Qu Mixer Reference Guide
65
AP9372 iss.9
11.5
Working with the AMM
Set up and position the microphones - It is best to use the same type
of microphone and position them so that the speaking participants are
not too close or too far from each mic. To avoid false triggering and
phasing set the distance from each voice to mic to be closer than the
distance between the mics. The distances from each mic to voice
should be similar for consistent operation.
Start with the mix master fader turned down – The AMM takes
over level control and opens the channel faders to ‘0’ position. If the
master fader is up and the system gain structure not correctly set you
could get a sudden loud microphone level in the PA resulting in
possible feedback or audience distraction. Keep the master fader down
until you have set the channel mic gains as described below.
We recommend you use a
DCA Group
or an
Audio Group
(not
available on Qu-16) for master level control of the AMM channels if you
have other sound sources also routed to the PA. This would give you
independent master control over all the speech mics relative to the
other sources. An Audio Group could also allow quick EQ or
compression of all speech mics. If you use an Audio Group remember
to unassign the AMM channels from the LR mix.
Use PAFL to set the mic preamp gains and processing – You could
start by recalling the Channel Library V:Speech preset. Use the meters
and headphones to check audio level and quality. Set gain for the
loudest speech expected. Gain may need to be set quite high for quiet
speakers who are not close to the microphones. It is important that
average speech level reads high enough on the channel meter to
correctly trigger the AMM.
Adjust the channel HPF and PEQ to tailor the sound for speech –
Listen using headphones and filter out low frequency noise. Set the EQ
for speech intelligibility. A good starting point is HPF around 180Hz.
Assign the AMM - Switch the AMM In and assign the speech mic
channels ON. The associated channel faders will jump to their ‘0’ unity
gain position (fully open). Slowly turn up the group or mix master fader.
You should start to hear the microphones in the PA.
Test the AMM operation – View the AMM gain meters and listen to
check each mic in turn takes gain priority when spoken into. If the AMM
is being triggered by background noise make sure the participant is
speaking close enough to the mic, or try adjusting the AMM sidechain
filter. Use individual channel or group EQ to adjust the frequency
response for best speech clarity and to reduce the risk of feedback.
A few tips for working with the AMM
It is most important that the mic preamps are correctly set for
similar gains and healthy meter readings at expected speaking
distance.
Ring out the mics in the PA to ensure you have good gain before
feedback.
Try to leave the channels faders at ‘0’. If you need to adjust them
first check that the mic preamp gain is correctly set.
If any mics are not being used then make sure they are muted or
turned OFF in the AMM.
Experiment with the Priority control to give more gain to a more
important speaker. Try to keep most set to their centre 0dB
position.
If you are controlling the AMM using the Qu-Pad app you could set
up a Custom Layer with just the assigned mic channels and the
AMM strip. This means you can quickly access the AMM settings
and mic channel gains and processing.
