Summary
It is highly essential to choose the right sound system with a mic if you want the best sound output at all times. If you are a performing musician, a disc jockey, or an event organizer, you should know that the secret to every event lies in the choice or functionality of the sound system with a mic used for the occasion. A standard sound system with a mic should capture, mix and amplify your sound to give the best output for your audience. Your choice of the sound system can make or mar your event if not well selected.
The audience may lose interest in the event, and this could be damaging to the show. It is critical to find the right sound system that matches the type of venue, budget, and the genre of music to be played in the event. Whether you are a band that plays in a club or local bar, a songwriter that performs in a café, or a disc jockey that plays at weddings, you need the right sound system with a mic to give your audience a good show. This article will discuss everything you need to know about sound systems with mics. We shall explain what a sound system is and the different types of sound systems with mics.
We shall also discuss some of the standard terms associated with sound system with mic. As you read on, you shall learn more about the sound system with a mic power amplifier. We shall explain how to identify the best power wattage for your sound system with a mic and speakers. We cannot discuss a sound system with a mic without mentioning the role of live sound mixers in a complete sound system with a mic setup.
We shall also define the functions of each of the basic components of a sound system with a mic, which includes monitor speakers, equalizers, cables, mic, and other essentials of a live sound system. We shall provide answers to frequently asked questions about the sound PA system with a mic. At the end of the article, you should be armed with relevant knowledge to help select the right sound system with a mic for you. Are you ready to go with us on a journey of discovering the most efficient sound system with PA for every event, application, and venue? Then come along, and we hope you get what you seek.
Get to know the basics sound system with mic?
A sound system with a mic is a public address or sound reinforcement system that helps to provide the right sound from a speaker or performer to an audience. A sound system with a mic has several components that make the audience receive clear sounds without any distortion. There are different types of sound systems with mics, and each of them comes with a variety of features. However, they perform a similar function with the same working principle to provide sound from a performer to an audience.
Generally, a sound system with a mic comes with two loudspeaker cabinets. The loudspeaker cabinets contain both a large and a smaller speaker. The smaller speaker is also called a horn or tweeter speaker because it projects sound with higher frequencies. These speakers are passive speakers that require sound to be amplified so the audience can hear them. A power amplifier with the right wattage power helps to achieve the right sound projection.
A sound system with a mic also comes with a powered mixer. The mixer is the sound system’s CNS (Central Nervous System). It performs a similar function as a stereo system’s receiver. A standard mixer has a range of four and twenty-four channels or inputs. It is also designed with tone and volume controls and echo effects which may come in handy in some situations. The mixer channels or inputs receive and process audio electricals from input lines like the microphones, audio devices, or instruments.
The processed electrical signals are amplified to the right wattage strength to transfer them to the speakers. We shall provide a more detailed description of each of the sound system components with a mic as you read on. We can summarize the primary function of a sound system with a mic into four distinct categories, with each function explaining the stages of sound projection from a sound system with a mic.
Here are some of the basic functions of a sound system with a mic
● A sound system with a mic helps to convert acoustic sounds to electronic signals. It is used with line inputs or microphones to send acoustic signals so they can be amplified for the audience to hear.
● Sound systems with mics also help in mixing and processing electronic signals using effects modules or mixing boards
● A sound system with a mic also amplifies these line signals with the help of a power amplifier.
● The amplified sound is delivered through the loudspeakers, a primary component of a sound system with a mic.
● Finally, a sound system with a mic uses in-ear monitors to monitor the speakers’ performance.
Eight standard terms you should know before buying a sound system with a mic
Are you considering buying a sound system with a mic? It is critical to be conversant with some basic terms to know the right specification to purchase. Here are eight standard terms that are associated with a sound system with a mic:
● Watt
Watt is one of the most common terms you may come across when dealing with a sound system with a mic. It describes the amount of power needed by the amplifier to deliver electrical signals to the speaker. It is impossible to measure a sound system with a mic’s speaker volume without considering the amplifier’s power wattage. However, it may be safe for you to assume that a speaker’s volume increases with the amplifier’s wattage power.
● Clipping
Clipping is referred to as the distorted or popping sound you hear. It occurs when the amplifier exceeds its maximum power output. When you continually hear this popping sound, it signifies that your speakers or amplifier are being damaged.
● Headroom
Headroom measures the quantity of power being held by an amplifier to deal with a short signal spike. Headroom is the reason for overestimating your wattage in case of any sudden signal surge. A signal surge may occur if someone turns plugs in a mic without lowering the volume.
● Dynamic range
The dynamic range is a technical term that describes the sound difference between the softest and loudest moments. It is measured in decibels and lets you know the amount of change to expect if an amplifier or any other component in your sound system with a mic experiences distortion.
● Decibel
Decibel is another common term that is associated with a sound system with a mic. It measures the relative loudness of sound that reaches your eardrum.
● Feedback
Feedback is that screechy sound you hear when a mic is too loud. It occurs if the mic is placed too close to the speaker. The output is feedback to the mic, which amplifies and transfers to the speaker and receives the feedback again. The process may continue until you get to hear the feedback squeal.
● Impedance
Impedance measures electrical resistivity and is rated in ohms. Before you purchase the sound system with mic speakers, it is wise to match the speaker’s impedance to the amplifier rating for high-end performance. Impedance mismatch may cause damage to the gear.
● Gain
Your sound system with mic gain is the ratio of input to the output signal. It simply means an increase in volume, which automatically produces louder sounds.
Transducers/Input devices of a sound system
We have defined the primary functions of a sound system with a mic. Let us now take a detailed look at the individual devices that makes up a sound system with a mic and the role they play in ensuring that an audience receives clear sound from the performer or speaker
The first step in projecting sound from a sound system with a mic is the transduction or input stage. It is the stage at which acoustic signals from input devices are converted to electrical signals sent to other components of the sound system. Transduction or input devices include the following:
● Microphone
A microphone is an accurate transducer because it helps transmit acoustic sound from vibrations in the air into electrical signals that undergo further processing and amplification by the sound system. Let us find out how a microphone can perform this all-important function.
The microphone functions through vibrations from sound waves which travel through the air, causing the diaphragm in the microphone to vibrate. The mic’s diaphragm is attached to a wire coil or voice call vibrating inside a magnetic field provided by the magnet in the microphone. The vibration inside the microphone generates electrical signals, which are transferred to other parts of the system. At the end of the audio chain towards the speakers, the same process occurs.
● Audio players
Aside from microphones, one other vital input or transducer device is an audio player. Audio players help in converting encoded sound data on a recording medium to electrical signals. Examples of audio devices are TV and radio tuners, CD players, analog cassette decks, etc.
Effects/ Mixing Devices in a sound system
Effect and mixing devices are used in the second stage of sound production from a sound system with a mic. Electrical audio signals that come from the transducers or input devices are transmitted to a processor or mixer to mix or add effects. The following are mixing or processing devices of a sound system with a mic.
● Mixer
The mixer is a device in a sound system with a mic used to mix several audio signals by adjusting their individual sound quality and relative levels.
● The channel control
A sound system with a mic’s channel control section consists of controls for adjusting the tone and level of the individual input signals. Each mixer input signals have the following controls:
Equalizer
Most mixers in a sound system with a mic have three or four equalizer bands on each input channel. These band equalizers help to adjust the sound to achieve a perfect blend with other input signals. They can also be used to reduce sound feedback.
Pan
The pan control is a function in a sound system with a mic that helps adjust the different channel signal levels transmitted to the right and left speaker systems. The pan control also helps in adjusting the input signal’s apparent position in the stereo mix.
Gain
A sound system with a mic produces lower levels from audio players than from the mic itself. There is a need for amplification through the use of preamplifiers. The preamplifiers or head amplifiers increase the mic’s signals to an appropriate level. The gain control can adjust the preamplification amount to input signals of reasonably low levels.
Channel Fader
A sound system with a mic’s channel fader helps in adjusting each input signal level. The primary aim is to ensure a balance between the individual input signals to create the mix you desire.
Auxiliary Sends
Auxiliary sends off a sound system with a mic can be likened to branches that come off the primary signal flow to the speaker system and the power amplifier. Auxiliary sends transmits signals to the speaker’s monitor system or the external effects units.
● Processor
The processors in a sound system with a mic are responsible for manipulating electronic audio signals to add effects. They also increase a signal’s intelligence level and ensure that the sound produced is natural as it can get. Effects are creative tools used in a sound system with a mic to produce unique sounds.
● Master control
The master control section is also a key part of the mixer in a sound system with a mic. It controls the overall input signal level that has been mixed. The resultant signal is set as the stereo out and connected to the power amplifier’s input.
Amplification and output devices of a sound system
Power amplifiers and speakers are devices used for sound amplification and the final stage of sound projection respectively in a sound system with a mic.
● Power amplifiers
Power amplifiers are a vital part of a sound system with a mic. They help amplify processed and mixed audio signals to a sufficient level for them to be driven to the speakers. It is very easy to overlook power amplifiers because they are mostly placed out of sight. Their importance in a sound system with a mic cannot be ignored because they assist in handling higher current and voltage than other components of a sound system with a mic.
There are multi-channel amplifiers and two-channel amplifiers. Multi-channel amplifiers can amplify four to eight audio channels, while two-channel amplifiers can handle two audio channels. While two-channel amplifiers are efficient for handling stereo music or other related programs, multi-channel amplifiers drive more speaker systems in a small rack space.
● Speakers
The speakers are the large stage of a sound system with a mic in the aspect of sound projection. A sound system with mic speakers is responsible for converting amplified electrical signals from the sound system’s power amplifier back into their original state, acoustic signals, to enable the audience to hear the sound from the speaker or performer.
The dynamic speaker is more commonly used for a sound system with a mic and shares a similar working principle. The amplifier output reaches the speaker’s voice coil and interacts with the speaker’s magnetic field. It produces a physical motion after the conversion of the electrical signal back to acoustic energy. Since the voice coil in the speaker is not strong enough to produce the sound pressure levels required on its own, it is attached to a cone that helps to move more air.
The sound system with the mic speaker’s cone is responsible for driving the air that is heard by the audience. Most dynamic speaker units in sound systems with mics are not used in their raw or naked state, but some of their units are enclosed to meet the required sound output properties. The speakers alone are referred to as “units.” However, when they are enclosed, it is now referred to as a speaker system.
Factors to consider when positioning your sound system
As a general rule, before you set up your sound system with a mic, it is important to consider the following factors to know the best location for your sound system.
● Closeness to the power source
It is advisable to locate your sound system with a mic close to a power source as this will help you run fewer cables than what is necessary.
● Location of the speakers
As a rule of thumb, place all speakers in front of the microphone. It is not advisable to position speakers where the mic can conveniently hear the speaker as that may cause annoying feedback or screeching sounds.
● Consider the mic location
Before deciding where to place your sound system with a mic, it is essential to determine where you will use it. Does the venue have a stage? The mic location will also determine the best position of the mixer and speaker.
● Consider the mixer location
Do you have a sound system with a mic, and are you considering the best way to set up the equipment? It may be appropriate to first decide on the best position to locate the mixer. There are two possible places you can site the sound system with mic’s audio mixers. The first place you may want to consider placing the mixer is between the speakers and the microphone.
Placing your sound system with a mic’s audio mixer in this location requires less cable length. Secondly, you may consider placing the mixer in a place out of sight, maybe at the back of the room or stage. The reason for doing this is to keep the complex equipment away from the stage and out of sight. It makes the place look neater, and it also requires less cable to do this.
What is the best way to set up a sound system?
Most people get the whole arrangement of setting up a sound system with a mic very wrong, which can cause low-quality sound production at the speaker end. The sound quality projected from the speakers may affect the audience’s interest in what a speaker is saying. Your sound system with a mic should be accurately set to give you a perfect sound production.
Have you been setting up your sound system with a mic wrongly? Or are you a newbie that would love to get it right the first time? Then the following approach may be beneficial. Before we outlined the steps, It is believed that you have visited the venue to see the layout as this will help you in positioning your sound system with mic’s hardware. Once you have done that, let us now itemize the various steps you must take when setting up a sound system with a mic.
Step 1- place the microphones and speakers on their stands
Step 2- place the sound system with the mic’s mixer on a table in your desired location.
Step 3- the power cables should be correctly plugged into the speakers. However, do not turn them on for now.
Step 4- the power cables should be plugged into the mixer without turning them on
Step 5- ensure that you plug the mixers and the speakers into the socket on the wall.
Step 6- After plugging both the speaker and mixer, you should connect the mixer output to the speaker input using the three-pin XLR cable. The mixer output is usually top right, while the speaker input is at the top or rear. Repeat the same procedure when connecting additional speakers
Step 7- Connect the microphone of the sound system with the mic to the first input of the system’s mixer located top left using another XLR cable.
Step 8- Ensure that all the volume knobs and gains in the sound system with the mic’s mixer are set to the lowest level available.
Step 9- Ensure that all the PAN and Equalizer knobs are positioned at the center of your sound system with the mic’s mixer.
Step 10- Once you have carried out the above steps, you can now power on the mixers
Step 11- Power on the sound system with mic speakers
Step 12 – Turn on the speaker’s master output to a halfway position located at the bottom right of your sound system with the mic’s speaker.
Step 13- turn on the first input volume to the center position.
Step 14- Turn on the first input gain slowly till the sound system with the microphone’s mic has the required loudness.
Step 15 – when adding other microphones to your sound system with a mic, repeat the above two steps.
Step 16- do not leave cables hanging loose, so you should tape down all the cables
Frequently asked questions about sound systems with mic
● What accessories do I need with my sound system
You need a sound system with mics and cables. The number of microphones you may require depends on the number of channels in your sound system with a mic. You may opt for dynamic cardioid mics for live performance. Other essential sound systems with mic accessories are cables, monitors, microphones, and speaker stands. Your venue size can also influence the length of cables you may need.
● How do I select the most appropriate sound system that can accommodate the size of my audience?
Choosing a sound system with a mic that can accommodate your audience size/ you may require a single speaker for an audience of at most 1000 people with a 1000, square feet venue size. Two speakers may be appropriate for 1500 people in a 15,000 square feet venue. Three speakers may be appropriate for 2,000 people with a venue size of 20,000 square feet.
● How can I avoid feedback or squealing from my sound system with a mic?
You can avoid feedback by standing behind or on the other side of the speakers when talking because feedback is observed when the mic is very close to the sound system’s speakers. A presenter should stand at least 10 feet from the speaker, and the mic volume should be lowered to avoid feedback.
● What is the farthest distance you can stand from a sound system with a mic and still be heard?
A standard sound system with a mic should allow for a hearing distance of about 200 feet from the sound system amplifier.
● Do I need to add a subwoofer?
Subwoofers are responsible for handling sounds with very low bass frequencies. They are large speakers that are not installed with complete enclosures due to their size. A subwoofer can reduce the portability of your sound system. However, you may go for a powered subwoofer, but it also requires a power amplifier that can supply the much-needed wattage. Bands with music genres such as hip-hop, metal, heavy rock, or reggae may need a subwoofer because o they depend on powerful drums and bass.
● Should I go for non-powered or powered speakers?
Powered speakers are best if you avoid buying one or several dedicated power amplifiers for your sound system with a mic. Powered speakers also allow you to utilize a non-powered mixer. Musicians who perform at smaller venues may choose to go for powered speakers because they are more portable and convenient to set up.
● Is it better to wire speakers in series or parallel?
When you wire your sound system with mic speakers in parallel, there is a reduction in the number of ohms, lowering the impedance. Wiring speakers in series, on the other hand, increases the ohms amount and increases the impedance.
Tips to help you buy the best sound system
If you are considering buying a sound system with a mic and you have little or no idea how you can purchase one, you may try the following tips to help you purchase the best sound system with a mic.
● Consider your budget
Before you can buy a sound system with a mic, it is highly essential to check your budget. There are different prices of sound systems with mics; the difference in prices may be due to their features or equipment brand. However, we advise that you buy one that suits your budget, but it also pays to add a little extra money to buy a more durable and efficient sound system with a mic.
● Consider the purpose of buying the equipment
Ask yourself pertinent questions like, what is the purpose of buying the sound system with a mic. Are you buying it for outdoor or indoor purposes? What is the maximum audience size you are expecting?
● Future expansion
It is also very essential to consider future expansions when purchasing a sound system with a mic. If you are using it for an expanded audience in the future, you should consider it beforehand to avoid buying additional parts in the future.
● The physical environment
It is also wise to consider the proposed venue’s physical environment to enable you to know the type of sound system with a mic that would be best suited for such an environment.
Before buying a sound system with a mic, it is highly critical to consider several factors such as the venue, purpose of the event, the number of audiences, price, the venue’s physical environment, and more.
Conclusion
We have outlined the function of a sound system with a mic and how best you can set up the equipment. When purchasing a sound system, you may want to consider buying one that comes in a complete package. You can get a quality sound system with a mic and other components in a single package. It helps you to avoid buying individual members that may have compatibility issues.
We at Winbrigde sell a premium quality sound system with a mic that offers you high performance and durability. Our sound system with a mic also has all the basic components of a sound system and high-end features that are guaranteed to provide you with maximum satisfaction at all times.