Line arrays explained (AKIO TV)

[@brentmorales5802]

Dude, before your image popped up, just going by your voice it sounded like a 40 year old was talking! Ha! Cool video though! Exactly what I was needing to clarify the topic. Thanks

[@AKIOTV]

Haha no problem.

[@laurenmichaels1728]

SAME OMG HAHA

[@radioengineering8247]

Same! Image in my mind didn't match the picture. Please take this as a compliment that you sound much older than you are :)

[@TJB1060]

I was thinking the same thing 😂😂😂

[@TeslaNick2]

Suddenly it all makes sense. That's why line arrays seem to "throw" sound so far and it's based on a really simple principle. Mind blown.

[@dgarrard]

Agree with Brent the voice makes you sound older lol. Thanks for a easy to understand video on this. I'm new in the AV industry and my audio technology knowledge is still basic. When I asked my coworkers they gave me a very complex response and just confused me more. This helped 100%. Cheers Mate!

[@JeffoftheShout]

I would add that the speakers are flown in a trapezoid manner. Not a perfect line. Therefore, starting from the bottom up, each speaker is set louder than the one below so that as you move farther away, the volume stays as consistent as possible throughout the venue.

[@orangenotviolet]

...wich is completely wrong..remember there are passive Line Arrays wich couple 4 boxes to one amplifier. How would you achieve your point then?

[@JeffoftheShout]

@@orangenotviolet, All the line arrays I’ve ever seen have been active.

[@JeffoftheShout]

@@orangenotviolet, OK, I did some research with a personal friend of mine that works in the larger festival venue industry. He says the average is three boxes per amplifier. But then you have 12 boxes on average, per side. We’re both right, and we’re both wrong at the same time. My statement still stands, but it’s every three boxes, you’re going to have adjustments for volume and other more complicated parameters. I will copy and paste my buddies answer.

[@JeffoftheShout]

@@orangenotviolet, This is my buddy Stuart that works front of house for Live Nation at major Festivals and completely understands line arrays: Powered boxes are much heavier and since the amp is un the box you would not be able to switch it out without dropping the whole PA so it is uncommon for large concert systems to use powered / active boxes in a flown line array for a touring system. Some venues use active boxes for their installed house line arrays for convenience or due to limited space ....usually smaller venues .... I suspect percentages would sway more towards the passive boxes being the most commonly used. Line arrays run from racks of several amplifiers.... since there are several drivers in each box they are powered by frequency ....one set of amps for highs..one set for high mids....then low mids...then lows....then yet more for subs. I am talking larger systems obviously.... smaller club line arrays could use a single 4 channel amplifier to power all.... or use powered boxes as previously stated Oh wow! So regarding only most larger systems, each box is running at the exact same volume etc.? No they will be set to different levels according to their position in the array.... there are measuring devices mounted on the arrays that measure actual distance from speaker to wall or floor at various points and these are fed into a program that calculates the levels and send this information to the amplifiers and then the amplifier calculates delay time and phase corrections to minimize comb filtering and beaming/ power alleys in order to deliver even coverage from the nosebleed seats down to the first row. Another reason why they don't put amps in the boxes.... they are constantly updating and improving amplifiers since the digital front end of the amplifier is a very important part of the equation One line array box costs over $10, 000. One amplifier costs over 12k Figure 18 a side.... plus 36 subs ( around 14k a piece) Power consumption is even crazier 14,000 watts per amplifier ..one amp runs 3 array boxes...or 2 sub boxes...so 30 amplifiers total for 18 a side with subs... now add another 12 boxes a side for side hangs in an arena or stadium.... The cabling alone costs tens of thousands Minimum of 12.... arrays don't work efficiently with less.... All pertinent to large systems.... rules change as things get smaller... but still tend to use passive not active boxes....

[@phenix8514]

Changing the intensity for the lower speakers is called intensity shading, which actually isn't the optimal way of creating an even intensity distribution, as the sound from the then louder top speakers is heard in the front aswell. The newer/better way of doing this is the use of divergence shading, and fir/iir filters like d&b's Array processing. Basically, you use the curvature to make the lower speakers cover a bigger area while keeping them the same level, which means more area to cover with the same energy, which then in turn results in the more even intensity distribution. D&Bs array processing is using fir and iir filters to basically virtually alter the shape of the array to the best shape for a big bunch of frequency bands, here's a good video explaining how it works by d&b itself: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnWWpnemjtOcjrc

[@Longwei2china]

Great video! My wife just started working for a speaker factory, so now I know what she is talking about. (Sort of!) LOL

[@AKIOTV]

haha

[@JNacoustic]

There's something missing here. In your explanation wouldn't one need to occupy the complete vertical plane of array to take advantage of the more even intensity? Isn't the effect of the line array due more to the fact that it's linearly dispersed on different horizontal planes? For example the people closest to the stage are listening to the lowest speaker on the stack,and as you progress further from the stage you are hearing speakers further up the stack?

[@eugenecastro7557]

Great video!! Love the voice 💯🤜🤛

[@officialWWM]

Thanks for the info. You were very clear and made it easy to understand.

[@AB-80X]

Unfortunately, it does not work at all, and it's pretty much all "spin". Line arrays are very poor in fact, and the larger they get, the worse it gets.

[@semtex6412]

you missed the part where aside from it being from a "near-line source" of sound, the distance between adjacent drivers is close enough that they CONSTRUCTIVELY INTERFERE with each other to send sound waves farther than traditional horn-loaded loudspeakers, and with a more evenly distributed sound output pattern.

[@AKIOTV]

Come on, you can do better than that, next time come up with your own phrasing, or at least don't just copy/paste the text directly from Wikipedia. The effect of multiple speakers reinforcing each other through constructive interference is important *but* it is not *unique* to line arrays. The constructive interference *is* present in a line array, but it's not what distinguishes a line array from other speaker configurations, so in order to keep it simple and easy to understand for beginners I didn't mention it in the video. Your comment is valid though, that part was not in the video, but now you also know why :)

[@semtex6412]

@AKIO TV. hi! :) im not sure why everyone's so uptight about the Wikipedia bit. sorry if i missed out on some guidelines (if there is one) about taking pieces of information from sources to be considered "NOT COPY/PASTING" in a way. because i'm pretty sure you got your info from some place else as well. unless of course if you're into Acoustic Engineering and have contributed to the very technologies implemented on Line Array yourself but based on your youtube uploads, it is very unlikely. so i looked up the quickest way to convey my point, Wikipedia turned up, knew right then that the info i was going to use is in fact true so i just pasted it away. now, unless that info is incorrect, i don't see anything wrong with it. i've in fact, made some "legal" (by Wikipedia Community standards) copy/past edits & contributions to Wikipedia myself (from cited sources, of course), maybe that's why i think taking bits and pieces from the site isn't that "plagiaristic" is it seems to others. so your insinuation that I am "copy/past(ing) the text directly from Wikipedia" is an overtone that I think you might reconsider - u seem quick to jump the gun. additionally, while it is true that "constructive interference" isn't unique to Line Arrays, IT IS, however utilizing that very advantage due to its physical construction compared to other speaker systems.

[@semtex6412]

also, if i have to be nitpicky about this, asking someone to "come up with your own phrasing, or at least don't just copy/paste the text directly from Wikipedia" seems a litte leery or distrustful. i mean, would you rather someone gets some info from a source somewhere and then re-phrase it to what? pretend he came up with the whole idea himself? hell that's a lot worse than just copy/pasting directly and not give a shit about where it came from so long as the content is correct.

[@AKIOTV]

Alright, let me clarify, you didn't miss any guideline at all: Wikipedia is not a bad source of information, and I use it quite a lot myself, amoungst other resources (like research papers etc.) I can understand where you're coming from in your third comment, It might seem like a straight copy/paste without a source is better than a self-phrased comment without a source at first, but try to view it this way: (assuming that the information is correct) Situation A: I get a comment that someone wrote in their own words, without a source, I'd have to go online and fact-check the information which would take, let's say *X* amount of time. Then I would find out that this comment is written by a person in their own words, and that tells me that this person knows what they're talking about, since otherwise they would not be able to do that. Net result: I spent *X* amount of time doing research, and it was obvious that this information is correct and that this is a genuine comment worth replying to. Situation B: I get a comment that was copy/pasted by someome, without a source. At this point I don't know that it's copied, so I go online for the fact-checking. Then I realise that the comment was directly copied from a website, although that the information is correct. I also spent (once again) *X* amount of time finding all this out. Net result, I spent *X* amount of time doing research, and the comment could be made by any 5 year old who's fingers are long enough to reach both Ctrl and C. Conclusion: these comments cost the same amount of time to deal with, (perhaps you thought a direct copy/paste is easier to research, but self-phrased comments take about the same amount of time) only the self-phrased one has the great advantage of simply appearing a lot more genuine, a copy/paste comment can be made by any troll or even AI. In this case, you are clearly a competent person, and your comment was perfectly valid, it might just be a better idea in the future to use your own words.

[@AKIOTV]

Also, I have to admit that the video is far from perfect, I also forgot to talk about how close the speakers have to be for different frequencies etc. but again, as an introduction to line arrays for beginners, it's ok.

[@guilldea]

Thanks! Really comprehensible and simple way of explaining it, I would've never thought of that. Still Im guessing the I = P/r relationship only holds up to certain distances since the calculations asume an infinite line source

[@AKIOTV]

This is just the pure mathematical view to illustrate how it works, but as you said, in the real world things are always going to be different. (and we haven't even mentioned reflections in indoor settings)

[@erlingbach]

The formula is wrong because the the cylinder is higher when you increase the distance. The beam ln degrees from the array is constant and indepentent of the disrance. The better coverage is because you only send sound in direction. You can compare with light on you car. .

[@patrickredinger9380]

How come line erays are still so expensive even tho it didn't seem there will ever be Any live shows again ever

[@Proficient6ix]

well explaind

[@bilguana11]

I've never heard a line array that sounded good, whether a sound reinforcement speaker or an audiophile speaker. They are particularly abysmal indoors.

[@AB-80X]

While they are indeed abysmal indoors, they are much worse outdoors. Have you ever heard what wind can do to the sound coming from a line array?

[@nonyabeezzzwaxxx2705]

Q-tips friend.... I have a 16 array system INDOORS an it sounds amazing~! there are weird spots in the room but if you happen to stand walk sit in the "sweet spot" better hold on it will blow your mind how amazing it sounds. 16 arrays (4x4) + 4 12 subs + 10" & 12" monitors total power about 10K watts. AMAZING!

[@nonyabeezzzwaxxx2705]

@@AB-80X wind can be a issue BUT can be over come easy IF A the sound tec. knows what he is doing, adding some delay to the fills or just having fills processors etc. so in short if the event has $$ an the production company has the right staff wind is no issue. Have a look behind the scenes of a festival on the coast an how they address the issue of wind an how they combat it using fills an sub placment SPL etc. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGOndYWVm9angck sounds like they system you heard you say was abysmal was ran by a rookie. I have line arrays an plan to expand my system I will never go back you think wind affects arrays think of what it does to stacks an stacks of 12s 15s 18s you still needed a processor with those systems an delay could be used as a weapon against wind on your out fills .... watch that vid link

[@AB-80X]

@@nonyabeezzzwaxxx2705 First off, let's get one thing out ofvthe way. I am no rookie when it comes to setting up systemx and dealing with wind. I was brought in to do the design on Jean Michel Jarre's Aero concert in Denmark for this very reason. Do not even try to hint that I don't know what I'm talking about or am doing, because it's very far from the case. Secondly, I was actually at that festival with my wife as normal attendants. It's a nice video and they talk a lot about how great everything was, but here's the short of it. It was an outright mess of sound. No stereo image, combfiltering like you would not believe, speakers that vere totally "vissible" all over the sound stage and simply no depth or imagery. All lines could be pointed out straight away and it left a huge void where the image should have been. This combined with time alignment issues and combfiltering, meant a live sound experience with absolutely no definition. One cannot be surprised. If you add another argument to an existing argument, one ends up with a bigger argument. Here you had a bunch of speakers arguing in the wind. I'm sure John Meyer and Roger Schwenke were proud and nowhere to be found as always. You mention your line arrarys. How many do you have and what does each of your line arrays consist of? Brands? Also you mention your system playing indoors and it having weird spots. Then you follow that up by saying that if you get a sweetspot you better hang on to it. This leads me to a couple of conclusions. You think it's okay that there are weird spots as long as there are sweetspots. It sounds like there are few sweetspots, as one needs to hold on to one if one is found. So here's my question. What about the hundreds of paying customers that did not get a sweetspot? Do they not deserve a good experience? This is EXACTLY what I mean when I say that poor quality sound is robbing people. I would feel so embarrassed and like a real shit if I knowingly had people come to a venue, all while being well aware that only a few select actually got the experience and quality they paid for. This is exactly what is destroying the industry, the quality of the shows and the integrity of the performers. YaY line array....

[@TimpBizkit]

The hard part is getting the tweeters to couple, although path equalising waveguides can be used to help this. Of course, they are inferior to point sources but are usually the best way to put lots of speakers together if you want it "LOUDER" than one speaker will go. The wind effect is double if the speakers are only secured at the top like at one gig I went to they were swinging back and forth in the breeze! Although it was a fairly low flying D&B rig. I've often found them to sound a bit beamy as in they blast you with sound and good treble if you are dead onto the stack but a small amount of swinging created comb filtering and a bit of a "nasal" sound when you weren't quite dead on and then of course it's designed to drop off above and below the stack. Tom Danley addresses a lot of the limitations of line arrays and self interference which is what makes them work is one of them.

[@echohui6726]

Got with many thanks 👍👍

[@brucemacneil]

Great that you made this video. Your explanation is fun - but missed a few things. To really understand the line array - start by adding two sinusoidal functions. Then - add 3 functions. A line array is the controlled and manipulated summation of 'N' sinusoidal functions. By controlling the timing of the addition the directional dependent wavefront intensity can be manipulated: sound reinforcement companies call this "lobe shaping." I suggest some papers by Leo Beranek (the grandfather of acoustical engineering) The same math foundation applies to passive sonar - towed arrays.

[@danchuk-h6z]

Thank you...

[@michaelrico1994]

niceu yo

[@kazsingh1323]

New subscriber ✅

[@AKIOTV]

Thank you!

[@DT-nn5ct]

You are a nice sweet guy!

[@heitenedsoundpropaheit3432]

Next video . Comb filtering and massive interfierence .

[@AB-80X]

Lol, yup. I think he's not actually someone who knows how the system works and what its drawbacks are. They are horrid.

[@juandabuenaonda]

Cylindrical waves in line array are a myth! you double the distance you loose 6dB.

[@JeffoftheShout]

Damn! On second thought, there’s even way more to it than I thought! HAHA Welcome to the world of ArrayProcessing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnWWpnemjtOcjrc

[@mattfoley6082]

"Twice as quiet" makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

[@DjR3aper]

half as loud?

[@retroaudiomumbai3045]

Twice 4 times, Surface area, intensity, radius. Pi.... You lost me!!!

[@vishalb6922]

Aaighalya

[@georgedav5493]

Nerd

[@turbopower130]

Accent=foreskin 🙃