Audio equipment is key to setting the atmosphere at any event. From starting your own studio to working at venues, understanding all types of AV equipment is critical for creating an atmosphere worthy of celebration.
Sound engineers tend to travel with an extensive assortment of equipment in travel-ready durable boxes known as racks – this equipment holds the key to the amazing sounds many artists are known for producing.
Microphones
Microphones are devices used to convert sound vibrations to electronic signals that are recorded or replayed for recording or playback, often found within various electronic devices and used for applications including vocal performance and speech synthesis.
Microphones are an integral component of audio equipment, helping ensure the audience can hear presenters during presentations or events at large venues where attendance numbers may exceed expectations.
Dynamic microphones are the most commonly used type of mics, using electromagnetic induction to convert soundwaves to electrical signals and can often be found at live performances and recording instruments due to their durability and sensitivity.
Other types of microphones include condenser and lavalier mics. These use electric current to move a diaphragm, changing its polar pattern accordingly and thus being better at picking up sounds coming from different directions; an omnidirectional microphone can pick up sound coming from all directions while cardioid microphones are most responsive when sound comes from directly in front.
Amplifiers
An amplifier converts low-level electrical signals into stronger, more potent signals to drive speakers for sound production. Amplifiers are used across a spectrum of audio applications from basic home stereo equipment and guitar amps all the way to professional PA systems.
Amplifiers possess an adjustable property known as gain that changes depending on the input signal, known as voltage gain or frequency response. Gain is defined as a multiplication factor which links some properties of output signal with certain properties of input signal – for instance output voltage or power (voltage gain) or frequency response.
Most modern amplifiers rely on semiconductors, materials with differing electrical current conductivities. N-type and P-type semiconductors feature additional electrons or holes respectively; by arranging N- and P-type semiconductors in specific ways, designers create amplifiers with distinct characteristics.
The transistor is the most popular form of amplifier and comes in many varieties. Class A amplifiers feature parallel output stages while push-pull amplifiers have output pairs arranged in an opposite fashion for maximum effect.
Speakers
Speakers use electrical signals to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy that produces air motion and sound waves, thus creating sound. An audio signal energizes a coil of wire connected to a cone (or diaphragm, depending on your preferred terminology) surrounded by magnetic field which causes outer cone vibrate producing sounds we hear.
Large speakers can be found in home hi-fi systems, electronic musical instruments and even public address systems for concerts or theaters. Smaller versions can be found in portable devices, radios, televisions and personal computers; tweeters reproduce higher frequencies while woofers reproduce lower ones; two and three-way speaker systems also exist that feature crossovers to help separate various frequency ranges.
Electrostatic and planar-magnetic speakers are less prevalent than their dynamic counterparts but can produce clear, crisp sound with very little distortion at higher frequencies. Since they don’t require external power sources or interference from outside interference sources, one key characteristic for speakers is their sensitivity rating; this measures sound pressure level (SPL) at specific frequencies with given amounts of electrical input power (typically 2.83 rms watts into 8 ohms) – the higher this number is the louder the speaker will sound.
Mic Preamps
Microphone preamps (or mic amps or preamplifiers) convert low-input audio signals to higher line levels so they can be fed into recorders or mixing desks for recording or mixing purposes. They’re essential in producing crisp, high-fidelity sound with an impressive dynamic range.
Quality mic preamps offer various features that allow users to tailor audio output precisely according to their individual requirements, such as input trim for setting gain matching with sources, output attenuation switch for reducing signal’s overall level and polarity reverse for when recording multiple mics simultaneously.
Some preamps use vintage tube designs, renowned for their warm, even sound, while other preamps use solid-state components for clear, ultra-transparent sound quality. Some preamps also incorporate transformers which add harmonics and saturation; more utilitarian designs simply provide high-quality gain for condenser and ribbon microphones requiring gain boosts. Sweetwater offers an extensive selection of standalone mic preamps ranging from small desktop units to full professional gear.
Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
DAWs (digital audio workstations) are virtual music studios used by music producers to record, edit, mix and master their songs as well as add effects and combine multiple tracks together into the final production. Selecting an appropriate DAW for your production style and system requirements should be one of your initial decisions as a producer.
DAW software enables musicians to produce music using any computer and operating system of their choosing, giving them greater flexibility and convenience than ever. Home studio musicians can take advantage of DAWs without investing in costly recording studio hardware; having sufficient RAM, processing speed, and hard drive space ensures optimal DAW performance.
DAWs are also essential tools in post-production, where they can be used to refine and enhance audio for films, TV shows and video games. DAWs allow producers to craft immersive soundscapes that engage listeners. Podcasters and voiceover artists also benefit from using DAWs as they allow for polished recordings that showcase instruments, loops and effects from factory libraries; you can expand upon these options with third-party extensions like Native Instruments KOMPLETE START’s free suite of essential production tools which works across multiple DAWs.
MIDI Controller
MIDI controllers offer real-time control of sound design parameters, with their general function of manipulating different aspects of DAW software or plugins. Common controls include rotary knobs, faders and touch strips which can manipulate different aspects of your DAW or plugins; keyboards provide access to virtual instruments and synths through their keys and actuators while drum pads let you program beats or trigger percussive sounds.
No matter where your recordings or performances take place, MIDI offers reliable timing that lets your hardware and software devices sync up perfectly. Plus, its editing tools such as note velocity adjustments or Control Change messages that alter parameters on-the-fly make for smooth performances!
MIDI can also be used to manage other hardware and equipment for live shows, including lighting systems and stage props. Show controllers which synchronize audio, video and pyro/aerial displays often respond to MIDI Show Control (MSC) commands.
Headphones
Headphones are hardware output devices used for listening to audio without disturbing others. They can connect wirelessly through Bluetooth technology and can also connect directly to computer speakers ports or line outs, though sometimes only line out. Some headphones also feature microphones that enable telephone and video calls; these may feature professional studio-grade models like Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50x or budget earbuds like Bose’s QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones II models.
Headphones can be invaluable tools in recording, mixing, and mastering. Their microphones allow engineers to hear subtle details that would otherwise remain undetected; for instance distortion caused by overdrive hardware or settings that clip transients can often escape their notice when listening on loudspeakers alone.
Test listens are also useful for simulating how a track will sound on various headphones and other listening equipment, which is particularly helpful for creating fade-ins and fade-outs, assessing effect usage such as reverb tails or delay/echo repeats and creating fade-outs/ins.
Studio Monitors
Studio monitors are loudspeakers designed specifically for professional audio recording, music production, and home studio setups. While consumer speakers rely heavily on frequency manipulation techniques to create an engaging listening experience, studio monitors aim instead to produce an accurate reflection of their original signal without altering or distorting its frequency response.
Flat and accurate reproduction of audio signals is vital in both music production and editing, enabling engineers and producers to evaluate how their work will sound on mainstream home and car stereo systems with subtle variations in frequency response, timbre and distortion that could detract from overall audio quality.
As you shop for studio monitors for either home or professional use, be sure to carefully examine their specifications. Look out for features such as their sensitivity (measured in decibels) and total harmonic distortion (THD), where lower THD indicates higher-quality sound. In addition, make sure they feature a wide frequency range so they can reproduce all audio frequencies present in your recordings.