The "Ins and Outs"
Before understanding how to connect a PA system up. You must understand some basic terminology. It's also important to know the various types of connection and their purposes to avoid mistakes and damaging your equipment.
OUTPUT: Put simply, this is where the signal goes out! An electric guitar has an output (this is where you plug in your guitar lead!) where it sends the signal out of the guitar. The headphone socket on your Ipod is an output too because the sound comes out of it!
INPUT: This is where the signal can be received. For example, the microphone socket on your PC is an input.
Outputs don't receive a signal. Inputs don't send a signal. So when connecting equipment its always from an output to an input.
Below are some connections that you will commonly see:
OUTPUT: Put simply, this is where the signal goes out! An electric guitar has an output (this is where you plug in your guitar lead!) where it sends the signal out of the guitar. The headphone socket on your Ipod is an output too because the sound comes out of it!
INPUT: This is where the signal can be received. For example, the microphone socket on your PC is an input.
Outputs don't receive a signal. Inputs don't send a signal. So when connecting equipment its always from an output to an input.
Below are some connections that you will commonly see: