Audio Equipment Information

Audio and/or visual equipment will vary by venue. Sometimes, venues already have equipment that they want us to use. More often, they purchase equipment from us. Regardless, the only thing you need to bring with you to the venue is your laptop and charging cable. AV equipment should always be stored at the venue unless otherwise approved. The standard set of equipment that a venue purchases from us includes:

A sound mixer
A microphone
A PA (speaker)
A tripod for the PA
Various cables, including a microphone cable, music cable, line out cable, and power cords for the mixer and PA
HDMI cable (and adapter, if needed) in order to extend your display to the player-facing screen.

When setting up your audio equipment, the goal is that you connect all incoming sound (microphone and music) to the mixer, and then connect the mixer to the speaker. That way, you can adjust your mic volume and music volume all from one place, rather than playing with the settings on your laptop.

The Equipment

The Cables

The Setup

Audio Tips & Tricks

Troubleshooting Guide

The Equipment

The speaker, plus power supply cable

Speaker stand

Microphone

Mixer, plus power supply cable

The Cables

You should have 3 cables in your kit, not including power supplies for the PA and mixer. You will either have a Dual 1/4" to dual RCA cable OR a Dual 1/4" to XLR cable, depending on the speaker.

XLR Cable, used to connect microphone to mixer

3.5mm to Dual 1/4" cable, used to connect your laptop to the mixer

Dual 1/4" to dual RCA cable, used to connect the mixer to the PA

Dual 1/4" to XLR cable, used to connect the mixer to the PA

The Setup

Plug in the mixer (don't turn it on yet). The plug and the on/off switch should both be along the top edge of the mixer.
Connect the microphone to the "MIC" channel (channel 1)
Connect your laptop to either of the LINE IN channels. Most of us choose to use LINE IN 4/5, because the volume (level) control for that one is right next to the volume control for the microphone, but 2/3 works just as well. Remember, Red = R.
Connect the mixer to the PA via the MAIN OUT channel on the mixer, into the LINE IN channel on the speaker. Remember, Red = R.
Plug in the PA and turn it on. Turn on the mixer. Test your volume levels for the microphone and music

Here's a pretty handy video on setting up a basic mixer.

Audio Tips & Tricks

Start at 12 o'clock, adjust from there

If you're setting things up for the first time, turn all Balance dials to the 12 o'clock position. Turn all Level dials all the way down (to the left). Slowly increase levels as needed, so you don't blow out your speaker or your audience's eardrums.

Gain is your friend

Think of the Gain as the "bubble" around the microphone. Any sounds inside of the bubble will be picked up, and any sounds outside of the bubble won't be. If your gain is too low, you'll have to swallow the microphone to be heard. If your gain is too high, you'll get feedback from your speaker.

If your players are always telling you it's hard to hear you, turn up the gain a little bit to pick up more of your voice rather than just cranking the volume. That will help you be more resonant and less muddy-sounding. This is an especially helpful tip if you have a naturally higher-pitched or softer voice.

Troubleshooting Guide

If you've already gone through the following troubleshooting steps and you definitely don't have sound, you have two options:

If your venue isn't too large to do so, run the venue a capella, off microphone. That's right - yell it. Many of us have done it before.
If your venue is very large and yelling the quiz isn't an option, ask the venue management if they'd like to proceed. They might have you pack it up.

Make the call no later than 20 minutes past your scheduled start time. Do not extend troubleshooting for more than 20 minutes past start time. If delayed, you might have to skip some breaks. You'll definitely have to skip video clues.

If you end up running the quiz without AV, email your manager/QM Support (qmsupport@geekswhodrink.com) and let them know what happened, plus all of the steps you tried

Step 1: Confirm the mixer is receiving power

When the mixer is receiving power, the LED next to the word “Power” will be illuminated. If it is not illuminated, check the following:

A: Is the mixer's power adapter connected to the mixer?

The Power Adapter connects to the mixer by way of a multi-pin DIN connector. Check to make sure that the connector is properly aligned and that none of the pins are broken or missing.

B: Is the mixer's power adapter plugged into a functioning outlet?

If the Power Adapter to Mixer connection looks sound, next check the outlet the Power Adapter is plugged in to. Connect a known-working device such as a phone, laptop, etc. and verify that the outlet you are plugged into working.

Step 2: Confirm that the microphone is working

If the Mixer is receiving power, next verify that the Microphone is working properly.

A: Is the microphone switched on?

Some of the microphones have an On/Off switch on the barrel. If your microphone has this switch, try flipping it to make sure you do not have it set to “Off”.

B: Is the microphone connected properly?

Inspect the microphone cable and make sure all pins are present and that it is securely connected to both the microphone and the mixer.

C: Is the mixer getting a signal from the microphone?

- Disconnect the mixer output from the PA or house sound system.

- Turn the “Main Mix” mixer control knob to the 3 o’clock position.

- On the channel to which the microphone is connected, turn the “Trim” knob (if present) to the 12 o’clock position. Turn the EQ knobs (if present) to the 12 o’clock position. Turn the “Pan” or “Bal” knob (if present) to the 12 o’clock position. And finally, turn the channel “Level” knob to the 3 o’clock position.

- Begin speaking into the microphone and watch for the LED bargraph lights in the “Main Section” portion of the mixer to light.

D: Is the channel bad?

If the lights do not illuminate in test 2c, it is possible that the channel is bad. If your mixer has another microphone channel available, connect the microphone to that channel and repeat test 2c for that channel.

Step 3: Confirm that your laptop (or other audio source) is working

If both the mixer and microphone are working properly, verify that your audio is working.

A: Is the device producing sound?

If available, connect a pair of headphones directly to the device and verify that you are able to hear the sound you are expecting.

B: Is the device connected properly?

Inspect the device's connector cable and verify that it is securely plugged in to both the device and mixer.

The cable should be plugged into one of the Channel Inputs on the mixer. Verify that the cable is plugged into one “L” jack and one “R” jack and that they are in the input section for the same channel.

C: Is the mixer getting a signal from the device?

- Disconnect the mixer output from the PA or house sound system.

- Turn the “Main Mix” mixer control knob to the 3 o’clock position.

- On the channel to which the device is connected, turn the EQ knobs (if present) to the 12 o’clock position. Turn the “Pan” or “Bal” knob (if present) to the 12 o’clock position. And finally, turn the channel “Level” knob to the 3 o’clock position.

- Begin playing audio from the device and watch for the LED bargraph lights in the “Main Section” portion of the mixer to light.

D: Is the channel bad?

If the lights do not illuminate in test 3c, it is possible that the channel is bad. If your mixer has another input channel available, connect the device to that channel and repeat test 3c for that channel.

Step 4: Check the Mixer to House Sound Connection (if applicable)

If all devices are working properly, check to make sure the mixer to sound connection is working.

A: Is the Mixer Properly Connected to the House Sound System?

Cables vary at each location, but ensure that one end is securely connected to the Left and Right jacks at the section of the Mixer marked “Main Out”. Ensure that the other end of the cable is securely connected to the House Sound System.

B: Is the House Sound System Getting a Signal From the Mixer?

If the connectors on the cable are compatible, try playing audio from a known good source into the House Sound System.

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