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Collaboration, Voice & AV · Advanced

Potential Acoustic Gain (PAG)

A calculation of how much gain a sound reinforcement system can provide before feedback, compared with needed acoustic gain.

Definition

PAG uses distances between talker, microphone, loudspeaker and listener, a 6 dB feedback stability margin and the number of open microphones: PAG = 20log(D1) + 20log(D0) - 20log(Ds) - 20log(D2) - 10log(NOM) - FSM. Needed acoustic gain (NAG) = 20log(D0/EAD), where EAD is the equivalent acoustic distance. A system is workable when PAG is at least equal to NAG.

Example

If PAG is 12 dB and NAG is 15 dB, the designer must move the microphone closer or loudspeakers farther away.

Exam tip

PAG must be greater than or equal to NAG; adding open microphones reduces PAG by 10log(NOM).

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