Advanced Instrumental Equipment Test

There is a wide range of knowledge I need to known in terms of equipment. When preparing a vocal performance, I need a microphone in which I will connect the cable into the Amplifier. As the microphone then turns on, it is my choice whether I choose to use effects. This includes: Mid, Reverb, Echo and many others. When singing, I need to avoid putting the microphone close to the speakers otherwise there will be feedback. The microphone is connected via a cable into the pre amp/mixer which is then connected to the amp. There is an extension lead which reaches the mixer and then the effects can be used. (Stage Box) In terms of using the mixing desk, the channel faders are used to increase and decrease the volume of the: equalizer, master volume, reverb and echo. The aux send is when a song or instrumental is sent into the speaker when the aux cable is plugged into the phone in which the sound is transferred into the speakers. When using the microphone stand on stage, the Swivel needs to be tightened in order for the stand to be tight. The coach bolt is then used to move the stand up and down so it is set to the eight height so it is comfortable for the singer. You will know if your too close to the PA as if you are too close it will cause feedback or a loud pitch noise which is unpleasant to hear. Monitors are like speakers which are used to project the sound of any instrument or sound, the musicians who need it most would be instrumentalists or singers, this would be essential as it would be the sound louder so the audience can hear the sound out of the monitors. A channel is where each sound is recorded or played in a mixer, this would include the voice coming out of one channel and guitar coming out of another. The fader is used to adjust the volume of the channel on the mixer. Mutes are used in an instrument to soften the tone of the instrument, this is commonly used in orchestral instruments. A send is an electronic signal used in music to make effects such as reverb or EQ to be used. EQ (Equalisation) is a type of effects graph which is used to change the frequency of any sound or the brightness, it can also make the sound more filtered.

As I also play guitar, I have to be aware of how to use equipment for the guitar. When using the guitar for a performance, I need to connect the lead into the guitar in which it is then connected into the amplifier. If it is not working, it is either because it is the wrong amplifier or the volume is not turned on. There is also an amplifier for Bass which can sometimes be confused for the guitar, using a bass amplifier for a normal guitar will not work. As soon as the guitar is connected and the volume is at a good level, it is my choice to put any effects such as: reverb, echo, treble or added bass. Factors that affect the strings to be broken are playing the guitar too hard and what could cause the buzzing sounds or cracking could be that the input might not be plugged in properly into the guitar causing unusual sounds to be heard. The amp should always be far away from the instrument to avoid feedback. Effects that are used on some amps are effects such as: reverb, delay and mid. The reverb expands the sound making it sound brighter. The delay is like an echo which repeats the sound multiple times after being played. Tuners that are on amps are used to tune tune the guitar when the amps are out of the, when playing each string it will either show a red bright colour or green bright colour to show its in tune or out of tune. You will know if your standing too close to the amp or its too loud as their will be feedback which is a high pitched noise. Monitors are like speakers which are used to project the sound of any instrument or sound, the musicians who need it most would be instrumentalists or singers, this would be essential as it would be the sound louder so the audience can hear the sound out of the monitors. A channel is where each sound is recorded or played in a mixer, this would include the voice coming out of one channel and guitar coming out of another. The fader is used to adjust the volume of the channel on the mixer. Mutes are used in an instrument to soften the tone of the instrument, this is commonly used in orchestral instruments. A send is an electronic signal used in music to make effects such as reverb or EQ to be used. EQ (Equalisation) is a type of effects graph which is used to change the frequency of any sound or the brightness, it can also make the sound more filtered.