Patent ID: 8005230

Claim:
An audio processing system comprising: a digital input gain circuit having at least one input gain block, each input gain block for generating an output signal in response to an audio input signal and a digital gain control signal; a power amplifier circuit, coupled to an output load, having at least one power amplifier, each power amplifier for generating an audio output signal in response to the output signal; an overpower detection circuit for generating at least one overpower detection signal in response to the audio output signal from the at least one power amplifier and varying output load and line conditions associated with the power amplifier circuit; and a microprocessor and a keypad coupled to the microprocessor for selecting an audio output signal and entering input gain levels for a selected audio output signal, the microprocessor programmed for generating the digital gain control signal in response to the input gain levels and for reducing the digital gain control signal according to a gain factor that determines a rate of gain reduction in response to the at least one overpower detection signal indicating an overpower condition, and for setting a limit for the digital gain control signal in response to the at least one overpower detection signal indicating absence of an overpower condition.