13
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Plug into the Aux Input
If you would like to blend your mic and instrument with, for
example, a signal from another musician, a monitor send
from a mixer, or even a MIX output from another
VoiceSoloXT, connect it to the AUX input.
Connect Pass Thrus
If you will be interfacing the VSM-300XT to an external
mixer, connect a cable from the pass thru jack that
corresponds to any inputs you have connected, for
example a microphone and instrument, to individual
channels on your PA mixer just as you would if
VoiceSoloXT was not in the system. Adjusting levels and
EQ on the VoiceSoloXT will have no effect on these signal
paths so that the house PA mix can be EQ’d and mixed
fully separately.
Using the MIX output
If you plan on building a stereo monitor system or PA,
connect the MIX output to another VoiceSoloXT which will
become the right speaker. You will need to adjust the level
of the second VoiceSoloXT so that it is balanced with the
left, or main VoiceSoloXT. From then on, the OUTPUT
control on the main unit controls the overall volume. If you
are sending your mix to another musician so they can hear
you, set the MONO/STEREO switch to MONO so they can
receive a sum of the left and right LINE inputs.
Connecting a subwoofer
An active (powered) subwoofer can extend low frequencies
for richer monitoring or small PA sound. Connect a cable
from the SUB output to the input of the subwoofer. The
MONO/STEREO switch has no effect on this output but the
OUTPUT control does control level.
Making adjustments
If you’ve waited until now to raise the OUTPUT level, do so
slowly while you sing or say “check” into the mic. Once this
level is good, you can adjust the LINE IN level to taste.
Adjustment of the signal source received at the AUX input
has to be done externally. Now that the levels are
balanced, you can balance the tone of your mic with the
SHAPE control and adjust the overall tone with the EQ
controls. As always, when making adjustments, especially
EQ, lower the OUTPUT level first then raise it carefully.
You’re now ready to perform with VoiceSoloXT!
A note about maximizing output volume
For maximum output volume, set the OUTPUT knob to
max and adjust the MIC and LINE knobs until the CLIP
LED occasionally flashes. If the MIC control is at max and
the CLIP LED does not flash with a loud input, turn down
the MIC knob, press in the +20dB switch on the back panel
and then re-adjust the MIC knob. Be sure to first turn
down the MIC knob before pressing the +20dB button;
adding 20dB abruptly will likely result in feedback.
Overcoming feedback
As in any open speaker and mic combination, there is the
threat of feedback. For those who aren’t familiar with the
term, “feedback” describes the sudden shriek or howl that
happens when a mic hears the speaker’s sound and
amplifies it. The following tips should help you to minimize
the risk.
• Always raise the volume level slowly, singing something
into the mic as you do so. Feedback will give you a little
warning if you listen carefully. When you hear a slight
ringing while you check the mic, lower the level a little
and this will become your “safe” monitoring level.
• Be careful when boosting EQ beyond the 12 O’Clock
position on the controls. This is especially true of adding
highs. You should lower the level a small amount first
when boosting EQ. Note that adding EQ is like turning
up the volume in a limited frequency range so reducing
the volume when adding EQ isn’t like making your
monitor quieter.
• Add SHAPE EQ in small, gradual amounts as you sing
and test for feedback. SHAPE adds highs while cutting
mids and lows so, at high SPL levels it may cause
feedback.
• Consider your placement. When VoiceSoloXT is slightly
off to one side as opposed to directly in front of you, you
will hear it better and can hear well with less level. Side
placement is also optimal when using mics with a hyper-
cardioid pickup pattern because, in exchange for
reduced sensitivity at the back-sides of the mic, there is
more sensitivity directly at the back of the mic.
• When using handheld mics near VoiceSoloXT never
point the mic at the speaker. This seems obvious yet it
happens all the time.
• When your mic is connected to a mixer and VoiceSoloXT
is fed by a monitor send, ensure that the monitor send is
Pre-EQ. This allows you to add EQ to the main PA
sound on your channel but to send a flat (no EQ) signal
to VoiceSoloXT. With a good mic and a strong singer, a
flat monitor is likely to be louder than an EQ’d one.
