The essence of the new ArrayCalc V7 is its ability to perform acoustic simulations with mixed point source and line array system configurations; notably the White range installation products from the xS-Series, with several members of the Black range; Q, T and E-Series. Simplifying the process of creating remote control workspaces for line arrays as well as point sources, via an export function into the d&b R1 Remote control software, is just one of the advantages of ArrayCalc V7.
It also offers a new print out section that will include the point source loudspeakers and an array collision detector. The sophisticated additional algorithms address the requirements for a d&b style simulation and planning tool for a complete installation project, as well as for corporate and A/V rental markets. Hybrid designs that included a mix of point source and line array loudspeakers used to be a much harder task. Not anymore.
Elsewhere Jason Waggoner and Christopher Kulesa from d&b USA's training department delivered a well attended education session, Demystifying Audio, a light hearted look at the fundamentals of audio. "Humour makes the learning easy," said Kulesa, "And as Bob Hope taught us, there's something funny about the sound of a comedian who can sing."
Launched only last year, the V-Series line array continues to attract much attention; the V8 and V12 loudspeakers are three-way passive designs housing two 10" LF drivers, one hornloaded 8" MF driver and two 1.4" exit HF compression drivers with 2.5" voicecoils mounted to a dedicated waveshaping device. The V-SUB is an actively driven cardioid subwoofer powered by a single d&b D12 amplifier channel and houses two long excursion neodymium drivers in an integrated cardioid setup: an 18" driver in a bass-reflex design facing to the front and a 12" driver in a two chamber bandpass design radiating to the rear.
To complete the display teenyweeny elements of the E-Series were on the stand; the diminutive E4 and E5, plus the E6 which is rapidly acquiring a reputation on par with the venerable E3 (a 15 year veteran) that it replaced. From the White range 5S, 8S and 12S were on show, with a small flown system of 10AL. A pair of 4S were used to provide a live illustration of the R1 Remote control software.
"A mix of sophisticated software tools, well defined loudspeaker systems, and clear educational emphasis are three fundamentals of USITT; and a little beer afterwards certainly helps," concluded Keim. "It's what made Milwaukee famous."
(Jim Evans)
