How to Set Up a Basic JBL PA System

This article details the setup of a basic JBL PA system that is specific to equipment available from Absolute CS Music (a full list of rentals is available at www.absoluteCSmusic.com). However, the general setup principles discussed are applicable in many different situations. These instructions are for quick setup situations in often crowded live venues including DJ, live music, and public address situations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• All Equipment Available from www.absoluteCSmusic.com

1. First and foremost, it’s important to consider your power situation. You can cut down on background static by keeping your amps, mix boards, and computers on the same circuit. That’s one plug from the wall with a surge protector (a power strip is not the same because it offers no protection). Always use a surge protector. Use an arrangement of heavy duty extension cords if you have to. As a rule of thumb, make sure all of your gear is turned off and volume all of the way down before you plug it in.
2. Put your mix board where you can reach it quickly if you have to. Use composite (RCA) jumpers to get to your power amp if your mixer is unpowered. These connections are for unpowered or “line” level signals (shown in blue). The connections on the top face of the Behringer powered boards receive line level signals from instruments, devices (laptops), and microphones. Outputs from the main power amp are shown in red.
3. Speaker placement should depend on many factors but all of them within the limits of what the venue will allow. If you are going for loud, make sure your JBLs are at ear level. Use of a subwoofer will substantially improve recorded music sound quality but is not needed for simple voice or acoustic amplification.
4. Troubleshooting is simply a matter of following the line signal to the eventual output to the speaker. Check all connections while checking for volume control, on/off switches, and faulty wires along the way. You would be surprised how many mishaps occur because something was simply not plugged in. Check your setup before you play!

Tips & Warnings

• Don't mess with EQs. Leave them zeroed. They are not for adjusting bass and treble. You will distort the sound of every single input by adjusting these.
• Keep everything on surge protectors and look for red lights on devices.
• Keep all of you volume and gains in the middle ranges if you can. Operating near signal peaks can cause distortion and equipment damage.
• Look for red lights on your mixers and amps! They're telling you to turn something down quick or else risk damage to equipment.
• Be aware of "hot zones" where your speakers are much louder. Don't face them at people's heads while they are eating.