Sound And Light Training
SALT Manual

by Ken Ellis

(last update 2001-05-19 - Ken Ellis)

15. Trouble Shooting the Sound System

What do you do if the sound system doesn't work?

First, check the obvious!

Are the mixer, equalizers, amplifiers, and all other equipment plugged in and turned on?

Are the microphones and instruments connected to the mixer correctly?

Check all mixer controls for proper settings: channel trim pot, pad switch, line/mike switch, sub-group select, left/right pan, channel on/mute, channel fader, sub-group on/mute, sub group left/right pan, sub-group fader, main on/mute, main fader

Are both ends of the snake connected correctly?

Is the mixer output connected to the equalizer input?

Is the equalizer output connected to the power amplifier input?

Is the power amplifier output connected to the speakers?

Is the power amplifier gain control set correctly?

Are the pilot lights lit on all equipment?

Are there any blow fuses?

When you speak into a mike, does it indicate on the mixer's meter? Can it be heard on the headphones when the PFL switch is operated?

Does anything work as a starting point?

Can the trouble be isolated to one microphone, instrument, or speaker?

Try replacing microphone, cross-connect, or speaker cables (in case there is a broken wire)

Try playing a tape or CD

Go back to Previous Section or go on to Next Section

Go directly to: Index -- 1) Intro -- 2) Terms -- 3) Goals -- 4) Job -- 5) Source -- 6) Mixer -- 7) Effects -- 8) Equalizer -- 9) Amp -- 10) Speakers -- 11) Understand -- 12) Set-Up -- 13) Operation -- 14) Performer -- 15) Trouble -- 16) The Rest -- 17) Advent -- 18) Sound Requirements -- 19) Light Requirements -- 20) Building Requirements -- 21) Links -- 22) Video

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