[geeks] digicam envy

[Joshua D Boyd]

On Mon, Jul 15, 2002 at 11:15:26AM -0400, Tim H. wrote:
> All audio stays up front, the mixer has become a box of connectors with
> controls remoted via ethernet. I've never seen one myself, just
> descriptions from my cousin.  There also seems to be some movement
> toward powered speaker boxes, so you just stack the speakers, open the
> rack-o-blinkenlights, run a small audio line and power to every speaker,
> run your ethernet to the board, and go.  No more huge wires with twist
> lock connectors to the speakers.  Considering the voltage and current
> capability of a good sized rig, it's also safer to not have those
> speaker wires laying around.

Besides, it is generally considered best to have the amps as close to
the speakers as possible, or so the audiophiles will argue.  And what
is close than inside them?  Plus, a B&O argues, you get better quality
when the amp is specifically designed for the speaker it powers.
Hence why they only ship self powered speakers.

At the local summer concerts in the park series, they use what appears
to be normal scaffolding to hold the speakers (some concerts just use
2 stacks at the front, otheres where they expect higher turnout have
another 3 or 4 halfway back the lawn where the concerts occur).  Then,
in a small half rack right next to the speakers are that speakers
amps.  So the audio once amplified never runs more than a few (2-4 I
think) feet.
 
> Of course the big shows were already using 600V power for the amp racks,
> you get to use a lot smaller wire that way.  Apparently 600V is a
> standard AC voltage, so places with significant power feeds have it
> available, and outside shows usually bring their own diesel generator.

600v is used for the lighting and amps at shows that the college
does.  They don't have that wired in most buildings though, so they
put a huge generator outside and runs line in.

-- 
Joshua D. Boyd