Peavey S-14P owner manual Adjusting the Group Compression Controls, Adjusting the Vocal Enhancer

Turn Compression

slowly counter- clockwise until compression light blinks

Adjusting the Group Compression Controls

The Group Compressors work on the opposite end of the volume spectrum from the Auto-Off (Expansion) circuitry. The compressor circuit works to control how loud the group signal gets. Like the Off Level control, the compressor control on the S-14 is also a threshold control. This time the compressor starts to work when the volume goes above the threshold control set by this control. If the volume goes above the threshold, this circuit reduces how much louder the signal gets. The signal will still get a little louder but not as much. This can be a big help with soloists and small groups of singers. If the volume is set for a good balance with the music at low to mid volume, many times it will get too loud when the vocal volume builds. Setting the threshold so the light comes on at mid volume levels can do wonders to help the mix.

Because the compressor works on the opposite end of the volume spectrum from the Auto-Off circuitry, the adjustment of the threshold control is also opposite. Turning the control

fully clockwise sets the threshold very high and essentially turns it off. Rotating the control counter-clockwise lowers the threshold and activates the circuit as indicated by the “Active” LED.

To Set:

When the mics of a group (Choir or Solo) are in use, turn the compressor threshold control counter-clockwise until the active LED blinks during medium to loud passages.

WARNING: If the threshold is set too low, (LED on most of the time) the fader will need to be increased to get sufficient volume from the mic. Although this may sound good while they are singing loud, when the volume drops, the gain goes back up and feedback can result. This is not meant to discourage the use of this processor, but only to warn of the unexpected result if the threshold is set too low.

Adjusting the Vocal Enhancer

The Vocal Enhancer circuit can add clarity and presence to both spoken word and singing by adding upper frequency overtones that enhance the understanding of words. There are a great many factors that determine how this will sound in your system. The vocal enhancer is best set by engaging it and listening to how it sounds.

To Set:

Engage the vocal enhancer by pressing the switch so that the active LED is lit. Use the behind the panel MIN/MAX switch to change the amount of enhancement. You can use a small object like a pencil to change the switch.

Engage Vocal

Enhancement by

depressing the switch. LED will illuminate.

Setting the internal effects.

The S-14 internal effects unit has four reverb settings that have been carefully selected to augment music for worship. A little bit of reverb mixed with voice can both smooth the sound and help keep an appropriate aural prospective. (If a person sings with a microphone close to their mouth, that intimate sound may not blend well with the rest of the music. Adding reverb can help change the perspective.) But you must be careful, adding too much reverb to music can make the words hard to understand. (Remember, the message is in the words) A good rule of thumb is that if you notice the reverb, it’s too much. If your room is naturally reverberant to begin with, adding reverb is probably unnecessary.

Reverb is rarely used on spoken word except as a special effect. Again, reverb tends to make speech harder to understand. The 4 reverb choices go from fairly short and small to a longer reverb that might be found in a large room. Choosing the appropriate reverb and adding the appropriate amount will take some experimenting, but here are some guidelines.

Music Style/Tempo	Room Size	Reverb
Contemporary/quick tempo	Small to Medium	Reverb 1
Contemporary/Traditional/Medium	Medium	Reverb 2
Traditional /Slow	Large	Reverb 3
Very Slow/Special Vocal	Cathedral	Reverb 4

24