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The GIGRAC 600 sound system powers the two speakers above the stage in the main hall. The large number of controls can be overwhelming to figure out. This page simplifies the connections necessary for specific devices. For anything not covered here, a device manual can be found at
 https://www.manualslib.com/manual/478820/Soundcraft-Gigrac.html#manual
or
Connecting a phone or tablet:
The GIGRAC does not have a 3.5 mm connector as is common on many hand-held devices, and it does not have bluetooth capability. The best way to connect would be on channel 5 or 6 using the RCA stereo plugs connected by an adaptor cable.
The picture shows channels 5 to 8. Channels 5 and 6 have RCA connectors.
Troubleshooting:
No Sound
check all volume controls: source device, channel input (Mains volume control, at bottom), and master volume (#8 in image).
check cables and connections. Make sure there is only one connection going into a channel (e.g. avoid having an XLR cable connected at the same time as an RCA or 1/4" jack)
Static or Noise
There may be other channels active. Turn the individual channel volume controls to 0 for all unused channels.
When devices are powered from an electrical outlet, there may be issues which I suspect are ground loop. This has occured when having an ipod connected with a 3.5mm jack and also having a USB power source for the ipod. The solution in this case was to disconnect the charging cable.
Poor Sound
The effects processor on the GIGRAC can result in poor sound if not set properly. Start by turning the volume controls in the effects section (adjacent to switch 24) down to 0. If you don't want any effects, toggle the push button (switch 24). The LED below the button should be off for no effects.
Similar to the Static or Noise, having an unwanted channel in the mix can result in poor sound. Make sure all unused channels have their individual input volumes set to 0.
Check the graphics equalizer section for reasonable settings (#11 in the drawing).
The GIGRAC 600 has two speaker outputs. One output goes to each speaker mounted in the ceiling of the hall. Switch #12 should be set to Main to Amp 1/Main to Amp 2 to have the main signal going to both speakers. This means only controlling the Main volume control and not the Mon volume control.
Using the Wireless Microphone
To be written.
General Settings
Make sure all cables are connected.
Set all the knob settings for the channel to 5.
Set master volume to 5.
Turn power on. The power switch is on the right side (as you face the front) of the back near the bottom.
Turn the volume down on your input device. Start playing audio and increase your device's input until the desired volume is achieved. If the input device doesn't have a volume control (.e.g. a microphone) use the volume control for the channel.
If the device volume doesn't reach a sufficient level, then increase the channel volume or the main volume.
Using a Mixer as Input
I use a mixer to connect to the system because that gives me the option of using Bluetooth and also allows some of the basic controls to be more accessible than in the corner of the storage space. It also makes things a little more complicated.
I run the line-level output from the Aux Out to the GIGRAC 600 using a balanced 1/4" jack to XLR cable. I connect a 3.5mm cable from my audio source to the 3/4 line plug. Alternatively, connecting using Bluetooth works using the same channel. I don't use the L and R out, even though they are also line level, because of the risk of losing a stereo channel.
This means there is one more place for audio loss (the volume control for the Aux Out) and one more place to generate bad sound (the effects processing in the ProDX).
Other Notes
The GIGRAC 600 has stereo inputs, but it is mono output.
When working with audio equipment, there is often a loud "pop" when connecting or disconnecting cables. This can be avoided by turning the volume controls for the channel to 0 before changing cables, and back to the previous setting when connected. I often set the controls to 0 and leave the power off during initial setup, then power up the GIGRAC, then reset the volume controls.
I was happiest with the sound from the PRODX4 mixer when using a balanced 1/4" jack cable to XLR. It should also be possible to run different mono cables to get good sound as well.
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