Sound Systems: Design and Optimization: Modern Techniques and Tools for Sound System Design and Alignment

Bob McCarthy

Taylor & Francis, 2007 - Technology & Engineering - 508 pages

With this definitive guide to sound reinforcement design and optimization, Bob McCarthy shares his expert knowledge and effective methodology developed from decades of field and teaching experience. This book is written for the field professional as well as the consultant or student, in a clear and easy-to-read style and illustrated with color diagrams and screenshots throughout. McCarthy's unique guide reveals the proven techniques to ensure that your sound system design can be optimized for maximum uniformity over the space.

The book follows the audio signal path from the mix console to the audience and provides comprehensive information as to how the sound is spread over the listening area. The complex nature of the physics of speaker interaction over a listening space is revealed in terms readily understandable to audio professionals. Complex speaker arrays are broken down systematically and the means to design systems that are capable of being fully optimized for maximum spatial uniformity is shown.
The methods of alignment are shown, including measurement mic placement, and step-by-step recipes for equalization, delay setting, level setting, speaker positioning and acoustic treatment. These principles and techniques are applicable to the simplest and most complex systems alike, from the single speaker to the multi-element "line array.?

What people are saying

User Review -

A MUST read for all sound engineers interested in the scientific side of audio systems. An absolute gem for sound system optimisation.

Review: Sound Systems: Design and Optimization: Modern Techniques and Tools for Sound System Design and Alignment

User Review  - Benjamin - Goodreads

I'll always be "currently reading" this book: it teaches you just about everything you'd ever want to know about designing and optimizing a sound system. Questions about the physics of audio? The answers are here.

About the author

McCarthy is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and was a suburban newspaper editor for 23 years. His writing career began during his military service in the Korean Was when he was a US Army war correspondent.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Sound Systems: Design and Optimization: Modern Techniques and Tools for Sound System Design and Alignment
• Author: Bob McCarthy
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis, 2007
• ISBN: 0240520203, 9780240520209
• Length: 508 pages
• Subjects: Music / Recording & Reproduction; Technology & Engineering / Acoustics & Sound; Technology & Engineering / Telecommunications