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Aprofessional audio store is aretail business that sells, and in many cases rents,sound reinforcement system equipment andPA system components used in music concerts, live shows, dance parties and speaking events. This equipment typically includesmicrophones,power amplifiers, electroniceffects units (e.g., reverb and compression effects),speaker enclosures,monitor speakers,subwoofers andaudio consoles (mixers).[1] Some professional audio stores also sellsound recording equipment,DJ equipment, lighting equipment used innightclubs and concerts and video equipment used in events, such asvideo projectors and screens. Some professional audio stores rent "backline" equipment used in rock and pop shows, such asstage pianos andbass amplifiers. While professional audio stores typically focus on selling new merchandise, some stores also sell used equipment, which is often the equipment that the company has previously rented out for shows and events.
Professional audio stores are also called "pro audio stores", "pro sound stores", "sound reinforcement" companies, "PA system companies" or "audio-visual companies", with the latter name being used when a store supplies a significant amount of video equipment for events, such as video projectors and screens. Stores often use the word "professional" in their name or the description of their store, to differentiate their stores from consumerelectronics stores, which sell consumer-gradeloudspeakers,home cinema equipment, and amplifiers, which are designed for private, in-home use.
Pro audio stores carry a range ofmicrophones used in live sound and recording, including specialized mics such as drum mics. Stores typically carry wireless systems which enable microphones and electric instruments to be played without cables. Recording gear includes audio interfaces, studio monitors, audio recorders, studio subwoofers, analog-digital and digital-analog converters, studio power amplifiers and duplication equipment. Live sound equipment includes sound reinforcement systemloudspeaker enclosures,loudspeakers, monitor speakers, power amplifiers and subwoofers. Headphone equipment includes studio and DJ headphones,headphone amplifiers and headphone mixers.Audio consoles include live sound mixers, powered mixers (which have a built-in power amplifier), unpowered mixers and digital mixers. Signal processing gear includesDI boxes, crossovers and a range aof electronic effects, which are typicallyrackmountable units, including:microphone preamplifiers, electronic vocal processors, exciters, equalizers, compressors and limiters, feedback suppressors andnoise gates. Some stores also sell audio software, such as DAW software, signal processing software andvirtual instruments.
While some pro audio stores only sell audio equipment, others also sell products in other categories that are used inrock concerts andDJ events, such as portable stages,stage lights,par cans and light stands. Some stores sell coloured lights, lasers and strobe lights which flash, change colours and/or move according to the beat of the music; these lights are used innightclubs andrave dance events. Some stores also sellfog machines, which are used in dances, concerts and theatre productions, often to enhance the appearance of the lighting and laser effects. Some pro audio stores sell a range ofDJ equipment, such as direct drive turntables, record cartridges and styli, DJ CD players and DJ mixers.
Some professional audio stores sell the services ofaudio engineers, audio technicians and delivery personnel who can deliver and set up professional sound equipment and/or oversee the audio mixing of the different instruments and voices during a show or event. Some professional audio stores offer paidconsulting services on professional audio issues. These consultants can come to a customer's venue, which may be anightclub,church,conference center,auditorium orstadium, assess its professional audio needs, and recommend the types of components–speaker enclosures, mixing boards, microphone types, and so on–that would best suit this venue and the customer's budget.
