amp

[Don Mannino]

James Grebe wrote:

>If a soundboard doesn't amplify, what does?

This subject often starts heated debates, because everybody doesn't have
the same definition of what an amplifier is, and what it means to
amplify something. So before the debate goes too far, start with a good
definition for amplifier. Here is one from the American Heritage
Dictionary:

am·pli·fy ( ²m"pl...-fº") v. am·pli·fied am·pli·fy·ing am·pli·fies v.
tr. 1. To make larger or more powerful; increase. 2. To add to, as by
illustrations; make complete. 3. To exaggerate.

am·pli·fi·er ( ²m"pl...-fº"...r) n. 1. One that amplifies, enlarges, or
extends. 2. Electronics A device, especially one using transistors or
electron tubes, that produces amplification of an electrical signal. 

If one wants to say that making the sound louder is their definition of
'amplify' then, with that definition, they are correct. Usually, though,
an amplifier adds energy to something to make it larger. A soundboard
does not add energy - it only changes the energy into something that we
can hear better.

That is why some people prefer to call a soundboard a transducer instead
(American Heritage again):

trans·duc·er ( tr²ns-d>"s...r, -dy >"-, tr ²nz-) n. 1. A substance or
device, such as a piezoelectric crystal, microphone, or photoelectric
cell, that converts input energy of one form into output energy of
another. [From Latin tr³nsd¿cere to transfer tr³ns- trans- d¿cere to
lead; See deuk-  in Indo-European Roots.] 

I feel this fits the soundboard better, because it serves to change the
energy from string vibration into air vibration, or sound waves. Again,
speaking from the standpoint that amplification is simly making the
sound louder, then others will disagree.

Don Mannino RPT