Renkus-Heinz STXLA-9 User Manual

Line Array User’s Manual Line Array User’s Manual

RH546 Rev A May 2012

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

If you have a question about line

arrays or run into a problem

using one of our line arrays,

call our technical support staff.

Phone: [phone]

Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time.

Line Array User’s ManualLine Array User’s Manual

Ask for:

Jim Mobley (Extension 104)

Jonas Domkus (Extension 135)

E-mail

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

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Line Array User’s Manual Line Array User’s Manual

PLEASE take a little time to learn how to get great results with
your Renkus-Heinz Line Array System. It’s a small investment that

Digital remote inclinometer – with a remote sensor in the bumper and a meter unit at ground level to ensure
precise aiming of the cluster. A typical unit for this purpose is the Schaevitz Anglestar.

Audio Analysis Software – strongly recommended but perhaps not absolutely essential. SDA EASERA, or SIA
SmaartLive, SmaartPro or Spectrafoo enable rapid and detailed analysis of the acoustical performance. EASERA
and SmaartLive offer the additional benefit of enabling you to adjust FOH EQ on the D26 Digital Controller while
observing the results in a dual-FFT window on your laptop. Consider taking a training course in using one of
these tools if you are not already competent with them – it will pay dividends in increased performance and in
your general knowledge of the principles underlying sound reinforcement.

Testing and Maintenance

Transducers:

Your Renkus-Heinz Line Array system is a precision piece of equipment that needs periodic maintenance in order
to give long and reliable service. We recommend regular testing of all cone, compression and CoEntrant drivers,
preferably using a suitable test rig and process testing software or at least a sine wave generator and careful
listening test coupled with a visual inspection.

Renkus-Heinz Engineering has developed unique approaches to the line array

Line Arrays are not hard to use when you understand how they work…

will generate a large payoff: more satisfied clients, more efficient
operations and better recognition for your skill as a sound
reinforcement professional.

INTRODUCTION

The Isophasic Plane Wave Generator lens shapes high frequency response so that vertical arrays produce a
continuous, coherent wavefront whose curvature can be shaped to the audience area by curving the array.

The Midrange Diffraction Baffle used in the PN102/LA and PNX102/LA modules moves the woofers’ acoustic
centers closer together in the horizontal plane to eliminate “coverage collapse” in the crossover region.

The CDT1.5 CoEntrant Driver used in the STLA/9 and STXLA/9 integrates 6.5 inch carbon fiber cone and 2.5
inch voice coil titanium compression drivers into a high output wideband point source.

Hardware:

There are several critical points in the cabinets. Of primary concern are:

a) The machine screws attaching the enclosure to the flying hardware

b) The screws attaching the field-replaceable horn flare to the front of the enclosure (STLA & STXLA only)
These fasteners should be regularly checked and tightened as necessary.

Cleaning:

The exterior of the cabinet and the rigging system can be cleaned with a damp cloth soaked in mild soapy water.
On no account use solvent-based cleansers , which may damage the finish of the cabinet. After cleaning, the
rigging system must be treated with a suitable lubricant (such as Scottoil FS365, a water-based lubricant with a
mixture of machine oil, surfactant and anti-rust treatment) to prevent rusting.

The R&D behind our Line Array Systems is grounded in years of practical experience with the problems of
delivering reference reproduction for large audiences at professional SPLs. Our engineered solutions include a
simple yet highly accurate software design tool – AimWare. The flying hardware is keyed to the design software
and will easily enable you to fly your array at the height and angle determined using AimWare, and with the
proper curvature. Self-powered line array modules include all the system optimization and protection functions
needed to ensure peak performance. Externally-powered modules use RH-Engineered controllers to provde the
same high performance with centralized power amplifier racks.

… but curved vertical arrays require different design techniques…

For the past 20 years, sound reinforcement professionals have worked with horizontal arrays that use megaphone­variant horns to deliver “[more or less] equal power to equal angles.” Vertical arrays (so-called “line arrays”) are
designed to deliver “[more or less] equal power to equal areas.” This is the key to consistent SPL and frequency
response from the front to the rear of the audience area.

... and unfamiliar operational practices.

Over the years, system designers and operators have developed a number of signal processing techniques to
disguise and partly overcome the limitations of “constant directivity” horns: for more information on these
techniques and their limitations, see our White Papers on the True Array Principle and Reference Point Array
design. “Frequency shading,” “amplitude shading,” “system tuning,” all of these are tools of the advanced sound
system operator.

WHILE THESE TECHNIQUES ARE APPLIC ABLE TO LINE ARRAYS, THEY OFFER LIMITED IMPROVEMENT TO
THE LINE ARRAYS PERFORMANCE. Instead of enhancing the array’s performance they could severely degrade it.
This is because line array performance depends on all array modules receiving the same signal at the same level, in
order to produce a continuous, coherent wavefront. Coverage control is achieved by mainly by tilting and curving
the array relative to it’s hang height. Subtle amplitude shading of the bottom most loudspeakers can improve front
to back coverage consistency, but it needs to be used with care.

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For more information on line array design practices, refer to pages 10 to 12 of this manual.

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Line Array User’s ManualLine Array User’s Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TECHNICAL SUPPORT......................................................................................................................................2

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................3

TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................

LINE ARRAY SYSTEM COMPONENTS ......................................................................................... 6

PN102/LA SYSTEM ......................................................................................................................................................... 6

PNX102/LA SYSTEM ..................................................................................................................................................... 6

ALL PN/LA SYSTEMS ..................................................................................................................................................... 6

STLA L

INE A RRAY SYSTEMS ................................................................................................................................................. 7

STXLA LINE A RRAY SYSTEMS .............................................................................................................................................. 7

ALL STLA SYSTEMS ............................................................................................................................................................. 7

ALL LA SYSTEMS ............................................................................................................................................................ 8

ARRAY DESIGN USING AIMWARE ............................................................................................. 10

Basic CONCEPTS .............................................................................................................................................................. 10

LINE SOURCE COUPLING ONLY OCCURS AT LONGER WAVELENGTHS/LOWER FREQUENCIES ...................................................... 10

THE LONGER THE LINE, THE LOWER THE FREQUENCIES IT WILL CONTROL AND THE TIGHTER THE BEAM .................................... 10

HIGH FREQUENCIES ARE ALWAYS RADIATED FROM SEPARATE SOURCES AND WAVEGUIDES ......................................................... 10

VERTICAL ARRAYS TAK E ONE OF THREE POSSIBLE SHAPES: FLAT “|”, SYMMETRICALLY CURVED “)” AND

asymmetrically curved “J”. ...................................................................................................................................... 12

VARIANTS OF THE “J” PRODUCE THE BEST RESULTS IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF APPLICATIONS ................................................... 12

LINE ARRAYS ARE NOT “ POINT AND SHOOT” SYSTEMS .......................................................................................................... 12

AIMWARE PROVIDES A VISUAL INTERFACE TO THE COMPLEX MATH BEHIND VERTICAL ARRAY OPTIMIZATION .............................. 12

SYSTEM SETUP: ELECTRONICS ................................................................................................. 13

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Ver tical Array Configuration

Are the splay angles the same on both sides of each module? Are the splay angles set as per the design generated
by Aimware? Are the aiming angles the same for both left and right arrays?

Final Pre-Sound-Check Check

Play a CD and send a mono-summed signal first to the left array, then to the right. Both sides should sound the
same when listening from a position along the center line between both arrays. Now play both sides at once, in
mono: all frequency bands should appear to originate from a “phantom center” source located on the center line
between the two arrays. If this is not the case, you must lower both arrays and repeat the previous steps to
locate the source of the problem.

INSTALLATION TOOLS AND SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

Recommended installation tools and equipment

Many of the tools listed below are not actually required if you used AimWare to design your line array. However,
they are useful to verify that the array’s location and aiming conforms to the AimWare design criteria.

Tape measure – should be 30m/100ft in length and be of durable fiber material. Have one per array available to
speed up the installation process.

Laser inclinometer – For measuring vertical and horizontal angles in the venue. An ideal product is the Calpac
‘Laser projecting a dot’ version.

Carpenter’s level – used to ascertain the trueness of the surface from which the angle measurements originate.

Rangefinder measuring device – either a Disto type laser measure or an optical laser rangefinder can be used.
Sports rangefinders, such as the Bushnell “Yardage Pro”, provide sufficient accuracy, are easy to use, and work
outdoors in bright sunlight.

STLA SELF-POWERED SYSTEMS ......................................................................................................................................... 13

Source Signal ............................................................................................................................................................. 13

STXLA ELECTRONICS ...................................................................................................................................................... 13

STX Amplifier Selection .......................................................................................................................................... 13

PN/LA ELECTRONICS ....................................................................................................................................................... 14

Source Signal ............................................................................................................................................................. 14

PNX/LA ELECTRONICS .................................................................................................................................................... 14

PNX Amplifier Selection ......................................................................................................................................... 14

RIGGING PROCEDURES ............................................................................................................... 15

SAFETY FIRST ............................................................................................................................................ 15

Flying Loudspeakers Safely...................................................................................................................................... 15

Ground Stacking Loudspeakers Safely .................................................................................................................. 16

Training & Education ................................................................................................................................................ 16

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Electronic calculator with trigonometric functions to calculate the height from ground level to points in the
room. The formula to calculate height of a point from measured angle and distance is:
Height of point = Sin(vertical angle in degrees) x distance to point NB: Take care when using Excel or other
spreadsheets, which typically default to a calculation using radians. To convert degrees to radians use the formula:
Angle (in radians)=3.142 x Angle (in degrees)/180. The factor 3.142 is, of course, an approximination of p (pi).

Computer – Laptop or Desktop PC running Windows 95/98/2000 or XP with the current version of Renkus­Heinz AimWare installed. It is not possible to configure a Renkus-Heinz Line Array properly without using
AimWare. Designs can, of course, be prepared prior to arrival at the venue, but it is often necessary to modify
or update the design to accommodate special circumstances. A PC is absolutely essential to make such changes.

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Line Array User’s Manual Line Array User’s Manual

Setup Procedures..........................................................................................................................17

Landing The System & Loading Out ...........................................................................................24

TROUBLESHOOTING & SYSTEM CHECK LIST ........................................................................................ 27

X12, X14, X24 ANALOG CONTROLLERS...................................................................................................................................27

D26 DIGITAL CONTROLLER ................................................................................................................................................ 27

Detach the fly bar from the top array module. Make sure that all parts are properly stowed for transport.

EXTERNAL AMPLIFIERS ........................................................................................................................................................ 27

SIGNAL PATH – FOR SELF-POWERED SYSTEMS ....................................................................................................................... 27

LOUDSPEAKER WIRING ....................................................................................................................................................... 27

VERTICAL A RRAY CONFIGURATION .................................................................................................................................... 28

FINAL PRE-SOUND-CHECK CHECK ................................................................................................................................... 28

TROUBLESHOOTING & SYSTEM CHECK LIST

X12, X24 and X14 Controllers

Are the sense lines properly connected to the amplifiers? Are the correct Loudspeaker Specific Processing
modules installed?

D26 Digital Controller

Is the proper loudspeaker-specific configuration selected on your D26?

External Amplifiers

Are all power amplifiers used with X-type externally powered line array modules and subwoofers properly
configured? In particular, check voltage gain settings and input gain settings.

Signal path – for self-powered systems

Are all line array modules properly connected? Are the subwoofers connected with the same polarity as the
main arrays? If the subs and the main arrays are driven by separate sends from the main console, are those
outputs in phase?

Loudspeaker wiring

INSTALLATION TOOLS AND SYSTEM MAINTENANCE ........................................................................ 29

ECOMMENDED INSTALLATION TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT .............................................................................................................................. 29

R

TESTING AND M AINTENANCE ............................................................................................................................................................... 3031

Are all line array modules receiving the same signal? For externally powered modules, are all three sections
functioning? Are they in proper polarity? Do the subs have the same polarity as the main array? Are all the subs
wired with the same polarity (if you turn one section off does the level decrease (proper polarity), increase
(trouble!) or stay the same (also trouble!)?

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