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Significant Achievements
1979
Horn loudspeaker and method for producing low distortion sound
(patent #4,152,552)
1984
Circuit and method for correcting distortion in a digital audio system
(patent #4,764,938)
1986
SIM wins Mix magazine's "TEC" Award (Technical Excellence
& Creativity)
1990
HD-1 wins Mix magazine's "TEC" Award (Technical Excellence
& Creativity)
1993
Correction circuit & method for improving the transient behavior
of a two-way loudspeaker system
(patents #5,185,801 & #5,377,274)
1996
Improved loudspeaker horn (CQ-1 & 2)
(patent #5,925,856)
1997
SB-1 Parabolic Long-Throw Sound Beam introduced
1998
PSW-6 High-Power Cardiod Subwoofer introduced
2000
UPM-1P Ultra-Compact Wide Coverage Loudspeaker introduced
2000
X-10 High Resolution Linear Control Room Monitor introduced
2001
M3D Line Array with BroadbandQ introduced
2001
MAPP Online introduced
2002
M2D Compact Curvilinear Array introduced
2003
MILO High-Power Curvilinear Array introduced
2004
SIM 3 Audio Analyzer
2004
Manifold for a horn loudspeaker (REM) (patent #6,668,969
2004
Training theatre at Berkeley Headquarters
2004
UPA-1 inducted into the TECnology Hall of Fame
2005
MAPP Online acoustical prediction software
(Patent #6,895,378)
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1979
Horn Loudspeaker and Method for Producing Low Distortion Sound
(Patent #4,152,552)
The company’s first patent was the result of John Meyer’s
pioneering research into sources of non-linearity in compression drivers.
Much of this work was done during the 1970’s, when Meyer was director
of the Acoustics Laboratory at the Institute for Advanced Musical Studies
in Switzerland. The patent describes a method for reducing distortion
by a factor of ten, and was first applied to horns in the UM-1 (1979)
and UPA-1 (1980).
Dedicated Loudspeaker Processor
A revolutionary concept when it first appeared, the Meyer Sound
Control Electronics Unit (CEU) combined an active crossover circuit, frequency
and phase response alignment, and protection circuits. Optimized for specific
speakers, each CEU improved the overall performance and extended component
life. The first CEU accompanied subwoofers designed for the 70mm release
of Francis Ford Coppola’s now-classic Vietnam epic, Apocalypse Now.
The second CEU, for the UM-1 UltraMonitor, enabled the two-way stage
monitor to generate extremely high output levels with low distortion,
extended frequency response and unprecedented gain before feedback.
1980
Trapezoidal Loudspeaker Cabinet (Patent #Des. 271,967)
This design patent describes the arrayable, trapezoidal loudspeaker
cabinet, a unique concept that first appeared in the Meyer Sound UPA-1.
The trapezoidal cabinet facilitates precise configuration of horizontal
loudspeaker arrays.
1984
Source Independent Measurement (SIM)
Source Independent Measurement marked a revolution in sound system
measurement technology. For the first time, SIM gave sound engineers the
ability to accurately analyze a system under changing acoustic conditions,
such as temperature, humidity and decreasing reverberation as an audience
enters the hall. Since it did not rely on specific test signals, SIM —
implemented in the company’s SIM System II dedicated FFT analyzer
— could be used with music as the source signal during a performance.
Circuit and Method for Correcting Distortion in Digital Audio
Systems (Patent #4,764,938)
This patent introduced a circuit to correct phase anomalies found
in many early digital recording systems. The underlying technology behind
the patent emerged from Meyer Sound’s ongoing research into advanced
phase correction circuits.
1986
SIM Receives Mix Magazine's "TEC" (Technical
Excellence and Creativity) Award for Outstanding Technical Acheivement,
Acoustics Technology.
1989
HD-1 High Definition Audio Monitor
The HD-1 marked a revolution
in the field of studio monitoring. The first two-way device capable of
an almost ideal impulse response — free from the phase distortions
typical of conventional two-way systems — the HD-1 was also the
company’s first self-powered product, as the engineering team quickly
realized that their ambitious design goals could be met only by creating
an integrated system with all variables taken into account. With its unprecedented
resolution of musical detail, the HD-1 quickly won worldwide acceptance
among leading record producers, studio engineers and recording artists.
1990
The HD-1 Receives Mix Magazine's "TEC" (Technical
Excellence and Creativity) Award for Outstanding Technical Acheivement,
Transducer Technology.
1992
SIM System II Receives the Prestigious R&D 100 Award from
R&D Magazine.
Awarded annually, the R&D 100 recognizes the 100 most significant
technological achievements of the year.
1993
Correction Circuit and Method for Improving the Transient Behavior
of a Two-Way Loudspeaker System (Patents #5,185,801 and #5,377,274)
These two closely related patents describe technology that enables
a two-way loudspeaker system to approach the theoretical ideal of a single
point source. The first patent deals with direct radiating systems, and
covers technology incorporated in the HD-1. The second patent, granted
the following year, deals with specifics related to horn-loaded systems,
and defined technology soon to be incorporated into the company’s
self-powered series of sound reinforcement products.
1995
MSL-4 Self-Powered Loudspeaker System (Patent#Des.373,359)
The MSL-4 marked
the beginning of the Self-Powered Series of sound reinforcement loudspeakers,
a bold concept that today is changing the face of the entire industry.
The MSL-4 enclosure (with its unorthodox low-frequency phase plug) was
awarded a design patent in 1996.
The Self Powered Series Receives LDI’s “Sound Product of the
Year” Award.
1996
Improved Loudspeaker Horn (Patent #5,925,856)
Exhaustive research in Meyer Sound’s anechoic chamber brought
about the breakthrough in horn design described by this patent. First
incorporated in the CQ-1 and
CQ-2, this new design achieves
unprecedented uniformity within the horn’s pattern, across all frequencies
of operation, without the lobing typical of most other horn designs.
MTS-4A Full-Range Main Loudspeaker (Patent #5,602,367 and #Des.
375,499)
With the technology described in this patent, Meyer Sound took a quantum
leap forward in boosting the efficiency of a direct radiating system to
provide an optimum balance of compact size and efficiency. Rather than
taking the conventional approach of using one or two drivers (usually
of the same size) in a single reflex enclosure, this patent describes
drivers of different sizes, each in its own acoustically isolated and
specifically tuned chamber. In the MTS-4A,
each driver also has its own dedicated power amplifier module and control
electronics.
UPA-1P & UPA-2P Receive Theater Crafts International Magazine's
"Sound Product of the Year" Award.
1997
SB-1 Parabolic Long-Throw Sound Beam (Patent #5,821,470)
The SB-1 is the first widely
available, high-power sound reinforcement device based upon a parabolic
reflector. By essentially “repealing” the inverse square law,
the SB-1 projects frequencies from 500 Hz to 15 kHz over extremely long
distances. With the SB-1, even distant corners in large stadiums can be
covered using a single point-source cluster. Technology incorporated in
the SB-1 received a patent the following year (Broadband Acoustical Transmitting
System).
1998
PSW-6 High-Power Cardioid Subwoofer
The PSW-6 combines a unique
six-driver enclosure (four drivers in front, two in the rear) and sophisticated
phase manipulation circuitry to achieve a cardioid directional pattern
over its entire operating range of 30 Hz to 125 Hz. Reduced low-frequency
radiation to the rear results in substantially improved definition in
the audience, greater control of sound on the stage and decreased low-frequency
reverberation.
Method and Circuit for Improving the Polar Response of a Two-Way,
Horn-Loaded Loudspeaker System (Patent #5,784,474)
For this patent, Meyer engineers developed control electronics and horn
configurations that establish a common, fixed acoustical center for both
the low-frequency and high-frequency drivers in a two-way system. The
result is remarkably uniform sound radiation throughout the system's bandwidth
— a breakthrough that enhances overall performance when multiple
loudspeakers are combined in horizontal or vertical arrays. The technology
was first implemented in the UPA-1P
and UPA-2P.
1999
PSW-6 Receives Mix Magazine's "TEC" (Technical
Excellence and Creativity) Award for Outstanding Technical Aceivement,
Sound Reinforcement Loudspeaker Technology.
2000
UPM-1P Receives Mix Magazine's "TEC" (Technical
Excellence and Creativity) Award for Outstanding Technical Aceivement,
Sound Reinforcement Loudspeaker Technology.
X-10 High Resolution Linear Control Room Monitor
The X-10 incorporates patented,
cutting-edge control technology, adapted from avionics, to achieve near-perfect
linearity: in contrast to all other monitoring systems, the X-10 exhibits
extended low-frequency response that does not change with variations in
level. PSAC (Pressure Sensing Active Control) measures the acoustic output
of the system and instantaneously adjusts it to match the input signal.
The result is extremely accurate and detailed reproduction.
MAPP Online Multipurpose Acoustical Prediction Program
MAPP Online is a powerful,
cross-platform computer application for accurately predicting the behavior
of arrayed Meyer Sound loudspeakers in free space or, optionally, in a
defined acoustical environment. Residing on a local host computer, the
application facilitates configuring arrays of a wide variety of Meyer
Sound products. Prediction request parameters are sent over the Internet
to a high-powered server computer at Meyer Sound, where they are passed
to a highly sophisticated acoustical prediction algorithm. Predicted responses
return online and display in color on the local computer.
2001
M3D Line Array Loudspeaker with BroadbandQ
The M3D Line Array Loudspeaker is
the only line array system to offer BroadbandQ technology, an integrated
set of advancements that optimize line array performance. In the high
frequency section, a proprietary REM (Ribbon Emulation Manifold) approximates
the radiation characteristic of a ribbon driver to maintain a tight 10°
vertical by 90° horizontal pattern while affording the power capability
of compression drivers. In its low-frequency section, the M3D utilizes
directional steering technology pioneered in the PSW-6 to provide controlled
90° coverage to 35 Hz.
2002
M2D and M1D Curvilinear Array Loudspeakers
Meyer Sound augmented the M Series with the introduction of the M2D
Compact Curvilinear Array Loudspeaker, the M1D
Ultra-Compact Curvilinear Array Loudspeaker, and their companion subwoofers
(M2D-Sub and M1D-Sub). The M Series enables sound designers to create
integrated systems using compatible line array products of all sizes,
affording flexibility and consistent results in applications ranging from
the smallest theaters or churches to the largest arenas or outdoor concerts.
2003
M2D and M1D Curvilinear Array Loudspeakers Share Entertainment
Design Magazine’s EDDY Award for “Sound Product of the
Year”.
MILO High-Power Curvilinear Array Loudspeaker
The MILO high-power curvilinear
array loudspeaker was added to Meyer Sound’s M Series of self-powered
line array loudspeakers. A compact and lightweight system, the four-way
MILO produces a robust peak output of 140 dB SPL with exceptionally flat
phase and frequency response and an overall frequency range of 60 Hz to
18 kHz. Extended high-frequency headroom is created with the use of three
dedicated transducers for the high-frequency band (4 kHz to 18 kHz) to
provide detailed resolution of transient information — even in very
long throw applications. Low-frequency bandwidth and headroom can be extended
by incorporating the M3D-Sub directional subwoofer into the system design.
MILO can be combined with the M3D line array in very large applications
and M2Ds can be utilized for near field coverage where appropriate under
MILO arrays.
UPJ-1P Compact VariO Loudspeaker
The UPJ-1P compact VariO loudspeaker
was introduced to the UltraSeries line. It is a fully integrated two-way
system, comprising a 10-inch neodymium magnet low-mid frequency driver
and a 0.75-inch exit, 3-inch diaphragm high-frequency compression driver.
It employs a variable orientation (VariO) rotatable horn assembly that
allows the cabinets to be arrayed with either a horizontal or vertical
orientation while maintaining a precisely defined coverage pattern (80°
x 50°). The UPJ-1P also contains a two-channel class AB power amplifier
with complementary MOSFET output stages (300 watts), as well as active
processing electronics and protection circuits to assure optimized performance.
2004
LD-3 Compensating Line Driver
The eight-channel LD-3 line
driver is a powerful tool from Meyer Sound for optimizing large-scale
sound reinforcement systems by correcting frequency response for the attenuation
of sound in air. Feed the day’s weather report into the LD-3 through
its Temperature, Altitude and Relative Humidity knobs, dial-in the type
of loudspeakers and distance of the throw for each section of the array,
and the LD-3 goes to work. A RISC microcontroller retrieves response correction
coefficients and corrects the output to compensate for the weather. By
utilizing multiple-variable atmospheric loss equations and pre-calculated
MAPP Online stored values, the LD-3 delivers results quickly and efficiently.
The LD-3 corrects frequency response up to 16 kHz at a resolution down
to 1 dB.
SIM 3 Audio Analyzer
Built on almost 20 years of research and development, ongoing worldwide
field testing and award-winning, breakthrough technology, the SIM
3 audio analyzer system is the next generation of acoustical audio
analysis in an integrated hardware and software package. In the field
or on the bench, the SIM 3 system analyzes entire sound systems as easily
as it verifies the performance of individual electronic components. SIM
3 represents a major advance over previous versions of SIM, with greatly
increased power and added features at a fraction of the original size
and cost.
UPJ-1P Receives Entertainment Design Magazine’s
EDDY Award for “Sound Product of the Year”.
Meyer Sound Appears on MythBusters
Meyer Sound products and personnel appear on several episodes of MythBusters,
the popular weekly television show appearing on the Discovery Channel.
The quirky series, produced by Australia’s Beyond Productions, combines
hard science and wacky humor as its two hosts debunk or confirm various
urban legends. During the show’s premiere season, MythBusters called
on Meyer Sound Staff Scientist Dr. Roger Schwenke to confront the legend
that a duck’s quack doesn’t echo. To debunk this myth,
live duck quacks were recorded and analyzed in a meadow at a duck farm,
in Meyer Sound’s anechoic chamber, and in a large, empty warehouse. Several
months later the MythBusters team returned to Meyer Sound to test a myth
rather less suited to squeamish viewers: the so-called “Brown Note.”
In yet another investigation, Meyer Sound Staff Scientist Dr. Roger Schwenke
helped to confront the myth that a wine glass can be broken by a singer
producing the proper pitch. The MythBusters crew came to Meyer Sound’s
own theatre to tape part of the sequence, which involved a UPA-1P
loudspeaker and a SIM 3
audio analyzer.
Manifold for a Horn Loudspeaker (REM) (patent #6,668,969)
On December 30, 2003, Meyer Sound was awarded a patent for the
REM ribbon emulation manifold waveguide,
an innovative design at the heart of Meyer Sound's line array and curvilinear
array loudspeakers. The REM waveguide’s main advantages over other
designs - lower distortion and tighter pattern control - are achieved
due to its short length and exponentially increasing waveguide channels.
Interconnectable Rigging System for Loudspeakers and Rigging
Frames (patent #6,640,924)
Meyer Sound was awarded a patent for the groundbreaking rigging
system used on the M3D, M3D-Sub,
M2D and M2D-Sub.
The patent recognizes the rigging system’s innovations including
the ingenious CamLink system, which allows splay angles to be changed
much more easily than in other rigging systems, and the rigid design,
which does away with the need for a pullback cable. Cabinet angle adjustments
can be accomplished without having to release the array, while the rotating
cam at the rear of the frame means that only the front of the cabinet
need be adjusted to change the splay angle; no parts need be exchanged.
Creation of Training Theatre at Berkeley, California Headquarters
Meyer Sound constructs a 57-seat training theatre at the Berkeley,
California headquarters. The theatre is designed to facilitate onsite
training, including hands-on rigging of larger systems, and is an integral
part of Meyer Sound’s educational program, which includes seminars
around the world.
“The Meyer Sound theatre realizes a long-held dream of mine
for a unique training and research space that is carefully designed, scrupulously
built and practical as a real-world venue.” -John Meyer
MILO Receives Mix Magazine's "TEC" (Technical
Excellence and Creativity) Award for Outstanding Technical Aceivement,
Sound Reinforcement Loudspeaker Technology.
UPA-1 Loudspeaker Inducted into the TECnology Hall of Fame
Galileo Digital Loudspeaker Management System Introduced
The Galileo loudspeaker
management system is a hardware/software system providing all of the facilities
required to drive and align sound reinforcement systems employing multiple
zones. The system consists of the Galileo 616, a six-input/16-output,
2U, fully digital matrix processor and Compass software for comprehensive
control of the Galileo 616 through a graphical environment running on
a remote computer. Designed as the perfect complement to Meyer Sound’s
self-powered loudspeakers, the Galileo system includes array compensation
for M Series array products, presets
for Meyer Sound systems of various sizes and types, and digital implementations
of popular features developed over years by Meyer Sound for its
acclaimed analog processors, including air absorption compensation
filters and equalization from the CP-10,
VX-1 and LD-3.
Galileo Receives a PAR Excellence Award from Pro Audio Review
Magazine.
2005
U.S. Patent Issued for Meyer Sound MAPP Online Method (Patent #6,895,378)
The United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a patent
pertaining to Meyer Sound's MAPP
Online acoustical prediction software. The patent describes a method
of providing acoustical response predictions for a modeled loudspeaker
system over a communications network. The patent is the 35th U.S. or international
patent issued to Meyer Sound.
MICA Compact High-Power Curvilinear Array Loudspeaker
The MICA compact high-power
curvilinear array loudspeaker joins the acclaimed MILO family of loudspeakers.
MICA brings the very high output and smooth, extended high-frequency response
that is the MILO family’s sonic signature to a smaller package with
broad 100-degree horizontal coverage. MICA is a self-powered, three-way
loudspeaker designed for vertical curvilinear arraying. The system provides
very high acoustic output, with a single MICA producing 138 dB SPL peak
output at 1 meter. This high output combines with exceptionally flat phase
and frequency response over its wide operating range of 60 Hz to 18 kHz.
MICA is suited to a wide variety of applications such as touring, rental,
and fixed installation, and its sonic compatibility with MILO makes it
an excellent component in a MILO family system.
Additional Patents
Ohmically Isolated Input Circuit (#4,779,058 and # 4,968,949)
833 Studio Monitor (#Des. 282,255)
ARTS (#Des. 357,678)
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Significant Achievements
1980
Trapezoidal Cabinet
(patent #271,967)
1984
SIM (Source Independent Measurement)
introduced
1989
HD-1 High Definition Audio Monitor introduced
1992
SIM System II wins "R&D 100" Award
1993
Broadband Acoustical Transmitting System
(patent #5,821,470)
1995
MSL-4 Horn-Loaded Long-Throw Loudspeaker introduced
(patent #373,359)
1996
MTS-4 Full-Range Main Loudspeaker introduced
(patent #375,499)
1998
Method & circuit for improving the polar response of a two-way
horn-loaded loudspeaker system
(patent #5,784,474)
1999
PSW-6 wins Mix magazine's "TEC" Award (Technical
Excellence & Creativity)
2000
UPM-1P wins Mix magazine's "TEC" Award (Technical
Excellence & Creativity)
2000
DF-4 Dedicated Downfill Loudspeaker introduced
2001
UPM-2P Ultra-Compact Narrow Coverage Loudspeaker introduced
2002
M1D Ultra-Compact Curvilinear Array introduced
2003
UPJ-1P Compact VariO Loudspeaker introduced
2004
LD-3 Compensating Line Driver
2004
Interconnectable rigging system for loudspeakers and rigging frames (patent
#6,640,924)
2004
MILO wins Mix magazine's "TEC" Award (Technical Excellence
& Creativity)
2004
Galileo 616 awarded Pro Audio Review's PAR Excellence
award
2005
MICA Compact
High-Power Curvilinear Array introduced
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