Gear Musician Blog

Power Amplifier Practical Uses

admin — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:04 +0000

One important concept in the age of electronic music is the use of the power amplifier. Amplifiers are needed to send the sound created by an instrument out into the air where an audience or the player can hear it. In order to accomplish this, amplifier systems have been invented. There are dozens of different kinds of amplifier systems, from those found in instruments to those found in stereos and public announcement systems. Specific instruments often have an amp that is designed for them, such as a guitar amp, a bass amp, or a keyboard amp.

One of the big differences in each of these kinds of amps is the power it uses. The power is located in the head of the amp, and the places that generate the power used for the amplification system are known as power amps.

Audio power amps are included in combo amps, along with everything else. The power produced is measured in watts, which is the unit used in many electric functions. The more range or power that is needed, the greater the wattage in the power amplifier. The result might be called a high power amplifier. This is useful to know for those musicians who prefer to design their own amplification systems. There are also several major types of audio power amplifiers. Some of the more commonly used are the stereo power amplifier, the mono power amplifier, the solid state power amplifier and the vacuum tube power amplifier just to name a few.

Measuring the power used by amps can be tricky, as there is not a proportional measurement in the power output and the decibel level (dB). Decibels are used as measurements (for the purpose of music) of acoustics, although they also apply to electric functions. Decibels are very small units, and one decibel is roughly equivalent to the smallest change in sound that a human can perceive.

Simply put, doubling the wattage of the power output in power amps will not double the decibel level. Instead, increasing the wattage by two times will increase the decibel level by 3. This is the case no matter what wattage you are doubling, be it 300W to 600W, or 100W to 200W. It is always constant.

For the musician, the measurement of the power amp is important as it directly relates to how well the instrument will be heard over other systems. Most soundboards will include equalization controls which compensate for electronic instruments which require greater power amps, such as keyboards and even basses. As a mid-range instrument, guitar amplifiers do not require such a high power output. However, levels on the power amp of the amplifier hooked up to the guitar need to be adjusted upwards so that the guitar, including solos and rhythms, can be heard over the other instruments. Often, guitar players find that the power setting should create a +3dB in comparison with the other instruments.

Understanding the function of power amps is essential to musicians who play in bands. The power amplifier is what will produce the electric energy necessary for an instrument such as the guitar to be heard over keyboards and drums, without the instruments drowning each other out. Amps should be purchased according to the style of music that you play, and the venue you play in.

Slash Returns Stolen Guitar to Hard Rock Cafe with Much Pomp and Circumstance

admin — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 18:44:43 +0000

Pearl Jam Break Out Rarities, Ben Harper at Intimate Chicago Gig

admin — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 18:04:54 +0000

Last night, as a warm-up for their Lollapalooza gig this weekend, Pearl Jam played a house party for 1,300 fortunate fan club members at the quaint Vic Theatre in Chicago. Demand far exceeded supply as the streets surrounding the venue were overflowing with zealous fans holding signs that offered everything from sex to $3,000 for a single ticket. The crowd roared as Eddie Vedder strolled onstage, played a song by himself and declared, “I’m the opening act, I came cheap.” The highlight of Vedder’s five-song pre-set was a short cover of the old drinking tune “I Used to Work in Chicago,” which served as a precursor to a new track he penned about the Chicago Cubs that ignited the hometown crowd.

Thirty minutes later the full band emerged, looking fresh and relaxed before opening with a solid version of “All or None” followed by “Education” and “Sad,” both cuts from the rarities compilation Lost Dogs. Pearl Jam then induced a deafening three-minute sing-along on fan favorite “In Hiding” before continuing with tracks like the introspective “Off He Goes,” the recent hit single “World Wide Suicide” and the lone selection from Ten, “Why Go.” The band continued to sprinkle in B-sides from Lost Dogs with lead guitarist Mike McCready bounding about the stage and providing melodic guitar leads on tracks such as “Down,” “Undone” and “Hard to Imagine.”
After the sixteen-song set ended, the first encore began with a solo Vedder introducing a brilliant new song titled “No More.” The rest of the band joined for three more tracks, culminating with a cover of the Who’s “Love Reign O’er Me.” The band then surprised the veteran audience during the second encore with a virgin performance of the KISS tune “Black Diamond” that featured drummer Matt Cameron on vocals. The three-song second encore ended with a raucous cover of the Dead Boys’ “Sonic Reducer,” during which Vedder briefly teased the crowd with thoughts of stage diving by climbing atop an amplifier.

Moments later the band returned with friend Ben Harper in tow, turned the house lights on and played a flawless version of “Indifference.” The faithful quietly sang along and held cell phones aloft as Harper and Vedder traded lead vocals. It was a special collaboration that capped a uniquely intimate gig packed with rare and exciting material, and fans filed out of the theater convinced of Pearl Jam’s enduring commitment to their loyal fans — and that the group remains today’s preeminent live touring band.

Photos: Kevin Mazur / Wireimage

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