An amplifier is any device used to increase the quality and power of an audio signal and then translate that signal into a physical sound wave. To perform the transmission process, the device measures the pressure fluctuations found in the sound wave and, using an extremely sensitive and thin external microphone diaphragm, generates an electrical current that pushes the external speaker cone back and forth. The diaphragm boosts the audio signal to a large enough current (while at the same time maintaining the pattern of charge fluctuation) that the cones can be pushed. Such is the job of an amplifier: to take a weak audio signal and use it to translate a more powerful and enhanced version.
To create a more powerful sound, the amplifier generates a new output signal based on the input signal it first received. The input circuit is the electrical audio signal provided from the tape of a cassette player, for example, or entering from a microphone. Its function is to modify the output circuit by generating a varying resistance to the output circuit to transplant the voltage fluctuations of the original audio signal.
If the load is too great for the signal, a pre-amplifier will boost the signal by retrieving a stronger signal from the output amplifier. The input uses varying resistance to build up or create a high-voltage output signal that can be used to complete the process. The complex circuit and components of the amplifier make the process easy and allow the function of the amplifier to continue seamlessly without additional user adjustments to aid the process. Amplifiers can be installed in cars, television and CD players and computers.
Tags: audio signal, more powerful, output circuit, output signal, sound wave, varying resistance
