You're facing unexpected audio glitches at a conference keynote. How do you troubleshoot them effectively?

One of the first things that can happen when facing the dreaded audio loss, or no audio at all 5 minutes before show time, is over-looking the easy solutions first. I have a tendency to go straight to what could be the worst-case scenario instead of double checking the foundations of signal flow. When you are experiencing any audio glitches, it's best to breathe, calm down, and check your connectivity. Odds are, your issues lie with a cable that's not plugged in all the way, the power cable to a converter is unplugged, or you simply have the channel muted. Check the stuff you think you would never mess up FIRST, not last. If the problem still persists, then move onto the next step, check the hardware settings of your interfaces.

To begin troubleshooting, it is important to verify the cable integrity whether you are using an analog system or an AVOIP. If the problem lies with the input, such as a microphone or audio source, check the inputs of the DSP or network switch. If they are undamaged, proceed to check the output signal from the DSP or network switch to the amplifier. In some cases, relocating the wireless mic receiver from its original position may help resolve the issue. When dealing with complex events, professional integrators or event technicians will demonstrate their highest level of professionalism during times of crisis.

If you are the keynote speaker, there should be back up microphones, generally analog if the digital connections prove to be a problem. As for technicians, always follow correct fault finding procedures by assessing the signal chain from beginning to end by means of elimination until you find the fault and by using signal monitoring meters. Once you've found the fault, it should be easy to address, but be methodical, panicking wont help you to find the fault faster but lastly, proper system design, management and operation wont allow for any audio errors to persist. Always have a back up option to continue with while fixing the fault.

Depending on what is being used, I can usually fix the issue pretty quickly be looking at the sound settings of the source. When setting up a conference while using a BYOD system, 90% of the time if you are interfacing with the headphone jack in conjunction with the HDMI output, the audio settings are not set right. Setting the Primary Audio to the headphone jack usually fixes the issue for playback and presentations. If the issue lies in between the source and the PA, make sure your channels are unmuted, +48v (Phantom Power) is on for condenser mics, and your gain staging is correct. If you are using a digital mixer, an easy oversight is the soft patching internally or any dynamics placed on the channel.

Testing an audio system requires thorough preparation and attention to detail. It is crucial to ensure that the input volume is carefully adjusted to avoid any unbearable feedback. Before any audio-related events, it is essential to test the system with various sources to ensure its functionality and compatibility. Remember, every speaker has their unique way of speaking, so being prepared for different scenarios is key.

I always test and test again, arriving hours before event time. The space I manage has a lot of usage that’s not always under my control so I know if there’s an outage, it’s probably the microphone batteries or someone rerouted the mixer signals for their needs and did not re-set or tell me. Time is your friend when you are setting up for an event and double checking and having extra gear on hand is essential.

I was running a commencement ceremony once and each student had a video to play before their names were introduced for them to accept their diploma. One student's video had the audio cut in and out halfway through and then the video ended shorter than it was supposed to. Of course, everyone turned and looked at the media guy in the back (me!). I was frantically checking through all my steps; did I knock a cable loose, did something come unplugged, did I accidentally change something? No... the one file was corrupt, and we had to continue the show. All that could have been avoided if I went through each video in length ahead of time. But the fact still remains, sometimes, there are greater issues other than the tech. Test EVERYTHING!

It's important to have spare components on hand to be prepared for any technical issues that may arise. This includes items like cables, connectors, power supplies, and easily replaceable hardware. Sometimes we overlook the obvious, like having extra microphone batteries available. In case a wireless microphone malfunctions, having a spare one ready for quick replacement is essential. Even a balanced cable can easily get damaged with a simple kink if pulled in the wrong direction. These additional components don't require much space, so it's a good idea to bring extras with you to your next event or performance.

I now have a secondary audio system. It’s a simple loudspeaker with sub however it does the trick if and when the main system is not working.

Being friends with the installation experts helps here or just having someone in support you can talk to. Weirdly enough my sales rep at Sweetwater has been super helpful with issues in a pinch as they’re resourceful and knowledgeable.

First of all, don't rely on AI generated articles like this as a guide. There's factual mis-guidance in here- like if you have a 2.4 GHz microphone system you can't change the frequency of your microphone system, as the article recommends. "Ask attendees to turn off electronic devices" if there's interference? "Contact the venue's technical support team or "phone a friend?" That's the article's advice? Really? Most often we were hired because we know more than the venue's AV staff. Just don't rely on these AI generated articles on LinkedIn.

With all the testing in setup and rehearsal you can muster, sometimes, you just have to run a new mic up to the stage in front of 500 people. Embrace the sweat and be humbled.