Your Trusted Audio PCB Manufacturer In China

PCBMay- Your Premier Audio PCB Manufacturer in China

If you’re looking for a trusted Audio PCB manufacturer, the search is over. As one of the most popular PCB fabrication companies worldwide, PCBMay is the place to go for all your PCB fabrication needs.

PCBMay is one of the most vital reliable suppliers for high-quality PCB fabrication. We are based in China. We have a successful track record to date– our clients are satisfied with our top-quality product, on-time delivery, fair pricing, and superior service.

Our company gives Audio PCB with quick turn service. We can provide from 1 to 20 layers of Audio PCB products, including Amplifier Audio PCB, Audio Mixer PCB, Digital Audio PCB, Electronic Audio PCB, and Mini Audio PCB boards, and etc. Our PCBs have very high reliability. We are a cost-effective solution for your business.

PCBMay specializes in providing customers with full-range, high-quality PCB fabrication, PCB assembly, and components sourcing services. We can cover quick-turn PCB prototyping, PCB material suggestion, PCB design instructions, as well as total PCB production.

PCBMay has strict quality procedures. From the minute your job order comes into our manufacturing factory, they are under international standard. We imposed these standards on our well-trained staff. There is traceability of your PCB order throughout the production process. In-line testing systems provide ship-to-line acceptability for your PCBs. Our first-rate facilities offer our clients precise craftsmanship through production to testing.

PCBMay supplies a vast selection of services, like R&D support, prototype service, technical consultation, material procurement, PCB assembly service, conformal coating, in-circuit test, washing, function test, burn-in test, logistics, environmental test, and after-sales service. We always make an effort to provide the best service to our customers with innovative technology and dependable quality product.

We’ve worked with many clients who concentrate on advertising, marketing, and design. Our PCBs are commonly utilized in security and safety, industrial control, medical-related, network, automatic, measuring, counter device, and other areas. With years of practical experience, we have reputable customers in the electronic production field. This is because we have abundant resources, fair prices, and punctual shipping and delivery. Our fabricating units feature neat workshops and state-of-the-art high-speed SMT lines.

PCBMay’s production solutions shorten your products’ time-to-market, dramatically improving OEMs’ return on investment (ROI).

PCBMay is committed to offering affordable PCB services while never sacrificing a guarantee of excellence. Explore our wide range of PCB services today! We take pride in our PCB products.

 Audio PCB: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

The Audio PCB is the most crucial part of any audio device. You will find this type of PCB in any modern electronic device. Virtually, all digital products need to have this component.

There are many types of PCB in the PCB industry. Audio PCB is among them as well. I guess you are using several audio devices. You might not know a lot about the PCBs inside them. Or you are a merchant who is doing business with PCBs. So, knowing about audio PCBs is a necessity for you.

In this article, you are going to get some basic question answers about audio PCBs.

What Are Audio Devices and Audio PCB?

Audio devices refer to the devices that are connected with computers, phones, or other devices that produce sound and play sound.

A PCB is a laminated board that mechanically supports the components to connect electrically; the PCB powers up the components. To make this happen, the PCB uses copper traces/pathways/signal traces to carry the electrical current along with the different components on the board.

An Audio PCB

The printed circuit board or PCB is the common and traditional name for the bare board with placed electronics components.

So, what is an audio PCB then? The Audio PCB is a type of PCB that has components that enable sounds connected to it. A working Audio PCB allows audio devices to produce sound.

How Do You Design and Make an Audio PCB?

When it comes to audio PCB design, you have done the tasks gradually. Designing an Audio PCB includes designing an audio amplifier PCB layout, an audio amplifier PCB board design, and an audio mixer circuit diagram with a PCB layout.

You can also make an audio mixer PCB using a DIY audio PCB design.

There are many aspects to making an Audio PCB, so let’s start with the design.

Design the PCB

The very first step to making an audio PCB is planning your design. Then, design a schematic diagram that will show the diagrammatic position of every component of the PCB and where to place them.

Make the Board

A printed circuit board is generally made of reinforced epoxy resin with copper foil. The most used epoxy resin is FR4 material. Make the laminate board to print the layout on it.

Print the PCB Layout

After planning and drawing the schematic diagram of the audio PCB, print the PCB layout on the PCB laminate bare board. The printing includes the inner layout and the outer layout with copper traces.

Chemical Construction

Prepare and implement all chemical properties. This includes photo resistance, electroplating, solder mask placing, and so on.

Place the Components

Placing proper components in the correct places is important. Place the less heat-resistant components in one line and keep them from the power supply area. Place other components in the next available area afterwards.

Solder the Components

Now carefully solder the components with the board if you are doing it DIY. Do note that an automated process is the best fit for soldering the smaller parts. Automated processes also work better for more complex soldering needs.

PCB Soldering

Testing the PCB

After successfully placing and soldering all components, your audio PCB is ready to test for real-life performance. There are several testing methods to test the PCBs. Testing the PCBs ensures the performance and durability of the PCBs.

After completing the successful PCB testing, your audio PCB is ready to be used.

What Are the Materials Used in Making Audio PCBs?

There are six basic materials that are used in a PCB to make. They are:

Prepreg

Prepreg is the glass-reinforced epoxy resin material that is bendable. The thin glass holds the resin in the proper place. FR4, polyamide, PTFE, and Teflon, are the most used prepreg on PCBs.

Laminate

Laminates refer to the copper-clad laminates that make up the prepreg sheets. Prepreg and copper-clad laminate are composed together by heat and pressure. When the resin hardens, the copper-clad laminate becomes a plastic composite on both sides of PCBs with the copper foil.

Copper Clad Laminate on PCB

Copper Foil

The copper foil is etched and imaged on the Audio PCB board. This produces circuitry on the PCB surface. This copper foil becomes the conductive trace of the Audio PCB.

Solder Mask

The solder mask is the outer protective layer of the PCB. This layer protects the circuit from UV lights, corrosion, and oxidation.

Nomenclature

Nomenclature is the white color silkscreen used to mark the components of the PCBs. This provides components with the correct orientation and direction using lettering.

Surface Finish

The surface finish or the final finish of the PCB is the protective layer of the Audio PCB. This layer is in between the components and the solderable area of the PCB. Like the solder mask, the surface finish protects the PCB from oxidation and corrosion.

What Are the Essential Components that Power an Audio PCB?

There are different components used in an Audio PCB that power the PCB. Without these proper components, your audio PCB will not be useful.

The most commonly used components are:

Resistors

The resistors hold off the current flow of the PCB when needed. The process is done by dissipating the heat of electric power.

Capacitors

The main task of the capacitor is to hold the electric current for a certain time and then release it when more power is needed by the PCB. Sometimes the capacitors are considered insulators or dielectric materials.

Inductors

An inductor is one of the linear passive components that hold the current, but it does so in the form of a magnetic field.

Different Types of PCB Components

Potentiometers

The potentiometer is needed when you want to fine-tune your speaker. This piece controls the current amount for the amplifier.

Transformers

The task of the transformer is to provide electrical power from one circuit to the other circuits of the Audio PCB.

Diodes

Diodes help the current flow in a single direction from the anode to cathode (+ to -).

Transistors

Transistors regulate the current flow on the PCB and enhance or amplifies the input signal to a more efficient and larger output signal.

Integrated Circuit (IC)

ICs are the minimized form of microprocessors, transistors, and diodes. ICs have different uses such as storing voltage or acting as circuit stabilizers. In some instances, ICs can be signal amplifiers or digital circuit switches.

What Is an Audio Amplifier PCB?

The PCB utilized in sound enhancers that get low sound signs is known as the Sound or Audio Amplifier PCB. This piece facilitates the change from an electrical sign to a hearable sign.

The sound amplifier is available at both the input and output of any circuit that measures sound signs. At the point when an amplifier gets a sound wave input signal, it is pre-enhanced prior to being processed further. Comparatively, an electrical sign is intensified prior to being shipped off a speaker.

Audio Amplifier PCB

The sound enhancer’s circuit comprises a semiconductor (transistor), an information signal application gadget, and a speaker at the yield. The transistor is connected to the amplifier in some cases.

Gain, noise, recurrence reaction, and twisting are generally key viewpoints to consider while building an Audio Amplifier PCB layout. The more added elements, the more contortion, and noise there will be. Negative feedback will bring down the sound intensifier’s gain.

Let’s check the video on how to make a DIY Bluetooth amplifier:

What Is the Operating Principle of an Audio Amplifier PCB?

A speaker’s amplifier PCB works in several stages. This happens because of the framework and the worth of the intensifier circuit’s impedance. The measure of force created at these speakers’ output is dictated by the quality of the speakers.

The intensification of the input signal is related to how the signal arrives at the mike. Afterwards, when the arrives at the semiconductor, the greater part of the signal starts to travel.

In the instance the semiconductor is an np-n-type, the stock associations are made so that the width of the exhaustion region is limited. This process implies that the semiconductor is at the most elevated directing structure of the device.

Audio Amplifier Circuit Diagram

A PCB board with numerous semiconductors can be used to build an audio amplifier PCB. When the signal arrives at its target location, it is subject to the transporter’s movements. The signal arrives at its target point with a copy of the info signal. When everything works well, sound amplification is produced.

In single-stage amplification, this is common. The worth of intensification decides the stage of amplification. This is basically how Audio Amplifier PCBs work.

What Are the Applications of an Audio PCB?

The use of audio gadgets is becoming more accessible. Bluetooth audio PCB-powered earphones and speakers are superb examples.

TVs, cell phones, Blu-beam players, workstations, DVD players, and other electronic gadgets are driving the market boom in Audio PCBs.

Speaker

The speaker is the most used audio device with an audio PCB inside. You will see speakers on phones, laptops, TVs, sound boxes, and many other devices.

Headphones

Headphones and earphones are among the most used audio devices associated with audio PCBs.

Audio Output Devices

Sound Card

A sound card is a part of a PC that changes computerized sound information into electrical sound signs.

These signs are then deposited to speakers or earphones as sound output. Although a sound card doesn’t play sound itself, it utilizes an Audio PCB to create sound signs.

What Is a Wireless Audio PCB?

The wireless or Bluetooth sound PCB gets sound signals by means of radio recurrence instead of a wired transmission medium. Sound signals come from sound information gadgets like PCs, workstations, cellphones, to name a few.

A variant of WiFi IEEE 802.11 is one of the most utilized radio frequencies for sound transmission for remote output devices. Other gadgets depend on Bluetooth to give sound information to output devices.

Bluetooth Speaker

To communicate and get sound signals, remote sound PCBs use two units: a transmitter and a receiver. For remote transmission innovation, the standard sign recurrence is 900MHz. Wireless signals can go through dividers, floors, and roofs.

Bluetooth 4.0 or even Bluetooth 5 is regularly utilized in the present time. Remote speakers normally have a range of 10 meters on average. Bluetooth gadgets connect by means of radiofrequency, in this way they do not need to be visually in view with each other.

Let’s have a tour of DIY Bluetooth speaker making:

What Is a Wireless Audio Transmitter and Receiver?

Transmitter and Receiver PCBs are the two most important parts of the Wireless Audio PCB.

Wireless Audio Transmitter

Through Bluetooth transmitter PCBs, you can hear the sound from your Bluetooth speakers or earphones. The sounds come from gadgets like phones, PCs, tablets, and etc.

The range of the Bluetooth transmitter PCB covers sensor information, which is needed for remote exchange. The transmitter PCB is additionally equipped with a battery-powered charging instrument.

Sensor information, remote transmission, and controlled voltage are significant parts of the Bluetooth Transmitter PCB. The Sensor PCB, Bluetooth transmitter, and microchip all get power from the directed voltage. Direct voltage is essential to make these electrical activities occur.

Sensor information is the data that goes into the remote transmitter. It can be 1 to 4 digits in length. Sensor information depends on the sensor being set off. At this point, it conveys a message to the Bluetooth transmitter.

The wireless transmitter passes the Bluetooth protocols to the targeted audio devices through the air.

Bluetooth Audio Transmitter and Receiver

Wireless Receiver

A receiving antenna on the wireless receiver PCB is used to get the signal from your cell phone or another Bluetooth-powered gadget. The receiving PCB is similar to that of a remote speaker PCB and has an Integrated Circuit that fills in as the wireless framework.

The Bluetooth receiver PCB box, which controls these tasks, is situated inside the receiving device. It is battery-powered, so it must be charged when needed.

Most of these apparatus utilizes a lithium-ion battery in order to run for a longer time. The battery might accompany its own PCB, which guarantees overcharge prevention. The PCB defends the receiver from getting damaged by electric shock.

What Are the Advantages of Wireless Audio PCBs?

The Bluetooth-enabled wireless audio PCBs have several significant advantages over the typical audio PCBs.

• No need for wires
• Accessing more than one device at a time
• Access control over devices
• Reduced electricity usage
• Upgrades are trustworthy
• Cost-effective
• No conflict with other devices.
• No line of sight is needed for connection, possible to connect through physical obstructions

Which Surface Finish Is Effective for an Audio PCB?

There are several surface finishes that are used for coating the surface of Audio PCBs. Surface finishes protect the PCB from corrosion and oxidation. The following are the most used surface finishes applied on Audio PCBs.

Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG)

Two layers of metal coat are prepared to make ENIG, which is straightforwardly applied to the copper surface of the PCB with substance handling. The extent of gold is 2-5μ in with 120-240μ in nickel. The end result is an ENIG Audio PCB.

ENIG Surface Finish

Gold secures the nickel, and the nickel secures the copper surface of the PCB.

Electroless Nickel Electroless Palladium Immersion (ENEPIG)

The fundamental distinction between ENEPIG and ENIG is the palladium. Palladium is less expensive. This is the reason why ENEPIG PCBs are getting more orders by customers who want long-lasting Audio PCBs. Palladium secures the nickel coating of the PCB.

Soft Gold Surface Finish

This is a refined gold coating containing a higher amount of gold on the external plating of the PCB. Delicate gold is 99.9% pure.

This type of gold is utilized for sheets planned generally for the following applications: welding, wire holding, and high solderability applications.

Immersion Silver

Immersion Silver is RoHS compliant because it has no lead. Immersion Silver Audio PCBs are suitable substitutes for gold-coated PCBs because of their lower expense.

Immersion Tin

Immersion Tin is also another RoHS-compliant coating, because it does not have lead. It is an ideal choice for level surface necessities. Immersion Tin PCBs can be Immersion Tin or Copper Layer PCB.

HASL

Hot Air Solder Leveling is a practical finishing that utilizes tin or leads to make a protective covering on a PCB. It is the most common surface coating before RoHS compliance became the norm in the PCB industry. HASL PCBs have waned in popularity after decades of being the go-to surface coating for PCBs.

Ultimately, it is up to you, the customer to choose which surface finish to use. It depends on your budget and necessities, really.

Which Factors Should Be Considered while Designing an Audio PCB?

While you are designing and making an audio PCB, you should consider some critical factors, which impact your PCB design.

Material Selection

Choosing the material is one of the most crucial parts of designing PCBs. You have to understand the conductivity and non-conductivity of the material and choose the right one for your end purpose.

PCB Stack-up

PCB stack-up refers to the number of layers of the audio PCBs. You should wisely choose the layer number of your PCB. Appropriate layer number helps engineers to fabricate the PCBs according to the complexity of the demands.

Copper Traces

Copper traces are applied by removing some copper from the base of the PCBs. It’s essential to understand how much copper should be removed to make traces.

Copper Traces on a PCB

Via Types

Vias helps to establish the connections among the different parts of the PCBs. You have to understand the different types of Vias such as Buried Vias, Blind Vias, Microvias, and Through Vias.

Component Placement and Soldering

The last and the most crucial part of the PCB is to place the components in the correct places, then solder the components without damaging any of them.

How Many Ways Can You Test Audio PCBs?

There are several options to test your audio PCBs during the manufacturing period. Following are some popular and efficient testing methods of Audio PCBs.

Automated Optical Inspection

A single 2D or two 3D cameras are used to take pictures of the produced Audio PCBs. Automatically, these images are compared to the schematic diagram. This test ensures the accuracy of the features of the PCBs.

Burn-in Testing

In this testing method, the Audio PCBs have to go through a burning test for up to 168 hours. If the PCBs survive the heat, it means that the PCBs are okay.

X-Ray Inspection

Under the X-ray machine, your PCBs will be inspected for any fault. X-ray machines can expose hidden troubles also.

X-ray Inspection Of PCB

In-circuit Testing

With in-circuit testing, each individual circuitry is tested. It is the most robust testing method that ensures 90% accuracy.

How Can You Ensure the Manufacturing Quality of Audio PCBs?

There are several ways to keep the quality standards of Audio PCB consistent during manufacturing.

• IPC certification: Ensure that the manufacturer has the IPC quality certification for manufacturing PCBs.
• Ability to inspect PCB parts: All essential parts should be subject to tests.
• Powers over the cycle. To guarantee consistency in the assembling process, itemized creation and functional cycles are fundamental.
• Committed working area: Ensure a coordinated and clean work environment dedicated to PCB fabrication only.
• Actual checks: Check the assembling system of PCBs if the patching system is sound.

What Are the Different Types of Audio PCBs?

Audio PCBs are divided into different types based on design handling, necessities, and assembling measurement. Based on such criteria, there are different types of audio PCBs available. These are:

Single-sided Audio PCB

Single-sided PCBs are the most designed and used Audio PCBs. They have a single copper layer on the surface.

Double-sided Audio PCB

Both sides of the Double-sided PCB allow a metal conductive layer. Holes on the surface allow the components to be connected.

Multilayer Audio PCB

Multilayer PCBs are designed with at least three double-sided copper layers. Multilayer PCBs are very thick; they support complex designs/demands.

Rigid PCB

With more layers, Rigid PCBs are inflexible, unbendable. They use solid substrate materials for assembly.

Rigid PCB

Flex PCB

Flexible, adaptable, and bendable substrate materials are used to make Flex PCBs. When you are designing the PCB for mostly moving audio items, Flex PBC is the preferred choice.

Rigid-Flex Audio PCB

Rigid-flex PCB is a combination of rigid and flexible PCBs. A flex PCB is joined to a rigid PCB for specific reasons because of the need for the hardware.

Aside from these types of Audio PCBs, the surface finish of the PCB can also be used as a way of classifying Audio PCBs. We have previously mentioned HASL Audio PCBs, ENIG Audio PCBs, etc.

Why Is Controlled-Impedance Important for an Audio PCB?

When a strong AC output is applied to the PCB, the combination of capacitance, resistance, and inductance is referred to as impedance. Signal circulation through the PCB, energy transmission among parts, and signal spillage into undesirable sections of your PCB are all affected by impedance.

Impedance Control on a PCB

The equilibrium between conductance and inductance in a high-recurrence current is known as controlled impedance. Controlled impedance ought to be used when a sign requires a particular impedance to work appropriately.

In most tasks, keeping up with predictable impedance all through the entire PCB is basic for guaranteeing communicated information and keeping up with signal lucidity.

Why Should You Need a Ground Plane on Your Audio PCB?

The ground plane serves three important advantages to the Audio PCBs.

• The signal needs to return to the PCB regularly. The ground plane helps to get clear signal returns. A faulty signal return path may cause unwanted interference.
• Each component on the Audio PCB connects to the power net. The ground plane is essential to return the voltage.

PCB Ground Plane with Multilayer Stack-up

• While passing signals, noises are created. The ground plane helps to reduce the noise using its dedicated conducting area.

How Can You Reduce Noise in Your Audio PCB?

“Noise” is distortion and unclear signals on the Audio PCBs. Noise can reduce the performance and affect the operations of the Audio PCB.

Following are some tips to reduce the noise of an Audio PCB:

• During the design phase, cover the ground and power plane areas of your audio PCB.
• Maintain thin signal trace, as much as possible.
• Separate analog and digital circuitry.
• Oscillators should be kept away from traces.
• Capacitors of top quality should be used.
• Turns at a 90-degree angle should be avoided. Instead, use two 45-degree traces.

Who Are the Best Audio PCB Manufacturers?

The best audio PCB manufacturers have unique qualifications. These are as follows:

• Highly experienced in the industry
• Provides above par customer services
• Provides quality services at a lower cost
• Large and well-maintained factory infrastructure
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Mass production capability

Last Thoughts

Audio PCBs make up a huge market in business. So, it’s crucial to produce proper audio PCBs when you think about your brand. PCBMay is one of the leading audio PCBs manufacturers that might help you with quality with cost-effectiveness. Contact us today to get our award-winning services!