Many different components make up an instrumentation system, and each one has a specific function. The most common include microphones, speakers, mixers, amplifiers, and effects processors. Microphones help capture sound and are often placed in front of the instruments or close to the performers. Speakers produce the sound of the instruments and are usually placed in the venue or the studio. Mixers help combine the various audio channels and are often present on the front panel of a mixing console. Amplifiers help increase the power of the sound going into speakers or microphones and are also used to provide effects such as distortion, chorus, and flanging.