Installer’s Guide
18
Adjusting your Power Amplifier Gain
Because the
VGM-1041
can be set to compress excessively loud sounds to a consistent level,
you need to adjust the rest of your system (power amplifier, etc.) to spot the corresponding
auditorium volume as required
. This is easy to do if you follow the procedure below. In fact,
we recommend following the procedure given below to get your levels “in the ballpark”
whether or not you plan on using compression in normal operation.
•
Start with your power amplifier’s volume control at a low level.
•
If your system has an
external
equalizer, set it to
Bypass
or
Flat
mode.
•
Have someone speak (reading a book works well) into a microphone connected to any
channel that has compression ON (with the factory default setting, use any input
except
MIC 3).
•
Increase this mic channel’s gain control until you see the
COMPRESS
LED glow yellow and
red
with the speaker’s voice. At this point, the mixer output has reached its
consistent compressed level. The level display should peak within its yellow range.
•
Now, turn up your power amplifier’s gain until your assistant’s voice fills your auditorium
to a fully satisfying, but still comfortable, listening level.
•
Enable your external equalizer if equipped. The overall level shouldn’t change much, but
adjust the EQ’s gain control for approximately the same level.
•
You may find that under actual use, when the auditorium is filled, slightly more volume is
required. In that case, increase your power amplifier gain as needed.
Once you have found a good setting for your power amplifier, it should need little further
adjustment. Instead, use your mixer to manage the volume of all your sources. We suggest
you write down or mark the proper positions of your EQ and amplifier controls for future
reference. To prevent unauthorized adjustments, mount security covers over these panels.
In many installations, you’ll need ready access only to the mixer and your sound sources.
COMPRESS
VGM1041
0 VU (+4dBm)
output
Compress
LED:
(none)
3 dB
6 dB
9 dB
AUX 2
