Given the correct GAIN and PAD settings, adjust the
channel Fader to its nominal (0 dB) setting. This setting
provides the best range of control, with some boost
available if the signal must be raised in the mix, and
plenty of resolution for fading the signal down in the
mix.
Now the channel HP Filter and EQ can be set as
desired. If a particular EQ setting causes the channel’s
PEAK LED to flash on more than occasionally, then the
boost applied is raising the signal level too high. The
solution is to either reduce the EQ boost setting in one
or more bands, or to leave the EQ where you have it for
the proper signal contour, and to instead reduce the
signal level going into the equalizer. You must do this
by adjusting the GAIN control (and, in some cases, also
engaging the PAD); the Fader does not affect signal
going into the EQ. Lower the GAIN only enough so that
the PEAK LED does not flash on excessively.
The signal now may be assigned to any of the eight
group mixing busses, the stereo bus, the eight mono
auxiliary mixing busses and the two stereo aux busses.
If an aux send is set to PRE-fader position, then the
signal level applied to that bus will remain constant
regardless of adjustments to the channel Fader, depend-
ing instead only on the AUX control setting. In POST-
fader position, the send level will be determined by both
the channel AUX control and the channel Fader.
This same procedure should now be followed for each
input channel. Once this is done, the bus levels can be
examined. Set the VU meter assign switches to look at
the GROUP levels and the AUX OUT levels (you can
see STEREO OUT levels all the time, with no switch-
ing). One bus at a time, monitor the group mix (use the
headphones and the group CUE switch), and create a
rough mix of all input channels which feed this group.
Bring down the input Faders for those sources which
are too prominent in the mix; avoid raising input
Faders to make other sources more prominent. Once
this rough mix is established, raise the corresponding
Group Master Fader to the nominal position (0 dB on
the scale, NOMINAL LED illuminated); the rectangular
LED at the nominal position will be illuminated when
the VCA is at actual nominal position. If the signal level
on any of these busses becomes too hot (red meter LED
flashing on more than occasionally or VU meter pegged
at the top of the scale), do not back off the Group Master
Fader. Instead, pull down all the input channel Faders
which feed this Group by an equal amount. (If the
channels also happen to be assigned to a given VCA
Master, you can pull down that VCA Master, which, in
turn, will reduce the signals applied to the group bus).
This will leave the Group Master Fader at the desired
nominal position, will preserve the desired balance
between input channels, and will keep the bus level
from being too hot. Finally, release the Group CUE
switch.
7.1.4
Establishing The Correct
Group Master Settings
Follow the same procedure for each of the other
Group Masters. Once all Group Masters are calibrated
in this manner, the Stereo mix and Master Fader can be
similarly calibrated. Any Group outputs which are to be
applied to the stereo mix should be so assigned. Any
input channels which are to be applied directly to the
stereo mix should be so assigned. Monitor the stereo
mix by engaging the Stereo CUE switch, and adjust the
various stereo PAN pots as desired. If you’re not sure
about the stereo position of a given input source, you
can temporarily place the console in the SOLO mode,
then press its CUE/SOLO switch, and you will hear
only that source so you can more accurately adjust its
position in the stereo field. With the various signals
applied to the stereo mix, bring up the Stereo Master
Faders to nominal position and check the bus levels on
the L and R VU meters; if they are too high, you can
lower all Group Master Faders (if the Group-to-Stereo
switches are engaged, or lower the input channel
Faders (if the input channels’ direct-to-stereo assign
switches are engaged). Lower all the affected faders by
a similar amount so as to preserve the mix balance.
7.1.5 Establishing The CorrectAux Send Master Settings
It is now appropriate to adjust the AUX Send Master
controls. You will not alter the input channel Fader
settings, in this case, but instead will adjust all AUX
controls on all the inputs that feed a given aux bus to
obtain the optimum mix. Monitor that bus mix with the
corresponding aux CUE switch, and then bring up the
associated AUX Send Master to nominal level (the
pointer mark on the control scale). If the AUX VU meter
and/or PEAK LED indicate the bus level is too high,
back off on all the correspondingly numbered input
channel AUX controls, not the AUX Send Master.
Release this Aux CUE switch, and go on to repeat the
same procedure for each of the AUX Sends. Remember
to switch the AUX meters so they are monitoring the
busses which are being calibrated.
7.1.6
Establishing The Correct
Mix Matrix Settings
Since the matrix is fed from the group and stereo
busses, its gains should be adjusted only after the
Group Master and Stereo Master levels have been
calibrated. (It makes little difference whether the
GROUP-TO-MTRX send is pre or post Group Master
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