Describes a circuit containing transistors, ICs, tubes and other devices, that require power to operate and are capable of amplification.

For more information on any other pro audio terms you are struggling with, please see the Glossary of Terms.

Active Electronics

The term Active Electronics is most often applied to guitar or bass pickups, and DI boxes, but can refer to any piece of equipment which operates on a powered circuit; the opposite of course being passive electronics. There is no better or worse between the two, both have advantages and disadvantages. For example active guitars tend to have a higher output and lower noise but more sterility due to the introduction of more circuitry, compared to a passive guitar or bass which may be noisier but more characterful.

In pro audio passive doesn't necessarily mean less noise and it can often mean a simpler signal chain although high-quality components are required due to the lower throughput voltages to ensure this simpler signal chain results in a positive effect on the sound.

This article is a stub at present and there is lots more discussion to add which will expand upon the topic. Suffice it to say for now that in pro audio active and passive circuits both have unique features and benefits so nothing should be dismissed without further research due to the circuitry used.