St Timothy’s Episcopal Church Audio PanelUsher’s Quickstart Guide and Operator’s Manual

document.docOctober 6, 2003John Lennox

St Timothy’s Episcopal Church Audio PanelUsher’s Quickstart Guide

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2a. Set Master Volume to Normal. If large crowd, then set higher or vice versa.

6. At end of service press (a)Stop(b) Finalize and (c) push the Multi-Dial button. Display will blink TOC will and count down ~ 1 minute. Then you may eject CD.

2b. Verify that Narthex volume is 8 or 9.

Turn on System Power at console rack or Ambo.

NOTE: Do not adjust individual volume controls unless talker is not audible. Talker volume should be maintained by adjusting distance from talker’s mouth to microphone.

4. CD Recording and preparationSet toggle switch to Record. Prior to the service, insert a blank, labeled CD in the recorder.Wait on “TOC Reading” message to indicate “0Tr 0:00”Prepare for recording by depressing Record, wait on the display to indicate “1Tr 0:00”Depress Play when ready to start recording. (see step 5 above).If there is no volume level in panel display, verify mixer power switch is ON.

5. When Clergy is ready to start Procession, start CD recording (4d) and then rapidly depress SIGNAL button 6-10 times to notify Organist.

2c. Verify rotary Tape/CD volume control is at midrange.

3. Verify that Stereo Mixer power is ON.

St Timothy’s Episcopal Church Audio Panel Overview

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Power amplifier: provides audio power to speakers in Nave.

Stereo Mixer: Provides combination of audio and choral singing to Tape/CD recorder.

Tape/CD recorder: Records output of stereo mixer (spoken word and choir). Can also play CD/Tape to speakers in Nave.

Master volume controls for speakers in Nave, Narthex & Vesting

Power sequencer: turns on audio components in controlled sequence.

Wireless microphone controls: controls volume and transmitter frequency for lavaliere and wireless mikes.

RF amplifier: broadcasts signal to wireless receivers (hearing assistance & nursery).

Volume controls: set microphone volume for fixed (ambo/altar) and wireless mikes.

Digital signal processor: provides frequency equalization and monitors signal levels.

Hearing assistance: transmits audio signal to wireless receivers used by congregation & to the speaker in the Nursery.

St Timothy’s Episcopal Church Audio System Description

Hearing assistanceThe system is equipped with a wireless hearing assistance system for those persons who have trouble understanding speech in a reverberant room. The system broadcasts a signal to personal radio receivers. The signal comes from the speech microphones and may or may not contain any of the choir microphone signal. The goal is high speech clarity, not a mimic of the recording feed. The signal is delayed slightly to keep roughly in alignment with the sound from the loudspeakers.

The receivers should work through most of the site. One powered receiver/loudspeaker is included for use in the nursery.

Power AmplifierThis unit amplifies the signals from the fixed and wireless microphones and distributes it to the Bose linear array speakers mounted on either side of the choir and to the small monitor speakers adjacent to the organ console. The signal from the choir microphones is not input to this amplifier.

Stereo MixerThis unit combines the voice signals (from the fixed and wireless microphones) with the signal from the choir microphones and provides that blended signal to the Tape/CD recorder. This creates a blend of the spoken word and choral singing for recordings that are used for home ministry. This is not intended to be studio quality sound, but is allows those listening to Tape/CD to hear both portions of the service. Congregational singing is included to the extent that it is picked up by the fixed microphones at the Ambo, Altar and choir.

The volume controls are set at mid range and the pan (stereo effect) is set to the middle for the voice feed and to left and right for the choir feed (respectively) so that you will get some stereo separation of the choir.

Tape/CD Recorder & PlayerThis unit will allow recording of the output from the Stereo Mixer onto audio tape or CD-R or CD-RW.Audio Tape Recording: install a rewound tape into the tape unit, set the Rev Mode setting for one or two sided recording (not continuous); press record/play simultaneously. Verify that there is signal strength on the digital vu meter (which can be adjusted by the center knob above the play/record switch on the panel below.CD Recording: Insert a blank CD into the recorder and press the record and then play buttons. Verify that there is signal strength on the digital vu meter. At the end of the recording time (~ 75 minutes max) depress the Stop and Finalize buttons and then depress the Multi-Dial button. TOC will blink and count down ~ 1 minute. Remove the CD.CD/Tape playing: For musical accompaniment (e.g. wedding accompaniment, karaoke, etc), place a prerecorded tape or CD in the holder. Toggle the Play/Record switch on the panel below to Play and then depress the Play button below the appropriate side of the unit. In

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St Timothy’s Episcopal Church Audio System Descriptionaddition to musical accompaniment, you can mix singing and prerecorded music by using the volume controls on the Playback unit to balance the recorded sound with the output from the microphones.For other input preferences, any line level device (tape, CD, boom box, VHS, or DVD player) can be connected to the AUX input of the Shure SCM 810 on the front panel.

Master Volume ControlThese are the two primary volume controls for congregational listening. The Master volume controls the volume of the main speakers in the Nave (from the fixed and wireless microphones). The Narthex knob controls the volume of the speakers in the Narthex. There are separate control knobs in the Vesting and Meeting rooms.

Power SequencerThis device is used to control the sequencing of the power to the various electronic components in the Audio Rack. By switching the devices on sequentially (rather than simultaneously) we can avoid power surges, popping sounds, etc. The Master Power switch (on right) should be left on at all times. This switch provides power to the sequencer so that it may be turned on and provides power to the individual units. The System Power sequencer can be turned on at either the switch on the left of the front panel, or by the switch on the underside of the ambo.

RF AmplifierThis unit provides radio frequency signal to the hearing assistance devices and to the speaker that is located in the nursery. This latter speaker is provided so that the Nursery Staff can monitor the progress of the service and prepare the children to be transported to the service at the appropriate time in the service. This unit does not require operator intervention.

Wireless MicrophonesWireless microphones provide mobility while conducting the worship service. This system is furnished with four lavaliere systems and two additional handheld transmitters. Note that the handheld transmitters cannot be used simultaneously with the lavaliere systems on the same receiver. As long as one or the other is switched off, handheld and lavaliere can be used alternatively during a service (tag team)

1. Frequencies and volumes are preset and locked. Refer to the Operator’s Manual for specifics (p 17 –18).2. Batteries: As simple as it seems, weak batteries do occur and will cause the system to operate poorly. The transmitter has a battery

gauge on the display and will give a valid reading after the transmitter has been on for several minutes. The battery status is also shown on the receivers in the sound equipment rack.

3. ON/OFF: The transmitters have a single switch for on/off. There is a slight delay between turn on and audio passing through the system. This is normal and is part of the system that keeps the wireless microphone from passing stray signals. Turn the system on about 1 second before speaking.

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St Timothy’s Episcopal Church Audio System Description4. Avoiding embarrassment: Be mindful of whether your transmitter is on or off. There are many tales of mistakes and missteps due to

an open microphone.5. Microphone placement: The microphone element is very small but it still needs to be placed properly and consistently for good

results. The best position is as close to center on the chest somewhere between the second and third button on a dress shirt. Try not to let the microphone get covered by a cloth.

6. When speaking from the middle or back of the sanctuary the sound system may sound strange. This is a function of the distance from the loudspeakers, which can be about 60 feet. Talkers will have to practice working with the delay.

Microphone Volume ControlsThis unit does not require operator intervention. The individual controls can be used to modify the volume level of individual microphones and should be preset for the talkers who are using those microphones. Microphone placement is the primary means to control talker volume. Microphone volume should be adjusted only in the rare event that an individual is speaking entirely too low/loud in relation to all of the other talkers in the service.

Digital Signal ProcessorThis device is preprogrammed to adjust frequency response of the system and has been tuned for our facility. No operator intervention is required.

document.docVer 1.0, October 6, 2003John Lennox