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AUDIO engineering society

Containing the Activities and of the Society, and pub-

Sound Reinforcing Systems


ARTHUR W. SCHNEIDER*
A discussion of a variety of problems that arise
in the installation of these systems in large halls.
is not, in tlie seen that the art of sound reinforcing is selves in the illusion of what is going

S
OUND REINFORCING
strict sense of the word, public applicable primarily to large halls and on, and surely the illusion would not be
address. I t is an electro-acoustic outdoor places of entertainment. It is preserved if the sounds appeared to
system of amplifying and converting also interesting to note that the art of come from any spot other than where
sounds into acoustic energy in such a sound reinforcing is relatively young. It they are produced. The last requirement
fashion as t c aid the uriginal sound and has ,originated since the advent of tlie of a sound reinforcing system--one
to permit comfortable listening. A sound microphone, loudspeaker, and amplifier. without which an otherwise good sys- ,
reinforcing system i i not a reproducer tem will cease to be good--concerns the
As a matter of fact, to the writer's
of sound, nor is it a producer of sound. acoustics of the hall in which the system
knowledge, no outstanding installations is to be installed and the attention of the
Fundamentally, the approach to a sound of sound reinforcing systems were in
reinforcing system and the analysis of a design engineer to these acoustic prob-
use prior to 1931. Our forefathers were lems.
sound reinforcing problem depends on able to get around this fact by develop-
sound reproducers and sound producers. I t is not possible to install a perfect
ing people with high acoustic output, sound reinforcing system for many
A sound reproducer is something and we cherish the memories of such
which picks up a sound, amplifies it, and reasons, and numerous con~promises
porducers of sound as Caruso and Wil- must be effected. In order to get suffi-
reproduces it so that the sound is as liam Jennings Bryan. Now, through the
near to the original as possible. I n this cient amplification before feedback, the
efforts of sound engineers, we have dc- characteristics of the microphoncs
process no latitude should be taken by veloped a crop of singers who croon and
the engineer or the user to modify the should be such as to limit their range
politicians who whisper into KB2C9s.
original sound, even though this mdifi- of pickup to the area in which the
cation may make the sound more pleas- System Requirements sounds are being produced. In general,
ing. I n a case where latitude is taken directional microphones are needed with
Let us now consider the requirements norillal pickup from the stage side and
to modify the nature of the original
of the so-called perfect sound reinforc- little from the audience side. These go
sound, th'en the instrument is no longer
ing system, or at least the requirements
a reproducer of sound but becomes a a long way toward increasing the maxi-
of a system that would fill all the desired
producer of sound. For instance, Ham- mum usable gain.
and ideal functions. The first require-
mond organs and electric guitars are
ment is for a system to amplify all
essentially producers of sound, whereas Loudspeakers
sounds on the stage regardless of whcrc:
broadcast studios, transmitters, and ra- On the speaker side, a directional unit
these sounds originate, and to amplify
dio receivers are essentially reproducitig is required so that the sounds produced
them with sufficient intensity for the
networks. can be directed into the audience area
audience to hear comfortably before
A sound reinforcing system, how- feedback occurs. Feedback, of course, with a minimum of sound being returned
ever, is neither one of these, but a com- occurs when the sound returning to :he to the microphone. However, a dircc-
bination of both in view of the fact that microphone frbm the loudspeaker is tional horn to cover the low end of the
it is necessary to add to the original equal to the original sounds. The second spectrum is impractical because of ~ t s
sound so that the original sound plus requirement of the perfect sound reiii- size. Fortunately, this limitation is not
the amplified sound will make it sound forcing system is that all sounds he serious in view of 'the fact that most.
to the auditor as if it were all original amplified and reproduced equally insofar sounds below 150 cps produced in the
sound. Therefore. in the ~ e r f e c tsound theater are of a sufficient intensity as
as the frequency response is concerned.
reinforcing system, this blending of the The third requirement is that the wave not to require much sound reinforcing.
amplified sound plus the original sound form characteristics of the sound he Therefore, ySru will find that in most
gives the auditor a feeling of comfort- preserved, that is, that the reproduced sound reinforcing systems the emphasis
able listening without his realizing that sounds be relatively free from distortion. is laid on those frequencies extending
amplification is being made. The fourth requirement is that the illu- upward from the fundamental of the male
From these statements it is readily sion be preserved. This, of course, is a voice. At the high-frequency end of the
most important factor when it comes to spectrum. some compromises have to be
* General Manager, Commercial Radio- show business. The basic reason for effected in the loudspeaker design. Se-
231 E. 47tk s$.,New Yo,,k 17,
N. Y. people going to theaters is to lose them- lection is limited, in view of the fact

AUDIO ENGINEERING NOVEMBER, 1950


Audio Engineering Society Section
that best-known over-all reproducers of One example of a wonderful illusion
sound are of the cone type, which is not was in the "Great Waltz," a show at the
readily adaptable to a directional loud- Center Theater back in 1933. The size
speaker. The loudspeakers on the high of the proscenium was cut down consid-
end should be of the cellular type, giving erably, and in the center of this there
a uniform distribution to the high-fre- was a large emblem of the double eagle.
quency sounds. The microphones should I t was behind this emblem that the
have a directional characteristic pattern sound reinforcing horns were placed. In EMPLOYMENT OFPORTUNITIES may be
that limits the pickup to the area in all parts of the theater, it appeared as listed here a t no charge to industry or
which the sounds are being produced. though the sound were coming from the to members of ,the Society. For inser-
However, in a good sound reinforcing actual singers and orchestra. tion in this column, brief announcements
system it if best that the microphone The frequency response of the ampli- should be in the hands of the Secretary,
be concealed, inasmuch as it is not de- fier, microphones, and speaker is an Audio Engineering Society, Box F,
sirable to advertise the fact that the important phase of sound reinforcing. Oceanside, N. Y. before the first of the
sound is being amplified, because this in Too much emphasis has been laid on the month preceding the date of issue. Re-
turn would spoil the illusion. Therefore, range of the system rather than the
it is necessary to conceal microphones smoothness of response. I t is much bet- plies to box numbers should be ad-
in footlights and similar places, which ter to have a system with a limited range dressed to AUDIO ENGINEERING,342
results in a compromise in quality, di- and a close tolerance of the output over Madison Ave., New York 17, N. Y.
rectional characteristics, and scope of this range than one with an extended
Ir Positions
pickup.
If microphones are concealed for
range and large variation in the out-
put over the range. < * Open Podtiow Wanted
Radio and Television engineers. Ex-
perienced in design of high frequency cir-
reasons of illusion, it is necessary that When feedback occurs, it occurs at cuits such as F M tuners, TV boosters, and
the speakers be concealed also if a the frequency at which the system peaks. TV antennae. Salary commensurate mith
good illusion is to be preserved from an If there is a large peak at some par- ability. Write giving full details. Mr.
Stone, Talk-A-Phone Company, 1512
audience standpoint. However, in con- ticular point, feedback will occur even South Pulaski ~ o a d Chicago
, 23, Illinois,
nection with the speakers, their con- though the average energy content over Lawndale 1-8414.
cealment is not the only consideration
when it comes to illusion. I t is necessary
the entire frequency range is relatively
small. Therefore, you can see that -if * Wireman, instrument, capable of build-
ing models and occasional short produc-
to have the speaker within a reasonable amplifiers, speakers, and microphones tion runs of precision electronic delrices.
distance of the sound-producing source were absolutely flat in their response, Must be able to work mith minimum of
and located in such a manner as to make all portions of the spectrum would be supervision. Permanent; write giving
it appear to the auditor that the sound reproducing equally before feedback salary expected, family status, availabil-
is actually coming from the sound-pro- would occur. The integrated energy over ity. Box 1002.
ducing device and not from the loud- the spectruni, which is the sensation we
WANTED: Signal Corps Center, Fort
speaker. I n general, the difference 111 actually hear, would be far greater; Monmouth, N. J. has openings in the fol-
the path length between the actual sound therefore, a compromise is necessary to lowing Civil Service positions:
and the sound coming from the loud- pick equipment which will give maxi- Mllltnry Instructors-Microwave relay,
speaker should not be greater than 60 mum response and a balance between radar, radio electronics, fixed station
to 80 feet. If this distance is greater gain and response. radio, central omce techniques, teletype
than 80 feet, the auditor perceives that In the -realm of distortion, compro- installation and maintenance, repeater
the sound is not actually coilling from mises for economical reasons are gen- and carrier, dial central office mainte-
erally the limiting factor, but the ampli- nance, theory of electricity. $3100-4600.
the producer of the sound, but from an-
other spot. As this distance is increased, fier capacity required to take care of Electronic Engineers-Partfcipate in
this realization becomes more acute. peak conditions should be possibly ten design, development, modification, con-
Compromises have to be affected in this times the average power required. For struction, and testing of electronic equip-
particular category to a much greater example, if a sound system requires an ment-radio, radar, wire communications,
degree than in any phase of sound re- average power of 50 watts, its peak instrumentation, sonar, etc. Responsibil-
capacity should be 500 watts. From an ity depending upon experience and ability.
inforcing.
$3100-6400.
I t is only with the distinct help of econon~icalstandpoint, it is not always
the architect in connection with the de- practical to install an amplifier of this Technical Writers-Write, edit, prepare
sign that illusion can be preserved. Com- capacity. technical publications, handbooks, cir-
plete cooperation between the sound en- culars, instruction books, etc. Edit and re-
' Typical Examples
gineer and the architect is a matter of vise scientific manuscripts on radio, radar,
great importance. T o date, too few One of the larger and more recent electronics, communications, and photog-
architects have realized the problenls of sound reinforcing systems is installed raphy. Write instruction manuals on the-
ory, operation, and maintenance of Sig-
, the sound engineer and have given too at the Lewisohn Stadium of the nal Corps equipment; determine media
much attention to the appearance of the C.C.N.Y. During the summer, the New and method of presentation of material;
halls rather than to utilitarian value. York Pl~ilharmonicOrchestra-through prepare charts, graphs, schematic dia-
After all, if a room is designed so that Stadium Concerts, 1nc.-gives concerts grams etc. $3100-6400.
it is impossible to see or td hear properly, to audiences ranging up to twenty thou- Applicants for any of these positions
then it has little use as a meeting hall or sand people. The stage is approximately should write Chief, Civilian Personnel
a theater. The two fundamentals of a 100 ft. wide and 60 ft. deep, and the Branch, Signal Corps Center, Fort Mon-
good auditorium are good vision and roof is about 60 ft. above the stage. I n mouth, N. J., submitting a mmpleted
good hearing. Once these two objectives the roof, along the leading edge, are Standard Form 57, "Application for Fed-
' eral Employment" (obtainable at any flrst
are obtained, then specification for fancy installed five RCA twin-power speakers, or second class post office) for review be-
chandeliers, paintings, and other decora- each of them directed in such a manner fore going to Fort Monmouth for a per-
tive elements lose their importance. [Continued on page 531 sonal interview.

AUDIO ENGINEERING NOVEMBER, 1950


it is possible to hear and understand the fact that the nature of the roon
throughout the entire seating area. In does not lend itself to a true sound re
SYSTEMS the Great Hall the path-length differ-
ence between the orator and the loud-
inforcing system. The room is fair11
large but has a balcony which over
[from page 281 speaker is never greater than 60 feet hangs the first floor to a considerable
as to give optimum coverage over the in any part of the auditorium where degree. This overhang prevents an]
entire seating area, which extends over amplified sound is received. Therefore, possibility of feeding sound from thc
a radius of 140 deg. with a maximum the illusion is remarkably good. main cluster of cellular horns which arc
projection distance of approximately directly over the podium. I t was there.
250 feet. Into this system is fed a total Multiple-Speaker Problems fore necesary to put a number of smal
of 400 watts of audio energy, divided One large reinforcing system, which speakers on the ceiling underneath thc
100 watts into each of the three center for a while was almost a failure, was balcony. In this area, which covers a
speakers and 50 watts into each of the that part of the official World's Fair depth of 20 to 30 rows of seats, there is
two outside speakers. Controls are pro- sound system at the Court of Peace. a total of 66 loudspeakers because the
vided on each loudspeaker amplifier to Approximately ninety thousand people ceiling is low and the area must be
proportion the amount of energy into were assembled in a "U" shaped area, blanketed with low-level sound. Thu:
the speakers to give uniform distribution surrounded on two sides by the ex- the auditors are not too conscious that
over the seating area. The average hibits of various nations and the the speaker is in their immediate vi-
power required in this system is approx- tremendously large Federal Building cinity. One other compromise was ef-
lmately 75 watts. which was the exhibit of the United fected by putting an additional loud-
T h t input system is made up of 15 to States. The podium was erected on the speaker half way back from the podium,
17 microphones arranged in six groups. steps of the Federal Building, and loud- towards the rear wall, to cover the bal-
speakers were at a level of about 150 ft., cony exclusively. This speaker could be
A remote control is located some 250
built behind grilles in the front of the dispensed with if the delegates and
feet from the stage, directly in audience
building. Two RCA twin-power speak- press were attentive. However, the com-
area. The operator blends the ampli-
ers were used, each being supplied with promise, insofar as illusion is concerned,
fied sound with the actual sound for the
100 watts of audio. At the last minute, was made to permit those in the balcony
best results, which, in this case, means
just before the dedication, the radio area to hear all of the proceedings.
adding just enough of the amplified I t must be borne in mind that these
sound to permit comfortable listening director insisted that we install addi-
tional horns along the sides of the Court compromises are acceptable because it
without the audience realizing that the
of, Peace because he was afraid the is not the prime intent of the United
concert is being reinforced.
people would not be able to hear dis- Nations to put on a show. The main
In this particular installation-as in purpose 'is to have the spoken word of
many others-sounds from the orchestra tinctly. Durincr the first part of the
ceremony the people heard many con- the delegate heard by all in the seating
are picked up with multiple microphones, area with 100 per cent intelligibility.
and the results are mixed electrically fusing sounds, first from the nearest
to get a combined signal. This results speaker and then from other speakers To reach this condition, some compro-
in an electrical mix which, when added that covered the same area. After we mises are acceptable.
were advised at the master controlldesk Sound reinforcing systems for the or-
to the acoustic energy of the orchestra, dinary broadcast are relatively simple.
makes it sound as though the whole that this was happening, we cut off the
orchestra were piaying sufficiently loud side speakers and projected the sound All that is necessary is to instal! one or
only from the top of the Federal Build- two high-quality commercial loudspeak-
so as not to require a sound reinforc- Frs in the approximate center of the
ing system. That, of course, is ideal. It ing, and with far better results. This
setup was never designed as a sound proscenium and directed to cover the
was accomplished to a very high degrec audience area. Very little trouble with
in this installation. reinforcing system, but it was used that
way on the opening day. feedback is encountered because the
Another installation of note is located
at the same college in the Great Hall. A makeshift and compromise sound microphones are in clbse proximity to
reinforcing system is now in use a t the the sound to be picked up. For an or-
This installation was a most difficult chestra, of course, no amplificatjon is
one in view of the fact that the large, General Assembly of the United Na-
tions out at Flushing Meadow.= The required because most broadcasts take
curved rear wall of the hall is a perfect place in relatively small halls.
term "compromise" is used in view of
reflector for sound originating on the I n a television studio, the actor or the
stage, and when attempts are made to sound producing device is no longer
boost the acoustic output to the point 1A. W. Schneider, "Broadcast and Public relatively close to the microphone, be-
Address Systems," ENGINEERING~
cause
where people can hear throughout thc Aug. 1947. - the latter must be kept out of the
field of the camera. Consequently, it is
hall, the reflecting sounds cause loss of
intelligibility. In this hall, the problem not possible to locate loudspeakers where
was corrected by installing a sound re- they previously were because of the
inforcing system with a loudspeaker feedback problem. The solution is to put
suspended on a single pendant support a number of high-quality loudspeakers
from the ceiling. Sounds originating throughout the seating area. These
from a relativdy weak source are ampli- speakers are connected to their- own
fied through the loudspeaker, and its amplifier with separate gain control, and,
output is directed into the audience arca the amplifiers bridge the output of the
with a minimum amount falling on the audio system picking, being cut off only
rear and side walls. In this way the in- when the applause microphones are used.
telligibility has been improved so that Experience by NBC at the International
Theater has indicated that the type of

AUDIO ENGINEERING NOVEMBER, 1950


speaker used is most important. I t has
been found impossible and ihpractical
to get by with an inexpensive speaker.
One is required which has an excellent
and smooth high-frequency response so
that the audience can understand every
word. Part of the reaction upon the
radio or television audience, as well as
the sponsor, is the reaction of the audi-
ence in the theacer. If the audience can-
not understand what the actor is saying,
a gag may be missed and the audience
does not laugh when it is supposed to.
Sponsors are prone to blame the sound
reinforcing system for many an "egg"
laid on a television program.
In the International Theater, a total
of six twin-cone speakers are used to
cover the balcony, and approximately
four cover the orchestra floor. Illusion
is compromised in this case, but illusion
is not the primary intent. A compromise
is possible because the programs are not
intended primarily to entertain the
people in the theater, but to entertain
millions in their homes so they will go
out and buy the products advertised by
the sponsor.

AUDIO ENGINEERING NOVEMBER, 1950

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