Amps

​An amplifier (or amp) is an electronic device that strengthens the weak electrical signal from an electric guitar, bass guitar, or keyboard so that it can produce sound through its speakers.

Amps can also modify your instrument's tone by emphasizing or de-emphasizing certain frequencies, using equalizer controls, which function the same way as the bass and treble knobs on a home stereo, and by adding electronic effects; distortion (also called "overdrive") and reverb are commonly available as built-in features.

The input of an amp is a 1/4" jack, and is connected to your instrument with a 1/4"(aka instrument) cable. For experienced players, the amp and the settings you use on it are a key part of your signature tone or sound. You may also use external effects pedals to further alter and customize the sound of your instrument.

Microphones

A microphone is a device that converts sound into an electrical signal. There are many kinds of microphones with names based on transducer type, the most common of which are dynamic, condenser, and piezoelectric.

At camp, we use Dynamic microphones which use the same principle as in a loudspeaker, only reversed. A small movable induction coil, positioned in the magnetic field of a permanent magnet, is attached to the diaphragm. When sound enters through the windscreen of the microphone, the sound wave moves the diaphragm. When the diaphragm vibrates, the coil moves in the magnetic field, producing a varying current in the coil through electromagnetic induction. These mics are robust, relatively inexpensive, and resistant to moisture (perfect for rockstars).

To use your mic, you will connect it to your audio interface using an XLR or mic cable and your audio interface to your computer.

XLR or Mic Cables

​The XLR connector is a style of electrical connector, primarily found on professional audio, video, and stage lighting equipment. The connectors are circular in design and have 3 pins one and and 3 "holes" on the other. They are most commonly associated with balanced audio interconnection.

​This is the cable used to connect your mic to your audio interface.

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1/4" or Instrument Cables

A 1/4" or instrument cable is what connects your amp to your instrument. The jack on the end looks very similar to a headphone jack, but it's twice the size.

Your instrument cable is low power and high impedance. It’s built to convey a weak unamplified signal from your guitar, bass, or keyboard to your amp, where it’s boosted up to a usable level. Since it doesn’t need to carry a lot of juice — a small DC current with a small voltage — it consists of a single small-diameter “positive” inner wire (usually 24 gauge) running through a braided shield conductor that works as the ground connection, plus various insulators and the outer jacket. Its small, lightweight wire size is good for cable flexibility (it needs to follow you around onstage, remember), and the shielding prevents much of the noisy external electromagnetic interference that low-power signals are susceptible to.

Audio Interface

An audio interface is a piece of hardware that expands and improves the sonic capabilities of a computer. Some audio interfaces give you the ability to connect professional microphones, instruments and other kinds of signals to a computer, and output a variety of signals as well.

​In addition to expanding your inputs and outputs, audio interfaces can also greatly improve the sound quality of your computer. Every time you record new audio or listen through speakers and headphones, the audio interface will reproduce a more accurate representation of the sounds. They’re an absolutely essential component in computer-based audio production. They’re used for recording music and podcasts, and in video post production for recording voice-overs and sound design.

Headphones

​Headphones traditionally refer to a pair of small loudspeaker drivers worn on or around the head over a user's ears. They are electroacoustic transducers, which convert an electrical signal to a corresponding sound.

Headphones let a single user listen to an audio source privately, in contrast to a amp, which emits sound into the open air for anyone nearby to hear. 

Headphones connect to a signal source such as an amp, computer, audio interface, or electronic musical instrument, either directly using a cord, or using wireless technology such as Bluetooth. Headphones that use cables typically have either a 1/4 inch (6.35mm) or 1/8 inch (3.5mm) phone jack for plugging the headphones into the audio source. If your headphones have an 1/8" jack, it is necessary to have an 1/8" to 1/4" adapter in order to connect it to your instrument or amp.