Interesting article on gain staging

[mlkras]

I recently came across an interesting article from Meyer labs on the calibration of cinema sound systems, typically using pink noise. this is the article if you are interested. I need a few more reads to get it.

http://meyersound.com/pdf/cinema_techni ... report.pdf

In terms of gain staging I have calibrated my system using the concensus methods described in the blog. So far, so good; no blown drivers. However the methods described in the blog are cheifly concerned with the protection of drivers operated or near their maximun power limits. The Meye paper describes a method that both preservew drivers, although I believe that they have limiters inside their powered boxes, and preserves adequate crest factor.

In practise, I have to operate my system only occasionally near the power (voltage) limits of the drivers, mostly because I have a bunch of boxes (OT12). On the occasions where I have been running full out with the limiter lights on my DCX blinking a bit, I have heard no degradation either of dynamic range or clarity.

What I suspect is that using the methods on the blog, crest factor is adequately maintained. The occasional blinking light on the DCX indicates limiting of the top ends of the 'Crested' material.

Looking for help or response on this. Maybe if it ain't broke I shouldn't fix it. Maybe this is a little tempest in a littler teapot. Always questioning.

[gdougherty]

Their target though is calibrating to a reference level of output such that xVoltage of input equals a reference dbSPL in the room. For cinema that allows repeat-ability across theaters rather than hearing a movie really loud in one and really soft in another.