User Manual

ALLEN&HEATH 47 AP10733_1_XONE:PX5 User Guide
It is most important that the system level settings are correctly set. It is well known that
many DJs push the level to maximum with meters peaking hard in the belief that they are
getting the best from the system. THIS IS NOT THE CASE !
The best can only be achieved if the system levels are set within the normal operating
range and not allowed to peak.
Peaking simply results in signal distortion, not more volume. It is the specification of the
amplifier / speaker system that sets the maximum volume that can be achieved, not the
console.
The human ear too can fool the operator into believing that more volume is needed.
Be careful as this is in fact a warning that hearing damage will result if high listening levels
are maintained.
Remember that it is the QUALITY of the sound that pleases the ear, not the VOLUME.
OPERATING LEVELS
An important note …
The human ear is a remarkable organ with the ability to compress
or ‘shut down’ when sound levels become too high.
Do not interpret this natural response as a reason to turn the
system volume up further !
As the session wears on ear fatigue may set in, and the speaker
cones may become hot so reducing the effectiveness of the system
and listeners to gain any benefit from increased volume.
!
The diagram below illustrates the operating range of the audio signal.
NORMAL OPERATING RANGE. For normal music the signal should range between
–6 and +6 on the meters with average around 0dB. This allows enough HEADROOM for
unexpected peaks before the signal hits its maximum CLIPPING voltage and distorts.
It also achieves the best SIGNAL-TO-NOISE-RATIO by keeping the signal well above
the residual NOISE FLOOR (system hiss).
The DYNAMIC RANGE is the maximum signal swing available between the residual
noise floor and clipping.