A passive crossover is an electrical circuit that divides an audio signal into separate frequency bands before sending it to individual drivers (such as woofers, tweeters, and mid-range speakers) in a multi-way loudspeaker system. The passive crossover consists of capacitors, inductors, and resistors that are combined in specific ways to create filters that attenuate (reduce)…
A microphone is a device that converts sound waves into an electrical signal that can be processed, amplified, and recorded. Microphones work based on the principle of transduction, which means the conversion of one form of energy into another. In the case of a microphone, the sound waves create mechanical vibrations that are converted into…
Compressor, limiter, and gate are all types of signal processing devices commonly used in audio production and live sound reinforcement to shape the dynamic range of a sound signal. A compressor is a dynamic range processor that reduces the difference between the loudest and softest parts of an audio signal. It works by automatically reducing…
An equalizer (EQ) is an audio processing tool used to adjust the frequency response of an audio signal. It allows you to selectively boost or cut specific frequency ranges in the audio spectrum, typically ranging from low bass frequencies (20 Hz) to high treble frequencies (20 kHz). An EQ is commonly used in music production,…
An active crossover is an electronic device that divides an audio signal into two or more frequency bands, and then routes each band to a separate power amplifier that drives a specific speaker driver or set of drivers in a loudspeaker system. Unlike a passive crossover, which uses passive components like resistors, capacitors, and inductors…
A power amplifier is an electronic device that increases the amplitude or power of an electrical signal, typically an audio signal, to drive loudspeakers or other output devices. In audio systems, a power amplifier is usually the final stage of amplification before the signal is sent to the speakers. It takes the low-level signal from…
A DJ mixer is a type of audio mixing console used by DJs to blend and manipulate multiple audio sources, such as music tracks or sound effects, in real-time during a live performance or recording session. A typical DJ mixer has several input channels that can accommodate various sources of audio, such as CD players,…
A DJ controller is a hardware device that allows a DJ to manipulate and control digital music files using software such as Serato, Traktor, or Rekordbox. The controller typically consists of a mixer section with two or more channels, each with EQ, gain, and fader controls, as well as a range of buttons, knobs, and…
A digital signal processor (DSP) is a specialized microprocessor designed for high-speed processing of digital signals, such as audio, video, and other data streams. Unlike a general-purpose microprocessor, a DSP is optimized for performing mathematical operations, such as filtering, Fourier analysis, and other signal processing tasks, in real-time. DSPs are used in a wide range…
A speaker management system is a software or hardware system used to manage audio signals, control audio levels, and route audio to various speakers or audio outputs in a sound reinforcement system. It typically includes features such as EQ, delay, compression, and limiting to optimize audio quality, and can also allow for remote control and…