| You've chosen the event space, hired a DJ (or a | | | | (Active) versus Unpowered (Passive)" speakers. |
| band) and then you find out you'll also have to rent | | | | Speakers |
| sound equipment. | | | | There are two types of speakers generally used at |
| "Is that like, umm, speakers and stuff?" | | | | most events: unpowered (Passive) and powered |
| Unless you were a DJ or a sound techie in a past | | | | (Active) speakers. |
| lifetime, chances are audio-visual lingo is as foreign to | | | | Powered speakers (active speakers) have a built in |
| you as Aramaic. | | | | amplifier. |
| Don't panic. | | | | Advantages |
| Learn the basics of sound equipment and you'll soon | | | | - Can be connected directly to a mixer. - Avoids the |
| be on your way to a great party. | | | | necessity of speaker to amplifier matching |
| There are four main components of a basic sound | | | | Disadvantages - Electrical source required for each |
| system: audio mixer, amplifier, speaker, and microphone | | | | speaker - Increased number of cables required for |
| (more info below). In addition, you might need other | | | | connection to each speaker - Often less powerful and |
| equipment including turntables, an iPod console and | | | | less durable then unpowered speakers. |
| more depending on the event. | | | | Unpowered speakers (passive speakers) requires a |
| Audio Mixers (Sound Boards) | | | | separate amplifier. |
| Audio mixers - a "mixer" - is an electronic device that | | | | Advantages - Reduced number of cables required for |
| allows multiple audio equipment to be connected to the | | | | connection to each speaker - Often more powerful |
| sound system. This is a necessary item comprised of | | | | and more durable then powered speakers |
| multiple inputs each with a volume control used to | | | | Disadvantages - A separate amplifier is required for |
| control audio levels. | | | | use with speaker |
| The number of input required on your mixer will | | | | For a more robust sound (found commonly in |
| depend on the number of items (microphones, | | | | nightclubs and dance parties), Sub-bass speakers |
| turntables, an iPod, etc.) that will be connected to the | | | | should also be considered. This is a speaker dedicated |
| sound system. | | | | to low-frequency sounds and adds a distinct presents |
| Mixers geared toward DJ's include additional features | | | | of low end sounds. |
| include a cross fader used for transitions between | | | | Microphones |
| connected audio equipment. | | | | There are three basic kinds of microphones: traditional, |
| Mixers are highly recommended when using a | | | | wireless and lavaliers. |
| microphone in order to have better control of the | | | | Traditional microphones have a wire that can vary in |
| volume, feedbacks and quality of the sound. | | | | length that connect to your mixer. |
| Amplifiers | | | | Advantages: |
| An amplifier - "amps" - is a device that increases the | | | | - You don't have to worry about loosing connectivity |
| amplitude of a signal (the voltage or current) sent to | | | | during a speech/presentation. Disadvantages: |
| the speakers. In laymen's terms, amplifiers are | | | | - The wires and limited mobility. |
| absolutely necessary to produce sound. | | | | Wireless Microphones are similar to a traditional |
| Amplifiers can be separate or built in to a speaker. | | | | microphone but with a cord. Microphone but it has a |
| See below for the pros and cons of "Powered | | | | chord. |