Active and Passive..

[poo]

Hey guys, can someone give me a good defenition of active and passive electronics? I just see those terms allthe time and I want to make sure I know what they mean.

thanks

 

[Phil G]

Quite simple really :-
Pasive items do not have a power supply I.e. no amplification.
Active have a power supply of some sort, usually for some sort of amplification (which could include an active filter).

I think that's right. I'm sure someone will pipe up if I'm wrong.

 

[poo]

Thanks Phil.
So if i dont have an amp for a pair of monitor speakers...would active be self-powered?

 

[Phil G]

Yes, I believe that active monitors just need a line level input (e.g. the output from your mixer etc.)

 

[poo]

Thanks!