1. Production Arts – Unit 65:
Technical Stage Operations
Joe Roberts
Distinction criteria – Explain the uses and
operation of different types of lighting, sound
and video equipment.

2. SOUND!!!!

3. Sound Desk Rear
On this desk there is 24 inputs. There is 2
quarter inch jack inputs per channel. This will
be mono however. To get stereo you need a
jack per channel. There is also XLR input. ¼ inch jack
inputs for the
sound
source,
usually either
a cd player,
ipod or a pc
Female
XLR input
Power button
Power
source
input. The
cable used
is a kettle
lead.
This desk has 3 outputs,
1 mono, 1 left, and 1
right. These are male
XLR outputs.

4. Sound Desk Front
Each column is a channel. There is 24
channels. So there is 24 mono channels or 12
stereo channels because stereo sound uses left
and right sound
This knob is the gain.
The gain is how much
sound is sent to the desk
from the sound source.
The next 4 knobs are
the high, mid and low
cut frequency knobs.
The first cuts or
increases high
frequency (treble).
The next 1 down
selects a frequency,
then the one below
cuts or boots that
frequency. The last on
cuts or increases low
frequency (base). This
can be done to make
the sound, sound
better
This fader
controls the
overall volume
and should be set
at 0.
This gauge shows
us the volume, if
this goes into the
red, its too high
and the sound will
be distorted and
bad quality, orange
and green are
good.
This knob is the pan. Pan
is used to send sound left
or right using stereo inputs,
left speaker = left pan.
Right speaker = right pan
Channel
on button
Channel
output
volume
Distortion
and input
lights
Special
effects,
useful during
shows

5. Effects
 Reverb – Different locations have a different amount of
reverberation. For example, a cave or cathedral has lots of reverb
whilst a music studio or a small room have little reverb. On the
sound desk you can use the effects channel to give the music
coming out of the desk reverb. You would use this to give the effect
of a cathedral in a music gig you would use a lot of reverb effect on
the desk but if you wanted to give the effect of a larger space you
wouldn’t use a lot of reverb. Also reverb is similar to echo in the fact
that there is a slight delay.
 Delay – Large locations have a delay from when the sound is
projected from when the audience hear it. Small locations have a
very little delay, if any. If in a music gig if you wanted to give the
effect that the location was bigger you would give the sound a delay
on the desk.

6. Accessories
XLR: An XLR cable is similar to a DMX cable but this cable is
sound. An XLR cable connects the desk to the speakers.
¼ inch jack: A ¼ inch jack usually goes from the sound source to
the desk.
Mini jack: This cable is used for connecting iPods / MP3’s etc to
the sound desk.
Phono leads: A phono lead is used to connect a cd player to
the sound desk.
Kettle lead: A kettle lead sends power from the main to the
desk and from the mains to the speakers.
A figure of 8 lead: A figure of 8 lead sends power from the
mains to the CD player. However this is less frequently used
because a CD player will not always be your sound source.

7. Active speakers
 There are two types of speakers. Active
speakers and passive speakers. Active
speakers have an amplifier built in so they
can be connected straight from the desk.
They are usually heavier than the passive
equivalent because of the actives I would
use active speakers over passive speakers if
I was doing small gigs in halls and
restaurants because it means its easier to set
up and there is less trailing wires. However I
wouldn’t use active speakers because they
are heavier and they need a power source so
hanging them on a wall bracket is unsuitable.

8. Passive speakers
 There are two types of speakers. Active
speakers and passive speakers.
Passive speakers are similar to active
speakers but passive speakers to not
have an amplifier built in. So the sound
goes from the desk to the amplifier to
the speakers. Also passive speakers
use speakon cable rather than XLR
cables. I would use passive speakers if
I was using them in stage show when
the speakers are in the rig because
things can be switched on and adjusted
on the ground. If I used active then a
power source would have to be up
there plus I would have to switch in on
manually which is very hard during a
show.
Speakon cable