lilbob: I’m confused a little about each cluster covering “all of the room” as it relates to LCR imaging. Would you perhaps have center channel cabinet(s) in the L & R clusters to complete the coverage?
Craig: A true LCR system must allow you to pan say the SAT (sop-left, alto-cent, tenor-right) you should have a stable mix balance anywhere in the room. Thus each cluster must cover most of the room. We often use cabinets within the LR clusters to feeed center signal to. These are not separate cabinets, but cabinets (usually off stage cabinet) fed with a mix of C and L (or R if right cluster).
Michael: Do you notice any difference in result with dual-coil drive speakers? Do you think speakers with two voice coils will be developed on a broader basis than at present?
Craig: To be honest, I have not paid a lot of attention to the make up of the driver units. I work extensively with the specifications of the unit. Can’t answer your question as well as I would like too…
Moderator: Craig, what are your views of the advantages/limitations of powered speakers?
Craig: Powered speakers have the great advantage of a controlled signal to the speakers. Best use is in portable applications. In permanent, it is tricky and often expensive to get power to the clusters. Also maintenance on high clusters in interesting if the amps are up there…
yamama3000: Do you agree that the quality of glues used in speaker manufacturing makes for a more reliable driver?
Craig: I ain’t a glue guy. Have no idea…. All of the main manufacturers are very good at driver design and I trust that they are using the best adhesives. As to music-store grade stuff…who knows?
Angus-Young: What do you think of sonic maximizers or exciters made by BBE or etc? Do any of the big sound companies use them?
Craig: I can’t really say what everyone uses. I have not ever seen one on the main system of any touring rig… Sometimes, not very often you will see them in a rack. I personally don’t like them in a well-designed rig.
Moderator: We’ve got time for a couple more questions.
lilbob: Thanks. Any venues asking for surround or 5.1 installs?
Craig: We often use surround sound effects speakers, but not in the formal 5:1 that you refer to. It’s really up to the sound designer of the show.
Ken: I noticed in one of recent baseball stadium designs, you placed a center point-source system in center field, and 2 banks of effects speakers to the left and right. What is the exact purpose of these effects speakers?
Craig: You are referring to the Dodgers Stadium rig, I assume. We are intending to use the LR arrays (6 by MSL-4s each) for feeds from the “Click Effects” computer. Definitely not vocals or this instance music, due to limited output of the LR arrays.
lilbob: Any single piece of live gear that really impresses you?
Craig: I think that the new Yamaha PM1D is going to revolutionize the industry. I think that Peavey MediaMatrix did that last decade.
Moderator: lilbob’s will be the last question of the evening.
dave: On behalf of the folks here at ProSoundWeb.com, I’d like to thank you, Craig!
Craig: Great fun. Hope others enjoyed as much as I did!
dave: I’d also like to thank all of those that stopped by as well.
Moderator: Throw microphones!
—————————————————————————————————————————————