Category: LEA Professional

TYPES OF DSP

DSP IN PROFESSIONAL AUDIO AMPLIFIERS

Delay – Digital delay is one function of DSP that is commonly used during system installations. Installers use delay to correct the timing issues of audio between zones of speakers that span across a distance. When speakers are installed too far apart from one another, the audio signal travels back to the listeners ear at different times, resulting in echoing signals. To correct this, installers add different amounts of delay to different speakers and zones in order to ensure the audio signals all meet the listeners ear at the same exact time. This results in a crisp, clear audio signal.

Crossover – Crossover is used to split the source audio signal into multiple frequency bands that are then sent to different types of speakers. The reason for this is that not all speakers are created equally. Some speakers are optimized for lower frequencies such as subwoofers while others are optimized for high frequencies such as tweeters. Once the signal is run through the amplifier’s crossover, it extracts the high frequencies and sends them to the appropriate speakers and it extracts the low frequencies to send to the subs. This results in a clearer and well-defined listening experience with less noise and distortion.

Compressors – Compressors are used to limit the overall dynamic range of an audio signal. This ensures that the signal will never dip below a certain listenable range and also never go beyond a peak range where potential damage could result to the loudspeakers due to sudden level burst. While this can be a helpful tool in some instances, adding compression has a reputation for reducing audio quality and taking “the life” out of the signal.

Signal Routing – Digital signal routing provides a huge convenience to AV installers. It makes it simple to quickly reroute audio signals from any input to any output without having to unplug and physically move cables. Tools such as the input routing matrix provided by our Web UI, provide an easy one click routing option.

Signal Generator – Signal generators are typically used for system testing and tuning. By generating high demand signals such as pink noise, white noise, and sine waves, AV installers can identify problematic frequency ranges withing their installs such as clipping points and distortion or test their systems before the input source is hooked up.

Equalization – Think of equalization as frequency-specific volume knobs. Commonly used for system tuning, it allows you to adjust certain frequency ranges individually to achieve the desired frequency response, producing the tonal balance you desire.

Limiter – Limiters are used much like compressors to limit the peaks of an audio signal in order to prevent clipping or distortion. However, unlike compressors that typically roll off the signal in a gradual manner, limiters are more of a hard stopping point. Limiters are often used in tandem with compressors. The compressor will be the initial signal roll-off and the limiter is set to be the last line of defense against signals that may peak and cause unwanted distortion.