12
Setting Up and Using Your
VM1 System
13. Conversely, if you hear a weak, noisy signal at the desired volume level, again make
sure that the gain structure of your audio system is correctly set (consult the owners
manual of your mixer and/or amplifier for details). If it is and the signal coming from the
VM1 is still weak and/or noisy, do the following:
• If you are using a VH3 transmitter, use the supplied plastic screwdriver to turn the
Level control (trimpot) on the transmitter slowly clockwise (towards the “Max” position)
until the signal reaches an acceptable level.
• If you are using a VT3L transmitter with connected lavalier microphone or headset, its
Level control has been factory preset to provide optimum level for the particular
lavalier or headset model being used and so no adjustment should be necessary.
Any weakness of signal should therefore simply be a matter of the microphone being
too far from the mouth; try moving it closer. If this does not solve the problem, use the
supplied plastic screwdriver to turn the Level control (trimpot) on the VT3L slowly
clockwise until the signal reaches an acceptable level.
14. Temporarily turn down the level of your mixer/amplifier system and turn off the power
to your transmitter, leaving the VM1 on. Then restore the previously set level of your
mixer/amplifier. With the transmitter off, the receiver output should be totally silent—if it is,
skip ahead to the next step. If it isn’t (that is, if you hear some noise), you may need to
adjust the VM1 SQ (squelch) control, located in the battery compartment. When the SQ
control is at its minimum setting, the VM1 system always provides maximum range without
dropout; however, depending upon the particular environment your system is used in, you
may need to reduce that range somewhat in order to eliminate band noise when the
transmitter is turned off. To do so, use the provided screwdriver to rotate the SQ control
completely clockwise (to the “Min” position), then slowly turn it counterclockwise until the
noise disappears. If no noise is present at any position, leave it at its fully clockwise “Min”
position (so as to have the greatest overall range available).
15. When first setting up the VM1 system in a new environment, it’s always a good idea to
do a walkaround in order to make sure that coverage is provided for your entire
performance area. Accordingly, turn on both the transmitter and VM1 receiver. If you are
using a video camera, use the supplied velcro strip to attach the VM1 to the side of the
camera. If not, physically place the VM1 in the position in which it will be used. Next, with
the transmitter unmuted, walk through the entire area that will need to be covered while
speaking, singing, or playing your instrument. As you do so, you will find that the orange
“A” and “B” LEDs on the VM1 occasionally switch on or off, always showing you which
antenna is receiving the stronger signal. The basic rule of thumb for all wireless audio
systems is to always try to minimize the distance between transmitter and receiver as
much as possible and also to try to maintain “line of sight” between the two (that is, the
person using the transmitter should be able to see the receiver). Always try to minimize
the distance between transmitter and receiver as much as possible so that the strongest
possible signal is received from all planned transmission points.
If you have followed all the steps above and are experiencing difficulties, contact your local
distributor or, if purchased in the United States, call Samson Technical Support
(1-800-372-6766) between 9 AM and 5 PM EST.
ENGLISH
