Amps

Question 1

What Do Amplifiers Do?

Answer 1

Boost the power of an electrical signal

Any weak signal (like from a guitar) can be amplified

Question 2

Early amps

Answer 2

Used valves to boost signals

Gave warm, musical distortion

Not efficient – Generated a lot of heat

Used almost exclusively until late 1960s

Question 3

Transistors

Answer 3

Invented in the 1940s to replace valves

Made from semiconductors like silicon

Smaller, cheaper, more reliable

Allowed amps to become compact, efficient, and cost-effective