Mr Soundman | Glossary

At Mr Soundman we appreciate not everyone is an expert so to help you find your way around the pa system hire industry and to avoid any confusion we have listed definitions for some of the terms that are commonly used:

Audio/Audio System

Audio/Audio System is sound , the reproduction, transmission or reception of sound and equipment used to reproduce, transmit or receive sound.

PA/PA System

P.A. is short for public address and a Public Address System is a system to electronically amplify sound as a means of communication in public areas such as town halls, concert venues & open air areas.

Loudspeaker/Tannoy

A loudseaker (Tannoy is a brand of loudspeaker) is an electro-acoustic transducer which converts electronic signals so that the sound output is loud enough to be heard over a greater distance.

Disco/Discotheque

A disco/discotheque is a club/nightclub that in which dancing to either live or recorded or music takes place. It often features has a light show extravaganza and smoke machines.

Mobile Disco

A Mobile Disco is a disc jockey which travels to your location or venue with mobile sound systems and play from a large collection of popular music pre-selected for your audience.

Conferencing System

A confererencing system is computer or telecommunications technology which aid the holding of or allowing participants to participation in a conference.

DJing Equipment

A Dj is a Disc Jockey (someone who selects and plays songs) at a social gathering or radio station. DJing equipment is computer or telecommunications technology which enables the DJ to do this.

Sound Reinforcement Systems

A sound reinforcement System is a collection of amplification devices, microphones, signal processors, that increases the volume of recorded or live sounds (traditionally speech or music) distributing the sound over a greater area so a larger number of people can hear it.

Vocal Sets

A Vocal Set is a wireless hand-held microphone which transmits a signal back to a receiver box which is in turn plugged into an amplification device. Used predominantly for live music and speech.

Outdoor Gigging Systems

An outdoor gigging system is a series of electronic devices which are used together to amplify music live or recorded or speech in an outdoor environment. Primarily used for outdoor music gigs, and distribute the sound over a wide area.

Public Address

See PA/PA System

Electronic Amplification/Amplifier

A device for increasing the power of a signal, using power from a power supply to control the sound output matching the shape of the input signal but with a greater amplitude, enabling the input sound to be transmitted over a greater area and at a louder volume.

Mixer

An audio mixer is a gadget which mixes two or more audio inputs. The two main types of mixer are Additive mixers which combine two signals, and are used to mix audio and multiplying mixers which multiply the two input signals and are used in other situations.

Loudspeakers/Speakers

A loudspeaker, speaker, or speaker system is an electronic transducer which converts an electrical signal into sound. This term can be used to mean an individual device or driver, and also a complete system consisting of additional electronicdevices. Speakers are the most variable elements in any audio system, and can produce drastically different outputs in otherwise identical sound systems.

Public Speaking

Public speaking often involves a speaker addressing a large group of individuals over an area greater than the human voice would ordinarily be able to project. In this case a PA System is used.

Live Music

Live music generally relies on a range of equipment to amplify the instruments ans vocals. Examples of live music include gigs for bands & solo artists, karaoke, classical performances, instrumental & background music.

Prerecorded

Prerecorded music relies on electronic equipment to be relayed to an audience, from CD/MP3/analogue music players to loudspeakers & mixing devices. Mr Soundman can provide all of the equipment necessary for this.

Venue

A Venue is the location for a gig, conference or similar. It can be either a concert hall, arena, town hall, council chamber, school hall, church hall, bar or club.

Intercom

An intercom is an intercommunication device more commonly made up of two or more sets of microphones and speakers either fixed in a building or mobile to be carried around, allowing two way communication. Larger intercoms can also act as loudspeakers allowing announcements to be made.

Microphone

A microphone is a device for transforming sound waves into electronic signals especially for transmitting or recording.

SR System

An SR System or Sound Reinforcement System is a combination of devices - microphones, processors, amplifiers, and speakers that takes prerecorded or live sound and increases their volume thus distributing it over a greater distance and to a larger audience.

Sound Engineer/Sound Technician/Audio Engineer

Audio engineer and Sound engineer refer to a person who works in sound/music production, and also to a qualified engineer who can design systems & equipment for this purpose.

Sound Technology

Sound technology is a blanket term for everything to do with the electronic production of sound.

Gigs

A gig is a term used to refer to a performance of musical works to an audience, which often relies on sound technology to project the sound to the entire crowd.