Unit 49: Setting up live performance and recording equipment

Equipment used:

• Mixing desk
• Base bins 
• Speakers
• Speakon cables
• Jack leads
• XLR cable
• Masking tape 
• Shure SM58 microphone 

Step by step 

This is a written step by step of what myself and my group did in the video, the video can be view below.

1. The first step was to take the boxes apart, so the mixing desk could be clearly visible.
2. It was also important to place the lids far away in a safe place, this was so no one tripped over them while setting everything up. 
3. We then moved the mixing desk into position, we decided to leave it to the side so it did not get in the way of the other equipment. 
4. For safety we locked the wheels into place, this was so the desk did not roll away while we were setting up the other pieces of equipment. 
5. The next stage was to move the base bins into position, one had to placed to the right and the other on the left side. When lifting these it was important that we bent using our knees, not our backs to avoid injury. All three of us moved the bass bins to make it easier.
6. The pillars had to be screwed onto the bass bins, so once they were secured we could place the speakers. 
7. Once we knew they were secure, two of us placed the speakers onto the pillars. We also took a minute to make sure everything was secure and right so far and that the speakers were the same height.
8. After this we had to get the speakon cables and connect them to the bass bins and speakers, these both had to be connected to the mixing desk.
9. To follow our risk assessment we then taped down all of the cables and wires, this made it easier to walk over them and it was less of a trip hazard. Once we had moved all of the cables out of the way we could then move onto setting up the mixing desk.
10. To make sure everything is balanced we connected the amps up to two Jack leads, which were then connected to the mixing desk.
11. We then got the plugs for the mains, this provides the power to the desk, while doing this we also flat lined the desk to make sure no feedback would come through the desk once it was switched on.
12. I then got an XLR cable and connected it to the desk with a Shure SM58. 
13. At this point we were able to turn the mixing desk on and check the levels using the microphone.
14. Once we were happy with the mixing desk levels we then switched the speakers on, one of us stood in the middle of the stereo field to make sure the levels were balanced.
15. Finally to make sure the desk worked fully we tested different effects, this included reverb, EQ, compression and pitch shift.

Risk Assessment 

Below is a risk assessment I created before undergoing this task, this was to highlight potential hazards that could occur and how I would deal with them if they were to occur.

Risk	Solution
Electrical Risks	This could include a broken cable. If this was to occur we would cover up the electrical risk, so no one could use it. We then use a different cable to avoid the dangers of an electrical shock.
Exposed to live wire	If a wire is broken and is exposed, I would unplug and place it to one side to make sure no one used the what the wire is attached too. I would then replace this with a wire that isn't broken and exposed, to reduce the risks of an electrical shock.
Plug socket	If a plug socket is lose and hanging from the wall, it will be to dangerous to use. We would cover it up so no one else would be able to use the socket and report it to the site team so they could fix it.
Broken cable	If one of the speakon cables were to break it would be too risky to carry on using it and it may also not work. That is why if a cable is broken it should be placed out the performance space, so it can be deposed of safely.
Water near electrical equipment	The solution to this would be to make sure that there is no water near any of the electrical equipment and if someone wants a drink, they must stand far away from the equipment.
Physical Risks	Physicals risks would include strain to our backs or hands and also cutting ourselves of some of the equipments sharp edges. One of the best ways to help avoid this is to just be vigilant and do not lift anything to heavy on your own.
Not lifting with your knees	When lifting equipment such as the bass bins it is very important to lift with your knees. This helps avoid injury to your back and makes it safer to lift as well.
Tripping over wires	To help avoid tripping over any wires it is essential that all wires and cables are taped down to the floor. As well as this they need to be moved to the sides and the back of where the performers would be. With the wires taped down it makes it less likely to be a trip hazard.
Equipment falling over	To make sure none of the equipment such as the speakers falls over is to make sure they are secure on the pillars. This would then be checked by someone else just to make sure.
Safe handling/storage	Making sure that all of the equipment is safely stored away and placed where it needs to be. If it was not stored away properly it could lead to the equipment being damaged and future hazards could occur.
Lids in the way	The lids that are on the mixing desk have to be placed safely out of the way and stood up. This is so no one trips over them and that they are not in anyones way.
Wires not taped up	When putting the cables/wires back after a performance it is important that they are wrapped up correctly so they do not tangle. Also to help prevent this the cables can be taped up. This makes it easier to sort them out for the next performance.
Noise levels-Feedback	It is important when dealing with the mixing desk that the levels are kept balanced. If to much gain is applied to soon it could mean a lot of feedback through the speakers. This could damage peoples ears, that is why controlling the noise levels is very important when setting up for a live setting.
Going over 120dB	It is important to try and avoid going over 120dB as from my research I have learned that noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has a very high risk of occurring if the decibels are too loud. It could also have a negative impact on the neighbouring residents, this could cause a disturbance and they could complain to the authorities.
Mic not behind the speakers	When everything is set up it is important to keep the microphone behind the speaker, because if it was to be in front when setting up it could lead to a lot of feedback. This could lead to damage to peoples hearing.