You don't need expensive equipment or a PhD to set subwoofer delay time. In fact, all you need is: The physical distance from the listening position.The pre-alignment delay values. Sound too easy? Consider that top brands like L-Acoustics, d&b audiotechnik, Coda Audio, RCF, Funktion-One and dB Technologies all recommend the same subwoofer phase alignment method. Create an alignment preset for two sources that are equidistant.Modify that alignment in the field, using delay to … [Read more...]
For the Best Concert Sound, Keep the LF Reverb Time Low
I initially intended to write a review of this book, but that part is easy. It's great! Aside from one minor complaint, I loved it and I think everyone should read it. Instead, I'd like to share some of my takeaways to peak your interest and hopefully start a discussion. #1 - LF is hard to control Loud bass is important to rock concerts. It's also very difficult to control and requires the largest share of electric amplification energy. Bass is so hard to control because the … [Read more...]
(remote) Home Theater Sound System Calibration with Smaart & Crosslite
Back in November I had the opportunity to work on a multi-channel home theater sound system built with custom speakers. The client had their own Smaart rig so they measured the drivers and I worked on the EQ and crossover alignment within Crosslite. What follows are clips from the meeting transcript. We need for both of these drivers to be captured with the exact same delay locator value. Copy the delay locator value from your HF measurement. Paste it into your TF delay, and this time … [Read more...]
How to fight power alley using end-fire arrays
If you don't like the power alley that results from uncoupled subwoofer arrays and you do have six or more subs and enough real estate, you can try a compromised approach by aiming the left and right energy away from the center, improving isolation and lowering variance across the audience. I should make it clear that the result appears to reduce the power alley only in contrast to the rest of the audience. There is still interaction in the middle, it's just lower in level compared to … [Read more...]
How to phase align main to sub in Smaart, REW, Open Sound Meter, SATlive, and Crosslite
The audio analyzer functions primarily as a verification tool. For this reason this article will focus on creating alignment presets, which can then be modified in the field using simple distance measurements. To fit this into a single article I will offer an overview of a single method for each software. Although the steps with each tool might differ slightly, in general they follow this pattern: Measure each source solo.Do whatever is necessary to achieve alignment.Measure sources … [Read more...]