PA Theory:

there is always power somewhere

3 main components: Mixing desk - speakers - monitors

if Desk = powered (has amplifier) then

Speakers/monitors (Front Of House) = passive (sometimes split function)

If speaker has on/off button, connect to mains. This is an active speaker.

At college we have active speakers and monitors but a passive desk

IEMs or In Ear Monitors - to remove wedge monitors on stage. Block out sound from outside if not mixed in.

Desk Theory:

Preamp controls gain. This is always located at the top as this is where the signal comes through. Apply this before the output. This is because without setting the input level, you cannot control the output. On an analogue desk the gain is separate for every channel.

Aim for 0dB on the input (try starting at 12 o clock on the knob) if that isn’t working something is most likely wrong. Then you may turn up the output. At the top of the gain you will hear hiss/white noise.

Mix sets for the monitors.

EQ, compressor (evens out a signal. Reduces the peaks to create a consistent volume), Pan (in live sound panning too far to one side can isolate half the audience) and noise gate (cuts out noise below certain levels) are located at the top of the desk. Mute is your friend. HPF (high pass filter). Pad reduces gain by 20dB

Left = odd (input 7 to left FOH)

Right = even (input 8 to right FOH)

Crossovers split signal between subs and tops

Function < channel(s) < Dsnake if set to local

Scenes < reset to zero < recall

Sometimes monitors are referred to as foldback or fb