ProSoundWeb | John Meyer Transcript pg. 3

Transcript
PSW LIVE CHAT with John Meyer
January 7th, 2002

Moderated by Dave Dermont

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David B: What do you see as the prime market for the UPA and CQ series Cabinets?

John Meyer: Both products have very broad appeal. We've used them in everything from music clubs to 5.1 monitoring systems, as well as downfill for large PAs. Both lines are very well phase and amplitude corrected, and have not been "tweaked" for a particular sound.

Dan M: (Concerning driver life): FWIW, some UPA's that I got in 1981 are still in regular use, most with original drivers.

Moderator: Mr. Martin also said he did a gig with Ratdog, and they had UPA serial #002 and #003 on tour with them.

John Meyer: Thanks for your comments, Dan. Maybe we need to reconsider this philosophy! However, Dan, you are one who really takes care of the product. When was the Ratdog tour?

Mr.Martin: Just within the last 6 months. These UPA's looked old., different than what I'm used to seeing

John Meyer: We hear about older products frequently. UPAs #2 and 3 were made around 1980.

Mr.Martin: Wow.

David B: Is there any index of SIM certified operaters online?

John Meyer: No, but that information is available through our tech support department.

Harry: What is the source of that “Meyer midrange" that makes them so useful for talking head events?

John Meyer: It really has to do with the work that we've done on the drivers to lower distortion, a technique for which we hold a patent.

Lowering the distortion, however, affects the frequency response.

That's one of the main reasons that we built dedicated controllers.

There were a couple of reasons for this.

Because of the higher compliance of the driver, it would have been more vulnerable to destruction with a normal kind of passive crossover. So, protection became paramount in order to implement this kind of "hi-fi" driver in PA, where accidental overload is common. As amplifiers became more and more powerful, people got the impression that a larger amplifier was better (I think promoted by the amp companies!).

This idea of using larger amps was based on not letting the amp clip, which, of course, is a good idea. The problem becomes when these high-powered amps were pushed into overload, they would squarewave and damage the speaker components. We had a choice of trying to build more sophisticated processors to deal with these high-power amplifiers or build a complete speaker with amplifiers included. As anyone who was around seven years ago knows, it was a very controversial and bold move.

Grampa: In other words, there is no point in using a bigger than 600 watt amp for 650 subs?

John Meyer: Not if you want them to last!

Patrick Scott: What’s your take on third party processors on your products?

John Meyer: The controllers were never simply frequency and phase correction. That can be done digitally, but the protection limiters are very hard to implement in a pure DSP world. Of course, now all of our products are self-powered, and we can use a hybrid of technologies.

Tony Mah: Do you think the X-10's technology will trickle down to live sound anytime soon?

John Meyer: Great question. Perhaps I should start by describing the

X-10 technology. The product was a joint effort between the University of California and Meyer Sound. We use a microphone placed close to the low-frequency transducer, together with a sophisticated, high-gain servo control system, to lower the distortion that's inherent in any nonlinear electromechanical system. However, because of the high gain in the servo, extraneous sounds (for example, from a stage monitor) could get into the servo and cause the system to overload. We are working with UC to overcome these problems.

However, we have successfully used five X-10s in a 5.1 system at Ex'Pression Center for New Media in Emeryville, CA. The system has been operating for over two years, and has been very successful.

Creedy moore: Why do Meyer cabinets (MSL 4 and 650P) have handles that cut into your hands, and why not put some sort of covering on the corners of these boxes so they won't get damaged when putting on the caster plates.

John Meyer: On the M3D, we moved away from this type of handle and it's been very well received.

Moderator: They play hardball here, John ;-)

John Meyer: Future products will also probably use more ergonomically designed handles.

Grampa: All of your products are now self powered, no more "legacy" boxes?

John Meyer: Legacy products are still available on special order.

Ricky long: Do you a have a self processed, powered cabinet for musicians who mix from the stage in small clubs?

John Meyer: Sure, many of our products would apply. None has internal mixing facilities, however a small mixer onstage would suffice.

Dan M: If I understand correctly, you have a patent on the trapezoidal loudspeaker enclosure. Do other companies have to pay you a royalty for their trapezoidal boxes? Or is there a license involved?

John Meyer: To date, we have elected not to exact royalty payments.

The Old Soundman: Why do so many idiots say that your products don't really rock? OK, I light up the processors, but I make those puppies ROCK! You're a good man, John Meyer!

John Meyer: Thanks!

Chris Kathman: We are going to let John off the hook now, after two hours of gracious answers.

John Meyer: Thank you everyone. I've enjoyed participating.

Chris Kathman: Good night, Berkeley! Thank you Wilkes Barre and Seattle! This has been a production of Universal Concept Inc.

chat.boy: On behalf of PSW I'd like to thank John for spending some time with us.

chat.boy: The chat was moderated by Dave Dermont, "Another Dave"

Chris Kathman: It sure was, and damn well, I might add!

chat.boy: The chat was organized by Chris "bad Mofo" Kathman, CK.

Chris Kathman: You are too kind, buenas noches & happy new year!

chat.boy: Let us know who you would like to "see" chat in the coming year. Post it at the LAB or email chatboy@prosoundweb.com

Chris Kathman: This is a wrap.

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