Volume going up and down. Comments please?

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Abbey Lane

Active DJ
Jan 22, 2008
1,491
29
Ontario
Just got back from playing a teen Halloween Dance.

This was the first night I used my Martin CX-2. (It is an old light, not LED)

Throughout the early part of the evening I noticed, that my volume was going up and down.

I've played this hall several times and never had any problem.

So, I took the Martin CX-2 off line.

The volume didn't drop after that, except for once.

Can I say that the problem was caused by the hall not having enough power and current (ACDC) was affecting the volume.

Comments please.

I'm playing at the hall again tomorrow night and won't bring the lights. The lights I have used in the past in the hall have been LED.

I'll go back to the way it was before and see what happens.
 
Sounds like an '80s vintage Sylvania television set. The volume would lower when the picture got brighter. :D
So, I took the Martin CX-2 off line. The volume didn't drop after that, except for once.
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This gives reason to suspect that the fixture was not the cause. It still happened after the fixture was powered down.

AC power issues shouldn't cause a drop in volume level. If the line voltage drop gets too low your amps should go into protect. Notice I said "shouldn't". I don't know your system and wasn't there so I won't make presumptions. :)

Just a thought... if there's an issue with the power supply in your mixer or other part of the processing chain, you could experience varying levels of output. Honestly, that's all I can think of right now. :dontknow:
 
What were they cooking, toasting, brewing, popping, frying, or boiling on your electrical circuit?
 
No cooking, etc going on.

I was just wondering what I should be looking for to trouble shooting while I'm entertaining tonight?
 
House Voltage would be the first suspect.

Extension cords second.

Loose/shorted audio connections next.

You've been there before without the problem. Only you can deduce what's different in the house or what you've recently added or removed from your rack.
 
I think I'd tend to agree with Cap.
Also look and see where your house voltage is at. If it's 110v you could be experiencing voltage sag on the neighborhood power line due to load which would cause the fluctuation. IF the voltage is at 120v such sag would be noticeable as you are within normal operating range of 110-120volts.
 
Not at all, though I don't recall ever really having any real disagreement with you.
 
DougF said:
I think I'd tend to agree with Cap.
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Doug,
When frequently I find myself in the same precarious, confusing, and disturbing position :)sqlaugh::sqwink:), I have discovered that a trip to D J C H A T and a review of some Dan McKay posts helps cleanse my mind of logic and intelligence.

Your mileage may vary.

Cap Capello said:
Doug : Didn't hurt too bad, did it?
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This might not sound right, but are you using CD's or mp3's???

If using mp3's are they normalized??


And if its a power issue, are you using a power condicioner?? One with a digital read out will help trouble shoot power issues very fast.

I have a few venues that say they have dedicated 20 amp circuits for us.
But half way through the night, when my furman is telling me it definatly is NOT

I lost a motherboard on my 'puter from this very same reason
 
could it be an issue with the amp or the speakers dropping power?
maybe a protection feature of the gear?
 
Abbey what did you have plugged into the circuit equipment wise?
 
Gentlemen thanks for all your suggestions. I kept an eye on all and all seemed normal tonight. (Second night at the hall.)

I played the same hall tonight and all went fine.

The only difference tonight was the choice of music. (Older crowd)

All MP3's are normalized.

All equipment is the same I've always used in the hall.

I spoke to an electrician at the dance tonight and he said that it was possible it could be the current.

Nothing new in the area of the hall.

I guess I'll just keep watching to see if is any thing strange is happening. (That's it, I was playing a Halloween party. (lol))

I haven't added or removed anything. I've used the same cords, everything is the same as always.

Just one of those things I guess. (lol)

Thanks once again for your help.
 
Played another hall last and the volume was going up and down again.

I think it may be the Behringer 2500 amp I'm using. Seen at: http://www.behringer.com/EP2500/?lang=ENG

It only happens when the music is pumping after a few hours. I think the amp may have an auto volume cutback protection.

One person, in the crowd, also told me that for a short while I lost the bottom end of the music. But it came back later.

This was only a small venue. I used the same equipment back in the July, playing an event at a hockey arena.
 
Abbey Lane said:
Played another hall last and the volume was going up and down again.

I think it may be the Behringer 2500 amp I'm using. Seen at: http://www.behringer.com/EP2500/?lang=ENG

It only happens when the music is pumping after a few hours. I think the amp may have an auto volume cutback protection.

One person, in the crowd, also told me that for a short while I lost the bottom end of the music. But it came back later.

This was only a small venue. I used the same equipment back in the July, playing an event at a hockey arena.
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In general, pro power amps don't have auto volume cutback. They offer switchable limiting but this won't cause fluctuations in your output.

Try using a different amp and see if it helps.
 
I'm still thinking you're pulling more juice than what's available in the circuit, I would check for anything else being plugged in in that same circuit, coffee maker, lights, etc.
 
This was a different hall from the original. The kitchen was on the other side of the hall.

Would my extension cord running from the wall to my power bar, be causing the problem?
 
Abbey Lane said:
Played another hall last and the volume was going up and down again.

I think it may be the Behringer 2500 amp I'm using. Seen at: http://www.behringer.com/EP2500/?lang=ENG
Click to expand...

Time for a QUALITY power conditioner. Note the emphasis on quality. You'll have to do your homework, but a good one will solve the problem.. I would give you a recommendation, but I designed and built mine- Maybe Ben?
 
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