If you’re into audio equipment, auction houses offer an abundance of products ranging from speakers and amplifiers to microphones and mixers – everything you could ever need!
Auctioneers require a quality sound system in order to ensure everyone can hear the bid calling and other announcements clearly. Anchor, AmpliVox and Lectrosonics are popular portable audio solutions which work effectively within auction environments.
Speakers
Speakers convert electrical signals to mechanical energy that causes air movement, creating sound waves. Speakers are an integral component of audio systems and often used for applications ranging from paging systems to professional music production equipment.
Your choice of speakers depends entirely upon their purpose of use. There are various kinds available, including passive and dynamic. Dynamic models feature one or more woofer drivers for producing low-frequency sounds; passive models tend to be more cost-effective.
Before purchasing any speaker, it is always important to test its performance before purchasing. One way to test speaker performance is by measuring its frequency accuracy – which indicates how faithfully it reproduces electronic signals – with higher figures representing excellent sound quality.
One key consideration when searching for speakers to use at live performances is power handling. More powerful models can handle higher volumes, making them the ideal solution for concerts and other special events.
Purchase outdoor-rated speakers designed specifically for use outdoors. These can be concealed into the landscape as rocks or weatherproofed for weatherproof use – ideal for applications including public announcement systems in schools, stadiums, airports and hospitals as well as more general outdoor use such as paging.
Amplifiers
Amplifiers are essential components of audio equipment devices and systems, including broadcast transmitters and receivers, high-fidelity (“hi-fi”) stereo equipment and guitar amplifiers. There are two general categories of amplifiers: weak-signal amplifiers (commonly referred to as valves in England) used in hi-fi amplifiers while bipolar transistors are the more frequently utilized component within power amplifier circuits.
Electronic amplifiers are two-port networks which produce signals at their output port that are an increased copy of the input signal, depending on their ratio between gain and noise figure.
An amplifier’s noise figure measures the amount of nonlinear signal distortion it introduces when amplifying signals, and lower figures correspond with increased signal-to-noise ratio. Commercial mixer amplifiers are specifically designed to meet this standard and are used for applications including paging, public address (PA), 70V distributed business music systems as well as emergency communications in commercial settings requiring background music (BGM), music on hold (MOH), or emergency alert communications; they come in various input/output configurations to meet different system needs.
Mixers
Mixers are used to combine or blend materials according to specific specifications, coming in various standard designs as well as customized versions tailored specifically for industrial operations. Mixers help increase productivity by decreasing processing times; this in turn reduces energy use while adhering to lean manufacturing principles.
Consider which input channels your mixer has and whether they are compatible with microphones and line level devices when selecting one for an event that requires many microphones and audio equipment. Select a mixer with multiple channels as these may come in handy when dealing with many mics and devices at the same time. You should also look for mixers equipped with multiple AUX sends for sending audio signals directly to performers’ monitor speakers, external effects devices and recording devices.
Some mixers include a BAL control that lets you adjust the balance between left and right channel outputs, GROUP bus controls which enable users to raise or lower volume on all channels simultaneously, fader-type volume controllers for quick operation, HPFs (high pass filters) which cut unnecessary low frequencies picked up by drum snare and hi hat drums for an even sound that reduces popping noises during performances, built-in effectors as well as connections for headphones are features worth looking out for in any mixer.
Microphones
A microphone is a transducer which converts vibration of sound waves into an electrical signal carried along wire, before amplifying and converting back to sound wave form for use by your speakers.
The main components of a microphone include its diaphragm, capsule and circuit. The diaphragm is a flexible membrane responsive to pressure fluctuations caused by sound waves or voice, so as to respond accurately. To optimize noise rejection and high-end response it should cover a sufficient portion of acoustic area; some microphones feature edge-terminated diaphragms while others utilize center-terminated ones; this variation actually affects their low/high frequency response characteristics.
Microphones can be distinguished from one another based on their directional response, known as their polar pattern. Most mics fall under either cardioid or omnidirectional categories; others such as AKG C414 offer multiple patterns.
There are various accessories you should keep in mind for microphones, including windscreens to reduce the effect of blowing wind on the diaphragm and pop filters that reduce speech plosives or other artifacts, shockmounts to reduce low-frequency vibrations from your microphone stand (rumble) that could compromise clarity recordings, power supplies (phantom power) provided by mixers or power packs, shockmounts for low-frequency vibration reduction and shockmounts for shockproof recordings.
Wireless Systems
No matter if you’re performing live onstage, broadcasting from studio, or broadcasting to thousands via satellite; wireless systems provide clear sound projection without wires and cables getting in the way. A complete wireless system consists of a transmitter to transmit sound signals and a receiver which records these on tape, film or live recordings – handheld transmitters may come as handheld models, bodypack or beltpack units or plug-on modules – making for a hassle-free performance experience!
Cords can be cumbersome and inconvenient when setting up or disassembling equipment, and may even pose safety threats. With wireless systems, however, they become virtually obsolete – saving both time and effort on setup/break-down procedures as well as giving more mobility on stage or within your venue.
At Sweetwater, you can find a wide range of wireless microphone systems suitable for every performer or source imaginable, such as vocalists using handheld wireless systems or dance and fitness instructors using headset or lavalier systems; but we also carry instrument wireless systems perfect for guitars/basses/brass/woodwind/orchestra instruments – with these options and more you’re sure to find your ideal wireless system solution!
Audio Accessories
Audio accessories are useful tools that can significantly increase the quality of playback. A speaker stand can prevent vibrations from degrading sound quality while an insulator lowers temperatures to protect speakers, while phono cartridge spacers adjust needle weight and height when mounted on headshells. Some common audio accessories also include disc stabilizers and amplifiers.
Some individuals prefer listening to music using a stereo system; its fuller and richer sound creates the best musical experience for some listeners. Others opt for their smartphone as an enjoyable means of listening to their favourite tunes.
This auction showcases collectible electronics and vintage audio equipment such as stereo receivers and turntables from stereos to turntables; LP’s, 8-Tracks and Cassette Tapes as well as music memorabilia are up for bid in this auction. In addition, tools, yard equipment and furniture will also be up for auction.
Anchor Audio’s portable PA systems ensure everyone at an auction can hear clearly the auctioneer, particularly for larger crowds or those with hearing disabilities. Their lightweight battery powered systems are perfect for auction applications but can also be used at concerts, church services and sporting events; their accessories include microphones and mounting solutions. Anchor Audio uses high-quality materials which undergo rigorous testing so their systems are easy to operate quickly when set up quickly.