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Wednesday, September 07, 2011
PSW Staff
09/07/11 03:35 PM,
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In this Real World Gear installment, we look at “compact” line arrays, which we’ve defined as those with 8-inch (and smaller) LF drivers. Previously we applied this designation to “small and mini” models; however, the market is evolving so quickly and dynamically that attempts to put together “like” groups of line array modules under a precisely defined criteria is fast becoming a thing of the past. The fact is that one company’s “small” is another’s “mini” is another’s “compact” –…
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Wednesday, August 10, 2011
PSW Staff
08/10/11 12:38 PM,
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Vocal microphones are most entertainers’ and engineers’ introduction to sound systems, their first point of contact and the first piece of equipment that they purchase and carry with them. The vocal quality is of paramount importance in most sung music, and the easiest way to improve it is often to change vocal mics. Dynamic mics use the same principle as a loudspeaker, except in reverse. A diaphragm attached to an induction coil is positioned in a magnetic field. Sound moving…
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Thursday, June 30, 2011
Craig Leerman
06/30/11 03:11 PM,
It’s pretty obvious to anybody that listens to popular music that bass is featured prominently, but most styles of music also have important low-frequency content. The smooth glissando of a plucked upright bass in a jazz quartet, the dramatic staccato roll of a tympani in an orchestra, and the melodic rhythm of a piano player’s left hand are all examples of this. Accurately reproducing these and other low notes through a sound reinforcement system often requires at least one subwoofer.…
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Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Mark Frink
06/21/11 07:44 AM,
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Most modern power amplifier designs have abandoned traditional “linear” power transformer-based supplies in favor of digital switching supplies, shedding about half their weight in the process, getting into the range of 10 kilos or 22 pounds. Nearly all amps are two “rack spaces” high for a total of 3.5 inches in a standard 19-inch wide equipment rack, with depths ranging from roughly 10 to 20 inches. Various circuit designs have emerged over the years. Class AB designs provide low distortion…
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Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Mark Frink
01/18/11 01:30 PM,
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The latest category of audio consoles are those with USB or FireWire connections, allowing recording or playback to computers or to small USB flash memory sticks (“jump drives” or “thumb drives”). The ability to multi-track provides additional opportunities for bands besides recording live performances. Band and venue users can record rehearsals and make demos, write new material or teach songs to new members of the band. They can also track live shows, whether 2-track or multi-track, and release MP3 “board…
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Wednesday, October 13, 2010
PSW Staff
10/13/10 03:20 PM,
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Before the modern era of packaged, off-the-shelf loudspeaker systems of virtually every type and size, most individuals and sound companies built their own enclosures, with cone and compression drivers (and often crossovers) acquired from specialized developers. Compression drivers were also a key component in “horn and driver” designs that, until about 15 years ago, were the most popular choice for public address systems in large-scale venues such as arenas and stadiums. Still, while times have changed, a plethora of developers…
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Monday, April 12, 2010
Mark Frink
04/12/10 02:03 PM,

9 Comments
If you still haven’t heard, the FCC has prohibited the sale of all wireless microphone and monitoring systems that operate above 698 MHz, and have banned their use after June 12 of this year. The ban on 700 MHz systems includes sales of used inventory as well, including selling to unsuspecting buyers on eBay. This means any 700 MHz inventory only has value either for sale overseas or as trade-in fodder for the rebates being offered by various manufacturers, many…
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Friday, February 26, 2010
Mark Frink
02/26/10 02:12 PM,
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As with all sizes of modular line array enclosures there are several designs in the “mini” genre, which we define as those with 7-inch “woofers”. The simplest two-way systems have a single cone driver and a high-frequency driver, side by each. Some employ dual woofers, and those with a center high-frequency section that provides horizontal symmetry. Quasi-three-way solutions use dual woofers, but cross one over earlier, so the other is the single source of mid-range, eliminating cancellations. True three-way designs…
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Monday, December 21, 2009
Mark Frink
12/21/09 11:23 AM,
1 Comment
Once upon a time, most sound companies had a wood shop for building loudspeakers as well as road cases. These days, superior off-the-shelf loudspeakers employ high tech transducers. Indeed, some of the most advanced drivers are not for sale to the general public outside of the products that enclose them. Adamson Systems, JBL Professional and Meyer Sound have developed proprietary transducer technology that can only be owned though purchase of their loudspeaker systems, but we won’t be covering those products.…
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Monday, October 19, 2009
Mark Frink
10/19/09 03:35 PM,
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As with wireless microphones, personal wireless monitor systems (IEMs) are feeling the impact of this year’s DTV transition that’s pushing wireless devices to operate below channel 52, in the new core TV band. With this 800-pound gorilla, it should be a banner year for sales of wireless entertainment audio equipment. Manufacturers have even offered rebates to help replace 700 MHz band inventory (both theirs and others) with new equipment at lower frequencies, but they expire before the end of the…
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