Sound Fundamentals 2 Beginning Live P A Basic

Sound Fundamentals 2 Beginning Live P. A.

Basic Components of Sound Systems You should be able to: 1. Describe the basic components of a sound system 2. Apply this knowledge to using sound systems

I. Introduction ® A. Purpose of a sound system ® 1. Sound Reinforcement ® 2. Music ® 3. Sound Effects

B. Parts of a sound system ® 1. Transducer ® 2. Mixer ® 3. Amplifier ® 4. Speaker

II. Components ® A. A transducer is the first step in any sound system ® B. A transducer is any device that inputs sound into a sound system, such as a CD, Tape Player, or Microphone ® C. A transducer converts sound waves into electrical signals

III. Mixer ® A. A mixer is used to mix incoming signals from different transducers in a sound system ® B. A mixer combines all incoming signals into one signal for output to an amplifier ® C. Mixers can send multiple output signals, and mix incoming signals from processors. They can send more than one signal to a monitor system ® D. A monitor system is a separate speaker system used by the performers on stage to hear what the audience hears

IV. Amplifiers ® A. An amplifier amplifies the signal received from a mixer and adds enough power to the signal for the entire audience to hear it ® B Amplifiers send their outputs to speakers.

V. Speakers ® A. A speaker is used to deliver sound from a sound system to the audience ® B. A speaker works the opposite way of a transducer by converting electrical sound signals back into sound waves

VI. Volumes ® A. The main purpose of a sound system is to make sounds louder. ® This is accomplished through “gain staging” ® B. Gain staging is making a sound louder by passing it through the many components of a sound system. ® Each component increases the amplitude of the sound ® C. The output of each component of a sound system is different, and increases with each component due to gain staging ® D. Power of different components 1. Mic Level - 100 m. V to 750 m. V ® 2. Line Level - 1 V to 2 V ® 3. Speaker Level - 10 V to 90 V ®