PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2 - Manual (Page 37)

3 Universal Control and VSL
3.6 VSL: GEQ Tab
StudioLive ™ Software Library
Reference Manual
33
3.6.7 Using the Smaart Spectrograph to Ring Out Monitors
The Spectrograph shows frequency data over time, so a constant frequency,
such as feedback, results in a straight line in the spectrograph. Feedback is
short term for a feedback loop, where a portion of the signal from the speaker
returns to the microphone resulting in a constant tone at the offending
frequency. “Ringing out” is a process of attenuating the frequencies that are
feeding back to maximize gain before feedback in your floor monitors.
1. With the mic input gain at an appropriate level, bring the Aux Send level up on the
mic channel you wish to ring.
Power User Tip: If you are using one console for stage monitors and another console
for front of house, set the mic input gain on the front-of-house console. Do not “gain
up” the mic signal on the monitor mixer for the sake of getting more volume out of a
stage monitor, as you can do that in other places (Mix level for individual channels,
Aux Out level for global control, etc.). Gain staging is very important in order to have a
feedback-free show.
2. Click on the GEQ tab in VSL and select the GEQ assigned to the Aux Output of the
stage monitor you are ringing out.
3. Enable the Spectrograph.
4. Slowly bring the Aux Output level up until you hear (and see) feedback.
Note: Ringing out stage monitors will produce feedback. If you are not careful, you can
produce a lot of feedback. Do not make sudden gain boosts; go slowly and carefully to
avoid causing any damage to speakers and ears.
5. Feedback will show up as a solid line on the Spectrograph and as a line peak on
the RTA. Use the dynamic threshold to adjust how bright, and at what input level,
the frequency information plots.
6. Lower the GEQ fader for the offending frequency in 3 dB increments to attenuate
(“ring”) it out of your stage monitor.
Power User Tip: Bring back the level on the GEQ slider to the point just before feedback
so you don’t take out too much frequency content and sacrifice overall timbre.
Because the speaker is pointed at the mic, stage-monitor feedback typically occurs
in the higher frequencies, which also is where intelligibility comes from. Maximizing
your intelligibility and gain structure results in clearer-sounding monitors.
You can apply this process to the Main system, as well. This is especially useful
with applications requiring lavaliere or podium mics. These types of microphones
are typically omnidirectional condensers and are very prone to feedback.
On Shelf On Hi Q On
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