RCF Gain Controls

[WWDJ]

For users of RCF,

... it seems that the gain controls have central indent at 12 o clock but then go all the way up to 5 o clock.

It is not discussed in the manual at and there doesn't seem to be anything indicative on the back of the speakers to suggest what the ideal gain level is.

My mackies clearly suggest not going above 12 o clock for line inputs. I have not needed to go above 11 to be honest on those ....

But what is the best for RCF ?

Thanks

[Shaun]

I have mine set at 12 o clock.

[WWDJ]

I have mine set at 12 o clock.

Do yours have the central indent too?

[Shaun]

Not sure.

[paulg]

5 o clock is for direct inputs such as mics or direct lines from cd players
7 o clock is effectively zero

so, like goldilocks says 12 o clock is not too hot and not too cold.

Some would argue that you should send the hottest signal possible to your speakers and then turn the gain down to avoid clipping. OK for disco but not for karaoke where some fool will yell through the system. 12 o clock is a happy medium where you'll get reasonable signal to noise but you'll have some built in system protection.

[WWDJ]

5 o clock is for direct inputs such as mics or direct lines from cd players
7 o clock is effectively zero

so, like goldilocks says 12 o clock is not too hot and not too cold.

Some would argue that you should send the hottest signal possible to your speakers and then turn the gain down to avoid clipping. OK for disco but not for karaoke where some fool will yell through the system. 12 o clock is a happy medium where you'll get reasonable signal to noise but you'll have some built in system protection.

Note sure why it doesn't elude to this in the manual at all.

Obviously I want to get the volume that I paid for.

[TonyB]

Have a Google for "Gain Structure" to get an idea of how to set them up.

Speaker manufacturers don't generally give advice on gain structures as it can be different for different uses.

[chrisj]

Well I had my 725's at 10 o'clock last Saturday and it was plenty loud enough with mixer output at 25%. Small function room though. The previous Saturday they were at 12 o'clock with similar output from mixer. Large function room with 180 or so guests.
It always depends on where I use them.

[paulg]

There isn't a standard setting, it depends what you use a speaker for and what the input level is. Set them at 12 o clock, send a signal where your mixer signal meters just go from green to yellow and you will get the sound you paid for.

I know of people that have speakers that go all the way to 6 o clock, so they clearly get the sound they paid for:)

[WWDJ]

Thanks. So it sounds like general opinion is 12 o clock on the indent.

I have subs and tops so I with start there on both and then dial back as needed to get a balanced sound. Anything else I can tweak on the mixer.

I normally run green -> yellow anyhow unless I get a bit over-excited :D and I don't think the mixer has ever hit more than 5 green on the output whatever the PA.

[Twinspin]

I would run the amps on the speakers up full and take it back 2 notches. That way you are running the speakers properly.

[Andy Goodtimes]

Sorry I disagree, I use several different RCF cabs ranging from 310s upwards. There is a switch for line/mic level and the volume goes all the way and depending on what setting the switch is on is is if its being optamised for what level the switch is set. If anyone has seen different anywhere in the RCF paperwork or on the RCF site then please point me to it and I will admit being wrong. Maybe there is confusion with the SRM450s, never owned the v2s but certainly with the v1s if you took the level past the 12 o'clock you were running into mic level and ultimately causing the cabs to overheat.

The correct way to run the cabs is always to open the amp fully and use the gain and volume on the mixer to make adjustments. the only time I would ever reduce the volume on the cab is if I were daisy chaining cabs and one cab was stronger than another...I mean you can't keep running off to your cabs everytime you want to make adjustments, you need total control from the mixer.

I have ran my 310s, 322s, 408s, 710s, 902s & 905s like this for ages and never had clipping, overheating or any issues and I always get a superb sound.

[WWDJ]

this is that rcf said ...

"The best position I find for the speakers is somewhere between 12 and 2 o,clock.

This is not for output of the system, but for noise reasons, I.e. The ART710A can start to hiss if the gain is turned up too much.

You should remember as this is a gain control, not a volume control, the level the system will achieve is based on the level from your mixer, which must be clean, no distortion.

I can not give you an exact answer as the relative levels of the ART710A to the 902AS is dependent on what sound you require, how bassy.

Hope this helps, if you have any further questions do not hesitate to mail me.

Regards,"

[Andy Goodtimes]

I can understand that and agree the 710 in particular can be a bit noisey if not getting a totally clean signal, I get it sometimes when feeding off a relatively cheap American Audio M1224FX mixer but never get it when feeding off the Pioneer or Formula sound. Its a situation you don't really want to be in because if you drop the gain to mask the noise you are not running the system to its best but if you don't drop the gain it may be noisey when there is no music playing or during quiet passages. Guess the best thing is to get decent mixer and leads etc.

[WWDJ]

I'm running off a Denon x500 with the gains at 12oc on the 710s and 2oc on the 902s. This gives a nice bassy sound. There is a little hiss off the 710s when you are stood close but not much.

On their own in 'boost' mode they are surprisingly bassy for a 10 and will be great for those 2 hour kids parties and small rooms with 30-40 people that I get sometimes