Setting Up a Channel

Step 1 — Connect the source

Plug the microphone or DI box into the appropriate XLR input on the rear panel (for local inputs) or on the stage box. Note the input number so you know which channel strip on Layer 1 to select.

Step 2 — Select the channel

Press the Sel (Select) key on the channel strip. The channel strip lights up and the touchscreen opens that channel's processing view. You will see tabs across the top of the screen: Preamp, HPF, Gate, PEQ, Comp, Delay.

Step 3 — Set phantom power if needed

On the Preamp tab, enable 48V phantom power if the microphone requires it (condenser mics, most DI boxes). Do NOT enable phantom power for dynamic mics or ribbon mics. Always check with your gear list.

Step 4 — Set the analog gain

Have the performer play or speak at their loudest performance level. Adjust the Gain knob (on the Preamp tab or using the encoder) until the channel strip meter peaks around 0 dBVU consistently. The meter has a green zone (healthy signal), a yellow zone (approaching loud), and red (clip — reduce gain immediately). Aim for green peaks that occasionally touch yellow.

Step 5 — Enable the High-Pass Filter

Press the HPF tab and enable the filter. Set the frequency to 80–100 Hz for vocal mics, 120–150 Hz for close-mic instruments, or leave lower for instruments that need low-end (kick drum, bass DI). The HPF removes low-frequency rumble and handling noise that causes feedback and muddiness.

Step 6 — Name the channel

On the touchscreen, hold the channel name area to rename it (e.g., "Lead Vox", "Kick", "Piano L"). You can also set a color. Named channels make it much easier to navigate the console quickly during a service.

Step 7 — Route to LR

Press the Routing tab on the touchscreen (or hold the channel Sel key and press the LR assign button). Confirm the channel has a checkmark or lit indicator for LR. The channel will now contribute to the main house mix.

Step 8 — Bring up the channel fader

Raise the channel fader to the unity (0 dB / U) mark as a starting position. Then adjust up or down to fit the mix. Never use the fader to correct a gain problem — always fix gain at the Preamp level first.

Step 9 — Add the channel to monitor mixes

Press a blue Mix key (e.g., Mix 1 for the drummer's monitor). The faders switch to Sends on Faders mode. Raise the fader for this channel to the level the drummer requests. Press the Mix key again to exit. Repeat for each monitor that needs this source.

Step 10 — PAFL check

Press the PAFL key on the channel strip. Put on the engineer headphones and listen to the isolated signal. Confirm it sounds clean, at the correct level, and free of noise or distortion. Press PAFL again to release it.