Sound catalogue

Q lab Q lab Is a sound programing soft wear. You download all you sounds onto Qlab, edit them and put then in a sequence. You can then add carry ons and fades as well as many other effects. You can add other effects like reverb and echos, as well as can changing the pitch and volumes for each effect separately. Once you have created the show file you can just easily run it in show mode by simply pressing space bar. You can also use Qlab for lighting and video. Qlab is designed with live events in mind, as each event will run different with different running times you need to have a system that can reac to what is happening on stage at the right time. For example you need to wait for a door slam noise to be triggered at the same time the door will slam. You can also easily skip ahead a whole section of cues or even gho back cues if needed. Some of the key sound features are:

- Audio wave form. This is ver useful to see how loud the sound will be and help you understand at where the levels should be set at.

- You can loop audio- It can support up to 64 channels of audio output, 24 channel audio files and 24

channels of live audio input. - Customise output channel names - Audio effects on any cues- Fade audio effects dynamically.

Cables Speakon – connects the amplifier to the speaker, its most commonly an NL4 and has a lock on clip XLR – 3 pins connect microphones to the desk and mixers to amps. 6 pins for cans – connects cans receivers and transmitters together. 6.3mm jack – used to go to a DI box or can be used for an output. One ring is mono unbalanced and 2 rings stereo and balanced. Firewire- used to connect the computer to the sound desk, sending audio to an from the desk.

Sound desk Midas Venice features

- Set levels and change the EQ - Set a DCA group which makes it easier to controls a group of

faders. - Allows you to presses various different inputs into one output

and sends it through the speakers.

- This desk has 24 inputs with 1 main output, which is left right and mono, 4 subgroups and 4 axillary outputs. 4 monitor outputs.

- Select fire wire inputs and outputs. - You should always leave the master fade at 0 when running a show file as you should

have edited the levels on qlab. You should also leave the computer fader at 0. - It’s a good desk for live sound and computer bases audio.

A mixing console combines sounds of many different audio signals. Each desk has slighting different features.

SpeakersPassive speaker- you need to add an amplifier. Use a speakon cable to connect the speaker to the amplifier. This is a common speaker for instillations such as theatres, bars etc.

Active speakers – have a built in amplifier. You use XLR to connect the desk to the speaker. These speakers are most commonly used for touring or less permeant set ups.

Speakers work by an electrical signal into an audible sound, they contain electromagnets – a metal coil – which creates a magnetic field when an electric current flows through it.

Types of drivers

Loudspeakers- is a standard type of speaker as they are easily adapted to placement and application. They are most commonly used in pairs as floor standing or bookshelf style speakers.

Subwoofers- Is a loud speaker that is used to reproduce the lower frequency band of audio. Most generic loud speakers don’t work will with the lower frequencies so having a dedicated subwoofer to allow a fuller audio spectrum.

Woofer – is much like the subwoofer but with less of a range.

Midrange driver – reproduces a band of generic frequencies known as the mid frequencies. ( between the woofer and the tweeter )

Tweeter- is a high frequency driver that reproduces the highest Frequencies in a speaker system.

Full range driver – are designed to be used without any other drivers, so therefore wmust cover a very wide audio frequency range. These are usually small to allow for a higher frequency.

Mics Dynamic – It has a cardioid polar pattern which means it can gather sound from all around. The shape is similar to a mushroom. They have filters to catch moisture. You use an XLR to connect the microphone to the desk. The sound comes through the pick up pattern, and hits the diaphragm which vibrates the coil and because the coil is in a magnetic field it transforms the sound into an electronic signal. Dynamic mics are usually more robust and don’t require a externalpower source so are more commonly used for theatre and stage.

Condenser – Needs 48 volts ( phantom power ) it works by a back plate vibrating which converts the sound into a signal. A condenser mic is slightly more fragile and better for set use in a studio as it also produces a more accurate crisp sound.

Wireless mics- Different mics operate on different frequencies bands. Such as VHF,UHF and digital. The most common channel is channel 38 which you must punches each year. Different venues have different channels you use. A wireless microphone consists of a receiver and a transmitter ( beltpack ) and a head which come in all different forms. Each microphone must be on a different frequency as not to get interference.

equipment

mic stands – Are a pole of metal with a tri metal legs and a screw on clip to hold the mic at the top.

Belt packs – you use a belt pack with radio mics to hold the pack onto the persons waist.

Mic tape- is a almost clear easy to rip tape which is vey sticky as it has to stick to skin and with stand sweat and make up.

Wig clips- hold the cable of the radio mic into the actors hair securely. They have elastic and firm teeth which stick into the hair.

Signal paths A signal path is the path the signal takes from the inputs to the outputs.

Gain – is where you adjust the levels as not to get distortion.

EQ- is the correction of the input, you can cut out some top end if the audio is to high pitched or there is to much plosives as well as taking out some bottom/bass if it is to low. This is done to balance the input sound with the out put by making it sound more realistic. It is usually done manually until it sounds best with balanced frequencies Aux – ( PFL) pre fade listen means that you wll still get a signal torugh to test for levels, with the fader down. It is also sending the signal off to different places to do different things. For example for sound effects, monitors and recordings.

Pan- is sending the signal to different speakers if needed. This is use full for special effect sounds to create a more realistic atmosphere in a theatre for example you can use it to pan a noise across a stage from speaker to speaker such as a car driving past.

Level- is setting the right levels for the audio, you can change each one individually, this allows louder sounds to be loud shocking and noticeable and more quite sounds like background ambient noise.

Master – the master fader controls what sound is heard. It should be left at 0 as the levels should have been set earlier. If the fader is down no sound will be produced by the speakers.

Microphone signal.

The microphone XLR cable mixing desk ¼ inch jack or speakcon cable passive speaker

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