Even with years of experience, it is impossible to know everything about audio. It is constantaly evolving as new technologies become available and you must develop ways to find out the information that you do not know. The following are the four main areas that you can use to discover the information you need:

– manufacturer/supplier

– equipment manual

– workplace documentation

– colleagues and supervisor(s)

When things go wrong in a production, there are certain important things to consider. These include such things as:

– potential effect on production and performance schedules

– level of authority and approval to proceed

– work health and safety

Activity

You are working as an audio operator in a large scale production when one of the front of house speakers stops working. Discuss in a small group the above three points and describe how you would take them into consideration when deciding on a course of action. Present you thoughts to the rest of the class.

With any problem that occurs you need to take a systemaitc approach to solving it in a timely manner so that a production can continue as planned as soon as possible.The following is a step-by-step process that you can use when a problem arises:

1. Identify the fault or problem:

• investigate likely cause(s)

• eliminate unlikely options

• conduct tests

2. Consider possible solutions

3. Take remedial action:

• in accordance with:

-manufacturer/supplier recommendations

     -colleague and/or supervisor instructions

• within scope of responsibility:

     -rectify

     -refer to appropriate personnel

4. Evaluate effectiveness of action taken

If equipment is not working correctly, trouble-shooting procedures need to take place.  Often the problem will be a damaged lead or connector which can usually be quickly rectified.

If this is not the case, check the company equipment log to see if this piece of equipment has any know faults and fixes.  If that does not help, check the equipment manual, sometimes a problem may be a simple thing that has been overlooked.  You can also look online to see if other’s have had the same problem with the equipment.  Also check with workplace colleagues.  Some equipment can be a little ‘temperamental’ and other colleagues may be able to show you how to fix it. 

Equipment malfunctions can cost a lot of time at a bump in and can cause considerable stress to the technician.  Sometimes, if it is within your level of authority, it is just quicker to get another piece of equipment from stores to substitute the malfunctioning piece of equipment.  It is important to log any equipment faults, otherwise, you may be facing the same problem at the next event.  If a piece of equipment gives you an electric shock, do not continue using it, label it and log it and find a substitute piece of equipment.

If you hear hums or buzzes in your system, the first thing to do is check if there is anything else on the same circuit that might cause interference.  You may need to check the switchboard schedule to ensure that the same circuit is not providing power to another place, for example, the kitchen.  Power outlets should have their circuits labelled on them.  Multi-function venues may have circuits shared by stage, kitchen and dressing rooms.  An intermittent buzz might be caused by a performer using a hair dryer in the dressing room.  If this happens, organise and safely run an extension lead from a power outlet on a different circuit.  Tape up the power outlet that is shared so that it is not used by another performer.  It is often worth putting an Electrical Powered Outlet Device (EPOD) on the extension lead so that other performers are not tempted to remove the tape to use your circuit.

Another major cause of hums and buzzes is the lighting rig.  If the lights and audio are sharing power, every time the lights are raised or lowered in intensity there will be a loud buzz through the speakers.  You do not get the buzz it the lights are on full power or no power, but you will definitely get it at half power.  To avoid buzzes and hums from lighting, run your lighting power leads well away from your audio cables.  If they have to cross, cross them at right angles.  This minimises the induction between the wires.

Lighting systems may work by changing the shape of electric waves from dimmers.  These changing waves and voltages can induce small electric currents in audio leads and that grows to buzzes in amplified signals.

When a problem arises while setting up for an event there is greater opportunity to stop and go systematically through the setup to see what the problem is, starting with the inputs and working through to the outputs. You also have a greater opportunity to talk to others and work together to find the problem. 

Unfortunately, some problems arise during an event and it is a lot harder to identify problem in a timely manner with the performance in full swing. In most case, the easiest option may be to swap out equipment so it is important to have backup equipment on standby. 

If you are struggling to find a particular audio issue, you may be able to plug in some headphones and engage the PFL button so that you can ore easily identify the problem.

Also remember to use your comms system to communicate with other important personnel to keep them in the loop and to get assistance.

As with any department, when issues arise with audio it is important to report these issues and work as a team to come up with a solution. 

After each event, a record should be made of any problems that arose and the audio team should discuss what happened and how they can ensure that this doesn't happen again.

If equipment didn't work, repairs should be arranged through the appropriate channels and replacement equipment should be organised until repairs are made.

Communication should occur with the Stage Manager during a live performance if something goeas wrong and follow up with the audio team should occur onve the event is completed.

Audio or acoustic feedback can occur for many reasons throughout a performance.

Feedback can be in the form of a low pitched rumble sound coming from the speakers or a high pitch squeal sound that can be painful to the human ear.

Immediate feedback from an audio system can be minimized by reducing the gain or pre-amp level of the specific input channel that is creating the feedback. It can also be reduced by attenuating the offending frequency via the channel EQ. The LED lights can often identify this channel by the increased signal highlighted in the red zone.

The way you set up your audio PA system and the placement of equipment can also reduce the possibility of feedback.