We are getting Loud Sound when Switching ON or OFF SQ5, please suggest how to avoid it.
Itâs always good practice to turn the desk on/off in a particular order in a system.
Powering up:
Desk on first, then speakers/amps
Powering down:
Speakers/amps off first, then power down the desk.
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Or install a power sequencer.
Is your system a fixed installation or mobile?
If mobile, as ShadowSound has stated, turn things on and off in the correct order.
If fixed, you may need to install a power sequencer. Leave the power switches ON on the speakers and SQ5. The power sequencer should be configured to power on the SQ5 first, followed (after a suitable delay) by the speakers.
Shut the SQ5 desk down via the shutdown menu, then power the rig OFF.
Dave
Unfortunately thatâs a real bummer with the SQs.
And completely unnecessary too: Itâs the first of all the consoles we had in all the years that does NOT have that suppressed internally (via relais or similar).
We have a fixed installation (for a lot of different volunteers to use) with a single âall on/off switchâ.
A small stumble for A&H but a giant fall for all the users. 
Whether or not your console has an internal mute function, you ALWAYS want to turn the amps/speakers on last and turn them off first.
This will avoid the loud popping. Relying on a consoleâs internal mute function rather than using this simple rule about the sequence in which you turn on/off equipment is a lazy shortcut that WILL cause trouble at some point - usually when you use another console and assume it also has an internal mute only to find out that it doesnâtâŚ
We have designed a speaker power switch to turn the power to the speakers on and off from a simple control panel by the side of the SQ7. It works, but I am still not happy thoughâŚ
My next attempt will be to use remote wifi 13A switches controlled from an ARM processor (with a wifi interface) plugged into the USB port of the SQ7.
When you turn the power ON, the 13A switch sockets on the speakers will default to OFF. You then turn the SQ7 on. This powers the USB processor. After a suitable delay, it will turn the speaker switch sockets on in timed sequences to avoid heavy power surges. The USB processor will have an OFF button. Pressing the button will turn OFF all the speakers. You can then turn off the SQ7. This seems to meet our requirements.
Like the VISCA camera controller I designed, I will make the software available for free for download and personal use. The switched 13A sockets will be a standard product to purchase.
I canât promise the timescales though. I have quite a few things on my plate at work, but I have to get this job done as wellâŚ
Dave
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youâre trolling us, right?
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?
Itâs a real project (based on the work of others), but still a âvirtualâ project until I do a little bit of investigation and prototyping.
If you want a look at the VISCA camera controller schematics, bill of materials and software I can provide you with a link.
This was built to control four (4) CISCO HD cameras at our Church for live streaming. We were originally controlling the cameras from a Black Magic Design ATEM video switch. But this was (shall we say) less than satisfactoryâŚ
Dave
Relying on a consoleâs internal mute function rather than using this simple rule about the sequence in which you turn on/off equipment is a lazy shortcut..
On the contrary: Relying on every single user (with all their heterogenous staff and situations) to strictly adhere to a specific workflow rather than spending a few cents in an absolute standard curcuit is a lazy shortcut.
(on absolute cheap mixers under 100 Bucks it might be a different thing, but for over 4000 that should be a given)
You are 1000% wrongâŚ
Relying on a âbuilt in safetyâ instead of simply following the industry standards (which are designed to prevent a user from putting themselves into a situation where they need the safety in the first place) is a HORRIBLE practice. Assuming that your audio equipment has a safety mute to prevent audio pops is doing just this - relying on the safety mechanism for safe functionality instead of just following the proper guidelines that prevents the need for a safety mute at all.
To put it another way, safeties are there to help prevent a âworst case scenarioâ from occurring. You should never rely on a safety as your primary avoidance technique. For example, you would never hang a lighting fixture from the safety wire alone. The safety wire is only there to prevent a worst case scenario in the event that the primary attachment point fails. Relying on a consoleâs automatic mute instead of simply following the industry standard sequence for powering on/off equipment is doing the same thing.
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So switching outputs via relays is NOT âindustry standardâ?
Really strange though that every (other) manufacturer uses them⌠
Letâs keep it that way: Itâs the safest if
- manufacturers build consoles that donât destroy a buyers PA (in the case that some volunteer accidently switches the wrong way)
AND - a user always switches the PA after the console has booted (in the case the manufacturer didnât âŚ).
side notes:
- The first thing is absolute fail-safe - the second is not.
- How do you handle an spontaneous reboot of a console (after a short power loss or software error)?
- Your fixture-example absolutely states my point: No fixture manufacturer would build a device without a primary attachment (relying on the user applying a safety wire).
It is mind-baffeling how fiercely you defend this âblooperâ of the A&H design. Seems a little like somebody has insulted a loved one of yoursâŚ
If the relays are part of a power sequencing system which ultimately powers on/off the equipment in the correct order, then yes relays are used in the industry. If you are talking about anything else, then no, that is not the industry standard. Even if a console had an automatic mute function, that doesnât preclude the fact that you should still be powering on/off equipment in the correct order. That is my point. You seem to want an automatic mute because you cannot be bothered to power equipment on/off in the correct order.
Look you can wish and want all you want for alternatives. But the simple answer is to powering on/off your equipment in the proper order. If you cannot handle that process for some reason, then I donât know what to tell you, but donât bash A&H because you canât follow standard industry practices that have been in place since day #1 of this industry.
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OK, if your last resort out of admitting that A&H could have made anything better, is personal insult, there is no way i can help you.
Have a nice life.
But take my advice and stay out of the âfeature suggestionâ subforum - there are a lot of triggers for you.
Not seeing any personal insults there. Just simple facts. Everything Brian is saying is standard in the industry when proper switcjing systems are not in place. It is standard that desks get powered on first with the amplification or speakers last, and the reverse of that for powering down.
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And is it not a simple fact that having a console that DOESNâT pop when switched on/off is better than having one that DOES it?
I think it would be great if A&H added an automatic mute to the SQ for all the âunexpectedâ situations like a power failure.
However you have stated that you donât think people need to follow industry standard practices and want to rely on the system to handle your incorrect workflow. This is the problem I have with your responses and attitudeâŚ
If your users have such a giant brain block that they canât remember or read the proper sequence of powering on/off the system, I certainly wouldnât want them using the system.
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Having a muting relay on every output would increase the weight and cost. Itâs a no from me.