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A sound reinforcement system is an arrangement of microphones, electronic signal processors, amplifiers, and loudspeakers that makes live or pre-recorded sounds—usually music or speech— louder, or which distributes the sound to a larger or more distant audience. more...

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A sound reinforcement system may be very complex, including hundreds of microphones, complex mixing and signal processing systems, tens of thousands of watts of amplification, and multiple loudspeaker arrays, all overseen by a team of audio engineers and technicians. On the other hand, a sound reinforcement system can be as simple as a small PA system in a coffeehouse, consisting of a single microphone connected to a self-powered 100-watt loudspeaker system. In both cases, these systems reinforce sound to make it louder or distribute it to a wider audience.

Audio engineers and other sound industry professionals disagree over whether these audio systems should be called Sound Reinforcement (SR) systems or Public Address (PA) systems. Some audio engineers distinguish between the two terms by technology and capability, while others distinguish by intended use (e.g., SR systems are for live music whereas PA systems are usually for reproduction of speech and recorded music in buildings and institutions). In some regions or markets, the distinction between the two terms is important. The terms are also considered interchangeable in some areas.

Basic concept

A typical sound reinforcement system consists of three parts: input transducers such as microphones, which convert sound energy into an audio signal; signal processors such as equalizers and amplifiers, which alter the audio signal characteristics; and output transducers such as loudspeakers, which convert the audio signal into sound for an audience.

Sound is taken and converted into electronic signal by an input transducer (such as a microphone or a pickup) on an electric guitar or electric bass. A signal processor (such as a mixing console, amplifier, a reverb effect, or other devices) then alters the signal's equalization, balance, effects and amplitude. Finally, an output transducer such as a loudspeaker (or, for audio engineers, a set of headphones) converts the electronic signal back into sound, so that the listener can hear the end product. This basic concept of sound reinforcement systems encompasses anything from a simple system with only one microphone, amplifier and loudspeaker, to the complex systems in professional applications including multiple mixing boards, monitors and a vast selection of effects. There is debate on the classification of sound systems as "sound reinforcement systems" and "public address systems" depending on size and application.

Read more at Wikipedia.org