Entertainment Systems

Public address (PA) systems vary from the rudimentary type used in schools and at camps to those designed to deliver blistering walls of sonic assault at live music events. The basic layout of the varying systems are similar, with a few tweaks at the concert level. At music events, much more attention needs given to the quality of the sound at different frequencies. Also, on-stage monitors may be added to the mix so that the vocalist and instrumentalists can hear what they are doing. Nevertheless, the utility of PA technology has been proven time and again in various settings over the last 100 years.

Any basic PA set-up must start with a microphone, a mixing desk (in almost all cases), amplifiers to increase the strength of the original signal and speakers to deliver the sounds to those in the vicinity. Wireless PA components are now firmly established as reliable set-ups.

PA systems are used extensively for entertainment purposes, and as such are often accompanied by lighting. Lighting can be as basic or as complex as one wishes. A person running the weekly karaoke at the pub may just use a strip of coloured lights, maybe jazzed-up with a disco ball. Major concert events are at the other end of this spectrum. Lighting in these cases becomes a true feat of engineering. The magical laser is on brash display at many live events. Lighting in this scenario may seemingly facilitate synaesthesia as it is deployed in time to the music, blurring the distinction between sight and sound.