Distributed Sound Systems: Amplification and Control

Amplification System and Distributed Control

• Can be connected independently to one or several sound points without affecting the rest of the installation.
• Have low power losses in distribution lines.
• The calculations of the system are virtually nonexistent.
• It has low distortion within the audio spectrum.
• Heat distortion is low.
• The regulation and control of noise level at each point is simple.
• At each point, different music can be selected for audition.
• The installation can be amplified indefinitely.
• In case of failure of a sound point, it does not affect the rest of the installation.
• The sound installation is conceived as an integrated sound system.

Constitution of the Amplification System and Distributed Control

• Very low loss signal transmission.
• Very wide frequency response.
• Installing the power required in each area.

Central Sound and Amplification

Central Sound is the essential link between sound sources and the installation of background music. Centralized Amplification unifies sound sources, such as amplifiers and control elements, into a single point. A Centralized Amplification System is composed of the following elements: central sound line connection control devices, and acoustical diffusers.

Acoustical Environment and Sound Devices

An Acoustical Environment involves communicating music at a soft sound, according to the environment where it is issued. A Megaphone is usually used to transmit warnings or messages from a specific point. A Magnetic Head is a transducer capable of transforming magnetic field variations present in a tape into an electrical signal.

Magnetic Tape Heads and Processes

Magnetic Tape Heads are the basic support for both analog recording and playback. A Delete Head erases the information contained on the magnetic tape, leaving it in a neutral state. A Recording Head converts electrical variations into magnetic variations. A Playback Head converts magnetic variations on a magnetic tape into proportional electrical changes in the original audio signal.

Recording, Erasing, and Playback Processes

The Process of Recording involves the audio signal producing an alternating current whose amplitude and frequency depend on the audio signal. The Process of Erasing the Tape occurs when the tape passes through a scattered field produced by the erase head, returning the tape to its neutral state of magnetization. The Process of Recording is where the audio signal is imposed on the magnetic tape, producing an alternating current frequency and amplitude dependent on the audio signal. Playback of the Tape creates lines of force that meet an actual driving through the playback head coil.

Magnetic Head Alignment

Settings keeping the magnetic head must be properly aligned with respect to the audio tape in order to obtain maximum interference-free performance.