Lessons, Listening & Line arrays

A visit to d&b audiotechnik's training in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, UK

Well firstly, you're not going to see a list of calculations and formulae here from me! If you'd like to move a step closer to being able to successfully work out what it takes to put together a great sound system then may i suggest you go and thoroughly enjoy a few days at d&b audiotechnik in the picturesque village of Nailsworth, UK.

This great sounding and popular brand of concert and installation loudspeakers and amplifiers are designed in Germany. The UK office that supports the distribution also offers incredible support for up and coming and experienced sound engineers. Free lessons are available that cover the basics of sound behaviour and electroacoustic, through to in-depth lessons on their software based solutions for creating and monitoring a sound system for a concert. I loved it!

Array Calc lesson

Using the Array Calc software we first draw the venue based on exact distances and angles. In this case a stadium. After we add the speaker systems and calculate the coverage quality. This guides us to tweaks and improvements for our design.

Line Array concept demonstration

Oran Burns demonstrates an horizontal line array of small speakers which bend! We observe how when splayed or kept straight we can direct more or less sound energy to an audience.

Comparing arrays

Skilfully 'flown' by the staff, line arrays built as straight, curved and combined demonstrate coverage and intensity of audio over the 100m long car park.

Subwoofer arrays

A line of subwoofers at the foot of a stage can often distribute a more even bass response than just two in stereo.

Subwoofer array demonstration

Here, with short audio delays applied to the sub array, a virtual curve effect is applied. This helps to distribute bass across a crowd with more even levels across more frequencies. Some serious listening is taking place!

d and b audiotechnik logo

Lessons for various subjects are often held over two day courses throughout the year. I needed to brush up on the basics, which i did back in January and then return for the 'full monty' in June to become familiar with designing and putting an 'array' of loudspeakers up in the air.

This blog serves as a taster of what you can expect to see if you can make it to see these fine and very knowledgeable people.

Wayne of hydeaudioconsultants