How do amplifiers actually work?
We can look back at bands such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and The Rolling Stones and ponder where music would be without them, but attributing the evolution of sound only to the bands that make it is a common mistake; there is a lot more to the development of music than that. One of these things is the technology that is used to make music; without it, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy it.
When the electric guitar was initially invented, it wasn’t without controversy. Used as a means for guitar players to be heard in large ensembles, many artists liked the possibilities that came with clearer solos. Now, with the power of hindsight, we can see they were right to be excited, as the foundation of some of our favourite genres, such as rock ‘n’ roll, rely heavily on the predominant use of guitar.
Some people, though, saw the use of the electric guitar as cheating. They subscribed to the romantic view that the power of performance should come entirely from the person performing. They believed this was the true power of music and anything else wasn’t worth entertaining.
Of course, we recognise now that those views never stood the test of time and that people can deliver powerful performances even with different pieces of technology at their fingertips. It’s not just the guitar that has helped shape modern music and the different sounds that rock and punk bands can utilise, though, as the amplifier is just as crucial.
No gig is ever complete without a wall of amplifiers, which promise ensuing noise and chaos to all in attendance. Different artists have different amplifier settings, which form a pivotal part of their sound. Thanks to the use of amplifiers, artists have also been able to use various effects to make guitars sound somewhat alien.
Without amplifiers, music wouldn’t be the same. We owe a great deal to their development, as not only have they altered how music is made, but they also develop how it’s consumed. We cannot escape their relevance. And yet, even though we all appreciate we need amplifiers within modern music, very few of us understand how they work.
So, how does an amplifier work?
In short, an amplifier works by taking an input signal from something. This can be a guitar, but it could also be from a phone, a CD, or a record. It then creates a larger copy of that input signal and sends the same thing to speakers. Essentially, it gathers what is sent to it and then expands it in a way that doesn’t ruin the quality of the signal.
Amplifiers can do this because they receive power directly from the mains supply. This electricity is converted within the amplifier into an alternating current, which then changes to a direct one. This current only flows in one direction and heads straight to the transistor.
The transistor also has an important role, as it acts as a valve that can determine the amount of current which should flow through the amp. An amplifier will need an increased or decreased current depending on the size of the input it receives.
