2. Plug in the kettle lead into the back of the desk

3. Connect each speaker to the mains with kettle
leads. But ensure that they are switched off so
they don’t get damaged.

4. Connect the desk to the speakers using an
XLR cable from the main outputs on the desk
to the inputs on the speakers.
Looking at the desk the left output is for the left
speaker and the right is for the right speaker
making things easier while operating.
On the left is the
speaker with an
XLR cable plugged
in. and on the right
is the desk with the
cables plugged in.

5. You can use active or passive speakers. I am
using active speakers because they have a
built in amp, this makes them heavier but
means less equipment is needed to lug around.
Passive speakers don’t have an amp built in
making these lighter so they would be used in
a rig because its easier to carry the speakers
onto the rig.

6. Plug in the sound source, in this case a CD
player by using a figure of 8 cable.
Others sound sources could be an IPOD,
phone, or even a laptop.

7. Connect the sound source to the sound desk
using a phono cable with a quarter inch jack,
the cables we had was a generic jack which
you plug into a phone so I added an adaptor so
they can be plugged into the desk.
A mic will use a different form of input which
would be an XLR cable but apart from that
most inputs are jack leads.

8. Switch on the sound source and ensure the
sound is playing. (normally via the timer
counting up)

9. Turn down the volume on the speakers to avoid
damage to the speakers, and then switch them
on.

10. Switch on the channels you are using. This
may be a light above the volume for the
channel.

11. Press the (Pre Fade Listen) on one channel,
then adjust the gain until the peak meter begins
to stay in the green maybe flicker orange. This
will control the volume without making too
much noise and without damaging speakers.
Repeat for all channels.
PFL Gain control Peak meter.

12. As I plugged in two speakers this makes the
sound stereo this means that we are using two
channels for the sound. I will pan my left
speaker to the left and the right all the way to
the right. This will allow for equal sound to exit
to both speakers. Making stereo sound.

13. Adjust the fader to 0DB to give the sound to
become louder or quieter at any point. Bringing
the master up or down gives you more control
over specific channels.

14. Adjust the channel fader to the appropriate
levels for each channel.

15. Now there is sound exiting the speakers, adjust
the EQ to suit the sound, i.e. so the sound isn't
tinny or you want to add more bass to sound
etc.

16. And that is how to set up a PA system.