Professional Audio

Professional sound systems

Currently represented first and foremost by line array systems, column loudspeakers, powered professional sound systems, stage monitors, cinema audio systems and studio monitoring. Every strand within the professional sound family has undergone considerable technological development, and there are now hundreds of possibilities for each space, environment or rig. The market, and the research carried out by laboratories specialising in the field of sound, have produced a range that confirms the strong worldwide following and uptake of some of these sound systems.

Monitoring systems

Headphones and in-ear systems, among others, are two of the most influential technical elements in this area of professional audio. As far as headphones are concerned, and more specifically in the recording studio environment, advances in design and in the materials used to manufacture them have delivered better frequency response, improved surround characteristics and greater comfort and adaptability of fit for each individual. A few years ago, headphones were still uncomfortable and heavy, with very complex systems that limited their use and the reliability of their sound quality. In the case of in-ear systems, in the world of professional audio, they are now very widely used, driven by major advances and by the reliability they offer, with continued innovation in their components influencing their selection for live performance.

Professional mixing consoles

We have previously reviewed this piece of equipment within professional audio at length, noting the considerable innovation it has undergone in recent decades. Mixing consoles in the digital domain have become workstations incorporating the most advanced systems for sound amplification, processing and presets, with which to build a perfect mix across different conditions and spaces. In addition, the inclusion of touch interfaces on the surface, and the ability to work with portable devices synchronised to the internal software, gives the sound engineer the freedom to stand wherever needed in order to detect anomalies or improvements in the mix. In the analogue domain, there are still excellent resources on offer, above all from a small sector that continues to research and produce professional sound consoles aimed at a vintage environment, built around valve or transistor circuits created specifically for professional sound recording and for productions that set out to emulate or stay faithful to a particular sonic style.

Microphones

In the field of professional microphones, there is likewise a world full of possibilities. This is another strand of professional audio that has advanced to very high levels, and in which more recent systems such as wireless microphones have also improved, with products offering better performance in every respect: sound, efficiency, power consumption and so on. Today it is easy to obtain microphones such as condenser models very cheaply, although a long way from the quality of other, more specialised microphones. Strong market supply and demand, together with the scope to reduce production costs, have brought microphones of this type down to a very affordable price. The same applies to wireless microphones. Not so long ago it would have been unthinkable to obtain a good professional audio system using either of these two types of microphone for under 200 euros.

In wireless microphones, as well as in dynamic, condenser, ribbon and valve models, component development has been constant; the field of professional audio is in constant evolution, and there are now many options available, especially for enthusiasts of particular sonic styles.

Power amplifiers

This is another fundamental element within professional audio. Specific to passive professional sound systems, the advances made in this type of system in recent years have transformed two fundamental aspects: size and weight, both of which have been reduced considerably. There was a time when power amplifiers meant large racks with separate power modules, far bigger in their dimensions and crushingly heavy individually. Today this has improved enormously, with the addition of more sophisticated digital systems, calibration, signal processing and more efficient power consumption.

Professional audio interfaces

Without overlooking studio production and the importance of professional audio in that area, professional audio interfaces represent a large market, one in which, as time goes on, there has been innovation in performance, in component quality and even in compact dimensions, where it is now common to find small professional audio interfaces ready to travel and do their job in any environment. If you cast your mind back, a few years ago audio interfaces were known as external sound cards, which likewise depended on an internal card in order to work and connected through ports that have all but passed into history, such as FireWire or RS-232. Today, interfaces come with a great many features for delivering a quality production, depending too on the software chosen. For many, an audio interface has meant a simplification of the equipment needed to work on a production from anywhere, making every stage of a recording easier.