Allen&Heath GL2800 User Manual

Page 28

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28

GL2800 User Guide

Polarity

Refers to the positive (+) and negative (-) wires of a

loudspeaker or balanced audio connection. The console input
channels include POLARITY switches which reverse the + and – input
connections. Some applications include correcting for reverse wired
cables, correcting for microphone placement problems, mixing two
mics on a snare drum, one above the other below where the
diaphragms move in opposite directions, and helping to reduce comb
filtering effects as radio miked actors perform close to each other.
Polarity is sometimes labelled ‘phase’ on mixing consoles.

Technically, ‘phase’ is not the correct term as it implies a 180 degree
time shift. Polarity simply reverses the wires. It does not affect time.
Before starting your mixing, check that all the channel polarity
switches are correctly set, normally up (+).

Mixing the PA in mono or stereo?

Because a console

provides an L and R output does not mean you have to mix in stereo.
It is often convenient to have separate fader control, processor inserts,
and outputs to drive two mono speaker stacks in an FOH system.
How much stereo you introduce into your mix depends on where you
position the pan controls. In most situations the size of the room and
position of the speakers makes stereo mixing an advantage only for a
small section of the audience, usually those around the sound
operator! Those listening near the speakers are likely to lose
information from the opposite stack. For this reason it is best to mix
most sources in mono (pan centred). However, it can enhance the
image by mixing some ‘ambient’ sounds in stereo, for example reverb
returns, keyboards and special effects. Where the speakers are
widely placed, you can reduce the stereo image by reducing the
amount of panning to each side. Whatever image you create it is
important that you listen to the results and consider the listeners at all
positions in the room.

Zero the console

Before starting the sound check it is good

practice to ‘zero’ the console by setting all its controls to a sensible
starting condition. Check that the mode switches are correctly set for
your application. Set all GAIN, EQ and PAN controls mid, FADER, AUX
and MATRIX controls off, TALKBACK and OSC/NOISE levels off, and
all switches up. Make sure the osc/noise generator is turned off. Cue
Sheets are provided at the rear of this user guide for you to copy and
log your control settings. This can also be downloaded from our web
site.

Turning the system on and off

It is good practice to:

Turn the amplifiers on last and off first.

Mute channels before plugging cables, unplugging

instruments and switching phantom power.

Let equipment which has been stored in a damp or cold

place acclimatise in the venue first before powering it up.

Power up the system in plenty of time before you start the

sound check or show.

Sound levels

The ear is a delicate instrument. Do not subject

yourself or any listener to long periods of loud sound, particularly with
extreme equalisation. This may result in frequency selective or full
range hearing loss. Adhere to the sound level regulations which may
apply to the venue… and common sense!

10

10

20

30

5

5

0

00

10

10

20

30

5

5

0

00

10

10

20

30

5

5

0

00

10

10

20

30

5

5

0

00

10

10

20

30

5

5

0

00

10

10

20

30

5

5

0

00

10

10

20

30

5

5

0

00

10

10

20

30

5

5

0

00

0

0

0

5

5

30

20

10

10

0

0

0

5

5

30

20

10

10

0

0

0

5

5

30

20

10

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

L

R

M

POWER

+9
+6
+3
0
-3

-12
-16

-30

-20

-9

-6

+16

+10

2TRK

R

TO LR

2TRK REPLAY

OO

L

1-2

AUX

3-4

AUX

5-8

AUX

9-10

AUX

MTX3-4

MTX1-2

LATCH

L-R

TALKBACK MIC

MAX

MIN

MAX

MIN

ON

TALKBACK

OSC/NOISE

M

TALK

M

L-R

9-10

MONITOR

2TRK

AUX

MTX4

MTX3

MTX2

MTX1

10

0

PFL/AFL

MONITOR

STEREO

STEREO

MUTE GROUPS

WEDGE

MODE

10

M

P/AFL

0

0

1kHz OSC

PINK NOISE

PFL

REV

REV

REV

REV

REV

REV

REV

REV

REV

OO

+6

OO

+6

OO

+6

OO

+6

OO

+6

OO

+6

OO

+6

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+6

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OO

+6

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+6

OO

+6

O

=

GRP5

TO LR

R

L

PAN

=

GRP6

TO LR

R

L

PAN

=

GRP7

TO LR

R

L

PAN

=

GRP8

TO LR

R

L

PAN

=

GRP1

TO M

GRP2

GRP4

GRP3

GRP5

GRP6

GRP7

GRP8

TO M

TO M

TO M

TO M

TO M

TO M

TO M

MUTE

STEREO

+10

OO

9-10

AUX

3

AUX

O

O

AUX

1

OO

+10

AFL

AFL

+10

2

AUX

0

0

AFL

+10

OO

AFL

+10

OO

0

4

AUX

0

AFL

+10

OO

5

AUX

0

AFL

+10

OO

6

AUX

0

AFL

+10

OO

7

AUX

0

AFL

+10

OO

8

AUX

MUTE

LEVEL

R

L

6

7

8

GRP

5

GRP

GRP

2

3

GRP

4

GRP

GRP

GRP

1

GRP

IN

EXT

M

MUTE

LEVEL

R

L

6

7

8

GRP

5

GRP

GRP

2

3

GRP

4

GRP

GRP

GRP

1

GRP

IN

EXT

M

MUTE

LEVEL

R

L

6

7

8

GRP

5

GRP

GRP

2

3

GRP

4

GRP

GRP

GRP

1

GRP

IN

EXT

M

OO

+6

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+6

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+6

MUTE

LEVEL

R

L

6

7

8

GRP

5

GRP

GRP

2

3

GRP
4

GRP

GRP

GRP

1

GRP

OO

+6

IN

EXT

M

DUAL STEREO RETURN

DUAL STEREO RETURN

ST4

ST3

MUTE

DIRECT TO

LR

O

O

L-R

3-4

M

O

O

+6

9-10

AUX

2

AUX

1

AUX

OO

+6

OO

+6

O

O

PFL

ST2

ST1

5

0

10

20

5

OO

30

MUTE

DIRECT TO

LR

O

O

L-R

1-2

M

O

O

+6

9-10

AUX

2

AUX

1

AUX

OO

+6

OO

+6

O

O

PHONES

STEREO

ST2

GAIN

-10

-20

10

16

-5

0

5

STEREO

GAIN

-10

-20

10

16

-5

0

5

STEREO

GAIN

-10

-20

10

16

-5

0

5

STEREO

GAIN

-10

-20

10

16

-5

0

5

MUTE

MUTE

MUTE

MUTE

MUTE

MUTE

MUTE

MUTE

MUTE

SIG

0

+6

PK!

SIG

0

+6

PK!

SIG

0

+6

PK!

SIG

0

+6

PK!

SIG

0

+6

PK!

SIG

0

+6

PK!

SIG

0

+6

PK!

SIG

0

+6

PK!

SIG

0

+6

PK!

SIG

0

+6

PK!

SIG

0

+6

PK!

0dB

OO

L-R TO M

PAN

GRP2

GRP1

L

PAN

R

TO LR

=

PAN

L

R

TO LR

=

GRP4

GRP3

TO LR

R

L

R

=

TO LR

L

PAN

30
O

O

5

20

10

0

5

10

GL2800

GL2800

FADERS

ROTARIES

AUX MODE

FOH
MONITOR

POLARITY

Think before you hit
the switch!

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