Playback
Playback and Public Address technology
Amplification of music, vocals or voice in smaller or larger communities, public or private events. Examples are music events, sound installations at exhibitions and trade shows and conference plus many mores.
Audio material
Audio material is media, which can store acustic information (sound, music, noise) at the apropiate media type for a long periode of time. Examples are:
- records (analog);
- film (analog, optical), magnetic tape (analog);
- audio tape (analog or digital i.e. DAT-tape);
- CD, DVD (digital)
- harddisk, solidstate disc (SSD digital)
The pick-up
A pick-up system is used whenever audio records (film, record, tape, CD, hard disks) - in analog or digital form must be broadcasted over a sound reinforcement systems. The pick-up takes over mechanical oscillations (mechanical, electro-dynamic transducers), optical differences (photographic sound recording system with the film of laser sensing systems with the CD) or electromagnetic differences (tape, hard disk etc.) and converts these into electrical pulsed voltages - thus sound signals -.
The amplifier
The sound reinforcement system contain electronic elements and electronic circuits, which convert the small tension of the audio signal into a higher tension. This can then be broadcasted over the loudspeaker system.
Depending upon requirements (home electronics, professional studio technology, modulation reinforcement, live presentations or PA) a selection of different amplifier types is available. The correct employment and use requires expertise and experience.
- Pre-amplifier;
- Distortion (amplifier with purposeful deviations, i.e. RIAA distortion);
- Mixers (several preamplifiers for several audio signals);
- Intermediate amplifiers (level or Impedenzanpassung);
- Modulation amplifier (power amplifier before recording or sending);
- Reinforcement amplifier, power amplifier (achievement for loudspeakers, cut equipments or modulation way).
The loudspeaker
The loudspeaker is an electromechanical transducer, which converts electrical signals into an airborne sound signal. Loudspeakers are in the most varied forms and equipments on the market. Likewise for the most different areas of application.
- the loudspeakers (individual or as complete systems);
- headphone;
- in radio and televisions;
- radio receiver and
- mobile phones.
Loudspeakers consist of a transducer and the appropriate housing, the loudspeaker box. These two components must be precisely co-ordinated, so that the desired result is reached.