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{{refimprove|date=August 2016}} |
{{refimprove|date=August 2016}} |
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[[File:Liveaudioequip.jpg|right|thumb|350px|A portable setup of various live audio production and recording equipment]] |
[[File:Liveaudioequip.jpg|right|thumb|350px|A portable setup of various live audio production and recording equipment]] |
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'''Professional audio''', |
'''Professional audio''', occasionally abbreviated as '''pro audio''', refers to both an activity and a type of high quality audio equipment. Typically it encompasses [[sound recording]], [[sound reinforcement system]] setup and mixing, and [[music producer|studio music production]] by trained [[sound engineer]]s, [[audio engineer]]s and audio technicians who work in [[live event support]], using [[audio mixer]]s or sound reinforcement systems. In contrast, [[consumer electronics|consumer audio]] equipment is usually confined to the reproduction of sound in a private home on a [[home stereo]] or [[home cinema]] system. |
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Professional audio can include but is not limited to [[broadcast radio]], [[audio mastering]] in a [[recording studio]], [[television studio]], and [[sound reinforcement]] such as a live concert, [[DJ]] performances, [[Sampling (music)| |
Professional audio can include, but is not limited to [[broadcast radio]], [[audio mastering]] in a [[recording studio]], [[television studio]], and [[sound reinforcement]] such as a live concert, [[DJ]] performances, [[Sampling (music)|audio sampling]], [[public address]] system set up, [[surround sound]] design in [[movie theatre]]s, and design and setup of [[piped music]] in hotels and restaurants. |
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==Definition== |
==Definition== |
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The term ''professional audio'' has no precise definition, but it typically includes: |
The term ''professional audio'' has no precise definition, but it typically includes: |
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* Operations carried trained [[audio engineers]] |
* Operations carried out by trained [[audio engineers]] |
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* The capturing of sound with one or more [[microphone]]s<ref>{{cite book | last=Alten | first=S.R. | title=Audio in Media | publisher=Cengage Learning | year=2013 | isbn=978-1-285-67529-9 | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=lesWAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA74 | accessdate=January 12, 2017 | page=74}}</ref> |
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* The capturing of sound with one or more [[microphone]]s |
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* Balancing, mixing and adjusting sound signals from [[multitrack recording]] devices using a [[mixing console]] |
* Balancing, mixing and adjusting sound signals from [[multitrack recording]] devices using a [[mixing console]] |
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* The control of audio levels<ref>{{cite book | last=Reinhardt | first=R. | last2=Dowd | first2=S. | title=Adobe Flash CS3 Professional Bible | publisher=John Wiley & Sons | series=Bible | year=2007 | isbn=978-0-470-11937-2 | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=UQs0sJ0NLDsC&pg=PA1165 | accessdate=January 12, 2017 | page=1165}}</ref> using standardised types of metering |
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* The control of audio levels using standardised types of metering |
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* Sound signals passing through lengthy [[airchain|signal chain]]s involving processes at different times and places, involving a variety of skills |
* Sound signals passing through lengthy [[airchain|signal chain]]s involving processes at different times and places, involving a variety of skills |
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* Compliance with organisational, national and international practices and standards established by such bodies as the [[International Telecommunication Union]], [[Audio Engineering Society]] and [[European Broadcasting Union]] |
* Compliance with organisational, national and international practices and standards established by such bodies as the [[International Telecommunication Union]], [[Audio Engineering Society]] and [[European Broadcasting Union]] |
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==Equipment== |
==Equipment== |
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Compared to consumer-grade audio equipment, professional audio equipment tends to have such characteristics as: |
Compared to consumer-grade audio equipment, professional audio equipment tends to have such characteristics as: |
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* Greater mechanical robustness and reliability |
* Greater mechanical robustness and reliability |
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* Many more options for "tweakability" and modification than typical consumer grade equipment. For example, whereas a typical home audio grade active subwoofer may have a factory set-[[audio crossover]] to determine at which point the audio signal will be routed to the subwoofer and a factory preset phase control and equalizer setting, pro audio active subwoofers (with built-in amplifiers and electronics) may offer adjustable crossover points, user-selectable phase control and equalizer controls |
* Many more options for "tweakability" and modification than typical consumer grade equipment. For example, whereas a typical home audio grade active subwoofer may have a factory set-[[audio crossover]] to determine at which point the audio signal will be routed to the subwoofer and a factory preset phase control and equalizer setting, pro audio active subwoofers (with built-in amplifiers and electronics) may offer adjustable crossover points, user-selectable phase control and equalizer controls{{efn|Some expensive, high-end [[hi-fi]] active subwoofers also offer "tweakability" and user controls, but the low-priced active subs sold at [[Big box]] [[consumer electronics]] stores do not usually include these features.}} |
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* Heavy-duty industrial-grade connectors, e.g. [[XLR connector|XLR]] balanced audio cables (for audio signals) and [[Speakon]] speaker connectors |
* Heavy-duty industrial-grade connectors, e.g. [[XLR connector|XLR]] balanced audio cables (for audio signals) and [[Speakon]] speaker connectors |
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* Designed for touring and transportation. This includes the use of [[19-inch rack]]-mount devices for electronic [[effects unit]]s and [[power amplifier]]s, the provision of handles and/or dolly wheels on heavy equipment to facilitate moving gear onstage (large [[speaker enclosure]] cabinets for [[subwoofer]]s and [[sound reinforcement system]] main speakers typically have handles and wheels) |
* Designed for touring and transportation. This includes the use of [[19-inch rack]]-mount devices for electronic [[effects unit]]s and [[power amplifier]]s, the provision of handles and/or dolly wheels on heavy equipment to facilitate moving gear onstage (large [[speaker enclosure]] cabinets for [[subwoofer]]s and [[sound reinforcement system]] main speakers typically have handles and wheels) |
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* [[Balanced audio]] interfaces (XLR) for lower noise and hum |
* [[Balanced audio]] interfaces (XLR) for lower noise and hum |
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==Stores== |
==Stores== |
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{{Main article|Professional audio store}} |
{{Main article|Professional audio store}} |
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{{refimprove|section|date=January 2017}} |
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A professional audio store is a retail establishment that sells, and in many cases rents, expensive, high-end [[sound recording]] equipment ([[microphone]]s, [[audio mixer]]s, [[digital audio recorder]]s, [[Studio monitor|monitor speakers]]) and [[sound reinforcement system]] gear (e.g., [[speaker enclosure]] cabinets, [[Foldback (sound engineering)|stage monitor speakers]], [[power amplifier]]s, [[subwoofer]] cabinets) and accessories used in both settings, such as [[microphone stand]]s. Some pro audio stores also sell video equipment, such as [[video projector]]s, as this equipment is commonly used in live audio settings (e.g., business presentations and conventions). Some pro audio stores also sell and/or rent [[DJ]] gear ([[record turntable]]s, [[DJ mixer]]s) and the [[stage lighting]] equipment used in rock concerts, [[dance club]]s, [[rave]]s and [[theater]]/[[musical theater]] shows. |
A professional audio store is a retail establishment that sells, and in many cases rents, expensive, high-end [[sound recording]] equipment ([[microphone]]s,<ref>{{cite book | last=Gardner | first=S. | last2=Birley | first2=S. | title=Blogging For Dummies | publisher=Wiley | series=For dummies | year=2012 | isbn=978-1-118-23925-4 | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=iM5-y-XlCQcC&pg=PA229 | accessdate=January 12, 2017 | page=229}}</ref> [[audio mixer]]s, [[digital audio recorder]]s, speakers and surround sound speakers,<ref>{{cite book | last=Hanes | first=W. | title=The 30-30 Career: Making 30 Grand in 30 Seconds!: Becoming a Platinum Composer | publisher=AuthorHouse | issue=v. 2 | year=2010 | isbn=978-1-4520-5097-3 | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=XNhmVCpyibAC&pg=PA67 | accessdate=January 12, 2017 | page=67}}</ref> [[Studio monitor|monitor speakers]]) and [[sound reinforcement system]] gear (e.g., [[speaker enclosure]] cabinets, [[Foldback (sound engineering)|stage monitor speakers]], [[power amplifier]]s, [[subwoofer]] cabinets) and accessories used in both settings, such as [[microphone stand]]s. Some pro audio stores also sell video equipment, such as [[video projector]]s, as this equipment is commonly used in live audio settings (e.g., business presentations and conventions). Some pro audio stores also sell and/or rent [[DJ]] gear ([[record turntable]]s, [[DJ mixer]]s) and the [[stage lighting]] equipment used in rock concerts, [[dance club]]s, [[rave]]s and [[theater]]/[[musical theater]] shows. |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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* |
*[[Institute of Professional Sound]] |
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* |
*[[Sound design]] |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |