In his recent InfoComm 2013 show report, FOH Editor George Peterson selected the VUE al-8 Compact Line Array System and VUEPoint beam forming technology as two of his favorite new products unveiled. But rather than simply stopping there, George goes on to pen an extended “Technology Highlight” on VUEPoint. Here’s and excerpt from FOH’s InfoComm report. Click the link at the bottom to read the entire article.
TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT: VUE Audiotechnik VUEPoint Beam Steering
It was just a year ago that VUE Audiotechnik debuted its first products and emerged as a force in loudspeaker design and the innovations from the company just keep coming. In fact, VUE has tendered a lot of new approaches during that short time, including the use of beryllium diaphragms for its higher-end drivers; debuted its Compound Force isobaric and hybrid configuration Active Compliance Management approaches to subwoofer designs; system-optimized amplification and DSP options with network control and remote monitoring; and earlier this year, two scalable line array designs — the subcompact al-4 and mid-sized al-8.
So when VUE Audiotechnik had a major announcement for this year’s InfoComm show, there was more than casual interest that something big was going on. This came in the form of VUEPoint, a new system optimization process that brings digital beam steering to mainstream line array applications. The emphasis on the software was to remove the complexity from the steering process, while retaining precision control of directivity.
VUEPoint is based on FIRmaker from acoustic measurement/room modeling software specialists AFMG Technologies. FIRmaker can process a complex collection of room and system information including basic venue geometry, array location/configuration and high-resolution EASE GLL loudspeaker modeling data to generate customized, precision FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filters to specifically optimize the line array’s coverage, response and overall output characteristics for a given venue.
Despite its power and versatility, the VUEPoint process is a surprisingly straightforward four-step workflow. The system designer first inputs venue/system parameters (room geometry, audience/listening areas, line array location and specific configuration — including all angles) into EASE Focus 2, which generates a venue model. This can then be manually tweaked to fine-tune output and coverage needs. This EASE Focus 2 model, with a description of the design goals is then sent to VUE or a certified VUEPoint contractor and fed into FIRmaker, resulting in a set of customized FIR filters for the specific room/system configuration. The user can then choose from a number of options (such as maximum SPL versus optimal response, level variations within the listening area, etc.) and review the selections within EASE Focus 2. Once the design is finished, the customized FIR filters are uploaded into the line array’s V4 or V6 System Engine via the company’s free SystemVUE Mac/Windows app.