A public address system allows large audiences to receive amplified sounds from small groups such as bands, singers and speakers. Setting up a PA system is simple--send your sound one direction only. Sounds go from instruments and microphones and are processed through amplifiers and an equalizer, and then are ultimately reproduced much louder through the speakers. Use this guide to set your system up and get your music or announcements delivered to the masses.
Instructions
1. Before connecting anything, make sure the power switches are off on all devices, and that master volume on the soundboard is turned down.
2. Plug the XLR end of the cable into the bottom of the microphone and insert the other end into the terminal on soundboard labeled "Input."
3. Plug any instruments into the the soundboard via the Hi-Z cable. Plug one end into the instrument and the other end into the "Input" terminal on the soundboard. Instruments and microphone should each be plugged into a single channel.
4. Run one end of the speaker cable from one of the terminals under the "Speaker" heading of the soundboard and the other end into the "In" terminal on the back of the speaker. This is done for amplified soundboards with built-in equalizers. Connect any other speakers the same way.
5. Run a Hi-Z cable from the "Main Out" on the mixer to the "Master Input" on the equalizer for setups using a non-amplified mixer. Run another Hi-Z cable from the main output on the equalizer, and run the other end into the master input on the amplifier.
6. Run a speaker cable from the terminal on the back of the amplifier to each speaker. Power on all of the devices. Run sound check while slowly elevating the master volume.
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