Sound reinforcement system

A sound reinforcement system is an electromechanical system for accurately amplifying, reproducing, and sometimes recording audio, so that persons not near the original source may experience the sound as if they were.

The configuration of such a system depends on its intended application. A sound system, or public address system or PA system, typically has microphones, an amplifier, loudspeakers, and controls to mix the signals coming from the various micorphones or other input sources (such as phonograph turntables or tape recorders).

In the most basic of sound reinforcement systems, sound from a source enters a microphone, which is connected to an amplifier, which is connected to a loudspeaker enclosure. In professional live applications, additional equipment is often utilized. For example, in applications where multiple microphones or input sources are required, a mixing console (which enable audio engineers or disc jockeys to adjust the volume for each microphone or source individually) may be placed in the signal path, after the microphones. In quality critical situations, equipment such as an equalizer may be placed in the signal path before the amplifier. Quality sound reinforcement often requires the use of electronic audio measuring devices, such as an microphone) which is plugged into the snake where it is split to carry the signal to the Front of House and monitor consoles. Once in a channel on the console this signal can be equalized, panned and amplified. One might also patch into an external effect processor into the channel. Then signal will be routed internally on the console to a summing buss where it will be output to the amplifiers. The amplifier will amplify the signal on the order of magnitudes greater, where it is sent to another transducer (loudspeaker) for listening.