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Sound equipment

You have picked the event space, secured a DJ (or a band) and then you find out you will also have to rent out some sound equipment.
"Is that like, oh, speakers and stuff?"

Unless you were a seasoned DJ or a sound techie in your past lifetime, chances are audio-visual lingo is as alien to you as Aramaic.
Do not panic.

Learn the essentials of sound equipment and you will soon be on your way to a great party.

There are four major components of a basic sound system: amplifier, audio mixer speaker, and microphone. Additionally, you might need other equipment including turntables, an iPod console and more as it depends on the kind of event.

Audio Mixers (Sound Boards)
Audio mixers - a "mixer" - is an electronic sound equipment that makes multiple audio equipment to be connected to the sound system. This is an important item comprised of multiple inputs each with a volume control utilized to control audio levels.
The number of input needed on your mixer will depend on the number of gadgets (microphones, turntables, an iPod, etc.) that will be integrated to the sound system.
Mixers geared toward DJ's shall be including additional features such as a cross fader used for transitions between connected audio equipment.
Mixers are very recommended when utilizing a microphone in order to have greater control of the volume, feedbacks and quality of the sound.

Amplifiers
An amplifier - "amps" - is a gadget that increases the kind of amplitude of a signal (the voltage or current) sent to the speakers. In ordinary language, amplifiers are absolutely important to produce sound.
Amplifiers can be independent or built in to a speaker. See below for the advantages and disadvantages of "Powered (Active) as opposed to the Unpowered (Passive)" speakers.

Speakers
There are two kinds of speakers typically utilized at most events: unpowered (Passive) and powered (Active) speakers.
Powered speakers (active speakers) have a built in amplifier.

Advantages
- they can be connected directly to a mixer. – Prevents the need of speaker to amplifier matching
Disadvantages - Electrical source is needed for each speaker - Increased number of cables needed for connection to each speaker – Usually less powerful and less durable then unpowered speakers.

Unpowered speakers (passive speakers) needs a separate amplifier.
Advantages - Reduced number of cables needed for connection to each speaker - Usually more powerful and more enduring then powered speakers
Disadvantages – An independent amplifier is needed for use with speaker
For a more robust sound usually found commonly in nightclubs, bars and dance parties, Sub-bass speakers should also be taken into consideration. This is a speaker quite dedicated to low-frequency sounds and adds a peculiar and unique presents of low end sounds.

Microphones
There are three basic types of microphones: traditional, wireless and lavaliers.
Traditional microphones carry a wire that can differ in length that connect to your mixer.
Advantages:
- You do not have to be concern about loosing connectivity during a speech or presentation.
Disadvantages:
- Their wires and limited mobility.

Wireless Microphones are quite similar to a standard microphone although with a cord. Wireless Microphone has a chord.nal microphone which has a wire that can vary in length that connect to your mixer Advantages: - Increased mobility Disadvantages - Risk of poor reception or unexpected interference - Batteries are required

A lavalier microphone is a tiny piece that clips on to your clothing
Advantages: - It offers increased mobility - Hands Free operation
Disadvantages - High risk or disturbance of feedback - Lower level of sound

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