Community R6-51 and R6-BASSHORN Installation / Operation Manual — Page 20
SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION
C O M M I S S I O N I N G T H E S Y S T E M
Commissioning is the process of optimizing the performance of a sound system after it has been installed. There
are several important steps in commissioning a system; these include the following:
1. Verifying the proper operation of each system component:
a) Every source such as mixers, microphones, CD players, audio feeds from other locations, and so on,
should be tested independently of the newly installed system to insure that they are working properly.
b) All amplifiers should be tested independently of the main system to verify that they are each receiving
their intended signal (i.e. high-frequencies, low-frequencies, delayed signal for ancillary speakers,
etc.). Many modern amplifiers have numerous modes in which they can function; (i.e. stereo, dual
mono, bridging, hi-pass & lo-pass filters, limiters, and sometimes much more). It’s extremely important
to make sure that each amplifier in the system has the right settings applied in order to properly
perform its intended function in the system.
c) The DSP ‘front end’ (also called a loudspeaker controller, loudspeaker management system,
crossover, etc.) must be set up carefully to insure that its internal routing and gain structure are
correct for the overall system requirements. It’s possible to almost instantly damage mid and high
frequency drivers if the LF and MF/HF outputs are accidentally crossed.
d) After all electronic components and interconnects have been tested and verified, it’s then time to test
each loudspeaker element in the system. Such testing should be performed at VERY low audio levels
to avoid damage to drivers from possible wiring errors. Each loudspeaker section should be carefully
listened to, in order to make sure it is performing properly. It should then be checked with a handheld
polarity tester to verify that no phase errors are present.
2. Next, the gain structure of the system should be established. Each component in the signal path should be
adjusted to provide the intended input and output levels. Gain structure is a somewhat complex subject that
goes beyond the scope of this Manual. Moreover, ‘proper’ gain settings vary significantly from one device to
another. We recommend that you read the User’s Manual for each device that is present in the signal path,
and adjust according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, so that your system will operate the lowest
possible noise floor and highest possible headroom...which is what gain structure is all about.
3. Setting protective limiters and high-pass filters. This subject is covered in detail on page 11 of this manual.
4. Setting delay times (if any) to align one or more ancillary loudspeakers with the arrival time of the sound
from the primary source. If delayed speakers are used to augment the main source, their timing must be set
so that the sound arriving at the listener’s ears from each delay speaker will be in sync with the sound
arriving from the primary source. This is usually accomplished with test & measurement instrumentation, but
in a pinch can be set by applying a short duration pulse to the system and establishing the delay time by ear.
An inexpensive electronic metronome is a good source for adjusting delay times by ear.
5. Equalizing the system to achieve the best possible sound quality.
This last step in system commissioning is known as system equalization or “voicing.” Equalization is the
process of adjusting the frequency response of the system, by use of an equalizer, to optimize voice
intelligibility, musical sound quality, or both. Note that all R-Series loudspeakers are factory voiced to
optimize speech intelligibility. For this reason, many designers and installers find that they can minimize
overall system equalization and still achieve excellent voice intelligibility and high grade sonic properties.
