Sound Equipments
The Sound Components Here follows a description of the most common components of our sound equipment.
Speakers The speaker is simply the most important component in the system, since it determines volume and distribution of the sound reproduction. Apart from the ability of the speaker to handle the operation power delivered by the amplifier, there are other possible parameters: • Wall mounted or ceiling mounted. • Active speakers (with built-in amplifier). • Environmentally sound speakers. • Adjustable with limited distribution.
Speaker Cluster A composite/built unit consisting of two or more different kinds of speakers, referring to distribution or direction.
Subwoofer A speaker for reproducing the deep register, for special effects in music reproduction and movie viewing. Connected to a separate amplifier, and with a signal where the other frequencies have been trimmed with a filter. Often found as active speakers (with built in amplifier), insensitive to placement in the room.
Sound Processor A more advanced mixer is called a sound processor and contains a number of special effects, such as echo cancellation, delay, frequency variation, etc. A recent addition is DSP, digital sound processor. This is basically a matrix but for each input and output there is the possibility for individual signal processing. Programmable via a PC, with several "scenes" suited to different conditions. The unit is dimensioned according to the desired number of sound sources and the number of speakers.
Mixer Amplifier A mixer with built-in amplifier connected directly to the speakers. The specified power, in Watts, indicates which speaker systems the amplifier can handle.
Matrix Mixer A mixer with a certain number of inputs and outputs. Each input is assignable to a selected output. Thus audio from two sources can simultaneously be sent to different amplifiers/ speakers.
Microphone
Amplifier The device that produces sound in the speakers. The specified power, in Watts, indicates which speaker systems the amplifier can handle. It usually has one (mono) or two (stereo) outputs.
Equalizer Device that provides the ability to adjust the frequency response to the acoustic conditions. Connected between amplifier and mixer.
Mixer/audio Switcher Makes it possible to connect several sound sources to a sound system. In the mixer, sounds from several sources can be mixed, for example music and sound from a microphone. In a switcher, only one sound source can be reproduced at a time. The unit is dimensioned according to the desired number of sound sources. Mixer/switcher is connected to an amplifier.
Device for recording and transmitting speech. Available in different kinds: dynamic, electret and condenser. The Dynamic affects a membrane mechanically, the other ones by means of low voltage. Microphones have different characteristics, such as in which direction they have the best uptake. The most common ones are directional, omnidirectional and cardioid (kidney shaped) which is a limited circular uptake. Microphones are either cable connected or have wireless transmission. Different wireless systems are hand microphone with built-in transmitter, lapel microphone with pocket transmitter and head mic (headset with clip-on microphone) with pocket transmitter. Wireless microphone receivers with two antennas/receiver circuits are called diversity, which means that you get better reception.
Loop Amplifier To a mixer or other audio device connected amplifier that via a magnetic coil amplifies sound for hearing impaired people with hearing aids. Also obtainable in another design for wireless transmission.
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