How to set up Gain Structure?

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J_Dunavin
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How to set up Gain Structure?

#1 Post by J_Dunavin »

Wanting to get the most out of my system, I'm wondering if I am setting everything up correctly.
Reading these two articles have spurred some questions for me: :roll:
http://www.rane.com/note135.html
http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/how_ ... structure/

My understanding, dating back when i was installing car audio, was that you set the source of your music to the max clean signal output. Then set up each individual piece in the system to it's max clean signal. Once every piece in the system is now at it's max clean signal, you can set the amplifier sensitivity for X voltage. That way, as long as the guy behind the main volume know doesn't turn it up past the source's max clean signal, you will get a very clean output, with lot's of headroom.

I may have misread, but reading the 2nd article, it would seem that they want you to set up the board to max clean signal... measure that out put, then match each other piece in the chain to that voltage, then set up amp sensitivity?

SO..
What's the right way to set up gain? IE use an oscilloscope to see the clip.
What's the cheap fast way to set up gain? IE use a 1K tone until you hear a tone pitch change.
What's acceptable?
And what is considered down right wrong?

Here is my set up.. in a nutshell...
Attachments
Lay out.jpg
2 - OTop8
2 - T39
8 - DR200
2 - DR250
9 - T24
6 - T45
1 - Auto Tuba

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LelandCrooks
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Re: How to set up Gain Structure?

#2 Post by LelandCrooks »

http://www.vizear.com/downloads.htm

Clipcop part 3. You can do the same thing, not quite as easily, with a piezo.
If it's too loud, you're even older than me! Like me.
http://www.speakerhardware.com

Greg Plouvier
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Re: How to set up Gain Structure?

#3 Post by Greg Plouvier »

Found John Murray's slide presentation online. John knows his stuff.

http://www.m3tools.com/Gain%20Structure ... /frame.htm
Greg Plouvier
http://www.magnumcaseworks.com
Protective casing, speaker cabinets, Colorado BF builder, A/V installation, sales, live sound

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LelandCrooks
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Re: How to set up Gain Structure?

#4 Post by LelandCrooks »

Nice.
If it's too loud, you're even older than me! Like me.
http://www.speakerhardware.com

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J_Dunavin
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Re: How to set up Gain Structure?

#5 Post by J_Dunavin »

Well i borrowed the Oscilloscope from work and did a bit of research and pre set up before Sat. night. Turnes out that the behringer board has a very clean signal and the EQ215 actually boosts signal with all freq. flat. And the boost cut at 0. With that in mind, i went to the CEX-la's which would seem that i was overdriving the input.
So now that i have all of that dialed in, we'll see how it sounds.
2 - OTop8
2 - T39
8 - DR200
2 - DR250
9 - T24
6 - T45
1 - Auto Tuba

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J_Dunavin
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Location: Appleton WI
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Re: How to set up Gain Structure?

#6 Post by J_Dunavin »

Did a dance last night for the church youth group and had about 180 kids :hyper:
I was able to get there extra early and set up the new biamp system. I was unable to bring my unfinished BFM rig, but i did bi amp their peavey sp2ti's.
OH man they rocked! I was able to keep the gain turned down on the amps, and had plenty of headroom. NEVER saw a clip light from the amps and the kids had a great time. Now i need to finish that BFM rig. :roll:
2 - OTop8
2 - T39
8 - DR200
2 - DR250
9 - T24
6 - T45
1 - Auto Tuba

rec
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Location: Virginia, C'Ville

Re: How to set up Gain Structure?

#7 Post by rec »

Not sure if you are using DBX equipment but this is still good reading
http://www.dbxpro.com/Forum/viewforum.p ... 2b853edc62
My initials are in the view finder of every camcorder (REC)
2xOT12(Deltalite 2512 loaded, w/melded arrays)
2xOT12(Deltalite 2512 loaded, w/flat array) "In Process"
4xT30(24", 4012HO loaded)
1xAT

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