SR/Live Wed, August 20, 2008

“The art and practice of system alignment is as varied and expanding as the people, equipment and applications that encompass the field. Anyone that understands their tools can create new and effective ways to use them, and our goal is to help that process along for the benefit of the measurement community as a whole.”
- Jamie Anderson

Anderson and his cohorts - Calvert Dayton, Adam Black and Karen Anderson - have just launched Rational Acoustics LLC, a new entity based in Connecticut devoted exclusively to the increasingly important specialty field of sound system optimization. This group of pro audio veterans is firmly focused on providing a range of training classes and product sales for acoustic test and measurement, and system alignment, with the company also developing a variety of new system alignment software and hardware products.

Classes offered by Rational Acoustics address both general system alignment theory/practice and specific product training. “Right now our product-focused training is specific to (EAW) Smaart because that is where the majority of us have recently come from,” says Anderson. “But as we continue to grow, we’ll include other measurement platforms. We’re not promoting a single product or solution, rather we’re here to provide the best range of technologies, techniques, tools and practices to help people get their jobs done.”

In fact, the company will present its first Smaart training classes this coming June 24th – 26th at the Mayo Center for the Performing Arts in Morristown, NJ.  Days one and two of the seminar focus on Smaart fundamentals and applications, while day three is for advanced users. Numerous other training courses are expected to be announced soon. Online registration for Rational Acoustics classes is available here.

Meanwhile, products offered for sale by Rational Acoustics through its website store are a hand-picked selection of microphones, preamps, cables and other measurement peripherals which have been selected for overall quality, value and usefulness in the system measurement and tuning process.  A gear selection guide, product reviews, and a user forum will all be available on the website to help customers navigate and evaluate their product choices. 

“System alignment professionals have traditionally been one of the smallest niche markets within the professional audio industry,” adds Karen Anderson. “But in recent years the field of system alignment has grown substantially, going from “nice-to-have” to “must-have” for any serious audio application.  As a group, system alignment pros are very passionate and highly technical, and Rational Acoustics is here to provide them with the community support, education, and tools that they deserve.”

The Rational Acoustics team:

Jamie Anderson – CEO, Educator Guy and System Tweak of the Highest Order - Jamie has been teaching and working in the field of sound system engineering, measurement and alignment for over 17 years. During his career, he has worked as a technical support manager and SIM instructor for Meyer Sound Laboratories, as a system engineer on tour for A-1 Audio and UltraSound and most recently, as a product manager and instructor for SIA Acoustics and Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW). In the course of his professional career, Jamie has taught more than 225 SIM and Smaart classes, for over 2,500 students, in over 20 countries on five continents.

Karen Anderson – COO, Marketing Maven and Den Mother – Karen has been marketing professional audio products for the past 17 years. She worked her way from receptionist to marketing manager at Meyer Sound, ran Anderson Marketing Projects, her own audio marketing consulting company, and most recently served as director of marketing at EAW.

Calvert Dayton – CTO and Resident Expert - Calvert was one of the original team members involved with first release of Smaart in 1996, and he’s been the key Smaart technical development person ever since at both SIA and EAW. Prior to his involvement with Smaart, Calvert was an art director and marketing professional in and around New York City.

Adam Black – CIO and Code Poet - Adam has been a computer programmer for the past 10 years with companies such as Cable & Wireless and AOL. Prior to Rational Acoustics, he worked with EAW as the principal programmer behind the most current version of Smaart (v.6). 

For more information:
http://www.rationalacoustics.com