TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES - QUEZON CITY

938 Aurora Blvd, Cubao, Quezon City, 1109 Metro Manila

AR323 - BUILDING UTILITIES 003

RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT:
SOUND AMPLIFICATION SYSTEM

Submitted by:
ZAPANTA, KURT LAURENCE A.
ARCH32S11

Submitted to:
AR. MARK ROLDAN PANALIGAN

March 07, 2024

1. SOUND AMPLIFICATION SYSTEM
In its basic form, a sound amplification system is a vehicle that is used to
amplify a sound source, which may be generated by people, musical instruments,
compact discs, DVDs, or other sources. In other words, it is the combination of
microphones, signal processors, amplifiers, and loudspeakers in enclosures all
controlled by a mixing console that makes live or pre-recorded sounds louder
and may also distribute those sounds to a larger or more distant audience. In
many situations, a sound reinforcement system is also used to enhance or alter
the sound of the sources on the stage, typically by using electronic effects, such
as reverb, as opposed to simply amplifying the sources unaltered.

A. Checklist for effective use of amplification system/reinforcing system

1. A well-designed sound-reinforcing system should augment the natural

transmission of sound from source to listener. It should be properly integrated
with the room acoustics design to provide adequate loudness and good
distribution of sound. It should never be used in lieu of good room acoustics
design because it will rarely overcome or correct serious deficiencies,rather,
it will likely amplify and exaggerate deficiencies.

2. Spaces seating less than 500 will seldom need a sound-reinforcing system.
Spaces seating 500-1000 may need a sound system, depending on the use
of space. Spaces seating more than 1000will normally need a sound system
although it may not be used all the time.

3. The preferred type of sound-reinforcing system always is the central

system, in which a loudspeaker or cluster of speakers are located directly
above the source of sound to give maximum realism as well as intelligibility.

4. The other principal type of sound-reinforcing system is the distributed

system in which a large number of loudspeakers, each supplying low-level
amplified signals to a small area, are located overhead. The distributed
system should be used only when the ceiling height is inadequate to use a
central system or when not all listeners can have a line of sight to a central
loudspeaker.

5. Avoid feedback of sound energy from loudspeaker to microphone by

careful location of microphones out of coverage pattern of the loudspeakers.
Feedback is the regeneration of a signal between loudspeaker and
microphone which is heard as "howling" or "screeching".

6. A sound-reinforcing system used only for speech need not reproduce

sound down to 63 Hz so avoid the "bass costs only a little more" sales
presentation.
B. Sound System Criteria

1. SAS should properly transmit a wide range of frequencies (32-12000 Hz)

to maintain a correct balance between fundamentals and harmonics to
achieve perfect tone color for each musical instrument and to provide clear,
non-distorted sound.

2. SAS should provide a wide dynamic range, i.e., a pianissimo sound must
be clearly audible, and a fortissimo must be reproduced without distortion.3.
SAS should be free from disturbing echoes or feedback.4. SAS should create
a sufficiently low room reverberation.5. SAS should remain undetected. The
illusion should be preserved that amplified sound comes from the natural
sound source.

3. SAS should be free from disturbing echoes or feedback.

4. SAS should create a sufficiently low room reverberation.

5. SAS should remain undetected. The illusion should be preserved that

amplified sound comes from the natural sound source

C. System Components

Input Transducers

Many types of input transducers can be found in

a sound reinforcement system, with microphones being
the most commonly used input device. Microphones can
be classified according to their method of transduction,
polar pattern or their functional application. Most
microphones used in sound reinforcement are either
dynamic or condenser microphones. One type of
directional microphone, called cardio id mics, are widely
used in live sound, because they reduce pickup from the
side and rear, helping to avoid unwanted feedback from
the stage monitor system.

Wireless

Wireless systems are typically used for electric guitar, bass, handheld
microphones and in-ear monitor systems. This lets performers move about the
stage during the show or even go out into the audience without the worry of
tripping over or disconnecting cables.
 Mixing consoles

These are the heart of a sound

reinforcement system. This is where the sound
engineer can adjust the volume and tone of each
input, whether it is a vocalist's microphone or the
signal from an electric bass, and mix, equalize
and add effects to these sound sources. Doing
the mixing for a live show requires a mix of
technical and artistic skills.

Signal processors

Small PA systems for venues such as bars and clubs are now available
with features that were formerly only available on professional-level equipment,
such as digital reverb effects, graphic equalizers, and, in some models, feedback
prevention circuits which electronically sense and prevent audio feedback when it
becomes a problem. Digital effects units may offer multiple pre-set and variable
reverb, echo and related effects.

Equalizer

Equalizers are electronic devices that

allow audio engineers to control the tone and
frequencies of the sound in a channel, group
(e.g., all the mics on a drumkit) or an entire
stage's mix. The bass and treble controls on a
home stereo are a simple type of equalizer.
Equalizers exist in professional sound
reinforcement systems in three forms: shelving
equalizers (typically for a whole range of bass
and treble frequencies), graphic equalizers and
parametric equalizers.
 Compressors

Dynamic range compression is designed to help the

audio engineer to manage the dynamic range of audio signals.
Prior to the invention of automatic compressors, audio
engineers accomplished the same goal by "riding the faders",
listening carefully to the mix and lowering the faders of any
singer or instrument which was getting too loud.
A compressor accomplishes this by reducing the gain
of a signal that is above a defined level (the threshold) by a
defined amount determined by the ratio setting.

Noise Gates

A noise gate mutes signals below

a set threshold level. A noise gate's
function is in, a sense, opposite to that of
a compressor. Noise gates are useful for
microphones which will pick up noise that
is not relevant to the program, such as
the hum of a miked electric guitar
amplifier or the rustling of papers on a
minister's lectern. Noise gates are also
used to process the microphones placed
near the drums of a drum kit in many
hard rock and metal bands.

Effects
Reverberation and delay effects are widely used in sound reinforcement
systems to enhance the sound of the mix and create a desired artistic effect.
Reverb and delay add a sense of spaciousness to the sound. Reverb can give
the effect of singing voice or instrument being present in anything from a small
room to a massive hall, or even in a space that does not exist in the physical
world. The use of reverb often goes unnoticed by the audience, as it often
sounds more natural than if the signal was left "dry" (without effects). Many
modern mixing boards designed for live sound include on-board reverb effects.

Feedback suppressor

A feedback suppressor detects unwanted audio feedback and suppresses

it, typically by automatically inserting a notch filter into the signal path of the
system.
 Audio feedback can create unwanted loud, screaming noises that are
disruptive to the performance, and can damage speakers and performers' and
audience members' ears.

Power Amplifier

A power amplifier is an electronic device that uses electrical power and

circuitry to boost a line level signal and provides enough electrical power to drive
a loudspeaker and produce sound. All loudspeakers, including headphones,
require power amplification. Most professional audio power amplifiers also
provide protection from clipping typically as some form of limiting

Main Loudspeakers

A simple and inexpensive PA loudspeaker may

have a single full-range loudspeaker driver, housed in a
suitable enclosure.

More elaborate, professional-caliber sound

reinforcement loudspeakers may incorporate separate
drivers to produce low, middle, and high frequency
sounds. A crossover network routes the different
frequencies to the appropriate drivers.

Monitor Loudspeaker
These are the speaker cabinets used
onstage to help performers to hear their singing or
playing. As such, monitor speakers are pointed
towards a performer or a section of the stage.
They are generally sent a different mix of vocals
or instruments than the mix that is sent to the
main loudspeaker system. Monitor loudspeaker
cabinets are often a wedge shape, directing their
output upwards towards the performer when set
on the floor of the stage.
 In-ear monitors

In-ear monitors are headphones that

have been designed for use as monitors by a
live performer. They are either of a universal fit
or custom fit design. The universal fit in-ear
monitors feature rubber or foam tips that can be
inserted into virtually anybody's ear.

D. Loud Speaker System

The loudspeaker provides more sound to the listener than would
otherwise have been received, but it also produces sound at the location of the
microphone. This feedback to the microphone limits the amount of amplification
which can be used.

In which:

 Inverse square
law drop off of
sound

 Omnidirectional
loudspeaker sand
microphones

E. Type of Loudspeakers

 Tower Speakers - The woofers drivers within these speakers produce more
deeper and impactful bass to reproduce the full range of sound with quality,
clarity, and smoothness

 Bookshelf Speakers - These speakers are specifically designed to maximize

sound in small to medium-sized spaces (or) rooms

 Built-in Speakers - They act as transducers, converting audio from the

computer into audible sound waves.

 Soundbars Speakers - It is a small speaker system that delivers an

immersive audio experience and next-level sound in your living space.
 In-wall and In-celling Speakers - These speaker systems provide decent
performance and fill your room with a wider sound stage.

 Portable Bluetooth Speakers - Listen to your favorite music (or) podcasts

almost everywhere you go by connecting wirelessly to your smartphone,
tablet (or) other devices

 Electrostatic loudspeaker - The speakers disperse sound over a wide angle,

creating a spacious and realistic soundstage