Portable PA System Troubleshooting Tips – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Power
Does your public address system not turn on? The first thing to check is to see if your system has been turned on. It’s surprising how many people won’t test the power button before trying to use the electronics.
The second question is if it works with batteries, are the batteries placed correctly? If the batteries are rechargeable, are they charged? If not running on battery, is the system plugged in? If plugged in, does the system have removable rechargeable batteries?
2.Comments
Does your public address system keep giving you feedback? Many people blame a “broken system” for feedback, but a proper understanding of how feedback works can help you solve this problem relatively easily.
Feedback occurs when the microphone is in front of a speaker and noise from the speakers travels back through the microphone and then out of the speakers even louder, repeating as fast as the speed of sound until you hear feedback.
Move the microphone in front of the speakers to avoid feedback. Lowering the microphone volume also works.
When standing in front of speakers, the presenter must leave at least 10 feet between her and the speakers. She can also lower the microphone volume.
3. The wireless microphone does not work?
Make sure your wireless transmitter is turned on and plugged in properly and set to the same frequency as the microphone. Make sure your microphone is on and on the same frequency. Also check if the batteries are placed correctly and still have juice.
4. Audio distorted?
If the audio and music from your microphone don’t sound right and sound tinny or muffled, there are some possible quick fixes.
Changing the EQ settings is one step and also making sure the cables are plugged in correctly is another. The PA system may not know how to play the particular music or microphone, so make sure everything is set up correctly.
5. How can I stop all this wind noise?
Get a microphone wind screen to dampen the wind. You’ll thank yourself that you did. For outdoor events, it’s a great thing to have available in case your event happens on a windy day.
6. The system does not cover what the brochure/website said it would cover.
This common misconception overlooks a couple of factors like loud ambient noise in the environment and room acoustics. The figures most cited by companies refer to the optimal conditions in which you would use a public address system.
