Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- infra:audio [2026/08/07 18:16] – d404d_idp.hackeriet.no
+++ infra:audio [2026/08/07 22:35] (current) – [Mixer] d404d_idp.hackeriet.no
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Audio ======
+Our AV setup joins a couple different worlds together. This article focuses on the AV itself, networking documentation belongs to Netbox.
 <WRAP center round alert 60%>
@@ Line 5: / Line 6: @@
 The amplifiers, crossover and parametric equalizers are properly normalized to a //uniform audio source//.
-This has been validated over the dante XLR inputs, Hack-Radio AirPlay, and Hack-Radio MPD.
+This has been validated over the Dante XLR inputs, Hack-Radio AirPlay, and Hack-Radio MPD.
 **Do not adjust the amplifiers, the crossover, or the parametric EQ.**
 </WRAP>
+===== Mixer =====
+Some quick guidelines for new users:
+  * NEVER push the 48V buttons; YOU WILL BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGED EQUIPMENT
+  * The gain knob should NEVER be used as a volume knob; see the next heading
+  * Faders go from -Infinity dB to -0 dB; think of this as 0% and 100%, with everything above BOOSTING the audio
+  * The master fader will limit all your other channels; set the master to the max you want for this listening session, then gradually use the channel fader to introduce your audio onto
+  * The mute buttons cuts a single channel off; DO use mute buttons, and DO check them (pressed == muted, depressed == unmuted)
+  * The solo buttons cuts all OTHER channels off; DO NOT use solo buttons (pressed == solo, depressed == normal)
+  * Does the top right of the mixer blink red? Solo is on somewhere; turn all channels down, find the active solo buttons, and unpush them.
-===== LedFX and Aux sends =====
+==== My audio source's volume is too low/high! ====
+Your gain may be wrong.
+The gain knob works differently depending on the channel:
+  * For stereo channels (9 through 16): 12 o'clock is 0 dB, all the way to the left is -20 dB, all the way to the right is +20 dB
+  * For XLR/jack channles (1 through 8): TL;DR all the way to the left is 0 dB and all the way to the right is +40/60 dB
+Check the list above, then do the following:
+  - Turn all the channel faders down
+  - Move the gain knob to the 0 dB position
+  - Put your audio source to 100%
+  - Play music on your audio source if possible. Other audio will do but it's not optimal
+  - Move the master slowly to 0 dB
+  - Move the channel fader(s) slowly to 0 dB, up until the reasonable max you'd expect for "a party vibe"
+    - If it becomes too loud for comfort: Stop, turn down a bit, go to next step
+  - If it becomes too loud TOO QUICKLY (e.g. -40 dB or below) then adjust the gain DOWN
+  - If you reach 0 dB and still think the audio is too low, then adjust the gain UP
+==== I have too much/little bass/mids/highs! ====
+The amps and parametric EQ have currently been adjusted using multiple reference songs such that the bass response vs. the mid/highs should be as close to flat as possible across the entire room. This will also be tripple-checked using measurement microphones.
+If you still think your source isn't entirely flat, check the EQ/normalization settings on your source.
+If you still experience that the balance is off, use the EQ knobs on the MIXER to adjust your balance. DO NOT adjust the amplifiers/parametric EQ.
+==== Channel layout ====
+<WRAP center round info 60%>
+Want to hook something up? If a channel is //physically// unlabelled, then it's free!
+</WRAP>
+The following channels are currently in use:
+  * Ch. 3-4: TG:HACK Dante
+  * Ch. 9-10: Hack-Radio project pi
+  * Ch. 13-14: TV
+  * Ch. 15-16: Chromecast
+{{:infra:img_4039.jpeg?direct&400|}}
+{{:infra:img_4036.jpeg?direct&200|}}{{:infra:img_4037.jpeg?direct&200|}}
+==== Dante ====
+We have a borrowed set of professional audio Dante receivers that are hooked up in the audio rack. These are owned by skandix from TG:HACK and labelled as such.
+These are occasionally used during parties, or when we're lending out the Matelight for use in e.g. Flerbruksen.
+Hackeriet does not own any source devices.
+You are free to map sources onto these from the Dante control software, however the receivers themselves MUST be left untouched in the rack.
+The same goes for the audio channels: Do NOT adjust the gain (should be NO GAIN) nor the EQ.
+For more details on Dante, see [[infra:dante]].
+==== Chromecast Audio ====
+An older Chromecast Audio dongle is connected to the mixer. The dongle is in the bottom of the audio rack, and is regularly prone to unplugging due to short cables.
+Chromecast Audio dongles are sensitive to its power source and may easily leak the USB clock onto the audio circuit as noise when powered by certain power sources.
+The Chromecast Audio dongles output low audio levels, and must be gained up on the mixer NO MORE THAN 12 o'clock on the gain knob.
+==== LedFX and Aux sends ====
 The PC in the audio rack is hooked up to aux out 1+2 on the mixer. Specific audio channels can be forwarded raw to LedFX as desired, without affecting the master output.
@@ Line 29: / Line 97: @@
 {{:infra:img_8756.jpeg?direct&400|}}
+===== Network switches =====
+There are two switches in the rack, for powering AV-related escapades:
+  * 1x 48 port 1 Gbps switch ([[https://ip.hackeriet.no/dcim/devices/76/|lydrack-sw2]]), for high-throughput applications (video, etc.) with uplink to hackeriet-sw
+  * 1x 24 port 100 Mbps switch ([[https://ip.hackeriet.no/dcim/devices/74/|lydrack-sw]]), for low-throughput PoE applications (audio, DMX, etc.) with uplink to lydrack-sw2
+See netbox for further information.
-===== Amplifiers =====
+===== Lydrack PC =====
+There is one PC in the audio rack, aimed at powering AV projects:
+https://ip.hackeriet.no/dcim/devices/77/
+It has the following AV-related connections:
+  * 1x Dedicated USB audio-card (Focusrite top-of-rack) connected to Aux send 1+2 on the mixer, for audio processing (e.g. LedFX)
+  * 1x HDMI connection pulled to the projector in the roof
+  * 3x UNUSED MiniDP ports for further projection units
+For display capabilities, see the project [[infra:ndi]].
+The PC runs the following software:
+  * LedFX
+  * TODO: music player daemon
+  * TODO: shairport-sync (AirPlay)
+  * TODO: Materix controller
+  * TODO: Chromecast-MQTT bridge
+Anything marked "TODO" is currently running on the "hack-radio" project pi. It is supposed to be moved to the lydrack-PC; please reach out to 404'd if you want to help.
+===== Amplifiers =====
+{{:infra:img_4028.jpeg?direct&400|}}
 ===== Parametric equalizer =====
+{{:infra:img_4029.jpeg?direct&400|}}