By Pat Brown

Is there anything special about hooking an amplifier to a loudspeaker? Here is a brief look at some parameters that can affect the sonic performance of this important interface.

The Ideal Case

Most analog interconnects in a sound reinforcement system are of the constant-voltage type, meaning that a low impedance output is used to drive a high impedance input. The result is the maximum transfer of the voltage component of the audio signal and minimal current transfer. Such interfaces are not optimized for power transfer, which requires that the circuit impedances be matched. Ironically, the amplifier/loudspeaker interface is of the constant-voltage type.

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September 11-14, 2011
London, England

Sennheiser “Audio for Video” Sound Academy

September 13, 2011

New Orleans, LA

Sennheiser “RF” Sound Academy

September 15, 2011

New Orleans, LA

The human auditory system is equipped with two input ports – the left and right ears. This “binaural” processing system provides us with the ability to localize where sound is coming from, something that a one- eared listener would have difficulty in doing. Playback systems may utilize any number of channels to surround the listener with sound, but two channels is always enough to simulate the human listener.

Recording enthusiasts have long discovered the benefits of stereo microphones. While not necessarily “human-like,” they can produce recordings that add spaciousness and realism to the recorded material. Two-channel acoustic measurements are important for the same reason – they add a human characteristic to the data. In this article, I will use the term “binaural” to describe recording processes that provide data for two ears. For our purposes, there is no need to distinguish between making a recording and making a measurement, as either or both may be the motive of the investigator.

This article will look at some of the ways to get binaural data. Many modern measurement platforms support two-channel recording. We will assume that one of them is being used, and concentrate here on microphone techniques. Read more »

Sennheiser “ISA” Sound Academy

September 21, 2011

Tampa, FL

Many things around us are getting better. Computers are faster, televisions have more resolution, and dishwashers are quieter and more powerful than ever. But with all of our digital wiz-bang processors, technology has been unable to eradicate “bad sound.” Why is this so? This short piece is an attempt to shed some light on three possible causes, two of which have been completely unaffected by the technological revolution. Read more »

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Please visit this link for a more complete description of this seminar.

Dates: September 26-28, 2011

Location: Indianapolis, IN

For travel and hotel information, click on the “Hotel and Travel” tab.

Price: $895 for this 3-day seminar