Behind the scenes. Engineering the d&b System reality. D0004.E

Transcription

1 D0004.E Behind the scenes. Engineering the d&b System reality.

2 Making history. 1981: in a little town near the South German city of Stuttgart, d&b audiotechnik was founded by Jürgen Daubert (right) and Rolf Belz (left). 1986: the E1 loudspeaker is developed for broadcast applications. Being visually discreet, and yet blessed with a high SPL it also becomes popular in installation and audio visual applications as well as a high-quality fill loudspeaker : the innovative P1200 mainframe is introduced with modular loudspeaker specific control electronics and RIB networking. It gains the reputation of the most reliable amplifier on the market : the very first complete loudspeaker product line is introduced, the F1, F2 loudspeakers and the B1 subwoofer all powered by their respective controllers with loudspeaker processing, amplification and equalization. These soon became famous throughout the theatrical and corporate worlds. 1988: the sophisticated F1220 loudspeaker acts as a reference for sound systems in the distinguished theatrical and operatic worlds : the C-Series C4 and C7 cabinets become the first d&b 2-way coaxial loudspeakers with a CD horn followed by MAX, a versatile stage monitor that soon became a standard within the sound rental markets. 1997: as a mono amplifier with an integrated controller that includes loudspeaker processing, the E-PAC marks the entry of d&b into DSP technology.

3 2002: the E0 is the smallest loudspeaker built by d&b to this date. It offers a quite impressive 117 db SPL and superlative sound for small, near field, delay and surround sound situations. 2006: a big bang indeed. The new J-Series offers an impressive 145 db SPL per loudspeaker and immediately becomes distinctly famous within the large scale line array market. 2009: technological advances continue with the introduction of the T-Series, the smallest line array from d&b that effortlessly transforms into a stand-alone point source system. Two different loudspeaker technologies in one small package. 2011: never before was there so much. With the brand new xs and xa-series d&b establishes a completely new product family: the White range. All in all sixteen real integration systems designed for installed applications. d&b also introduces the smallest systems in the Black range: the teenyweeny E4 and E5 loudspeakers from the E-Series : a new and innovative line array system steps on stage. The little, light, loud d&b Q-Series takes the industry by storm. Alongside this is the new D12, the first d&b amplifier to drive all their loudspeakers. 2008: d&b welcomes alongside its infamous E3 cabinet new, even more versatile systems to the E-Series with coaxial rotatable horns. These are accompanied by the new efficient D6 amplifier. 2010: sustainability? Definitely. After sixteen successful years the little and in every sense remarkable E3 loudspeaker is succeeded by the new E6 that is even more powerful, yet smaller and lighter. In contrast the larger, but equally innovative B4 cardioid subwoofer which uses only one amplifier channel walks away with three prestigious awards in the same year. 2012: the V-Series takes to the global stage. It is not only a midsized line array, or just a stand-alone system blessed with remarkable clarity and dynamic bandwidth and neither is it simply an ideal complement to the J-Series: the V-Series is in truth a little J.

4 Pointing the way. Loudspeakers Electronics Accessories, Software Support, Education, Training, Service As the name implies a d&b system is not just a loudspeaker. Nor is it merely a sum of the components: loudspeakers, control electronics, mechanical accessories and remote control. Right from the outset the d&b audiotechnik approach was to build integrated sound reinforcement systems that were actually more than the sum of their parts: an entirety where each fits all. Every element is tightly specified, precisely aligned and carefully integrated to achieve maximum possible performance, along with neutral sound characteristics. At the same time d&b offers integrated training, technical information, expert service and support, as well as a knowledgeable distribution network, so that the same optimal acoustic result is achieved by every system anywhere, at any time. So in reality: the d&b System reality.

5 Offering two worlds. Black and White: different product ranges to match different requirements. This is why the d&b Black range, that comprises solid and robust systems designed for performance applications, concentrates its attention to an unquestionably respectable degree of flexibility, versatility and speed of deployment. Conversely the systems from the White range are lighter and more elegant. Especially designed for installed applications that go beyond any rider driven specification, they can be integrated optically, electronically and acoustically in any way and anywhere. Both worlds have in common their naturally neutral and sonic quality, their acoustical compatibility and a logo that is associated everywhere with significant quality. In this respect, the Black and White worlds are ultimately one: the world of d&b.

6 Getting it done. Times are changing and opera houses all over the world have diversified from their typical offerings to provide a variety of contemporary musical and theatrical genres to appeal to a wider audience. Sydney Opera House s decision to extend the functionality of its Concert Hall required a stereo sound reinforcement system that would provide sonic excellence throughout this distinguished auditorium. d&b audiotechnik in response to the brief tendered a highly efficient system design. For the main system the now renowned J-Series loudspeakers with high output level, linear frequency response and extraordinary pattern control were selected: a line array comprising eight J8 and three J12 loudspeakers with two J subwoofers are placed on either side of the stage. As a result of other existing technical installations such as lights and curtains, the main audio system could not be placed in the preferred position to gain complete coverage of the auditorium. To address this, two additional Qi10 standalone point source loudspeakers, one per side, are used as permanent frontfills and for image shift purposes. The upper circle is supported by two line arrays of four Qi1s with a carefully matched vertical dispersion. Last but not least were the choir and the boxes, here the installation version of the T-Series, the Ti10 loudspeaker with its patented rotatable horn for line or point source use was the ideal solution to reinforce these areas. Where single Qi7 or Qi10 loudspeakers would have been slightly tight in the vertical dispersion to achieve suitable coverage, the Ti10L line array loudspeaker with its 105 horizontal dispersion produced the desired results. A total quantity of thirty two Ti10L loudspeakers were deployed, four arrays of five loudspeakers were installed to cover the side boxes whilst two arrays of six loudspeakers were used for the choir. These covered those areas precisely, avoiding any unwanted energy spill onto the stage and realizing the required intelligibility and clarity. Good sound for everyone regardless of status is a goal d&b has consistently pursued, or in other words, democracy for listeners. Sydney Opera House images are used under licence from the Sydney Opera House Trust.

7 Accurately transferring passions. Sverdlovsk City Philharmonic Hall, Russia xa-series and Stage monitors Zentrum Paul Klee, Bern, Switzerland C-Series Wiener Konzerthaus, Vienna, Austria Q-Series Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, China E and T-Series Dolby Laboratories, San Francisco, USA T-Series George Michael, Symphonica Tour J-Series Danish Parliament, Copenhagen Q and E-Series Teenage Cancer Trust, Royal Albert Hall, London, England J and V-Series

8 Louis Vuitton Island Maison, Singapore E-Series Nuevo Estadio Chivas, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico Q-Series Exhibition hall 3, Fiera di Milano, Italy Q and C-Series Maher Hotel, Cintruénigo, Spain xs and E-Series St Paul s United Methodist Church, Iowa, USA xa-series Empire Theatre, Toowoomba, Australia T-Series Concert for Europe, Schönbrunn, Austria J and Q-Series Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay, Singapore C, Q, E, xs, J-Series and Stage monitors Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany Q and E-Series Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, France C-Series Trilogy Club, Mumbai, India E-Series Town hall Wuppertal, Germany Q-Series

9 Developing relationships. The world is sound, once stated Joachim-Ernst Berendt, a well known great authority on Jazz. d&b however, wants to consistently reinforce the world of sound. To this end the company began its expansion in The first d&b enterprise outside Germany was in Denmark where an office to support the Scandinavian markets was established, followed immediately by a similar operation in Great Britain. During the 1990s d&b spread its distribution throughout Europe as well as USA and Japan. The millenium s first decade was even busier with new ventures in France, Spain, Mexico, Singapore, Korea, followed by China, Australia, South Africa, Dubai and India. Alongside these territories, a greater distribution network has been carefully established, that is dynamically expanding, whether in Eastern Europe, Asia, North or South America. d&b with its forty Distributors is present throughout the world providing a passionate hand to sound, just as sound transfers passions.

10 Manufacturing in Germany. Whether it is the loudspeakers, electronics, hardware accessories or software tools, from R&D, through to prototype production, testing and finally manufacturing, d&b products are 100 % made in Germany. The company constantly researches and invests in state of the art production processing tools, and has a highly engaged professional workforce that is regularly trained in the most current technologies and equipment. So from the company s small beginnings of two hundred square metres it can now claim a manufacturing facility of up to twelve thousand square metres, not to mention its ever developing top of the range, high quality sound reinforcement products. Made in Germany.