livesoundproduction Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 Hi, I have a rather complex group of arrays to set up and thought it would be more beneficial to use some sort of calibration software. While L/R line source setups pose no problems I will need side and back fill and want to achieve the best sound possible. Any recommendations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shez Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 What make of array are they? Most manufactures produce their own software for modelling their arrays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livesoundproduction Posted October 5, 2010 Author Share Posted October 5, 2010 What make of array are they? Most manufactures produce their own software for modelling their arrays. L'Acoustics, HK Audio or JBL... Not sure yet but probably L'Acoustics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nb705 Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 Soundvision will be what you're looking for then, not free, but pretty powerful simulation software. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livesoundproduction Posted October 5, 2010 Author Share Posted October 5, 2010 Soundvision will be what you're looking for then, not free, but pretty powerful simulation software. I checked it out earlier but was hoping for something along the 'no fee' line... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shez Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 If it's a big & complex rig, why not contact the manufacturers direct? They may like the challenge and will always be keen that their kit sounds the best it can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livesoundproduction Posted October 5, 2010 Author Share Posted October 5, 2010 If it's a big & complex rig, why not contact the manufacturers direct? They may like the challenge and will always be keen that their kit sounds the best it can. Been working on that :D The chaps offering to supply the L'Acoustics rig have it on test and are offering a discount. Naturally it comes with their own trained engineer to rig, but I wanted to have a play myself (you know how it is...) Might just bite the bullet and pay for Soundvision Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebunting Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 If you are hanging an L'Acoustics rig, you need to use Soundvision. How else can you possibly predict how the array is going to perform? There is little sense spending a fortune on PA and not deploying it properly for the sake of the price of the software. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livesoundproduction Posted October 6, 2010 Author Share Posted October 6, 2010 If you are hanging an L'Acoustics rig, you need to use Soundvision. How else can you possibly predict how the array is going to perform? There is little sense spending a fortune on PA and not deploying it properly for the sake of the price of the software. Ahem... Touche Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostlyharmless Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 If you are hanging an L'Acoustics rig, you need to use Soundvision. How else can you possibly predict how the array is going to perform? There is little sense spending a fortune on PA and not deploying it properly for the sake of the price of the software.But if you spend a fortune, then should they not give you the software to use it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Hope-Streeter Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 But if you spend a fortune, then should they not give you the software to use it?<br /> The availability of free prediction software to every kid on the block is one reason we hear so many bad line array systems. People think it does all the work for them, and most manufacturers like to encourage this foolish concept. Making it more difficult to acquire can only be a good thing. Nobody should ever be allowed to use array prediction software (or, indeed, set up a line array system) unless they have a thorough knowledge of sound propagation and a good understanding of acoustics in general. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Siddons Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 Computer versus experience that should make an interesting topic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebunting Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 Computer versus experience that should make an interesting topic It's not a question of computer versus experience. Both are necessary to efficiently set up a line array to the highest standard and one without the other will not produce the best results. You could probably get away with bypassing the computer with short arrays (up to 4 boxes or so), but then it won't behave like a line array anyway. If you bypass this prediction stage with a longer hang, get ready to fly it in and out a few times before making do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackerr Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 Computer versus experience that should make an interesting topic It's not a question of computer versus experience. Both are necessary to efficiently set up a line array to the highest standard and one without the other will not produce the best results. You could probably get away with bypassing the computer with short arrays (up to 4 boxes or so), but then it won't behave like a line array anyway. If you bypass this prediction stage with a longer hang, get ready to fly it in and out a few times before making do. I'll go farther and say that without prediction software you are unlikely to ever get the best performance out of the array. Spend some time playing with the interbox angles in MAPP Online to see how changing the angle between boxes 5 and 6 changes the coverage of box 2 or 3. MAPP Online has the highest degree of detail for the behavior of arrays of any of the software I have used. It is not as good in plan view as Soundvision, or the d&b software, but in the vertical dimension it is very detailed. The relationships between boxes are very complex and a simple arithmatic, or exponential progression may not be the right answer. Your ears are the final arbiter, but without even coverage you'll have to pick which zone you want to sound right. Mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Hope-Streeter Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 It's not a question of computer versus experience. Both are necessary to efficiently set up a line array to the highest standard and one without the other will not produce the best results. Quite so. My point is that there are far too many inexperienced people who think they can rely on the computer for everything to be right. Unfortunately the manufacturers encourage this as it makes it easier to sell the stuff. In fact I'd go further and say "Computer + Experience + sufficient Scientific Knowledge". There are a lot of apparently experienced people around who have no real understanding of how sound works. They aren't capable of producing the best results either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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