Sound Ministry Series Part 1 - Setting Up

Before you even turn on the desk or the amp, you will need to set up. Start by plugging in everything (mics, instruments, etc.) so that you have the minimum to plug in when the system is on, which could damage the speakers. At this stage, turn on things like guitar amps and keyboards.

As you plug things in, remember to arrange things logically across the stage. It is good practice to use Ch 1 for whatever is furthest to the left of the stage, and then work across to the right from there, moving up the channels. Write down what (and who) is in each channel for easy reference. This way, the desk visually mirrors what is on the stage.

When everything is plugged in, turn on your desk first, and then your amplifier. This avoids the "bang!" of turning on the desk after the amp is on, which could damage the speakers.

As you approach the desk, never assume that the last mix is still applicable. If you have the luxury of time, this would be a good time to turn down all the faders and gains and zero the eq's.

Next time: Setting Channel Gains