How To use an RTA

[BFSound]

Hey guys, Im new to using a RTA i know what they are but recently got my hand on my dads Rane RA30 to use on our practice PA. Im wondering how to use this to ring out my monitors, and tune my FOH. How do i hook it up and what mode to use mainly. It has a few diff inputs, mic, line, and cal mic. And spl or rta mode. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

[mixedupsteve]

http://www.rane.com/pdf/old/ra30man.pdf

[BFSound]

I do have that and have read a through a few times. I guess i was hoping someone would explain an actual method or steps to actually doing it.

Thanks

[BFSound]

I just re-read through the manual and i think i figured out what i need to do.

Question though it says to use an Aux out to the line in, and when selected the left/mono sum is used. Would i just then send all the instruments through that aux send. or could i just assign everything to mono fader and use that?

Thanks

[bishopthomas]

I'm not familiar with that unit, but it sounds like what you are describing is for time aligning. Usually there is a direct input and a mic input used for setting up time alignment offsets. If you're only using it as an RTA then a microphone should do the trick. To answer your question, though, a simple mono fader would work for this purpose, depending on your gain structure.

[mixedupsteve]

If you just want to eq the room or system then I don't think you even need the RTA input connected to the aux. It looks like you connect the RTA pink noise output to a line in on the mixer. Place a mic in the room, turn of the pink noise and then use the RTA to display the measured levels of each freq. band. Then you adjust your eq unit as described in the manual. It also does other stuff but I think thats what your trying to do.

[BFSound]

All good info as far as FOH goes i got that. On the last page if you read the 5 note on monitor uses. Thats what im interested in figuring out. How would i use the RTA to identify which frequency is the problem? It says to be connected to the same board as the mic which i get, can i do wither FOH mixer or monitor? And how do i hook it up so it shows which freq is feeding back? same as i would like previously mentioned. using an aux send?? Or do i need to aux mic on stage to actually read the feeding back frequencies. It says if trying to get maxium SPL without feedback then i dont need to use the aux mic?

Thanks

[mixedupsteve]

It looks like it can display the signal from the aux send (or whatever is connected). So if a feedback occurs you would see that frequency shoot up on the display. Read more and start fooling around with it.
You should also try to learn the frequencies by ear.
You can download this test CD here and burn it on your computer.