Mic Level and Line Level

There are some considerations to heed when

configuring and setting up systems with a variety of
sources. One of the primary concerns during
configuration, are the various levels of audio signals in
play and how those signals need to be handled. Dynamic
mics have a lower voltage output that require an
amplification to boost their signal. This can be
performed with a preamp, mixer or other amplifier
device that possesses a gain control. Condenser mics
have a higher output and might not need any
amplification, or else much less. Most of the time these
different mics offer a “plug-and-play” experience,
because line level plugs are different from mic level
plugs. However, circumstances arise where an engineer
may need to manually configure a solution that requires
Mic or Line levels manually. Certain Cisco endpoints,
for example, allow the mic inputs to be configured as
Mic or Line Level. When the microphones plug directly
into the endpoint itself, Mic level can be used, which is
the default setting. When more microphones are being
used than the endpoint can support, such as a series of
ceiling-mounted microphones in a conference room, an
amplifier external to the endpoint may be required. The
amplifier can be plugged into the same input on the
endpoint a microphone would have been plugged into,
but the setting for that input must be changed to line
level to support the amplifier being connected.
Line Level is usually the output of any device with an
internal pre-amplifier, including MP3 players, mixers,
TVs, and CD players. Mixer outputs are usually line level
by default, but many are configurable to output mic
level when needed. Line level can be expressed in a few
ways, each with their own context. The decibel-volt, or
dBv, is usually used with consumer audio equipment,
and line level for that range of products is approximately
-10 dBv. Professional-grade products use a different
measurement scale called the decibel-unloaded, or dBu.
Line level for these products ranges around +4dBu. In
absolute terms, the actual peak-to peak voltage of a
-10dBV signal is about .447 volts, whereas a signal at
+4dBu equals a p-p voltage of around 1.7 volts. As you
can see, there is quite a range here, depending upon the
equipment you choose, and allowances need to prevent
overdriving the amplifier. Speakers also require
amplifiers to project sound.
Speakers: Active vs. Passive
Just as there are two types of microphones, there are
also two types of speakers:
Active speakers have amplifiers built into the
speaker body. Active speaker will need to have a
both a power supply and line level audio wires
connected to it. Computers, televisions and
endpoints use active speakers. Advantages of using
active speakers include a self-contained formfactor,
portability, and the number of speakers
supported is not limited by external amplification
limits. Field cables are only line-level, thereby
resolving cable isolation issues caused by
unshielded speakers.
Passive speakers do not have built-in
amplification. They require an external amplifier
to supply the appropriate signal; however, only
unshielded audio cables need be run to the
speakers themselves, because wall power is only
run to the amplifier. Advantages of passive
speakers include lighter weight for portability and
they typically have better fidelity, which allow the
“steering” of the signal with customized crossovers
and Bi-amplification. Concert halls typically use
passive speakers. In video conferencing, ceilingmounted
speakers are usually passive speakers