Public Address Systems

This text starts by covering basic public address systems and audio engineering principles and considers acoustics and its effect on the PA system. It then discusses microphones, mixers and amplifiers, loudspeakers, distribution systems, live music and how to achieve reliability.

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Public address systems vary in size and complexity from the small clubroom to the large factory, theatre or sports stadium installation. Although having many principles in common, conditions differ considerably and with them the type of equipment and method of installation that is required. All these must be taken into account when planning a system.




Starting from basic public-address requirements and audio engineering principles, this book considers acoustics and its effect on pa systems, and then goes on to discuss microphones, mixers and amplifiers, loudspeakers, distribution systems, live music and how to achieve reliability. Test equipment is investigated, with an analysis of what is essential for pa work and what is merely useful. Many practical tips are included throughout. The book concludes with an in depth chapter on common faults and how to deal with them, as well as the latest safety regulations.

This practical book covers everything you need to know about public address systems. The aim is to deal with the subject matter in a manner that will be understandable and useful to readers with limited technical knowledge, yet also of value to the professional public address engineer.

Vivian Capel is a trained radio and audio engineer with forty-five years experience in these and related fields. During this time he worked with two specialist high quality audio and public address companies as well as with the Philips service organisation. He has tested and reviewed audio equipment for manufactures and hi-fi magazines in his own audio lab, and has advised on, and supervised many pa installations from small halls to large stadiums. He has also designed loudspeaker systems including the widely acclaimed Kappelmeister hi-fi speaker and the LISCA public address system. He now works as a freelance audio consultant and technical writer.