Fairmont Park Baptist Church Technical Support Ministry Yamaha MC 2404 Training Program

In order to understand how to run the board you MUST understand how the audio chain works. However don’t let this frighten you … its just like going from Texas to California ... it begins with knowing the route you need to take to get there. Once you start the car, you can follow the route. So lets get started

What is the audio chain? The audio chain is every step of the process that is necessary to get the sound from the source to the speakers. It is imperative that in order to properly route the signal to where you need it, (like getting from Texas to California), you must know where it’s coming from and where it’s going.

The Overview

The “Board”

The “Board” The board has 24 inputs. Each input represents a microphone, instrument, etc etc. Each input can be assigned to; up to two monitor sends (FB1 & FB2) each having a master send up to two auxiliary sends Echo 1 & 2 each having a master send up to 4 sub groups (although you will only use one) (S1-4) Each sub-group is then assigned to stereo left. Stereo right is used as a third FB send for special occasions

Moving on to the fun stuff . . . “ Running the Board “

Well here’s how we get from Texas to California Remember … I mentioned that running a sound system is much like a trip to California. Well here’s how we get from Texas to California

Board design The Input Section

Each input channel consists of a: The “Input channel” Each input channel consists of a: 20 db pad Gain control Hi EQ Mid EQ with parametric sweep Lo EQ FB1 & FB2 sends Echo 1 & 2 sends Sub group assignments Pan control Channel cue button Mute button Volume fader

20 db Pad This is used to CUT or remove part of the input signal … right off the top before you do anything else. This is useful for inputs such as tape decks, CDs, guitars, keyboards and signal processors.

Gain This is used to increase or decrease the amount of signal coming into the input channel of the board. This is useful for getting the correct “gain structure” on the inputs. More on gain structure later.

A quick word about EQ You will encounter two types of EQ. Shelving & Parametric It is imperative that you understand how a parametric EQ works but we will discuss this in more detail later.

Channel EQ Hi EQ - This is a shelving control and is used to add or cut hi frequencies to that channel.

Channel EQ Mid EQ - This is a parametric control. The add / cut is based upon the frequency that the parametric control is set at.

Channel EQ Lo EQ - This is also a shelving control and is used to add or cut lo frequencies to that channel.

FB1 & FB2 Raising or lowering the FB1 or FB2 control raises or lowers the amount of signal sent to the FB1 & FB2 busses (outputs). These are pre fade – pre EQ. What that means is changing the EQ controls will not make any tonal changes in the monitors and the output is not affected by the fader position. FB1 is the front stage monitors FB2 is the band monitors.

ECHO 1 & 2 (AKA EFX, FX, Reverb) This raises the amount of signal being sent to the FX1 & FX2 busses. Echo 1 & 2 are post fade and post EQ. What this means is that the amount of signal being sent to Echo 1 & 2 busses will change as the fader is raised and lowered.

Group Assignments & Pan Each channel can be assigned to any of the four busses by pressing either the 1-2 or 3-4 button down and panning to the left or right. Panning to the center will assign it to both 1 & 2 or 3-4 or all four if both buttons are depressed. Or to 1 & 3 or 2 & 4 by pressing both and panning left or right.

Channel Cue This is so you can monitor the signal coming into the channel.

Channel mute The red button will turn the channel on and off. In the off position it will mute all outputs off the channel.

Channel fader The fader will raise and lower the volume of the channel.

FOH Master section Echo return (AKA … FX … EFX … Reverb) We are not using the echo returns but instead bring our effects unit back into a normal input channel. This gives us greater control over the tonal range and assignments of the reverb to where we want it.

FOH Master section Group Out At the present time we are not using any of the group outs off this board. Group outs can be used for any number of things such as recording or auxiliary monitors sends to nursery or hallways.

FOH Master section Group Pan Group pan is used to assign whatever has been assigned to that sub-group to either the Stereo L-R outputs. Since we are running mono you only need to know that we pan everything to the left.

FOH Master section Group Cue The group cue is used to monitor the mix of what has been assigned to that sub-group.

FOH Master section Group On/Off This is used to turn the sub group on & off. This will not affect any monitor or effect (echo) sends.

This will not affect any monitor or effect (echo) sends. FOH Master section Group Fader This is used to control the amount of volume from the sub group to the main outputs. This will not affect any monitor or effect (echo) sends.

FB Outputs The FB outs are a “master” volume control for how much of the Echo 1 & 2 busses are being sent to the amplifiers and speakers.

FB Cue These are for you to monitor the mix you have going to the amplifiers and speakers

Echo (FX) 1 Output The FX outs are a “master” volume control for how much of the FX1 buss is being sent to the reverb unit.

This is so you can monitor what is being sent to the reverb unit. Echo (FX) 1 Cue This is so you can monitor what is being sent to the reverb unit.

Echo (FX) 2 Output In our set up, Echo 2 is actually being used as our record buss. The signal goes from Echo 2 to the bottom (record) Yamaha tape deck

This is so you can monitor what is being sent to the record deck. Echo (FX) 2 Cue This is so you can monitor what is being sent to the record deck.