Rancho Production

Audio + video
quick start.

Follow these steps in order. Start with the TVs and video switcher, then set up computer audio or microphones.

Start here

Four checks before your event

01

Turn on both TVs

Use each TV remote and set both TVs to HDMI 1.

02

Connect your computer

Connect the computer or Blackmagic video output to an available input on the small HDMI switcher.

03

Select that input

Press the matching input button on the HDMI switcher. The active input light should match the port you used.

04

Bring up the master

The audio console's main master fader must be up before anything can reach the speakers.

The golden rule: If nothing is working, turn it off and turn it back on. Fully quit and reopen the software first. If that does not fix it, restart your computer.

Video setup

Get your computer on both TVs

Both TVs receive the same program feed. The HDMI switcher decides which connected device appears on them.

1ComputerPlay your content
2BlackmagicProPresenter output
3HDMI switcherSelect the used input
4Both TVsHDMI 1
01

TV + switcher

Choose the physical input first

  1. Set both TVs to HDMI 1.
  2. Connect the computer's video output to HDMI input 1, 2, or 3 on the small switcher.
  3. Press the switcher's button for that same input.
  4. Wait a few seconds for the TVs to lock onto the signal.
02

Any computer

Confirm the computer sees the output

  1. Open your computer's display settings.
  2. Confirm the external video output is detected.
  3. Use mirrored output for simple playback. Use extended output when your presentation software needs a separate audience screen.
  4. Play a test video before guests enter.

Using ProPresenter 7?

Route video and audio to Blackmagic

ProPresenter 7
A

Video output

Select Blackmagic for the Audience screen

  1. Open Screens > Configure Screens.
  2. Select the Audience screen. Create one with the plus button if none exists.
  3. Open the Hardware tab.
  4. Under Output, select the device listed under Blackmagic.
  5. Select the configured format for the venue. Do not guess a new resolution or frame rate if the existing choice already works.
  6. Make sure the Audience output is turned on in the Screens menu.
ProPresenter Screen Configuration showing a Blackmagic device selected for an Audience screen
Your Blackmagic model name may differ. Choose the venue's existing Blackmagic output.
B

Audio output

Set Main audio to Blackmagic

Required settingMain Device: Blackmagic

  1. Open ProPresenter > Settings on Mac, or Edit > Preferences on Windows.
  2. Select the Audio tab.
  3. Under Main, open the Device menu and select Blackmagic.
  4. Set Inspector to Listen on Main.
  5. Open Routing and send ProPresenter channel 1 to output 1, and channel 2 to output 2.
  6. Keep the Main level at 0 dB and the delay at 0 ms unless Production has set something different.
  7. Play a video with sound and confirm the last channel on the audio console receives signal.
ProPresenter Audio settings with SDI and NDI audio enabled
This is an example Audio settings screen. Where the example shows EVO8, choose Blackmagic for this venue.

Quick distinction: ProPresenter video is assigned under Screens > Configure Screens. ProPresenter Main audio is assigned to Blackmagic under Settings or Preferences > Audio. If either output stops working, fully quit ProPresenter and reopen it before changing more settings.

Audio setup

Computer sound and microphones

Computer audio and microphones enter the console in different places. Both still need a working channel and the main master fader.

01

Computer audio

Use the last console channel

HDMI switcher AUXStereo 1/4-inch cableLast console channel
  1. Leave the AUX end connected to the HDMI switcher.
  2. Connect the stereo 1/4-inch end to the last channel on the audio console.
  3. Select the correct HDMI switcher input.
  4. Start a test video with sound.
  5. Unmute or turn on the last channel, then bring its level up slowly.
  6. Confirm the main master fader is up.
02

Microphones

The stage snake is one-to-one

Snake input 4 = Console channel 4
  1. Connect the microphone's XLR cable to any open input on the stage snake.
  2. Find the channel with the same number on the audio console.
  3. Use that matching channel to set gain and volume.
  4. Repeat with a different snake number for each additional microphone.

Analog console basics

How to get signal through a channel

Work from the top of the channel strip down. Make one change at a time.

  1. 01

    Connect and power the source

    Plug in the mic or playback cable. Turn on the microphone or wireless receiver. Confirm fresh batteries when using a wireless mic.

  2. 02

    Start with safe positions

    Set EQ knobs to the center. Set PAN to center. Pull the channel fader down before raising gain. Leave AUX and FX controls down unless you need them.

  3. 03

    Unmute and assign the channel

    Turn the channel ON or make sure MUTE is off. If the console has an L/R or MAIN assignment button, press it.

  4. 04

    Set gain while someone speaks

    Have the person speak at event volume. Use PFL or SOLO if available. Raise GAIN or TRIM until the meter stays green and reaches yellow on louder moments. Keep it out of red or CLIP.

  5. 05

    Set the master near unity

    Raise the MAIN, MASTER, or L/R fader to the 0 mark. No channel will reach the speakers if the master stays down.

  6. 06

    Raise the channel slowly

    Bring the channel fader toward the 0 mark until the room reaches a comfortable level. Use the channel fader for normal volume changes.

Hearing feedback? Pull down the problem channel first. Keep microphones behind the main speakers and point the microphone away from them.

Does this microphone need phantom power?

Most handheld dynamic microphones and wireless mic receivers do not need phantom power. Some condenser microphones do. Only turn on +48V when you know the microphone requires it. Pull channel and master levels down before changing phantom power.

Quick fixes

Check the simple stuff first

Nothing is working
  1. Quit the software completely, then reopen it. This fixes the issue most of the time.
  2. If it still does not work, restart the computer.
  3. Turn the affected device off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
  4. Recheck HDMI 1, the selected switcher input, cable connections, channel mute buttons, and the main master fader.
  5. Contact Production only after you have completed these checks.
The TVs say “No Signal”
  • Confirm both TVs are on HDMI 1.
  • Confirm the HDMI switcher is on the same input number as your cable.
  • Confirm the computer detects an external display or Blackmagic output.
  • Reseat the HDMI cable at both ends.
ProPresenter preview works, but the TVs are blank
  • Open Screens > Configure Screens.
  • Confirm the Audience screen uses the Blackmagic output.
  • Confirm the Audience output is turned on.
  • Check HDMI 1 and the switcher input again.
  • Fully quit and reopen ProPresenter. Restart the computer if the output is still blank.
The video works, but computer audio does not
  • In ProPresenter Audio settings, confirm the Main device is set to Blackmagic and verify routing to outputs 1 and 2.
  • Confirm the switcher's AUX cable is connected to the last console channel.
  • Unmute the last channel and raise its fader.
  • Raise the console's main master fader.
  • Fully quit and reopen ProPresenter. Restart the computer if audio is still missing.
A microphone has no sound
  • Confirm the mic or wireless receiver is on.
  • Match the snake number to the same console channel number.
  • Unmute and assign that channel to MAIN or L/R.
  • Set gain, raise the channel fader, then confirm the master is up.

Production support

Troubleshoot first. Then contact Production.

Please complete the steps below before calling or texting. Most issues are fixed by restarting the software, restarting the computer, or correcting an input or cable.

Before you contact us

  1. Fully quit and reopen the software.
  2. Restart the computer if the problem remains.
  3. Check HDMI 1, the switcher input, every cable, the correct audio channel, and the main master fader.
  4. Test again after each change.

If the system still does not work after these checks, call or text Production. Tell us which room you are in, what you connected, what you already tried, and what is not working.

Important before you call

If the AI assistant answers, answer every single question it asks.

If a Production team member cannot answer, the AI assistant will answer the call. Do not skip questions or end the call before the assistant finishes. Your answers give Production the information needed to understand the problem, see what you already tried, and help you faster when a team member becomes available.

Call (951) 319-4273 Text Production Email Production

Support may not be immediately available outside Rancho business hours.

ProPresenter screenshots and setup references are provided by Renewed Vision.