Sound System Troubleshooting Guide
Even with great prep, things will go wrong - a mic cuts out, a music cue won’t play, or the audience hears feedback. This guide helps you diagnose and fix common issues quickly, without panic, whether you’re at the board or backstage.
Quick Troubleshooting Flow
When something isn’t working:
STOP -> CHECK -> FIX -> RESET
- Stay calm
- Lower the fader and mute the channel if needed
- Check connections, batteries, and settings
- Communicate quietly and clearly with other crew
- Fix the issue or swap gear
- Fade in again smoothly when ready
MIC & ACTOR PROBLEMS
| Problem | What to Check & Do |
|---|---|
| No sound from a mic | - Is the pack turned on? - Is the mic muted on the board? - Is the fader down? - Is the receiver showing signal? |
| Mic cuts in and out | - Weak battery? - Cable connection loose? - Antennas blocked (actor facing backstage wall)? - RF interference? |
| Mic sounds muffled | - Mic is under costume or hair? - Windshield missing? - EQ needs high-mid boost? |
| Mic sounds harsh or tinny | - Too much EQ in 3-6 kHz range? - Mic too close to mouth (cheek placement)? |
| Feedback when fader goes up | - Is the actor in front of a speaker? - Try panning slightly away - Lower gain - Use narrow EQ cut in feedback zone |
If unsure: swap actor into a pre-labeled backup pack + headset.
BATTERY & PACK ISSUES
| Problem | What to Check & Do |
|---|---|
| Mic dies mid-scene | - Hand actor a backup pack (faster than swapping batteries) |
| Battery runs out unexpectedly | - Was it replaced before the show? - Was it an old/reused battery? |
| Receiver shows “No Link” | - Mic pack may have been turned off - Re-link to receiver if needed |
MIXER & BOARD ISSUES
| Problem | What to Check & Do |
|---|---|
| No sound from board at all | - Is the Main L/R muted? - Are speakers powered on? - Is the scene correct? |
| Mic sounds distorted | - Input gain too high - Receiver gain too high - Mic placed too close |
| Sudden volume jump/drop | - Fader bumped? - Scene reloaded? - Check for automation or effects |
| Solo light is on | - Someone hit “Solo” - un-solo to return sound to Main Mix |
MUSIC CUE ISSUES
| Problem | What to Check & Do |
|---|---|
| No music is playing | - Laptop volume up? - Cable connected to correct input? - Playback software paused? |
| Music playing but not heard | - Fader down? - Aux In muted? - Music not routed to Main L/R? |
| Music too quiet/loud | - Adjust fader, not laptop volume (unless laptop is maxed) |
| Distortion or hum | - 3.5mm cable going bad? - Ground loop (use DI box)? - Try unplugging power brick from laptop |
BACKUP PLAN TIPS
- Keep 1-2 backup mic packs, cables, and taped headsets ready to go
- Keep a backup music source (phone or USB stick) with key cues loaded
- Have a small toolkit with:
- Tape
- Batteries
- Cable testers
- Label maker or Sharpie
- Windscreens
For New Crew Members
- It’s okay to not know everything - your job is to notice issues and communicate
- Always start with the simple stuff: is it turned on? Is it muted? Is the battery okay?
- If something’s broken, don’t hide it - report it and help solve it