2. Sound
DeskThe sound desk controls everything on stage including speakers
and microphones. It has 24 channels that can control both the
speakers and the microphones. Every sound desk will have a
master volume, this controls every sound coming from the sound
desk. This will include both speakers and all of the microphones
being used. They can also be used in recording
studios, broadcasting, television and film post-production as well
as stage productions.
Panning dials (the red dials) are used on the desk. If you turn the
dial to the left, sound will only come out of the left speaker and if
you turn it to the right, sound will only come out of the right
speaker. If the dial is kept in the middle, both speakers will emit the
same amount of sound coming out.
The sound desk comes with set sockets to plug in certain cables
like Jacks and phono cables. The jack cable enables you to plug
music from your phone, iPod or mp3 player into the desk. This
makes it a lot easier as music is easier to control from a
phone, iPod or mp3.
There are 4 knobs on each channel called Auxiliary (the green
dials) these knobs are high, mid and low knobs. The first knob
increases or completely cuts high frequency. The next two knobs
selects a frequency and boosts or, again, completely cuts the
4. Speake
rsThere are two types of speakers; Active and Passive.
An active speakers is most common as it carries its own amplifier,
this makes it a lot convenient when traveling as you would not need
to take an amplifier. Active speakers are also very versatile; you can
take any part of the active system and use it independently and you
cab add to it easily. Active speakers also often have an RCA line
and XLR cable inputs. This enables you to plug a music source into
the speaker.
A passive speaker does the same job but it does not carry its own
amplifier, if you would want to use this speaker you would have to
be equipped with an amplifier. The passive speaker is generally a lot
lighter however so would be easier to carry and travel with. This
would also make it easier to put up on a wall and this speaker does
not need the mains power.
In a situation where you need to use quite a lot of speakers, you
would use an active speaker as you can link up (daisy chain) other
speakers to it. However, in a situation where you would need a
5. Accessori
esXLR Cable- An XLR cable has two different ends; a male and
a female. The male end has three pins and the female end
has three holes for the pins to enter. This cable is used to
plug the speakers into the desk and passes on a signal
output into the speakers from the desk.
Jack Cable- This cable is used in most technology devices
for example; mobile phones, iPods and sound desks. This
specific cable is used to plug a music device, that uses a
jack cable, into the desk. With this cable you can use you
own music from your phone or iPod for a performance.
Phono Cable- Phono cable are used to plug music from
your computer or television into your sound desk. One
end is plugged into you devise, and the other end is
plugged into a jack cable, then plugged into the sound
desk. This enables you to use music from your computer
or televsion.
6. Speakon Cable- These cables are used to plug a music
source, like a musical instrument amplifier, into the
speakers. This enables you to use more than one speaker at
one time.
Figure of 8 Cable- This cable is used to plug in a CD
player into the sound desk so you can use an
album or even a CD you have made yourself for a
performance.
