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Friday, May 24, 2013
Ken DeLoria 05/24/13 11:20 AM,Over the years many have debated the relative merits of “looking at screen traces” on an analyzer versus using human hearing to determine how a loudspeaker, or an entire system, actually performs. While both practices are of course valid, it’s extremely difficult for the human ear to detect, characterize, and correct small deviations in frequency and phase response, and even harder to characterize driver distortion in a meaningful manner. Likewise, the ear is often stymied when attempting to typify transient… View this story
Filed in: AV • Feature • Blog • Study Hall • AV • Digital • Loudspeaker • Measurement • Signal • System -
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Ken DeLoria 04/18/13 06:01 PM,In the dawning days of audio, transformers played a vital role in the functionality of first-generation all-tube based electronic circuitry. It was circa 1920 and radio broadcasts for the general populace had just begun, generating a rapid rise in the demand for broadcast audio systems, all of which needed transformers to function. Later, as equipment for live sound reinforcement began to emerge, transformers again proved indispensible as the only means of matching microphone impedances to vacuum tube preamplifiers. Transformers were… View this story
Filed in: Live Sound • Feature • Blog • Study Hall • Amplifier • Education • Measurement • Processor • Signal • System -
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Ken DeLoria 03/28/13 11:49 PM,This is the first in a series of articles about how to safely rig, fly, suspend, attach, or otherwise elevate loudspeakers and associated sound equipment above the level that gravity intends; i.e. the ground. The information we’ll be presenting is equally applicable to professionals who are touring or working with rental systems - and to those who are engaged in permanent installations. While the means, methods, and techniques may vary a bit from rental to permanent install work, the principals… View this story
Filed in: Production • Feature • Study Hall • Production • Rigging • Staging • Business • Concert • Education • Stage • System -
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Ken DeLoria 03/06/13 10:57 AM,Last time out (here), we looked at early forms of audio measurement equipment, including chart recorders, heterodyne analyzers, and real-time analyzers (RTAs). Now let’s pick it up with fast Fourier transform analyzers (FFTs), which are still in widespread use the world over in a variety of forms. In addition to accurately characterizing audio signals, FFTs are used for vibration analysis, order analysis of rotating machinery, RF and microwave measurements, and many other purposes. One could say they’re the gold standard… View this story
Filed in: AV • Feature • Blog • Study Hall • AV • Measurement • Signal • Sound Reinforcement -
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Ken DeLoria 01/31/13 01:30 PM,This is the first installment in a series that will explain how various types of audio analyzers function, how they differ in capability and usage, and the way that the test and measurement industry has evolved over the past five decades. Way, way back in time, graphical acoustic measurements were acquired by means of chart recorders. A chart recorder looks a lot like the lie detector seen in old-time movies and is analogous to a mechanical version of a CRT… View this story
Filed in: AV • Feature • Blog • Study Hall • Production • Audio • AV • Engineer • Loudspeaker • Measurement • Processor • Signal • Sound Reinforcement -
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Ken DeLoria 01/17/13 10:17 AM,“Don’t go breaking my heart” —Elton John & Kiki Dee Whether it’s a shackle, a hoist, a crane, or a beefy fly frame, never forget that everything breaks. The only question is under what load and under what conditions. To address this issue, the rigging industry has adopted the term “SWL,” which stands for Safe Working Load. You might also see “WLL,” which stands for Working Load Limit. When you purchase a shackle, a pairing ring, or a length of… View this story
Filed in: Production • Feature • Slideshow • Study Hall • Production • Rigging • Staging • Business • Concert • Education • Installation • Loudspeaker • Stage • System -
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Ken DeLoria 01/15/13 01:29 PM,In the beginning there were volume knobs, and that was good. Then came bass and treble controls, and that was better still. But more was wanted, so more was created and thus the equalizer was born. Over time, equalizers have been shaped and honed into the various formats that are ubiquitous today. Graphic, parametric, semi-parametric, paragraphic, and more – such as Lake’s rather brilliant Mesa filters – entered the market years ago and we can’t seem to get enough of… View this story
Filed in: Live Sound • Feature • Blog • Study Hall • Analog • Digital • Loudspeaker • Measurement • Processor • Signal • Software • Sound Reinforcement -
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Ken DeLoria 12/18/12 07:31 AM,In the previous segment, we looked at the basic process of using a high-resolution FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) analyzer to view the frequency and phase response of a 12-inch cone driver in a typical 12-inch/2-way loudspeaker. In that segment, we established that the 30-degree off-axis response of the cone driver is substantially lower in level (12 to 18 dB), as well as highly irregular in phase and frequency above approximately 2 kHz, when compared to the driver’s on-axis response (Figure… View this story
Filed in: Live Sound • Feature • Study Hall • Loudspeaker • Measurement • Processor • Signal • Sound Reinforcement -
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Ken DeLoria 12/12/12 12:14 PM,As the world continually progresses, new technologies and methodologies inevitably present themselves. Most developmental efforts are intended to aid technology users improve their work output in respect to quality and efficiency, while also aiming to make a profit. This cycle occurs in every industry from heavy construction to microscopic surgery. We, as the providers and operators of entertainment and communication equipment, are constantly in the midst of it all. And we must adapt to these changes if we wish to… View this story
Filed in: Production • Feature • Opinion • Training • Production • Audio • Lighting • Production Software • Recording • Video • Business • Concert • Consoles • Digital • Digital Audio Workstations • Interconnect • Networking • Software • Sound Reinforcement -
Friday, November 23, 2012
Ken DeLoria 11/23/12 12:11 PM,I began writing this series of rigging safety articles several months ago motivated by the many dangerous practices I’ve seen over the years. (See part 1 and part 2.) These disasters-waiting- to-happen lurk in clubs, small shows, medium shows, and sizeable temporary events. This past summer, we have witnessed staging/rigging tragedies in Canada, Indiana, and Belgium. The common element in each of these truly unfortunate incidents are media reports of extreme weather conditions. There’s a very human tendency to believe… View this story
Filed in: Production • Feature • Slideshow • Study Hall • Production • Audio • Rigging • Staging • Business • Installation • Loudspeaker • Stage
Articles Tagged Ken Deloria
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