Thursday, August 22, 2013

Amiga, Makerbot and Line Arrays

Anyone remember trying to render graphics or print anything other than text from a computer in the mid 80's? I recall having to wait till sleep to hit the render button with a 50% probability that the computer will crash, only to end up with a crude version of the graphic that took another whole eternity to to create and when it finally came to printing it out after 20 false starts to get the layout formatting correct between lock ups and those darned reboots that required a reload of a shit ton of floppy disks because hard drives were not yet a common consumer item of affordability.


Well, the reason this comical now but frustrating then memory comes to mind is my adventures with 3D printing. Though nowhere near as archaic, the nuances of creating printable drawings and sit and wait adventure while the little nozzle moves around squirting hot plastic brings back those old memories. For those not familiar with how the most common 3D printers operate, basically all they are is a hot glue gun nozzle attached to a plastic wire feeder that can move around in the X and Y axis and a plate that moves up and down in the Z axis while it squirts hot plastic in hopefully all the right places to end up with what was on the computer screen.


Line Array Adventures!
(as promised to answer a twitter question)

OK, so how about taking a look at some aspects of line array HF design? One of the major challenges with designing a line array is getting the sound to radiate out of all places of the enclosure at the same time. This may sound more trivial than it is. Sound likes to radiate outward in circular waves like rings from a stone dropped in water. But line-arrays need sound to radiate more like a flat stick shape from each horn.  If you just use a horn that has a tall narrow opening, the sound will exit the shortest distance first which is the middle and still have an arc shape as it leaves the horn/waveguide.

To get around this, there are several methods that the various manufacturers employ with varying degrees of success. I will divide these up into the three basic types/approaches and gives a brief description of some assets and issues with each as well as a few links to patents from the manufacturers.

The Equal Path Length Waveguides

Three examples of companies that patented this type are L-Acoustics, Adamson and Turbosound.  The concept is to create a waveguide wherein the the shortest distance from the horn driver diaphragm to anywhere the sound can exit, is exactly the same (or of a predetermined minimal offset).

L-Acoustics does this by first determining the distance from the driver to the top/bottom of the waveguide exit, which is the longest distance.  Then designing the waveguide shape such that the sound travelling out of the middle area of the exit has to travel an equal distance. The patent explains it in depth.


Since L-Acoustics had already patented the most simple and direct design, indirect designs started being developed. Nexo came up with an interesting method. How about sending the sound from a compression driver down a horn and reflecting the sound off of a curved surface such that the reflected sound was correctly timed by the time it leaves the horn. 


Adamson came up with another work-around. I heard rumors that some potential infringement questions that arose but I guess the patents were differing enough that Adamson's held. Basically what the Adamson design does is it divides the process into two parts.  The first part over corrects the sound wave so it comes out the top and bottom of the initial waveguide first and the middle last.  Then the second part lets the sound wave expand naturally in the secondary waveguide.  The two waveguides are designed such that the over correction and natural expansion combine to have the sound exit the secondary waveguide at the same time.


Another way to try and solve the equal length conundrum is to divide the sound up into a multitude of smaller tubes of equal length and then rejoin them at the exit. This is the path that Meyer Sound and  Turbosound followed to develop their line array waveguides as shown in. 



You can almost feel the minds churning to create a solution to get in the line-array game. In general, my experience has been that the more complex the design is, the more room for error, resonance issues and unwanted reflections.

The Multi-Driver Designs

This concept goes back pretty far and I was able to find a patent by RCA from 1927. Basically it is simply using a higher quantity of smaller drivers instead of one, two or three larger 2" drivers.  This gets the sources close together and all radiating at the same time.


So with L-Acoustics having a patent on the simplest most direct solution in 1988 and the other 'equal length' concepts to get around the L-Acoustics intellectual property patent yet to be concocted, companies started coming up with various multi-driver contraptions that basically use a multitude of long narrow horns with on each.


Unlike the L-Acoustics and Adamson solutions, the Clair multi-driver approach does not fully create an output where all the sound radiates at the same time. Instead there are a bunch of smaller arcs, one from each horn/driver.  The more drivers the better but the drivers tend to be physically a bit of an issue limiting the maximum quantity. Though Clair did an admirable job by employing nine 1" drivers I believe in their I5 rig, every other driver offset to the left or right so the vertically fit in the box.

Another version of the multi-driver as implemented in the JBL Vertec systems was just to use 3 drivers and not really be too concerned that the sound all leaves the horns at very close to the same time. Though this was consistant with the JBL design in that the Vertec system allowed for much more drastic angles between boxes as well.  I huge asset in versatility and a detriment in sound quality.

Also there are some other designs that utilize diamond or other shaped 'obstructions'  in the horn that assist in aligning the timing of the sound leaving the differing parts of the horn

Here is another multi-driver patent that I am not familiar with any large format systems employing but is interesting as well,


The No Waveguide Solution

Hey, why not just use a ribbon driver? That's what we want, right? All the sound to radiate at the same time in the vertical domain. I do feel that ribbons logically are the best solution, practically though, there are some challenges. Conventional drivers are most efficient when centered in the gap and as you drive them harder, there is both a mechanical limitation can be a decrease efficiency. This parallels other components in the system to a degree. Most ribbon designs have a perforated magnet in front and behind the ribbon, not only are there artifact from sound passing through the perforation, the harder you drive the ribbon the closer it gets to the magnets creating almost a sonic expander.  Yes, electronics can correct for this perhaps. I do believe major headway has been made in increasing the efficiency and frequency response of ribbons but in my opinion, they are just not yet fully on par with the top level voice coil driven systems, yet.

Other Stuff

A couple other older patents where we can see designs that control the distance sound travels to leave a horn



An older form of line arrays were products like the Shure Vocal Master

A few advantages of the equal path length designs is simplicity and that conventional drivers that are readily available can be used.

Multi-Driver Minimal Waveguide

The multi-driver designs can get costly very quickly but they do allow for separate amplification and processing of each driver. Which brings me to what I believe to be the best version of the multi-driver design is currently what EAW has implemented in the new ANYA system, just as I believe that L-Acoustics has the best version of the equal path length design, Anya has the best multi-driver design.

EAW's solution was to develop a very compact, high power 1" dome driver and use 14 of them on very short waveguides, therefore minimizing the timing errors to the lowes of the multi-driver designs to date, almost forming a perfect ribbon.  Except unlike using a ribbon, each segment of the ribbon can be independently processed and new levels of control realized that no other system has capabilities of accomplishing.

Here is a link to a video that explains more


If it sounds like I am a fan of the L-Acoustics design and EAW designs, you are correct. If you think that I am a fan because Rat Sound owns both those systems, you are incorrect.  The reverse is true. Rat owns those systems for many reasons and one of which is that I believe that the HF waveguide design is a core and critical aspect of line-array design, and also I have a special affinity for the early innovators with the most finessefull solutions. Yeah, 'finessefull' is not a real word but it should be as it is so useful.

Ok, enough brain dump.  How about a few pics to lighten the load.?

So we make the Soundtools.com products at Rat and Bryant orders some new tube samples and normally this would be just a simple misprint but....


Ha! Rock and roll.... Off to the big rock show.... I bet you cant come up with any other one-liners. 


One of the wheels broke on the Midas Script Scroller 


Here is what the good wheels look like 


So I printed a new pair of wheels on my Makerbot2 3D printer, and back to good again.


I just had to share this. Left to right, my mom, Mark Schoenfield (former step brother), Me, Steve Schoenfield (other former step brother), my sister Tiffany and my brother Phil. And this was only a tiny smidge glimpse of the oddity of my previous life as David Levine before I somehow was renamed Dave Rat by my pals and peers.


Oh yeah! Did a 9 day train trip in Europe with Daughter Sammy.  It was her turn as Maddie and I did a solo pair run 2 years back. I would not trade those adventures for five worlds!


Not disturbing enough to make you want to poke out your mental eye but a fashion statement none the less


And just a pic that makes me smile from the the trip up to Anchorage for a few Peppers gigs.


Ok, that's enough.  And tomorrow one daughter moves out into an apartment with roommates and saturday the other is off to college in New York. Could not be more proud and filled with apprehension of a major life shift at the same time than I feel right now.

Dave Rat

95 comments:

  1. Really!!! I am very impressed after reading this blog. thanks for providing deep information for
    top 10 ncs

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi I really appreciate all the great content you have here. I am glad I cam across it!
    Charles Cossetti - Go Hard

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good writing...keep posting dear friend
    ceiling speaker amplifier

    ReplyDelete
  4. I wanted to thank you for this great blog! I really enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
    Stonelove J - Urkel video

    ReplyDelete
  5. I really love your weblog, Its great to find not absolutely everyone is just posting a ton of rubbish these days!
    ceiling speaker amplifier

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have read many blogs in the net but have never come across such a well written blog. Good work keep it up
    RMP - FLEXIN Music Video

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is a really good read for me, Must admit that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.
    Recording Drummer

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have read many blogs in the net but have never come across such a well written blog. Good work keep it up
    No Control by Laura Mendes

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is a really good read for me, Must admit that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.
    edm violinist

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'd like to know how everything is going with this.
    Borderline feat. Joyce Sterling

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have read many blogs in the net but have never come across such a well written blog. Good work keep it up
    Amie Penwell - Dogfight On The Moon

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's really a nice and helpful piece of information. I'm glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this.
    Radiohead Cover Creep by Chonna Cristelle

    ReplyDelete
  13. You're soooo talented in writing. God is truly utilizing you in tremendous ways.
    Mr. Shammi_Time Machine (Official Video)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have read many blogs in the net but have never come across such a well written blog. Good work keep it up
    Michael Blu Music

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'd like to know how everything is going with this.
    Jay Scriptz X Break It Down

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow! Thank you! I always wanted to write in my site something like that. Can I take part of your post to my blog?
    American Bubble Shows Dubai

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have read many blogs in the net but have never come across such a well written blog. Good work keep it up
    Can't Stop the feeling by Justin Timberlake

    ReplyDelete
  18. Post is very informative,It helped me with great information so I really believe you will do much better in the future.
    Paul Maged - "The Wild" (Official Music Video)

    ReplyDelete
  19. You have some honest ideas here. I done a research on the issue and discovered most peoples will agree with your blog.
    How To Play Arpeggios

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is a really good read for me, Must admit that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.
    No Other Bagger by Chiro Music video

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great blog you have here - market is very slow - Hopefully things will begin picking back up
    Tory Lanez performing live

    ReplyDelete
  22. I like your post & I will always be coming frequently to read more of your post. Thank you very much for your post once more.
    Ev Vinyls - The Rush Music Video

    ReplyDelete
  23. It is truly a great and helpful piece of information and nice collection.
    pop music Artist Ksenia Valentis

    ReplyDelete
  24. It is truly a great and helpful piece of information and nice collection.
    Black Rock Revival-If You Want It- Official Video

    ReplyDelete
  25. I like your post & I will always be coming frequently to read more of your post. Thank you very much for your post once more.
    Beatflipz Walkthrough

    ReplyDelete
  26. It is truly a great and helpful piece of information and nice collection.
    English Language for movies and songs

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am satisfied that you simply shared this useful information with us.
    Dammy Ari Give Ya (Music Video Song)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Another helpful post. This is a very nice blog that I will definitively come back to several more times this year!
    Electric Love by Funeral Strippers

    ReplyDelete
  29. This is a really good read for me, Must admit that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.
    Live Your Life to the Fullest

    ReplyDelete
  30. I have read many blogs in the net but have never come across such a well written blog. Good work keep it up
    Finding Nemo Piano Cover

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks for sharing info. Keep up the good work...We hope you will visit our blog often as we discuss topics of interest to you
    car audio

    ReplyDelete
  32. Excellent Blog! I have been impressed by your thoughts and the way you presented them.
    Beats For Sale

    ReplyDelete
  33. I am undeniably thankful to you for providing us with this invaluable related information. My spouse and I are easily grateful, quite frankly the documents we needed.
    Hawaii

    ReplyDelete
  34. I really enjoy reading your blog as the postings are so simple to read and follow. Outstanding. Please keep it up. Thanks.
    Audio Hire

    ReplyDelete
  35. I have read many blogs in the net but have never come across such a well written blog. Good work keep it up
    הפקת מוזיקה לפרסומת

    ReplyDelete
  36. I have read many blogs in the net but have never come across such a well written blog. Good work keep it up
    puppies

    ReplyDelete
  37. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing
    drum beat maker

    ReplyDelete
  38. I have read many blogs in the net but have never come across such a well written blog. Good work keep it up
    Ted Talks Transformations Conference

    ReplyDelete
  39. You got a really useful blog I have been here reading for about half an hour. I am a newbie and your post is valuable for me.
    Joker Disco Party

    ReplyDelete
  40. I have read many blogs in the net but have never come across such a well written blog. Good work keep it up
    Jackroy Li - Thousand Words (Music Video)

    ReplyDelete
  41. Super blog and awesome information about the music and song really very enjoy it.
    Until I get Back Home - Roby Moss

    ReplyDelete
  42. i wish to have some more related posts about this topic,
    London on the Track Type Beat

    ReplyDelete
  43. I have read many blogs in the net but have never come across such a well written blog. Good work keep it up
    London on the Track Type Instrumental

    ReplyDelete
  44. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing
    corporate event dj

    ReplyDelete
  45. I am undeniably thankful to you for providing us with this invaluable related information. My spouse and I are easily grateful, quite frankly the documents we needed.
    Lifestyles of a Schizophrenic mixtape

    ReplyDelete
  46. I really enjoy your blog which have allot of interesting music and songs thank you this wonderful blog.
    best hip-hop video

    ReplyDelete
  47. Interesting blog of the music and all music are outstanding.
    FREE DL Dr. Dre Type Beat (Just Coolin)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Such an amazing blog about the music and awesome lyrics.
    Thank God For Life

    ReplyDelete
  49. I wanted to thank you for this great listening, I definitely enjoying your every music which have singing. I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
    Antagonyze - It's Simple

    ReplyDelete
  50. Interesting blog and very very outstanding musics and song i really love it.
    FREE DL Wale x Chris Brown x Big Sean Type Beat

    ReplyDelete
  51. Really thankful for this wonderful and informative blog about the music i really enjoys it.
    The Official Donald Trump Song

    ReplyDelete
  52. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing
    custom earbuds

    ReplyDelete
  53. wow i love t hat SO much... can i cut and paste it into my blog?? but give u credit, of course???
    music producer

    ReplyDelete
  54. Nice blog and interesting information about the music good work.
    livemusic

    ReplyDelete
  55. Your article very helpful for me about the musics which i was searching but your blog providing me allot of information thank you.
    music and entertainment

    ReplyDelete
  56. Super blog and very interesting song in your all lists thank for sharing this blog.
    best studio

    ReplyDelete
  57. I wanted to thank you for this great listening, I definitely enjoying your every music which have singing. I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
    Afrobeat 2016

    ReplyDelete
  58. Great blog with a very interesting information about the music well done and keep posting.
    type beat 2017

    ReplyDelete
  59. Interesting blog all information are very important for me about the How men really feels about women and i really need it thank you.
    How men really feels about women

    ReplyDelete
  60. Super blog and very interesting song in your all lists thank for sharing this blog.
    music video of Come Back

    ReplyDelete
  61. I really enjoy your blog which have a best music. thank you for this wonderful blog.


    Make My Day Official Song Video

    ReplyDelete
  62. Nice and useful information about songs. I really liked it.
    Good work.


    new song download

    ReplyDelete
  63. I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!!
    I liked it.



    uk top 40

    ReplyDelete
  64. Great you have provided a nice song in this blog.
    people really enjoyed it.



    G.J - Forgave Love Music Video

    ReplyDelete
  65. This is a really good blog for me, Must admit that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.


    Innocent - OFFICIAL VIDEO 2017

    ReplyDelete
  66. this is the amazing blog and the song is wonderful.
    Nice work.


    Trumpet player

    ReplyDelete
  67. Truly superb blog, and the details about it really awesome.


    Love Takes Time Official Music Video

    ReplyDelete
  68. Thanks for sharing this amazing blog and the music really awesome.
    Good work.


    artist Leonard Cohen

    ReplyDelete
  69. Really!!! I am very impressed after seeing the best song in this blog. thanks for sharing.



    ODRIEW - FOR A MOMENT (Official Audio)

    ReplyDelete
  70. Your blog is awesome. You have shared very valuable information to us. Thank you so much for sharing this.




    Passion Official Music Video

    ReplyDelete
  71. Hi there, I just wanted to say thanks for this informative blog and the information about song is useful.


    The Ellen Show Song

    ReplyDelete
  72. Really!!! I liked it and the detail about music in this blog is very informative. thanks for sharing.



    Franchise - Down Chick video

    ReplyDelete
  73. It is truly a great and helpful piece of information and nice collection of song.


    G.J - Forgave Love

    ReplyDelete
  74. superb blog, and the details about music is quite interesting.
    Good job.


    drum kits and loops

    ReplyDelete
  75. Thank you for this wonderful blog about the music i really enjoys it


    Tomi Favored - JEHOVAH

    ReplyDelete
  76. Thanks for sharing your music in this blog and blog is really awesome.
    Good work.



    An empowering song

    ReplyDelete
  77. This is the best music blog. you have to see it.
    Nice job.


    KN Underground - White Widow

    ReplyDelete
  78. I definitely appreciate your blog. Excellent work


    ukg

    ReplyDelete
  79. Nice article with a very nice and helpful information about the music well done and keep it up.

    New Summer Pop Song

    ReplyDelete
  80. I really love your music blog all the music and sounds tracks are rocking , obviously you have to deserving a good credit Your site is so easy to use too.Good work.

    music reviews

    ReplyDelete
  81. Really very super blog and very outstanding layout and all the musics.

    Nadel Paris Performance

    ReplyDelete
  82. Fantastic blog and very interesting song and music and lyrics are always very special.


    Pop Songs

    ReplyDelete
  83. Your blog is very entertaining, I am truly to this blog which is specially design about the music.
    Great job.

    Official Video Songs

    ReplyDelete
  84. Cool blog you got here and thank you for the valuable info about music.
    i Liked it.

    Hip hop songs

    ReplyDelete
  85. Such an amazing blog about the music and awesome lyrics.

    piano music video

    ReplyDelete
  86. Really very interesting and very valuable information about the music nice work.

    rap songs

    ReplyDelete
  87. I like your all information which you are providing about the musics and song all the song are very interesting.

    hiphop songs

    ReplyDelete
  88. Your all information about the music are really very acceptable and great well done.

    Street Money On Deck

    ReplyDelete
  89. Interesting blog of the music and all music are outstanding.

    Rolling On You Romeo Official Video

    ReplyDelete
  90. Thanks for the information and links you shared this is so should be a useful and quite informative! 

    Dwight & Nicole - Wait

    ReplyDelete
  91. Your post are very interesting and very amazing which i always love it all the music are outstanding.

    Upbeat Dance music

    ReplyDelete
  92. Hey!
    I read your blog and i found so much interesting concepts which i want from so many days.

    Thanks for share this one.

    waveguides

    ReplyDelete