Guitar Amplifier : What is it?
| Guitar amplifiers pick up audio signals from electric guitars and reproduce them as audible output. They deliver high levels of electrical power to strengthen the signals. This elevates its frequency to audio levels, making them audible over long distances. Guitar amplifiers also improve sound quality by eliminating noise, correcting pitch, and adding special effects. |
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Kinds of Guitar Amplifiers include the following: |
Tube amplifiers
Tube amplifiers pass signals along a series of vacuum tubes to deliver electrical power. They create distortions in the sound by overdriving the preamplifier. Distorted and clean sounds usually pass through separate channels. They are preferred by most professionals and recording studios because of their fat, warm tones, which sound more natural than other amplifiers. They also produce louder sounds while consuming less power, making them very cheap to operate. They require high maintenance and careful use to protect the glass tubes.
Solid state amplifiers
Solid state or analog amplifiers use transistors to power both the preamplifier and the power amplifier. They usually have poor load capacity, which may make them sound harsh and brittle when playing high frequencies. They also have unreliable distortion channels and do not work with some special effects devices. They are fairly easy to maintain because there are fewer delicate parts.
Digital amplifiers
Digital amplifiers, also called modeling amplifiers, process signals into digital format before amplification. They are designed to sound like tube amps with more controllable volume and diverse effects. They usually come with onboard software that allows them to pick up signals mix and edit pickups. Most models are programmable, with special effects such as choruses, loops, and delays.
Hybrid amplifiers
Hybrid amplifiers combine the features of tube and solid state amplifiers. They consist of a solid state section fitted with vacuum tubes to amplify the signal. Some models have tube preamplifiers and solid state power amplifiers. |
Linearity: Choose a guitar amplifier with a high linearity. This ensures that sound quality is preserved from the preamplifier to the power amplifier stage. Make sure the pitch, tone, and clarity of each note is consistent throughout the transmission.
Efficiency: Choose a guitar amplifier with a high efficiency rating. This is usually indicated by classes ranging from A to H. Choose a Class AB amplifier for practice and general use, and a class D or higher for professional recording and live performances. |
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