Professional audio: Difference between revisions
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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''', abbreviated as '''pro audio''', refers to both an activity and a category of high |
'''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, [[audio mixing]], [[Music production|studio music production]] by trained [[Sound engineer|sound engineers]], [[Audio engineer|audio engineers]], [[Record producer|record producers]], and audio technicians who work in [[live event support]] and recording using [[Mixing console|mixing consoles]], recording equipment and sound reinforcement systems. Professional audio is differentiated from consumer- or home-oriented audio, consumer oriented products are made specifically for the enjoyment of audio, not the creation or maintenance of it. |
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Jobs in professional audio can include, but are not limited to [[broadcast radio]], [[audio mastering]], [[Audio engineer|audio engineering]], [[DJ|DJing]], [[Audio recording|audio recording,]] [[public address]] system set up, [[Sound reinforcement|sound reinforcement,]] and [[live sound mixing]]. Professional audio equipment is sold at [[Professional audio store|professional audio stores]] and [[Music store|music stores]]. |
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The history of professional audio is rooted in the history of the music industry. Alexander Graham Bell received his first patent for an audio recording device in 1876, and he is widely considered the first audio professional. |
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==Definition== |
==Definition== |
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Due to the wide berth of professions relating to audio there is no precise definition for ''professional audio'', although the term is widely used. Pro-Audio advertisements promote equipment used by audio professionals; [[Amplifier|Amplifiers]], [[Mixing console|Mixing Consoles]], [[Powered speakers|Powered Speakers]], [[Subwoofer|Subwoofers]], [[Microphone|Microphones]], etc. In the modern era of music recording professional audio increasingly includes audio manipulation softwares, or [[Digital audio workstation|digital audio workstations]], as well as smaller softwares for use within digital audio workstations — [[Audio plug-in|audio plug-ins]], which function as digital recreations of hardware equipment. |
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The term ''professional audio'' has no precise definition, but it typically includes: |
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No exhaustive list could encapsulate every profession and context related to professional audio, but common applications of the term include: |
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* Operations carried out by trained [[audio engineers]] |
* Operations carried out by trained [[audio engineers]] |
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* Operations carried out by trained [[Record producer|record producers]] |
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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|microphones]] |
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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]] or [[Digital audio workstation|DAW]] |
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* The control of audio levels<ref>{{cite book | last=Reinhardt | first=R. | last2=Dowd | first2=S. | title=Adobe Flash CS3 Professional Bible | publisher=John Wiley & Sons | series=Bible | 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 standardized types of metering |
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* The standardization of audio through [[Mastering (audio)|mastering]] or the manipulation of specific frequencies |
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* 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]] |
* 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 |
* Setting up or designing sound reinforcement systems or recording studios |
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* A description of equipment utilized to carry out any and all of these functions |
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==Stores== |
==Stores== |
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Revision as of 00:28, 27 February 2023
 | 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, audio mixing, 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, consumer oriented products are made specifically for the enjoyment of audio, not the creation or maintenance of it.
Jobs in professional audio can include, but are not limited to broadcast radio, audio mastering, audio engineering, DJing, audio recording, public address system set up, sound reinforcement, and live sound mixing. Professional audio equipment is sold at professional audio stores and music stores.
The history of professional audio is rooted in the history of the music industry. Alexander Graham Bell received his first patent for an audio recording device in 1876, and he is widely considered the first audio professional.
Definition
Due to the wide berth of professions relating to audio there is no precise definition for professional audio, although the term is widely used. Pro-Audio advertisements promote equipment used by audio professionals; Amplifiers, Mixing Consoles, Powered Speakers, Subwoofers, Microphones, etc. In the modern era of music recording professional audio increasingly includes audio manipulation softwares, or digital audio workstations, as well as smaller softwares for use within digital audio workstations — audio plug-ins, which function as digital recreations of hardware equipment.
No exhaustive list could encapsulate every profession and context related to professional audio, but common applications of the term include:
- Operations carried out by trained audio engineers
- Operations carried out by trained record producers
- The capturing of sound with one or more microphones
- Balancing, mixing and adjusting sound signals from multitrack recording devices using a mixing console or DAW
- The control of audio levels using standardized types of metering
- The standardization of audio through mastering or the manipulation of specific frequencies
- 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
- A description of equipment utilized to carry out any and all of these functions
Stores
A professional audio store is a retail establishment that sells, and in many cases rents, expensive, high-end sound recording equipment (microphones,[1] audio mixers, digital audio recorders, speakers and surround sound speakers,[2] 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
References
- ^ Gardner, S.; Birley, S. (2012). Blogging For Dummies. 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.