10. MONITORING PROGRAM MATERIAL FOR FEEDBACK USING THE DISPLAY:
Once the pink noise
test is completed, switch off the pink noise on the RE 27 or RE 14 and unplug the Rane test microphone
from the front panel jack. When the mic is unplugged, the display is automatically switched to monitor
the output of the equalizer section (Channel 2 on the RE 14). Adjust the RTA Level control so that an
occasional green LED blinks on during the performance peaks, but no red LEDs come on: you should be in
the ±3 dB mode on the display. If feedback occurs, one or more red LEDs will light showing the general
9. USING THE RANE ANALYZER WITH OTHER EQUALIZER CHANNELS:
The analyzer section of the RE
27 or RE 14 will respond to whatever program the test microphone picks up. Therefore, the display can
be used to adjust any equalizer channel which controls the pink noise through the speaker(s). For
example, suppose you are running the RE 14 for left and right main speakers. Plug the pink noise output
into the mixer, turn up channel 2 on the RE 14 and turn off channel 1, so that only one speaker emits pink
noise. Use the analyzer to adjust the channel 2 sliders. When completed, turn DOWN channel 2 and turn
up channel 1 on the RE 14: now the other speaker should be emitting pink noise. Use the analyzer to
adjust the channel 1 sliders (don’t forget to re-position the test microphone). This same procedure
applies to any other equalizer in the system: simply run pink noise through the desired equalizer and use
the analyzer/microphone combination to adjust that equalizer.
8. FINAL EQUALIZER ADJUSTMENTS:
Once the RE 27 or RE 14 is all “greened out”, you’re done with the
pink noise alignment test Now the speakers are properly coupled to the specific room and the overall
system response is accurately aligned. This alone will make a great improvement in most systems, but
DON’T STOP AT FLAT necessarily. Now that the RE 27 or RE 14 has given you a consistent starting point,
feel free to make further slider adjustments during the performance or sound check to enhance overall
sound quality: fatten the bass, smoothen the mids or sweeten the highs to taste. You will probably find
that these adjustments will be consistently set above or below the pink noise test settings the same
amount at each performance; make a note of these further adjustments to save future tweeking during
performances. For example, you note the pink noise settings and find later that you like to have 3 dB
more boost at 63 Hz for more low-end punch during the performance. Next time, green out the analyzer
during the pink noise test (get all LEDs green before making any further adjustment), then immediately
bump up the 63 Hz slider 3 dB as indicated by the front panel calibrations so that you’re tuned up before
the show starts (slick, no?). The constant-Q sliders will assure accurate adjustments from any slider
position.
If you can’t get one or more green LEDs lit with their sliders fully boosted or cut, make a slight adjustment
in the pink noise volume or RTA Level control to get these bands in the green. Then readjust the
remaining sliders. You will also notice that adjusting one slider may affect the LED readings on the
adjacent bands: this is due to the presence of frequencies half-way between the two bands, which will be
affected by both sliders. Not to worry: simply nudge the adjacent slider until the green LED lights up
again.
7. EQUALIZER SLIDER ADJUSTMENTS:
Now adjust each slider up or down as necessary until the green
LED above it is lit; if the red is lit, move the slider down until green comes on. If yellow is lit, move the
slider up to obtain green.
6. INITIAL SYSTEM ALIGNMENT:
Before using the equalizer for adjustment, use the analyzer to align
other equipment in the system (EQ should always be a LAST resort after you’ve corrected response
problems everywhere else). With all EQ sliders flat (centered) adjust the electronic crossover
frequencies and level controls (if used), passive crossover controls, speaker placement and alignment,
etc. to get as many green LEDs lit as possible on the display. Only after this is done should you use the
equalizer sliders to flatten the system (see next step).
Now select either the +3 dB or the ±1 dB Window on the analyzer. We recommend starting with the
+3 dB setting, then switching to the ±1 dB mode for fine-tuning frequencies above 400 or 500 Hz. The
crest factor (peak response) of true pink noise causes considerable LED flutter in the ±1 dB mode below
about 500 Hz, thus it is more expedient to use the ±3 dB setting for these frequencies.
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