Term: Signal Path / Chain  

« Back to Glossary Index

The signal path for a microphone could be a microphone to a preamp to a compressor to an equalizer to an audio interface. Each stage along the path must have its input and output levels optimized to maintain a low noise floor and strong signal level without distortion. Audio devices, like microphone preamps and mixers have an internal signal path made up of components like transformers, opamps, and filters that have been chosen both for their electronic properties and their sonic coloration.