel cabinet, plug it in, lock the cabinet and organ case door and return keys to clergy vestry 6. If anything has not worked correctly, if the stock of spare batteries are low, report this to the Rector or a Churchwarden.

Duties for the 10:30am service Before worship Arrive at the end of the 9:00am service, so that everything can be set up, checked, corrected if necessary and is ready before the majority of congregation arrive. Some of the equipment may already be left out following an earlier service, also the music group may do some of this, but the full list of tasks is as follows:

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Microphones 1. Find out who is leading worship, any guest speakers etc. confirm what microphones they will need (could be tricky as those concerned might be in coffee). 2. Check there is a microphone at the lectern (collect from vestry if not). 3. Place one of the handheld mics on a microphone stand near the music group – handy to have during the service (e.g. for when the Sunday school tell everyone what they’ve been doing). 4. If they are not still attached to clergy members, check the battery health for all radio mics to be used (set to ‘mute’ and check green light steady for at least 60 secs – if light goes red, change the battery). At front of church 5. 6. 7. 8.

Switch sound system on (white master switch by piano). Take iPad from steel cabinet Allow a couple of minutes for the wireless router to start up Start the iPad 'MyFader' app and select the snapshot as described on page 11:

Projector and screen 9. Suspend the projector screen in front of the rood screen (needs two people) 10. Using remote control, switch on projector. Check mixer settings: 11. Check the music group instruments are all connected up 12. Final pre-service check to make sure all mics switched on and instruments are live, working and levels set about right. At the back of church 13. The Master Volume Switch is normally set at ‘6’, but can be ‘7’ for a particularly noisy service. Above ‘7’ will incur feedback!!

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During worship On the mixer screen, monitor the levels of individual microphones/instruments and adjust as necessary to get a good balanced sound and keep a consistent sound level in the nave. NB don't adjust the 'Main' volume level on the right, but adjust individual channels. You may also mute those channels not in use (in noisy services, this reduces the chance of feedback). Adjust the master volume control at the back of church (this should only be necessary if the service becomes particularly noisy/quiet). Ensuring the sound is clear but not intrusive. Note any signs of equipment not working as expected.

After worship 1. It's vital that before the mixer is switched off, the MANUAL snapshot is loaded. This resets the mixer to a default setting which will be used if the mixer is started with no iPad connected (e.g. for a wedding, funeral or baptism). See page 11. 2. Switch off sound system at master switch. 3. Return the iPad to steel cabinet, plug it in, lock the cabinet and organ case door and return keys to clergy vestry 4. Pack away: • All microphones switched off and into wooden cupboard behind clergy vestry door • Lower the screen and return to south transept • Sound cupboard door locked and key in clergy vestry key cupboard 5. If anything has not worked correctly, report this to the Rector or a Churchwarden.

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APPENDIX A:Input and Output Channel Listings Input channels to the mixer are listed below, with explanations Description: location and typical usage

Signal type

Mixer Input channel

Not used

mic

1

Organ case wallbox socket 3, available for additional voice/instrument (XLR female)

mic

2

Organ case wallbox socket 4, available for additional voice/instrument (XLR female)

mic

3

Electric cupboard at back of church, labelled B (XLR female)

mic

4

Electric cupboard at back of church, labelled A, used for the HT300 hymn machine (XLR female)

mic

5

Nave south side, floor access point: electronic hymnal or lectern goose-neck mic (XLR female)

mic

6

AVG lapel radio microphone A (receiver located on top of rood screen)

mic

7

AVG lapel radio microphone B (receiver located on top of rood screen)

mic

8

AVG handheld radio microphone C (receiver located on top of rood screen)

mic

9

AVG handheld radio microphone D (receiver located on top of rood screen)

mic

10

Organ case wallbox socket 1 (XLR female), used for music group microphone

mic

11

Organ case wallbox socket 2 (XLR female), used for music group microphone

mic

12

line

13

Organ case wallbox sockets 5 and 6, not used Organ case wallbox socket 7, used as left channel of a stereo pair - used for music group instrument such as keyboard (¼" mono socket)

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Description: location and typical usage

Signal type

Mixer Input channel

Organ case wallbox socket 8, used as right channel of a stereo pair - used for music group instrument such as keyboard (¼" mono socket)

line

14

Organ case wallbox socket A, used for music group instrument such as guitar/violin (¼" mono socket)

line

15

Organ case wallbox socket B, used for music group instrument such as guitar/violin (¼" mono socket)

line

16

Organ case wallbox sockets C and D used for outputs (see below)

Outputs from the mixer are listed in the table below. As well as the main outputs to the speakers, the mixer has a number of auxiliary outputs which are used for the induction loop and foldback. Input channel

Connector type

Description

MAIN L

XLR male

Balanced speech signal to PAM 60 Public Address amplifier (input to channel 6 on the PAM 60)

MAIN R

XLR male

Balanced music signal to Trojan 900 power amplifier, via splitter 'Y' cable which splits the single channel into two, since this is a stereo amplifier, but the output is mono.

Aux 1

¼" TRS

Balanced speech signal to induction loop driver (via Shure mixer)

Aux 2

¼" TRS

Balanced music signal to induction loop driver (via Shure mixer)

Aux 3

Not used

Aux 4

Not used

Aux 5

¼" TRS

Unbalanced stereo signal (music channels only), to wall box socket C, for output to a powered foldback speaker (stereo ¼" jack)

Aux 6

¼" TRS

Unbalanced stereo signal (speech and music combined) to wall box socket D for recording or output to cochlear implant transmitter, etc. (stereo ¼" jack)

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