Audio signal flow

In typical home stereo systems, the signal flow is usually short and simple, with only a few components.

Feedback, also called "Howl-Round," occurs when the output of a device is accidentally connected to its input.

The following example will trace the signal flow of a typical home stereo system while playing back an audio CD.

In a typical home stereo system, this connection will be analog and unbalanced at consumer line-level of -10dBV using RCA connectors.

The output of the amplifier is then connected to speakers, which convert the electrical signal into acoustical sound.

In a large network of interconnected sound systems, such as the one in this example, ground loops could become dangerously severe.

The signal leaves the splitter, typically via an Audio multicore cable, and travels to the Front of House position.

A typical application for the line trim is attenuating signals that were intentionally amplified too much by the microphone preamplifier.

This device processes the signal to optimize it for the sound system installed in the performance venue.

A diagram of a typical signal flow for a band
Overview diagram of Signal Flow for this example.
The view from the Front of House Position.
An example of a monitor mix position
Arena Television OB8 working for the BBC at Wimbledon Tennis Championships, UK
Stage managers panel
An example of a microphone splitter