What Is A Sound Processor And Why Do I Need One?

From the first moment you walk into JML Audio, you are going to notice that we are a different kind of retailer. We take our relationships with our clients very seriously, and we focus on giving them the undivided attention they deserve. That may be the reason that you got our voice mail when you called us – we were in an audio consultation with a client, and when we are meeting with a client and going over their vehicle, we stay focused on that interaction.

In those conversations, the subject of a processor always comes up. Whenever we are doing an audio upgrade in a vehicle, we are going to suggest using a processor. Our clients will often ask us this question: What is a sound processor and why do I need one?

A Look Inside Factory Audio Systems

To explain to you what a processor does, let’s talk about how modern premium audio systems are designed. Vehicle manufacturers have recognized that consumers want better-sounding audio systems these days, but that those consumers are on a budget. The manufacturers are not building their vehicles to meet the needs of an audiophile, but rather for the masses. They take the musical signal coming from your smartphone, iPod, CD, etc., and run it through an equalization circuit. That serves two purposes.

First, that process is designed to make their inexpensive speakers sound better. Second, they employ what is known as psychoacoustics when they tune their audio systems and often use the “smiley face” tuning curve. That means boosting the bass and the treble, so they will sell more vehicles. While this may be great for an average consumer, if you truly enjoy hearing music as the artist intended, you are going to be seriously underwhelmed at the sound quality.

Improve The Sound Of Your Factory Radio With A Sound Processor

What happens next? You contact an audio expert like JML to make your car stereo sound better. Chances are, your new vehicle has a good-looking stereo system in the dash, with all of the bells and whistles you desire, and you probably paid good money for that equipment as well. Why would JML Audio ask you to remove it? We won’t. We will suggest adding an audio processor.

What does the processor do for you? Great question. First off, the processor allows us to strip the music of the added equalization that the car manufacturer added to it. Second, most premium audio systems divide up the music into bands, and then send that music to particular speakers, such as a subwoofer, midranges and tweeters. For JML to give you the best-sounding car audio system, we are going to need the capability of picking the exact sounds that each of your new speakers is going to reproduce. The processor will also allow us to sum the music back into one full-range signal. Now we have a musical signal to work with that is a perfect representation of the original recording.

Processors Provide Immense Tuning Capabilities

This is when the magic of the processor moves into high gear. We can now take every speaker in your vehicle and give it a dedicated amplifier channel. We can also fine-tune each and every speaker in your vehicle individually, based on output level, crossover points and digital delay. Then we can fine-tune the output with a 31-band equalizer for each and every speaker in your vehicle.

Unmatched Sonic Realism Becomes Possible With A Sound Processor

The results are truly stunning. When you sit in the driver’s seat and listen to your new audio system for the first time, you are going to be blown away by the realism. You will think you are at an intimate jazz club, listening to an acoustic performance where you can close your eyes and can point to every musician. All of your sound is going to stage across the dash as if the band is playing to you right in front of your vehicle. You will hear nuances in the music and impact from the drums that will leave you breathless.

If you now think you are going to need a processor for your sound system, we invite you to contact us at JML Audio. We would love to set you up with an audio consultation where you can meet with us at our facility and we can look over your vehicle together. Our team of award-winning specialists will work one on one with you to design, build and tune the audio system that will make you want to stay in your vehicle for hours on end.

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