Wireless Public Address Systems Key Terms

Learn the terminology you need to know when buying wireless public address systems

If you're not a technical kind of person, then you may be a bit intimidated when buying a wireless public address system for your business or organization. In order to make sure you make the best purchase for your needs, you should understand terms such as amplifier and box mixer. You'll need to decide if you need a mixing board or a lavalier microphone. And you should know the difference between peek power and root mean square. This guide will help you understand those key terms and make your purchase with confidence.

 

Amplifier

At the heart of a wireless public address system is an amplifier. The amplifier takes low-power audio signals and boosts them so they can be played and heard through loudspeakers.
Try: All About Circuits gives a description of a basic amplifier, as well as how it works.

Root mean square

Root mean square, also referred to as RMS, is a rating of how much power a wireless public address system can deliver on a consistent basis. Knowing the root mean square helps you select the right system for your crowd size. A larger crowd will need a larger RMS.
Try: For a more in-depth definition of root mean square, refer to Geek.com.

Peak power

Peak power is the highest possible power level that an amplifier on a wireless public address system can achieve without distorting the audio. Peak power is useful for knowing the extreme capabilities of a system, but RMS is a more accurate measurement of its practical capabilities.
Try: Preston Electronics has much more on peak power, in addition to how it and other power ratings are calculated.

Lavalier microphone

A lavalier microphone is a small microphone that clips onto a speaker's shirt so the person can speak with both hands free. Wireless lavalier microphones give the speaker even more freedom. They are connected to a transmitter box that the speaker can put in a pocket or clip onto a belt. Lavalier microphones are often referred to as "lav" mics.
Try: To view pictures of lavalier microphones, and get more information, check out Calumet Photographic.

Mixing console

If you have a large wireless public address system, or you are going to be using more than one microphone or source of audio, then you may need to hook your system up to a mixing console. A mixing console, or mixing board, allows an audio operator to control the levels of each audio source and control which audio source is broadcast to the crowd.
Try: eHow offers advice for several types of mixers, along with more information.

Box mixer

If your wireless public address system has a box mixer, the amplifier and the mixing board are together in a single unit. This makes the system more portable than one with a separate mixing board.
Try: Full Compass Systems provides a variety of examples of box mixers.

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