Do you want to know more about PA systems? If your answer is yes, then this article is for you. In this article, we will reveal what you need to know about a PA system.
What is a PA System?
Public address (PA) systems refer to certain devices that can produce sounds that can reach a large group of people. The first PA system was used to give speeches and make safety announcements. So, they were mostly used to address people.
There are ports, an amplifier, and usually two speaker drivers that make up a public address system. The microphone sends an electrical signal to the amplifier, which boosts the sound. The amplifier then pushes the speaker cones. This transforms the electrical signal from the microphone into a perfect copy of the original sound.
Many portable or modern public address setups have built-in mixers instead of just inputs. Musicians can plug their instruments directly into the unit without having to use a different mixer. Most of the time, mixers are designed with two channels and a Bluetooth streaming channel.
The high-tier mixers are designed with six to eight channels. They also come with other effects such as delay, reverb, EQ, and app-controllable mixing in some cases. The minimum features you will find in a mixer are two inputs. With this, you can plug in a vocal microphone and a guitar.
As an alternative, you can use the master stereo output of an external mixer to connect it. This is why you will always see these two inputs in a mixer. With two inputs you can record an individual source or a complete band.
Types of PA Systems
In this section, we will reveal the different types of public address systems available. We will also tell you the people who will benefit the most from each of them. Let’s get into it.
Full Range
The most common setup of full-range units has a minimum of two speakers. They also utilize drivers that work in two or three ways. In two-way speakers, low-end and low-mid frequencies are played by a single big-speaker driver called a woofer. Then, the high frequencies are played by a smaller speaker driver called a tweeter.
A three-way speaker has a similar setup. However, it has an extra mid-sized driver for the midrange. This makes the sound fuller and more precise.
Most of the time, full-range systems are put together on stands or atop subwoofers. You can visit https://soundcertified.com/to learn the differences between a subwoofer and a woofer. They can be as simple as a pair of two-way speakers on base stands. They can also be as complex as a full system with subwoofers under the stage and full-range speakers spread out.
It’s also possible for a full-range system to look like a big stack of flown speakers hanging in the air. These setups are great at reproducing all kinds of sounds. You can find these systems just about anywhere. This includes hotel entertainment rooms, theatres, clubs, bars, and music places.
They are used in event centers since they can be easily scaled. Small bands, songwriters, and DJs can also use these as a pair when they go on tour. However, the price and portability may not always be the best when compared to other options.
Portable
Portable setups are great for entertainers and musicians who need to travel and don’t have access to mains power. These speakers are light and take up little room. They are perfect for small garden parties, buskers, DJs, singer-songwriters, traveling entertainers, and other performers. Provided they are used in small places such as community halls.
Most of these setups run on batteries. However, they also have the option to plug into the wall for power. So, you can use it wherever and whenever you want. To make up for their small size, though, they usually have fewer inputs and internal mixers that aren’t as powerful.
Some makeup for the lack of a mixer by having even more powerful DSP features than many full-range systems. You can read this article to learn more about DSP (Digital Signal Processing). A lot of portable systems even let you mix completely through apps. This gives you access to a lot more complicated controls than other onboard mixers.
You might see digital parametric EQ, more customization, and effects like delays and reverbs. Some even have separate effects for each channel. There are those that have handles and wheels that make them easier to move and store. They are usually smaller than full-range speakers and have drivers that are 8 or 10 inches in diameter.
Some of them may also come with wireless microphones or transmitters that don’t need wires. Many portable PA systems can also be used by regular artists in different ways. They can be used as front-of-house (FOH) speakers or for performing outdoors. They can be set up sideways as personal stage monitors.
Column
This is a newer approach to make portable sound systems that try to offer more power and range. They are designed as a full-sized subwoofer and a column full of smaller full-range speakers. When the setup of this unit is complete the whole thing looks bulky.
Therefore, manufactures make the column of full-range drivers in a way they can be broken into segments. This gives you some setup options if you don’t need the full column’s coverage. Yet, you still have to deal with setting up and tearing down two heavy bags of speaker. The issue is more about the size of the components rather than the setup difficulty.
The subwoofer unit that comes with column systems makes the sound more powerful. This makes them perfect for outdoor entertainment, small bands, and DJs. Even though they might cost more than some full-range speakers, they are still a great option. Many of these systems can also be connected wirelessly or directly to make a stereo pair.
Conclusion
PA systems can be used in several ways. To choose the one that best suits you, you need to understand what your needs are. You also need to know where you will be using it. You can choose from full range, column, or portable.