ProSoundWeb: Once a sound reinforcement system has to project to audiences located more than a 100 to 150 feet or so from the stage, a bank (or banks) of loudspeakers, time-delayed relative to the main loudspeakers, becomes an important tool. (They’re typically called “delay loudspeakers,” “delay towers,” “delay stacks,” and even just “delays” in the pro audio vernacular.)
3 comments:
I loved learning more about delay speakers and how they worked as well as their functions. I feel like in general, they make a room sound a lot more immersive and interesting. I really want to learn more about systems and systems design because learning how and where to put these speakers to achieve the best effects and experience sounds super cool. On top of that, learning how to conceal them so that the audience isn’t aware how they are being so immersed in the experience is also super interesting and cool. This kind of reminds me of different roller coaster rides and how some of them have speakers at the bottom of the seat to really emphasize the experience of the ride. I wonder if theatres would ever want to put small individual speakers at the bottom of each seat and what kind of experience that would create for theatre goers.
I've always been intrigued by this idea. I have it had it explained to me a couple times, but the way this article presented the idea and the use of visuals made it really easy to understand.
Sound technology has become so advanced and it's really cool to learn about. Delay speakers are one of the more basic technological aspects in the sound world, but I still think they're pretty cool. I love to hear about all of the technological advancements and new tools being created in the sound world. I feel as though sound has a lot more complexity to it than lighting does, but I really just think it's cool how much theatrical technology has developed in general. We are so innovative and always developing new tools for our very niche needs.
I’ve never mastered the art of delay speakers but I’ve certainly tried. I’ve always loved the math behind speaker placement, and figuring out what delay you need to put in is a really interesting process. It’s crazy how effectively it works too. It doesn’t feel like it should be that much of a difference but it's so obvious when there’s not a delay system in place. I’ve been to concerts where the delay was off and it’s incredibly noticeable. I wonder how different delay systems need to work in non-linear rooms, like in big arenas. The sound will be bouncing off the walls differently and a person sitting in the balcony on the left side of the stage will be receiving a different sound than someone who is the same magnitude of distance away but on the floor directly in front of the performers. Next time I work in a big venue I will be trying some of these tips for finding that delay.
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