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{{Short description|Activity and category of studio-grade audio equipment}} |
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{{TAFI}} |
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{{refimprove|date=August 2016}} |
{{refimprove|date=August 2016}} |
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{{Use American English|date=February 2023}} |
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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''', abbreviated as '''pro audio''', refers to both an activity and a category of high-quality, studio-grade audio equipment. Typically it encompasses [[sound recording]], [[sound reinforcement system]] setup and [[audio mixing]], and [[music production|studio music production]] by trained [[sound engineer]]s, [[audio engineer]]s, [[record producer]]s, and audio technicians who work in [[live event support]] and recording using [[mixing console]]s, recording equipment and sound reinforcement systems. Professional audio is differentiated from consumer- or home-oriented audio, which are typically geared toward listening in a non-commercial environment. |
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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)|audio sampling]], [[public address]] system set up, [[ |
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, [[sound reinforcement]] in [[movie theatre]]s, and design and setup of [[piped music]] in hotels and restaurants. Professional audio equipment is sold at [[professional audio store]]s and [[music store]]s. |
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==Definition== |
==Definition== |
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{{Unreferenced|section|date=January 2017}} |
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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 out by 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=https://books.google.com/books?id=lesWAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA74 | access-date=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 | last1=Reinhardt | first1=R. | last2=Dowd | first2=S. | title=Adobe Flash CS3 Professional Bible | publisher=John Wiley & Sons | year=2007 | isbn=978-0-470-11937-2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UQs0sJ0NLDsC&pg=PA1165 | access-date=January 12, 2017 | page=1165}}</ref> using standardized 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 |
* Compliance with organizational, 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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* Setting up or designing sound reinforcement systems or recording studios |
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==Equipment== |
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Compared to consumer-grade audio equipment, professional audio equipment tends to have such characteristics as: |
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* 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.{{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. |
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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) |
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* [[Balanced audio]] interfaces (XLR) for lower noise and hum |
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* Higher [[analog audio]] signal levels of 0 [[decibel|dBu]] or more<ref name="“books.google.com">{{cite web|title=The Sound Reinforcement Handbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d7ft6F8ZUdcC&pg=PA325&lpg=PA325&dq=professional+audio+equipment+characteristics&source=bl&ots=1iWT0zIa5p&sig=FLVzefRE9IQZi2or8bZnWP42rwg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=OnE6VfGIGYmoNon_gcAG&ved=0CD8Q6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=professional%20audio%20equipment%20characteristics&f=false/|accessdate=22 April 2015}}</ref> |
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* [[AES3|AES/EBU]] [[digital audio]] interfaces |
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* Lower-noise audio equipment with less [[Total Harmonic Distortion]] |
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The [[broadcast quality]] of professional audio equipment is on a par with that of consumer [[high-end audio]] and [[hi-fi]] equipment, but is more likely to be designed purely on sound engineering principles and owes little to the consumer-oriented [[audiophile]] sub-culture.<ref name=perlman1>{{Cite journal |
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| doi = 10.1177/0306312704047613 |
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| volume = 34 |
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| issue = 5 |
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| pages = 783 |
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| last = Perlman |
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| first = M. |
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| title = Golden ears and meter readers: The contest for epistemic authority in Audiophilia |
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| journal = Social Studies of Science |
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| year = 2004 |
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}}</ref> |
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==Stores== |
==Stores== |
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{{Main article|Professional audio store}} |
{{Main article|Professional audio store}} |
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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,<ref>{{cite book | last1=Gardner | first1=S. | last2=Birley | first2=S. | title=Blogging For Dummies | publisher=Wiley | year=2012 | isbn=978-1-118-23925-4 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iM5-y-XlCQcC&pg=PA229 | access-date=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=https://books.google.com/books?id=XNhmVCpyibAC&pg=PA67 | access-date=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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{{Unreferenced|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. |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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*[[Audio Engineering Society]] |
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* |
*[[Institute of Professional Sound]] |
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* |
*[[Sound design]] |
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*[[Audiophile]] |
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==Notes== |
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{{notelist}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Sound technology]] |
[[Category:Sound technology]] |
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[[Category:Broadcast engineering]] |
[[Category:Broadcast engineering]] |
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[[Category:Occupations in music]] |
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Latest revision as of 20:14, 8 January 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2016) |
Professional audio, abbreviated as pro audio, refers to both an activity and a category of high-quality, studio-grade audio equipment. Typically it encompasses sound recording, sound reinforcement system setup and audio mixing, and studio music production by trained sound engineers, audio engineers, record producers, and audio technicians who work in live event support and recording using mixing consoles, recording equipment and sound reinforcement systems. Professional audio is differentiated from consumer- or home-oriented audio, which are typically geared toward listening in a non-commercial environment.
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, audio sampling, public address system set up, sound reinforcement in movie theatres, and design and setup of piped music in hotels and restaurants. Professional audio equipment is sold at professional audio stores and music stores.
Definition
[edit]The term professional audio has no precise definition, but it typically includes:
- Operations carried out by trained audio engineers
- The capturing of sound with one or more microphones[1]
- Balancing, mixing and adjusting sound signals from multitrack recording devices using a mixing console
- The control of audio levels[2] using standardized types of metering
- Sound signals passing through lengthy signal chains involving processes at different times and places, involving a variety of skills
- Compliance with organizational, national and international practices and standards established by such bodies as the International Telecommunication Union, Audio Engineering Society and European Broadcasting Union
- Setting up or designing sound reinforcement systems or recording studios
Stores
[edit]A professional audio store is a retail establishment that sells, and in many cases rents, expensive, high-end sound recording equipment (microphones,[3] audio mixers, digital audio recorders, speakers and surround sound speakers,[4] monitor speakers) and sound reinforcement system gear (e.g., speaker enclosure cabinets, stage monitor speakers, power amplifiers, subwoofer cabinets) and accessories used in both settings, such as microphone stands. Some pro audio stores also sell video equipment, such as video projectors, 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 turntables, DJ mixers) and the stage lighting equipment used in rock concerts, dance clubs, raves and theater/musical theater shows.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Alten, S.R. (2013). Audio in Media. Cengage Learning. p. 74. ISBN 978-1-285-67529-9. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
- ^ Reinhardt, R.; Dowd, S. (2007). Adobe Flash CS3 Professional Bible. John Wiley & Sons. p. 1165. ISBN 978-0-470-11937-2. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
- ^ Gardner, S.; Birley, S. (2012). Blogging For Dummies. Wiley. p. 229. ISBN 978-1-118-23925-4. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
- ^ Hanes, W. (2010). The 30-30 Career: Making 30 Grand in 30 Seconds!: Becoming a Platinum Composer. AuthorHouse. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-4520-5097-3. Retrieved January 12, 2017.