How do I use the audio system in the Vinik?
Part 1: Turning on the audio system
1. Power on the audio rack by flipping up the power switch on the top right of the audio rack. This powers on the speakers. The audio rack is located on the wall backstage.
2. Head up to the AV booth located on the second floor of the Vinik.
3. You'll see a large audio rack ahead of you, just outside of the booth itself. This is the rack for the wireless microphones. Flip the power switch at the top right of the rack on.
4. Head into the booth and power on the sound mixer by flipping up the switch. The power switch is located on the back right of the mixer.
Part 2: Operating the microphones and sound board
The sound system has 2 wireless handheld microphones, 16 wireless lavalier (clip on) microphones, 6 onstage hanging mics. The handheld microphones and the onstage hanging mics are available for general use. For use of the lavalier mics, please contact the tech department.
Microphones
1. Take out the handheld microphones. The handheld microphones are stored in the drawer in the audio rack backstage.
They take 2 AA batteries. Fresh batteries are kept in the drawer. Please contact the tech office for more batteries.
2. Hold down the power button on each handheld microphone until the LED light turns green. The power button is located on the bottom of the microphones.
There is also a mute switch located on the center of the microphone. Flip the switch to mute and unmute the microphone. If you see an orange LED light on the switch, the mic is muted.
3. Head up to the AV booth and take a look at the mixer. Make sure you have followed the steps in Part 1 to power on all parts of the audio system.
4. a. Push the red master fader up to the 0 mark. This controls the volume of everything coming out of the mixer and should be left alone once set.
b. The handheld microphones are controlled with faders 15 and 16. Push these up to the 0 mark if using the handheld mics.
c. The onstage hanging mics are controlled with faders 17 through 22. Push these up to the zero mark if using the handheld mics.
d. If using the projector system, the computer audio is controlled with faders 31 and 32. Set these up to the 0 mark if using projection.
WARNING: Setting the fader levels too far above zero can cause feedback issues and even damage the speakers in extreme cases!
Part 3: Helpful tips
1. Feedback refers to a high pitched ringing noise that quickly gets louder and louder. It occurs when the sound source coming into a microphone comes out of a speaker directly back into the microphone.
If feedback occurs, turn down the red master fader until you stop hearing the feedback.
Make small adjustments to fader levels and don't set the faders above the 0 mark to avoid feedback.
2. Always replace the batteries in the wireless microphones before a performance or assembly. This will ensure that the microphones don't die in the middle of the event.
3. Having trouble? Contact the tech department for assistance.