The Amplifier is the last stop before the signal reaches the loudspeakers. power amplifiers boorst, or amplify, electronic audio signals sufficiently to move the speakers, They do this by incresasing the gain (the volltage and power) of the signal from line level to speaker level.
Line level is around one volt. Speaker level depends on the type of system. It can range from:
4 to 20 volt or more for stereo sound system
up to 70 volts in a distributed sound system
up to hundreds of volts in large venues
Most amplifies have only a power switch and volume controls, Potentially, the more powerful the amplifier is, the greater the amplification of the signal, and the louder the sound from the speaker
Jul 25, 2012
AMPLIFIER: Speaker Level
Jul 24, 2012
SOUND SYSTEM SETUP
A very important question to consider when designing an audio system is, what is the purpose of the system? Will it reinforce sound or reproduce sound? Is the content live voice or program audio? How do you want the content to sound to the audience?
Voice reinforcement system include paging systems as well as five event support, such as panel discusions or presentations. Intelligibility is the most important factor in voice reinforcement systems: Therefore a single channel of audio is typically used. One channel playback is called monophonic, meaning "one sound". This result in each speaker playing identical sound. This is fine for a supermarket paging system, but for music and other performance sounds stereo is better.
Stereophonic playback has two channels. To the audience, sound from the left and right are distinctly separated, and sounds from the original source seem much more realistic. For example. if the drums were playing from the left side of the stage, their sound would come from the left speaker to an individual sitting in the audience.
Multi-channel or surround sound has a more complex stereo playback system. Surround sound can have five channels, and produces increasingly realistic sound. In movie theater, surround sound may be used to make the sound seem to the audience as if it were coming from a specific direction (right, center, rear, etc).
Jul 22, 2012
Power Amplifiers
The audio power amplifier is a component whose function is - as its name implies - to increase the power of an audio signal, so that the signal can drive one or more loudspeaker. In sound systems, the power amplifier is always the final active component in the signal chain, located just before the loudspeakers.
In small portable sound systems, the power amplifier may be build into the mixpower, as a convenience.
Full comprehension of the function and application of power amplifier requires an understanding of electrical power and its relationship to voltage, to resistance or impedance, and to current. The details of these relationships, stated by Ohm's Law and associated equations, are beyond the province of this book. But some basic understanding may be imparted by way of a classic analogy:
Thing of water being forced through a pipe. The greater the pressure being applied, the more water will move through the pipe. The smaller the diameter of the pipe, the less water will flow through it. In drawing a comparison with electricity, the water represents electrons (negatively-charged atomic particles), which constitute the electricity itself. To flow rate of the water represent the electrical current (abbreviated I), measured in amperes (amps for short). The pressure represent the voltage (sometimes called electromotive force, abbreviated E), measured in volts. The resistance to flow of the pipe, which decreases as its diameter increases, represents the resistance (R), measured in ohms (symbolized by Ω); the greater the resistance (i.e., the smaller the pipe diameter), the less current (water) will flow.
Consider the DC electrical circuit of this figure:
In speaking of alternating current (AC), such as an audio signal, impedance is substituted for simple resistance. Impedance, also measured in ohms, is sometimesabbreviated Z, or
Consider the AC electrical circuit of this figure:
DISTORTION AND INTERFERENCE
Distortion and interference can result from several different causes. Check the essentials first: Make sure the mic has a fresh, fully charged battery. If you have a lavalier and a hand-held mic for the some receiver, be certain only one of them is turned on.
If you use more than one wireless system and they interfere with one another, relocating the receivers may help.
Some external RF interference may be beyond your control, especially in an urban area. If this is the case, try to determine which wireless system is being affected. You may have to send the system to the manufacture to have the frequency charged. Some manufacturers offer 'frequency-agile' systems, which allow the user to switch to an alternate frequency, saving time, expense, and frustration, These systems usually cost a little more, but the extra expense is worth it when you need to change frequencies and get back on the air quickly. Be aware that some radio stations are part-time, and may create interference that wasn't there when you tested the system.