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Thursday, September 08, 2011
Pat Brown 09/08/11 01:23 PM, 0 CommentsHow much power can an audio amplifier produce? As you might expect, “it depends.” I will approach this from two angles - in theory and in practice. This article will deal with the theory. Part 3 will show how things play out in the real world. Importance Of Efficiency Amplifiers don’t make power. They convert it. Any audio power that comes from your amplifier must in turn come from the utility outlet that it is connected to. This is why… View this story
Filed in: Live Sound • Feature • Poll • Amplifier • Power -
Monday, August 22, 2011
Pat Brown 08/22/11 05:23 PM, 0 CommentsThe reverberation time (RT) is one of the most fundamental room measurements. It gives a broad brush stroke description of the general acoustical behavior of a space, paving the way for the use of other metrics to determine clarity and direct-to-reverberant ratios. Wallace Clement Sabine was the first to formalize the RT into an acoustic metric. His method of measurement involved a program source, a stopwatch and a quiet room. Sabine determined that 60 dB of room decay was audible… View this story
Filed in: AV • Feature • Poll • AV • Audio • Measurement • Processor -
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Pat Brown 08/17/11 12:32 PM, 0 CommentsThe personal computer is frequently used as a program source for sound reinforcement systems. Internal sound cards can be pretty good and software wave file players abound. A common question is “Where do I set the output level of my PC for optimum results?” The answer can vary per PC, so here are some steps to help figure it out for yours. I will assume that WAV files are being used, but this applies to any audio file format. Sound… View this story
Filed in: AV • Feature • Poll • AV • Audio • Interconnect • Networking • Processor • Signal • Software -
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Pat Brown 08/04/11 01:36 PM, 0 CommentsSuppose you bought the best subwoofer that money can buy. Its response is amazingly smooth and extends down to 20 Hz. You hook it to your power amplifier with automotive jumper cables, and warn the neighbors to make sure that small children and pets are indoors, because you are about to do some serious low-frequency listening. You fire the system up and insert the DVD test disc, the one with low-frequency sweeps that allow the smoothness of the system’s bass… View this story
Filed in: AV • Feature • Poll • AV • Loudspeaker • Measurement • Software • Subwoofer -
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Pat Brown 07/28/11 10:05 AM, 2 CommentsCould anything be more confusing than a “power rating?” The question “How many watts” can have many answers, depending on whether we are talking about amplifiers or loudspeakers. There are also many variables regarding how power is measured and specified. The numerous variables have rendered “face value” power ratings virtually useless. Why is “power” so hard to quantify? One reason is because it is time-dependent and constantly changing - much like the “value” of the stock market. We can look… View this story
Filed in: AV • Feature • Poll • Study Hall • Amplifier • AV • Power -
Monday, July 11, 2011
Pat Brown 07/11/11 10:44 AM, 0 CommentsIf you asked people how they fell about “room acoustics,” you’ll find that many don’t even know what it is. We’re immersed in reflected sound every minute of every day, but it’s largely taken for granted unless it becomes very annoying. In a given congregation, it’s likely that the majority don’t really care about the acoustics of the proposed new assembly hall. A heavily padded room that’s suitable for electronically amplified music and speech production is fine with them. However,… View this story
Filed in: Church Sound • Feature • Study Hall • Audio • Education • Measurement • Processor • Sound Reinforcement • Stage -
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Pat Brown 07/07/11 05:35 PM,Almost every sound system has an equalizer. It can be as simple as a channel strip tone control or as sophisticated as a multi-band parametric. Some view the use of equalization as an art form, while others see it as distinctly technical in application. The prevailing myth is that an equalizer can correct all of the shortcomings of a sound system. Of course this is nonsense, but used properly, equalizers can improve the sound quality and general performance of most… View this story
Filed in: AV • Feature • Poll • Study Hall • Analog • AV • Audio • Installation • Interconnect • Line Array • Loudspeaker • Measurement • Microphone • Power • Processor • Signal • Sound Reinforcement • System • Technician -
Friday, July 01, 2011
Pat Brown 07/01/11 09:03 AM, 0 CommentsAdequate signal-to-noise ratio is one of the characteristics of a professionally designed sound reinforcement system. The terms “dynamic range” and “signal-to-noise ratio” are often used interchangeably, but a closer look reveals that they are not exactly the same thing. The dynamic range of a sound system is the difference in level between the highest signal peak that can be reproduced by the system (or device in the system) and the amplitude of the highest spectral component of the noise floor.… View this story
Filed in: AV • Feature • Poll • Study Hall • AV • Audio • Installation • Measurement • Microphone • Sound Reinforcement -
Friday, June 24, 2011
Pat Brown 06/24/11 04:20 PM, 3 CommentsWhen it comes to room acoustics, definitions of “correct” or “appropriate” can be largely dependent upon the musical tastes of the listeners, often making it a sensitive subject. The decisions made are significant in terms of cost as well as the listening experience. Fortunately, not all of the aspects of auditorium sound are so subjective. Large rooms require a sound system, and the criteria for performance are more universally accepted. All successful sound systems must: 1) Provide even sound coverage… View this story
Filed in: AV • Feature • Poll • Study Hall • AV • Audio • Education • Installation • Loudspeaker • Sound Reinforcement • System -
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Pat Brown 06/14/11 07:12 AM, 0 CommentsThe sound system in the chapel at a local retirement home had all of the typical problems - distortion, poor gain-before-feedback, and intermittent operation. This is a very basic system, so what could go wrong? Two wireless lapel microphones drive a small mixer/amplifier, which in turn drives three ceiling loudspeakers via high impedance distribution. There is also a hearing assistance system, which according to the staff has never worked properly. During a typical chapel service the vocalist holds the wireless… View this story
Filed in: AV • Feature • Poll • AV • Business • Installation • Interconnect • Loudspeaker • Mixer • Power • Signal • Sound Reinforcement • System • Technician
Articles Tagged Pat Brown
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