Peavey PV 15 PM manual Mic/Line Pad Adjustment, Troubleshooting, No Output at All, Hum or Buzz

When first turning on the sound system, switch on all upstream electronics first, then the PV® 15 PM with its volume control fully counterclockwise (all the way down). Begin checking levels with the mixer output level controls all the way down, and bring them up slowly with the PV® 15 PM volume control set to the desired setting (halfway up recommended to start).

Mic/Line Pad Adjustment

The mic/line pad (6) provides for the increased gain needed for microphone use into the primary input (5). Use a straightened paperclip or small screwdriver to reach through the hole in the rear panel where the recessed tab is to set its position. Set the Mic/Line Pad to “in,” or the white tab furthest from the panel, for line-level signal use and set it “out,” or closest to the panel, for mic-level use. The unit is shipped with the tab in the line-level position. It is recessed behind the panel so that the gain can not be inadvertently increased during transport or set-up.

Due to the 30 dB of extra gain that this switch provides, DO NOT leave it in the “out” position for line-level use! This will result in input-stage clipping of the PV® 15 PM and cause unnecessary distortion.

TROUBLESHOOTING

No Output at All

First, make sure the unit has AC power and is turned ON. Make sure the Power/Clip LED (4) is illuminated Green. If not, make certain the ON/OFF switch (3) is in the ON position and check the IEC power cord connection (2) by ensuring it is fully engaged and seated. Make certain the AC line cord is plugged into a working AC outlet. Finally, check the fuse (1). (See the Rear Panel: Fuse section, for safety instructions.)

Once assured your unit is getting AC power, check that the PV® 15 PM is getting a signal. Temporarily disconnect the cable running to its inputs and connect it to some other device capable of reproducing the signal (i.e., a power amp and speaker). If this produces a signal, make sure that all Volume controls being used have been turned up to a satisfactory level (one-third to halfway).

If the PV® 15 PM has been subjected to direct sunlight or excessive heat, the built-in thermal protection may have been triggered. The power/clip LED will be illuminated RED if this is the case. If so, turn off the PV® 15 PM and let it cool for a sufficient amount of time. If there is still no output, contact your authorized Peavey dealer or the Peavey International Service Center.

Hum or Buzz

If the PV® 15 PM is producing a hum or buzz, this can be AC outlet related. Try plugging the PV® 15 PM into a different AC outlet. Sometimes, if a different circuit (breaker) is used for the mixer and the PV® 15 PM, it can cause hum problems.

Ensure that shielded cables have been used to route the signal to the PV® 15 PM’s inputs. If speaker cables with 1/4" plugs are used as input cables instead of shielded cables, they will be prone to hum or buzz.

The third wire (ground plug) on the AC plug should NEVER be removed or broken off. Hum may be ground loop related. It will be helpful to lift the shield ground on a balanced cable at the PV® 15 PM end only by using the ground lift switch (4). Check any input changes carefully by first turning down the volume control, plugging and unplugging cables, or lifting the shield ground at the speaker end.

Check to make sure light dimmers are not on the same circuit as the PV® 15 PM, the mixer or any source devices. If light dimmers are used, then it may be necessary to turn them full ON or full OFF to eliminate or reduce hum. This is a typical AC wiring/light dimmer interference problem, not a design flaw of the PV® 15 PM.

Distorted or Fuzzy Sound

First, ensure the mixer (signal source) is not clipping or being overdriven. Make sure the volume control/s (7) and (9) on the PV® 15 PM has not been set too low.

Check that the input plugs are fully seated in the input jacks (5) or (8) on the rear panel of the PV® 15 PM.

Ensure that the proper MIC/LINE PAD setting is being used (6) for line-level signals, or that a power amp has not been plugged into one of the input jacks of the PV® 15 PM.

If an extension cord is being used to provide the AC power to the unit, ensure that it is of sufficient current capacity and that it is not also being used to supply power to any other device.

The PV® 15 PM has built-in EQ to extend and smooth the natural response of the speakers in the system. Bass boost and HF EQ have been applied and the system has a nominally flat response, so it should require little, if any, additional EQ. If

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