Gain structure Flashcards
Signal to Noise Ratio
Compares a level of signal power to a level of noise power
Pre-Amp
Prepares the signal coming from a pickup or microphone for further amplification
Power Amplifier
An electronic device which provides sufficient power to drive a speaker or other power device
Main purpose to raise power level of input signal
Gain Structure
When multiple pieces of electronic audio are used together, they contribute to the overall sound quality.
Which equipment amplifies or reduces the signal
Noise floor
Measure of the summation of all noise sources and unwanted signal.
Phantom Power
Adds signal boost and used for condenser mics
Impedance
the total resistance of a complex circuit involving resistors, capacitors and inductors as a composite lump
Mic/line level switch
Controls line level of certain instruments: Guitar, Bass, Synths
HPF/Low cut
High pass filter switch – Applies a high pass filter, attenuates bass frequencies to reduce rumble
Drive switch
Output/drive, boosting and applying warm distortion
Phase Switch
Flips the phase of signal
Amp
- Used to boost power of a signal
Briefly sum up the history of amplifiers
- Early amps used tubes/valves to boost signal until late 60s/early 70s
- Valve/tube amps boost even harmonics and give a warm tone
What is a transistor?
- Invented early 40s and made of semi-conductive material such as germanium or silicon
- Smaller than vacuum valves
- Can now fit 249,000,000, on a pin head
- Amplify odd order harmonics, distorting in a ‘less pleasing way’
