PA system
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What is a PA System?
A Public Address (PA) system is a collection of audio equipment that allows broadcasts over a designated area. Often found in schools and office buildings, PA systems can be used for general announcements or emergency information, providing a simple way to get information out quickly. PA systems can be basic or advanced, and people can customize them to fit a variety of needs. There are even personal models that can be less expensive, but allow for a much shorter range.
General Systems
Basic PA systems are comprised of loudspeakers placed in convenient locations around a broadcasting area, an amplifier to increase the sound, and a mixer that adjusts audio levels. The user speaks into a microphone, and the sound is transmitted through connected cables, or a wireless system, out through the speakers. Some systems also include microphones or intercoms near the speaker locations, allowing the listener to reply to the central location. These responses are not broadcast to the entire system, however, but only to the main user area.
Functions for Schools
Many schools use a PA system to broadcast daily announcements about school activities, and often let students use it to give reports or announce special events. The device can also function as an emergency warning system. In case of fires, earthquakes or other natural disasters, administrators often use a PA system to instruct students and teachers on where to go and how to respond. With the tragic rise in school shootings in the early 21st Century, many schools have installed special emergency warnings through these systems to alert students and staff about a violent attack on the campus.
Performance Systems
Many venues use a large-scale PA system to amplify sound for concerts or theater productions. Often called Sound Reinforcement (SR) systems, these versions are much more complex than the simple ones found in schools and offices. SR systems frequently use a dual broadcast setup, projecting the sound from the stage into the audience, and also into backstage monitors that keep any off-stage personnel informed of what is happening. This type of PA system may have dozens of microphones feeding into it, and may need several technicians to operate and maintain it correctly.
Personal Units and Custom Devices
While a simple and portable PA system is often fairly expensive, it can provide a speaker with some options for addressing a crowd of people. This type of public announcement hardware provides someone with extremely limited broadcasting range, often including only a single speaker, but still serves to amplify the user's voice. More advanced versions increase in price considerably, especially with numerous cords, wireless hubs, and adaptors that may be required. This all depends, however, on what a person or business needs in terms of PA system hardware and installation.
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a EasyTechJunkie writer.
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a EasyTechJunkie writer.
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Discussion Comments
@TunaLine: Powerwerks PW100T. Amazing pa system starter buy. My advice from experience is to stay away from the all in one kits like those mentioned (they are good for PA, not sound reinforcement). I would also suggest the Harbinger series, however the company is owned by Guitar Center (I loathe Guitar Center with every fiber of my being in existence).
I own a pw100t and I love it. I think it was $230 with tax included, so it's not really that big of an investment. You can add subs and monitors as you go (I don't think the ones mentioned add on, which is another reason why not to buy them for a band whose fan base only grows). I play acoustic guitar through a samson r21s mic and sing through an sm58, and the amp sounds better than I expected it to.
First impressions of the PW100t were "Oh wow, a knockoff fish stick, and 800 bucks off the price? Yeah. Watch it sound like crap." I played it for maybe five minutes in the store and put it on layaway that day. I haven't had it too too long, but it's been through a few coffee houses and dive bars since.
Powerwerks also makes other models of PAs, mixers, subs and monitors, so you should check them out as a brand some time. You might find what you like with their label on it. Most of the products I've seen don't seem like a huge chunk of your pocket is lost.
Lastly, PA systems mixers and all that Hz feedback mumbo jumbo used to confuse me. The mixer onboard the pw100t is about as user friendly as you can get, gets loud for the price range, and the quality of the product blew me away. I will definitely add a monitor and subs soon to my pw100t just to make me louder and louder as needed at a particular venue, and because of my expectations, it will probably be a powerwerks logo.
But if you are set on one of those three, do not let me turn you away from it, by any means. I'm just letting you know the route I took. Have fun. And in the words of Todd Rundgren, "I don't wanna work, I wanna bang on the drum all day."
So I'm trying to choose a good PA system/amplifier for my band, and I'm stuck on which one to go for. I mean, it's a big investment, so I don't want to back the wrong horse, right?
I've narrowed it down to a few, and I'm stuck deciding between a Yorkville wireless PA system, a Soundtech PA system, a NADY PA system and a JBL PA system.
Which one should I go for? I really want a good one, since my band plays a lot of different venues with different acoustics.
Of course, I'd rather not break the bank either, but if it comes down to it, I would prefer to have a better performing system that's more expensive than a cheaper, but acoustically worthless, system.
Any audio engineers (or others) got advice for me?
Whenever I think of PA audio systems, two things come to mind — the morning announcements in the movie "Grease", with the little chime that the secretary played, and the announcements that Nurse Ratchet used to make over the PA in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".
Both excellent examples of how something as ordinary as an audio PA system can be used in a movie to create two very different effects.
I always remember the old PA sound system at my elementary school being so fuzzy and unclear. I don't know if if was just the wiring or if the school had gone with a cut-rate system, but you could hardly ever hear what people were saying over that thing.
I remember it being a running joke among the teachers, too — the best you could do was guess at what the PA was saying, and then send a kid to the office to find out if you were right.
Music has helped drive some wonderful innovations in PA systems and speaker technology. For instance, the Leslie Cabinet rotated at varying speeds, sending the sound in all directions of the room (rather than simply in the direction the speaker was facing). A lot of guitar players in the psychedelic rock era, such as George Harrison and Jimi Hendrix, used these speakers to create the sensation that their guitar sounds were careening around the room, no doubt adding to the psychedelic experience of the shows.
Настройка портальных PA систем
Меня никогда не перестают удивлять звукоинженеры, не понимающие основных принципов настройки портальных систем (или как их принято еще называть PA систем). Уже дважды в этом году я был в ситуации, когда звукоинженер приезжал на саундчек к обеду и простым изменением настроек графического эквалайзера уничтожал все, что я успел сделать со звуком утром. И при этом он и минуты не слушал настроенный до него звук. Аргументы таких звукоинженеров обычно звучат следующим образом: «Эй, парень, это порталы JBL, а JBL всегда должны быть эквализированы вот так. » Ничего подобного!
Конечно же, звукоинженеры настраивают свое портальное оборудование, основываясь на обратной связи слева, справа и из центра площадки. Да, портальные системы JBL действительно обладают своей собственно частотной характеристикой, как и любой другой бренд. Но помимо этого надо учитывать еще такие факторы, как микрофоны на сцене, форму и размер концертного зала, характеристики микшера и обработки, настройки кросовера и т.п. Моя точка зрения – портальную систему нужно всякий раз настраивать в каждом отдельно взятом случае.
Применение графического эквалайзера на практике
Итак, давайте предположим, что у вас есть ваша собственная портальная система, настроенная и собранная в такой конфигурации, как вы хотите. А еще есть 8 микрофонов на сцене. Поднимите мастер-фейдер до нуля и первые настройки портального эквалайзера сделайте, прослушивая образцово-звучащий диск. Отлично. А теперь подстройте эквалайзер каждого канала на микшере под тот инструмент или голос, который будет звучать в этом канале.
Резонансные частоты
Следующее, что необходимо сделать, это найти резонансные частоты и устранить их. Один за другим поднимайте уровень каждого микрофона до того порога, выше которого уже появляется обратная связь и микрофон начинает резонировать (но не выше 0 дБ). Теперь мы имеем 8 микрофонов, выведенных на максимум. После этого на графическом эквалайзере по одной медленно поднимайте каждую частоту до 100% и внимательно прислушивайтесь, определяя, на каких частотах начинаются резонансы. Некоторые частоты начнут заводиться при смещении фейдера буквально на 1 мм. Такие частоты следует вырезать полностью. Другие же начнут резонировать через несколько секунд после того, как вы начнете их поднимать. Эти частоты достаточно будет просто ослабить. Третьи же частоты вообще не будут резонировать, соответственно их уровень можно вернуть в исходное положение. Проще говоря, насколько нужно опустить каждую частоту судите по тому, как быстро она начинает заводиться при плавном поднятии ее фейдера на графическом портальном эквалайзере.
Теперь снова прослушайте тестовый диск. Порталы звучат отвратительно? Не паникуйте. Если вы перестарались с настройками портального эквалайзера, то сейчас самое время вернуться к канальным эквалайзерам на микшерском пульте и теперь уже с их помощью устранить резонансные частоты. Используя тот же принцип, что и прежде, откройте только первый микрофон и поднимите регулятор высоких частот до максимума. Появилась обратная связь? Если да, то подрежьте соответствующую частоту на канальном эквалайзере. Теперь повысьте уровень средних частот до появления резонансов, и аналогичным образом подрежьте эту частоту. Проделайте ту же процедуру с низкой серединой и басами. А потом повторите все эти действия с каждым микрофоном. Теперь, когда канальные эквалайзеры каждого микрофона настроены, возвращайтесь к настройке портального графического эквалайзера, снова отстраивая на нем каждую частоту (поднимая уровень частоты до точки резонанса и соответствующим образом подрезая ее).
Кривая
Теперь кривая графического эквалайзера будет не такой резкой, а тестовый диск будет звучать очень близко к тому идеалу, который вы настроили в самом начале. Помимо этого, вам теперь будет тяжело заставить резонировать микрофоны на сцене, даже если в азарте захочется гитарное соло сделать громче обычного. Вы сможете целиком и полностью сосредоточиться на звучании микса. Но все это только до тех пор, пока звукоинженер следующей группы не зайдет в пультовую и лицо его не озариться садистской улыбкой при виде ваших настроек портального эквалайзера.
SmartMan 28 января 2011 в 07:28
Рейтинг: 5 / 5 
What Is A PA System?
Musicians and sound engineers aren’t the only ones who need to know about PA systems. A PA system is useful for a whole host of venues, like churches, schools, gyms and bars in order to project sound to a group of people. Get clued in so you know exactly what to look for the next time you need speakers.
14/11/18 9:30am — 5 min read | 34 min watch
PA stands for public address, i.e projecting sound to a large group of people louder than you could by talking or playing an acoustic instrument. Your first thought of PA speakers could be of those used at concerts or sports stadiums, but there are so many other applications for a PA system that one day you might have to buy one yourself.
Here’s a brief rundown of what a PA system is:
- A public address system used to project sounds from instruments, voices and other acoustic sources.
- Comprises of microphones, mixers, amplifiers and loudspeakers.
- Front of house (FOH) speakers point towards the audience, while monitors are directed to the performers.
- A mixer adjusts EQ and effects. Either on stage or controlled by an audio engineer at a mixing desk.
- Used everywhere from clubs and leisure centres to arenas and airports.
What makes a good PA System?
There are loads of variables to determine the best use of a PA system. For example, a busker needs a speaker that’s light and portable, while a venue owner would need a lot more wattage. But the speaker itself isn’t the only essential piece of gear. The sound you want people to hear has to be captured by a microphone before it’s processed by a mixer and then amplified. Identify what you’re going to use the PA for, what venue you’ll be at, the size of the audience and your price range.
All-in-one or portable speakers are best for those who don’t want to delve into the fine details of PA. These contain a built-in EQ (cutting out the external mixer) and a power amp that boosts the voltage of the signal.
The benefit of having a portable speaker is that everything is contained in one unit. As the name suggests, it’s relatively small so you can chuck it in the back of the car and you’re good to go. However, you’ll miss out on the larger range of sounds and setups you get with separate components. It simply won’t sound as good as other usually more expensive options.
A more refined rig would consist of a microphone, connected to a preamp to boost the line level, then into the mixer, then possibly into a power amp and finally a speaker. These are best for larger venues where you require a higher-definition sound. The downside is you (or some poor roadie) will have to transport all this heavy equipment to the venue and then set it up.
PA speakers
There are three main specifications to determine the capabilities of a speaker:
Wattage – This indicates the potential volume and clarity of the speaker. The higher the wattage, the louder it can get and in general, the more headroom it has. This means you can produce sound at louder volumes without it starting to break up and get fuzzy.
Size & weight – Speakers are measured in inches over diameter. The larger the speaker, the more expansive the sound becomes. There’s usually a correlation between size and weight. But weight can also vary based on the various types of woods and materials used to house the speaker.
Sound quality – As with any other kind of musical equipment, there is an identifiable correlation between price and sound quality. A musician would value clarity and definition over school teachers or fitness instructors who would want something more simple. Therefore you might sacrifice some portability or compactness over quality, or vice versa.
Speakers either come in active or passive varieties. The simple difference is whether they contain a power amp. Active speakers are most common in today’s market, as they’re much more flexible and don’t require an external power amp to drive it.
Front of house speakers are essential as they direct sound to the audience. But as a performer, you can either use an in-ear wireless system or monitors to listen back to what you’re doing, which is simply preferential.
Live Mixers
A mixer takes the microphone signal and equalises it to be as audibly balanced as possible. A simple mixer or portable PA system will only have a few inputs, while a professional level mixer will have multiple inputs to accommodate for lots of microphones.
General mixer controls consist of high, middle and low frequencies to shape the sound. In a band setting, you want to sculpt each instrument in the mix to keep the collective sound from meshing and becoming a horrible mess. You can also compress or pan inputs for the best sound placement.
Most digital mixers will also have built-in effects like delay and reverb. These are especially useful for vocals. A professional sound engineer will adjust these on the fly to suit parts of a song. The great thing about a digital mixer is the ability to recall pre-sets, so you don’t have to spend time tweaking mixes on the day of a show.
Microphones
Have a read of our more in-depth guide to microphones. But here we’ll go over the basics you need to know when hooking one up to a PA system.
There are two ‘umbrella’ types of microphones; condenser and dynamic. Condenser mics require phantom power to function. Almost all mixers have built-in phantom power and you can use the internal preamp to adjust the character and gain of the signal. External preamps generally provide better sound quality, lower amounts of noise and unique characteristics.
Dynamic mics offer excellent utility as most are multi-pattern. This means they can capture sound from various directions. Condensers, on the other hand, are extremely meticulous and work best with high frequencies. However, they’re more prone to breakage and are normally kept in the studio as a result.
That’s all the basics you need to know about PA systems! If you enjoyed this read, check out our other Learn articles.