Some crazy potential for future sound.

[Benj Ross]

Check this guy out. Pretty interesting.

http://blog.ted.com/2009/01/26/woody_norris_on/

Benj

[Charles Warwick]

I've seen that lecture before, really cool, but I really want to know what the max volume potential is, and where its at now.
The Martin MLA appears to have done something like this in terms of better controlling dispersion, but they did it using conventional drivers and a ton of DSP, although this appears to perfectly focused, which seems incredible.

I wonder if Martin has looked into using this. Although the fact that he says that they should be available next year (so, 2010) surprises me because I haven't seen them anywhere...I'd like to but, I haven't...

[doncolga]

That's very cool...I love stuff like that.

[CoronaOperator]

but I really want to know what the max volume potential is, and where its at now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Range_Acoustic_Device

second paragraph

[Charles Warwick]

but I really want to know what the max volume potential is, and where its at now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Range_Acoustic_Device

second paragraph

the LRAD doesn't use ultrasound, it's just a bunch of standard drivers aimed at a single point.

With a little more looking, the spl of the ultrasonic devices seems to be around 110db, but I don't see a paper showing that, just statements.

Although with a little more thinking, I really don't think this could be used in any live sound or DJ type application. It's really cool, but has a pretty limited applicability in our realm of use as it's so focused and can be completely stopped by anything physically blocking the path of the ultrasonic beam that it is almost unusable (we've already got tightly focused arrays for extremely long throw applications: http://www.meyersound.com/products/indu ... ries/sb-2/).

However in clever uses in everyday life are quite exciting.

[CoronaOperator]

My bad 110db does seem to be correct, how 'bout this link to verify that?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_from_ultrasound

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

It's technology that has its uses, but pro-sound and HT probably isn't one of them. To use his light bulb analogy it works more like a laser as opposed to a floodlight, which isn't appropriate for most of us. Where it could be useful is in a HT setting in an apartment, with an audience of one and neighbors who won't tolerate high noise levels, and you don't want to use headphones.

[Haysus]

Why wouldn't this be considered for vocal monitor applications. I live close to a new casino and there entertainment venue is dead set on making bands extremely quiet on stage. Biggest complaint of musicians they cannot hear them selves. A few of those things placed well and I could see happy musicians, sound guy, and venue.

BTW this venue has 4 tops flown 30', 2 on each side similar to EAW VR51 or Meyersound JM-1P no subs, 3 L'Acoustics 115XT wedges.

[Doug Hart]

Why wouldn't this be considered for vocal monitor applications.

That would be awesome if it works. I've been on both sides as a musician and audio engineer as I think most of us have. As a musician, you want the stage volume for power and emotion. As an engineer, you want no stage volume for a cleaner FOH mix.
The best solution/compromise is in ear, but that comes with its own problems.

Ultrasonic could be another solution in the near future.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Why wouldn't this be considered for vocal monitor applications.

Needing roadies to aim them at performers moving about the stage would be an expensive PITA. In-ears make more sense.

[Gregory East]

It wouldn't be too hard to auto track a performer wearing a laser reflector.

[WB]

Check this guy out. Pretty interesting.

http://blog.ted.com/2009/01/26/woody_norris_on/

Benj

I saw this same video last year, and it's been discussed here before. It's very cool technology indeed and could have many commercial uses. Real estate, restaurants, art galleries and the military were some of the potential uses being touted by the company that was promoting it in a video I saw about ten years. So even though we haven't seen it commercially, it's not new. I don't believe this guy is the inventor of this technology.

I don't think this would be very useful for home theater because it doesn't work below 200 Hz. It would probably work fine for vocals.