Sound Systems: Design and Optimization
Modern Techniques and Tools for Sound System Design and Alignment
- 1st Edition - November 21, 2006
- Imprint: Focal Press
- Author: Bob McCarthy
- Language: English
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 0 8 - 0 4 6 7 8 4 - 9
With this definitive guide to sound reinforcement design and optimization, Bob McCarthy shares his expert knowledge and effective methodology developed from decades of field and… Read more
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Request a sales quoteWith this definitive guide to sound reinforcement design and optimization, Bob McCarthy shares his expert knowledge and effective methodology developed from decades of field and teaching experience. This book is written for the field professional as well as the consultant or student, in a clear and easy-to-read style and illustrated with color diagrams and screenshots throughout. McCarthy's unique guide reveals the proven techniques to ensure that your sound system design can be optimized for maximum uniformity over the space.
The book follows the audio signal path from the mix console to the audience and provides comprehensive information as to how the sound is spread over the listening area. The complex nature of the physics of speaker interaction over a listening space is revealed in terms readily understandable to audio professionals. Complex speaker arrays are broken down systematically and the means to design systems that are capable of being fully optimized for maximum spatial uniformity is shown.
The methods of alignment are shown, including measurement mic placement, and step-by-step recipes for equalization, delay setting, level setting, speaker positioning and acoustic treatment. These principles and techniques are applicable to the simplest and most complex systems alike, from the single speaker to the multi-element “line array.”
The book follows the audio signal path from the mix console to the audience and provides comprehensive information as to how the sound is spread over the listening area. The complex nature of the physics of speaker interaction over a listening space is revealed in terms readily understandable to audio professionals. Complex speaker arrays are broken down systematically and the means to design systems that are capable of being fully optimized for maximum spatial uniformity is shown.
The methods of alignment are shown, including measurement mic placement, and step-by-step recipes for equalization, delay setting, level setting, speaker positioning and acoustic treatment. These principles and techniques are applicable to the simplest and most complex systems alike, from the single speaker to the multi-element “line array.”
* The first book devoted exclusively to the emerging field of sound system optimization using modern tools and practices.
* Offers you expert guidance on the popular tools of the trade, including line arrays and digital signal processors
* Color images and diagrams throughout aid understanding and clearly illustrate topics within the book
* Offers you expert guidance on the popular tools of the trade, including line arrays and digital signal processors
* Color images and diagrams throughout aid understanding and clearly illustrate topics within the book
Professional audio engineers, sound system designers, sound reinforcement professionals, sound technicians, audio engineering students.
1. Transmission
Transmission goals
Audio Transmission defined
Transmission Quantified
Analog Audio Transmission
Digital Audio Transmission
Acoustic Transmission
2. Summation
Properties of Audio Summation
Response Ripple
Acoustical Crossovers
Speaker Arrays
Speaker/Room Summation
3. Reception
Loudness
Localization
Tonal, Spatial and Echo Perception
Stereo Perception
Amplified Sound Detection
Microphone Reception
4. Evaluation
Natural Sound vs. Amplified Sound
Relating the worlds of Acousticians and Audio Engineers
Moving Forward
5. Prediction
Drawings
Acoustic Modeling Programs
6. Variation
The Minimum Variance Principles
The Speaker/Room Link: Aspect Ratio
The Proximity ratio
Minimum Level Variance
Minimum Spectral Variance
Minimum Ripple Variance
Subwoofer Arrays
7. Specification
The principles of specification
Channel/system types
System subdivision
Subsystem types
The scalable design
Array design procedures
The diagonal plane
Balcony battles
Multi-channel systems
8. Examination
Physical Measurement Tools
Simple Audio Measurement Tools
Complex Audio Measurement Tools
9. Verification
Test structure
Procedures
Microphone verification
Post calibration verification
Additional considerations
10. Calibration
Approaches to calibration
Access to information
Procedures
Order of Operations
Practical Applications
Finishing the Process
Ongoing Optimization
Transmission goals
Audio Transmission defined
Transmission Quantified
Analog Audio Transmission
Digital Audio Transmission
Acoustic Transmission
2. Summation
Properties of Audio Summation
Response Ripple
Acoustical Crossovers
Speaker Arrays
Speaker/Room Summation
3. Reception
Loudness
Localization
Tonal, Spatial and Echo Perception
Stereo Perception
Amplified Sound Detection
Microphone Reception
4. Evaluation
Natural Sound vs. Amplified Sound
Relating the worlds of Acousticians and Audio Engineers
Moving Forward
5. Prediction
Drawings
Acoustic Modeling Programs
6. Variation
The Minimum Variance Principles
The Speaker/Room Link: Aspect Ratio
The Proximity ratio
Minimum Level Variance
Minimum Spectral Variance
Minimum Ripple Variance
Subwoofer Arrays
7. Specification
The principles of specification
Channel/system types
System subdivision
Subsystem types
The scalable design
Array design procedures
The diagonal plane
Balcony battles
Multi-channel systems
8. Examination
Physical Measurement Tools
Simple Audio Measurement Tools
Complex Audio Measurement Tools
9. Verification
Test structure
Procedures
Microphone verification
Post calibration verification
Additional considerations
10. Calibration
Approaches to calibration
Access to information
Procedures
Order of Operations
Practical Applications
Finishing the Process
Ongoing Optimization
- Edition: 1
- Published: November 21, 2006
- Imprint: Focal Press
- No. of pages: 528
- Language: English
- eBook ISBN: 9780080467849
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Bob McCarthy
Affiliations and expertise
Bob McCarthy is currently the president of Alignment & Design, Inc. he specializes in sound system alignment and design consulting. Bob has travelled worldwide designing and aligning sound systems for every type of venue, he has also worked with some of the world's best sound designers, such as Tony Menola, Andrew Bruce, Mark Menard among others.