User guide

ManualsBrandsALLEN & HEATH Manualsaudio & home theatreGL2800-48

30 GL2800 User Guide

Applications for the Matrix The matrix is a ‘mixer within a

mixer’, a versatile toolbox of outputs you can use to satisfy a host of

applications. Each of the 4 outputs is mixed from any combination of

the groups, L, R, M and an external input as dialled up on the 12

source rotaries (hence a ‘12x4’ matrix). Its master level can be

adjusted independently. Using combinations of the outputs you can

create mono, stereo or multiple output mixes. Some applications

include:

Mono Recording If you are working with a stereo PA you can

combine L and R into a matrix output to produce a mono mix feeding

a recorder, video camera and so on. Raise the L and R rotaries to the

2 o’clock position to sum them together. You can use the built-in

1kHz tone generator to feed a line-up tone to the connected recorder.

Stereo Recording Raise L to the unity 3 o’clock position in one

matrix, R in another to create a stereo pair that follows the LR mix.

You can adjust the balance to compensate for the acoustic sound in

the room using the groups, and even add audience ambience

(described later).

Remote Broadcast Create a mono or stereo feed as described

above. Use the tone generator to send a ‘slate’ signal to the

destination for line-up.

Zone Feeds Send independent relay feeds to additional locations

such as the foyer, dressing rooms, cry room, balcony and so on. You

can use the groups to adjust the balance to suit the destination, for

example to boost the orchestra against the vocals. Feed the output

through an EQ to tune the speaker for the local acoustics.

Delay Fill Speakers Use the matrix to feed additional fill speakers for

distributing the sound more evenly around a large venue, for example

centre fill, stage front fills, under balcony or rear fills, or ‘mix island’

delay tower at a festival. To aid intelligibility for the nearby listeners

without moving their focus from the stage, the send should be delayed

using an in-line delay processor. As a rule of thumb, delay 1mS per

foot difference between the listener and the fill and the listener and the

main speakers. Now add a few milliseconds ‘Haas effect’ delay so the

listener hears the main speakers slightly before the fill. Keep the fill

level about 10dB or so below the main PA sound at that location. It

may help intelligibility to boost the vocals above the instruments in the

fills, and to use an EQ to cut the extreme LF and HF frequencies.

Hearing Assist It is a growing requirement that venues provide a

hard-of-hearing inductive loop, IR or wireless broadcast for the hearing

impaired audience. The matrix is ideal for this application as you can

combine a stereo LR mix into mono, add groups to help vocal

intelligibility, patch in an external ambience source, and add

processing such as EQ and limiters which may be needed.

Additional Monitor Mixes You can use the matrix to create some

additional monitor mixes when you run out of auxes, this time made

up from a mix of the groups, LR and external input. The LR could be

used to create a general overall balance, and then the groups added

according to musician preference. Groups could be routed from 'me

only' channels associated with each musician, or traditionally grouped

sources. The musician could get a balance from, say, the overall

stereo mix, drums, brass, keyboards, ‘me only’ and ambience, a very

quick way of mixing. You could also use the EXT IN to add ambience

pickup, very useful if you are creating in-ear (IEM) mixes. Use two

matrices to create stereo monitor feeds.

Combining Two Consoles into a Single PA In a festival situation

you may have a support band wishing to patch in their own console.

One way to do this is to feed the PA from a pair of matrices, and then

use EXT Inputs to combine the external console with the main LR mix.

MUTE

LEVEL

GRP

EXT

MUTE

LEVEL

GRP

EXT

MUTE

LEVEL

GRP

EXT

OO +6

MUTE

LEVEL

GRP

OO +6

EXT

Stereo

monitoring

Talkback

and

alignment

1-2

AUX

3-4

AUX

5-8

AUX

9-10

AUX

MTX3-4

MTX1-2

LATCH

L-R

MAXMIN

OSC/NOISE

TALK

1kHz OSC

PINK NOISE

L-R

9-10

MONITOR

2TRK

AUX

MTX4

MTX3

MTX2

MTX1

100

MONITOR

STEREO