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[Justice C. Bigler]

I did not realize Meyer made a mixing console.

Does anyone use them?

Meyer bought LCS some years ago, which as I understand it, started out as a playback system. They have taken it through several revisions, the latest of which is D-Mitri which they are in the process of (slowly) rolling out.  D-Mitri is a digital network based implementation of the LCS system, which used analog MIDI cables, serial cable, and analog I/O to connect all the bits and pieces. D-Mitri (as I understand it) encapsulates everything, from the mic preamps to the speaker processing systems in a single unified digital audio network, using AVB. So, basically, the only A/D, D/A conversion that is happening is at the end of the XLR cable coming out of the microphone, and at the speaker itself. They even have provision for play back and recording through their Wildtracks system, as well as control of their variable acoustics system Constellation. The thing about it, is that it is totally and completely modular. You can use only the pieces that you want, and add to it later if you decide that you need more.

All of the Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas use either the older Matrix 3 based LCS system or the new D-Mitri system; those that still use Matrix 3/LCS will be transitioning to D-Mitri eventually (according to my sources). And I believe that most of their bigger touring shows use it as well, though I do know that some of their smaller shows use other systems, or consoles like the Vi6. And at one time, the Guthrie Theatre used LCS at least for playback. And I have seen a couple of touring Broadway shows use LCS for playback and speaker processing, though they used other consoles on which to mix the show.

People tend to think of Meyer as only a speaker company, but they have a lot more going on under the hood that they seem to be pretty shy about marketing.

Perhaps my understanding of what LCS and D-Mitri are and do is way off base. I will know more at the end of next week after I have finished the 3-day D-Mitri training session in Las Vegas...Or maybe I will be even more confused than before. 

Meyer Sound: LCS CueConsole

Here's a picture of a sample configured CueConsole:

[David Sturzenbecher]

Suggesting that an legacy amp company making a console is some kind of a "game changer", including big name console designer association strikes me as more fan boy love for a given brand than rational market analysis.

QSC is not my first choice ... speakers, amps, or DSP.  I am however working on a project now where one DSP cost as much as a new truck, with a second as backup.   These boxes already have the horsepower to support the DSP needed for a large scale mixer, as do many of the other major DSP companies out there.  I don't like that my (install) customer have to access a program for the mixer (studio manager) and then another program for the DSP (London, Audia, Qsys), and another program for the amps (System Architect, Qsys, Lake).  One program to unify this, without the need for third party integration such as Crestron/AMX will have a decent impact on how I design and specify equipment. It may change "my" game.

I will admit, I have had minimal exposure to the Meyer line, outside of the demo rooms at infocomm, but I am quite impressed.  However, the politics of the matter prevent me from looking to much further into it.

I guess the term "game changer" for a specific product is valid depending on who you are.  If a new line array helps EAW triple sales, and get back into the favor of BE's, then is that not a game changer for EAW, even if their isn't anything drastically new to the industry?  Would the industry be playing the same game?

Did Gunness focusing change the game? FIR filters? The crossover? The digital console? DSP in general?

What have some of the game changers been?

[John Roberts {JR}]

QSC is not my first choice ... speakers, amps, or DSP.  I am however working on a project now where one DSP cost as much as a new truck, with a second as backup. 

While low horsepower DSP capable microprocessors can cost as little as a few dollars. The real expense is teaching them to do tricks and talking to each other has been a desirable trick for a long time.  To manage a distributed system across multiple unrelated platforms with enough intelligence to re-allocate resources on the fly, is still a ways off. We'd be happy to just talk to each other and have common understood definitions for simple things like Q/bandwidth.   

These boxes already have the horsepower to support the DSP needed for a large scale mixer, as do many of the other major DSP companies out there.  I don't like that my (install) customer have to access a program for the mixer (studio manager) and then another program for the DSP (London, Audia, Qsys), and another program for the amps (System Architect, Qsys, Lake).  One program to unify this, without the need for third party integration such as Crestron/AMX will have a decent impact on how I design and specify equipment. It may change "my" game.

It's messy when best of breed functional blocks are not rewarded for talking with other blocks. The odds of the same one company making the best of breed across the board is unlikely, but if you pay enough for one brand premium solution, they will source good performers for the rest of the chain they don't make themselves.

I will admit, I have had minimal exposure to the Meyer line, outside of the demo rooms at infocomm, but I am quite impressed.  However, the politics of the matter prevent me from looking to much further into it.

Politics... don't quite understand. Meyer are well regarded but expensive (I think,, never seriously priced one).

I guess the term "game changer" for a specific product is valid depending on who you are.  If a new line array helps EAW triple sales, and get back into the favor of BE's, then is that not a game changer for EAW, even if their isn't anything drastically new to the industry?  Would the industry be playing the same game?

Line array technology in general is a calculable advantage for putting sound into a finite space or area. Unfortunately I am reminded of the early days of digital when the demand for anything called digital outstripped the practical reality. Yet another me too line array may be useful to flesh out a brand, not changing games except perhaps for the sales rep. 

Did Gunness focusing change the game? FIR filters? The crossover? The digital console? DSP in general?

What have some of the game changers been?

I am sure opinions vary... I have seen a few.

#1 computers becoming low enough cost that individuals can afford them for work and personal business.

#2 automation in manufacturing (helped dramatically by computers) that continues to  reduce costs. In combination with Moore's law that increases the power of ICs.. More of an evolution than revolutionary game changer.

#3 I may be biased by being so close to this, but the integration of computers and DSP into large sound systems has changed the game for large scale (like stadium) installs. Where there used to be rooms full of processing racks and miles of wire to connect all this rack gear together into a functional system, not to mention all the man hours of labor to wire it up together correctly. Now a rack of powerful DSP controlled by a suitable software integration replaces all that wire, labor, and racks of crude analog processing gear. You still need speakers and those speakers still need amplification so that can't be replaced with cheaper/faster computers. Some of Danley's work with big dog speakers for stadiums is borderline game changing (IMO), but I may just be a Danley fan boy.

The cost savings from replacing rooms of gear with racks has made grown men hold their nose and use a brand they wouldn't otherwise discuss in polite company. It was either spec the new way or lose the job because the old way was suddenly obsolete and too expensive by comparison.

So game changers ultimately come down to more power (processor power or sound power) , or less cost, or both. Enough different that old favorites need to be re-examined in light of the new rules.

The Behringer X-32 is arguably changing the game for entry level digital mixers (because of low price).

What changes your game may depend on what your game is.

JR 

[Bob Leonard]

The true costs for any hardware, digital or analog, are the development costs, as has been pointed out already. Larger companies with diverse product offerings will usually have pieces of technology developed that can be used for more than one platform, reducing the development costs. Behringer is a company of that type, as is Harman.

The difference between the two would be the same as comparing the Ugo you bought with electric windows to a Lincoln with electric windows. Both have the same feature, but in the end you're still driving a Ugo.

[Tim McCulloch]

The difference between the two would be the same as comparing the Ugo you bought with electric windows to a Lincoln with electric windows. Both have the same feature, but in the end you're still driving a Ugo.

Back in the day, a Yugo would fit in the trunk of a Lincoln.  Who needs a spare tire when you have a spare car?

[Justice C. Bigler]

Who needs a spare tire when you have a spare car?

I think I can fit one of those dinky little Smart Cars in the back of my Tacoma 

[Jim Turner]

The true costs for any hardware, digital or analog, are the development costs, as has been pointed out already. Larger companies with diverse product offerings will usually have pieces of technology developed that can be used for more than one platform, reducing the development costs. Behringer is a company of that type, as is Harman.

The difference between the two would be the same as comparing the Ugo you bought with electric windows to a Lincoln with electric windows. Both have the same feature, but in the end you're still driving a Ugo.

Good shootin Tex!

[Tommy Peel]

I think I can fit one of those dinky little Smart Cars in the back of my Tacoma 

<rant>
I don't understand the fascination with those cars... 70 horsepower?!? It only gets 34city 38hwy miles per gallon??? To drive something that small and impractical for hauling anything it'd have to get 50+ mpg. My '95 Nissan Sentra is rated at 26city and 36hwy (I get a consistant 28-31 mixed driving and around 35 on the interstate); not to mention that it's paid for. :-)
</rant>

[Justice C. Bigler]

I wouldn't mind having one of these, just for the lulz and ultra hate that I would get from the other tree hugging-tofu eating-hippie/yuppie Smart Car drivers.



A few years ago when NE Oklahoma had the biggest snow storm we have ever had (dubbed Smowmagheddon) which dumped about 30 inches of snow on us in about 24 hours, I was watching TV of the City road crews plowing the freeways. Some dumb-ass yuppie in a Smart car though it would be a good idea to take his car with 3 1/2" of ground clearance and 12 inches tires out in the snow.

He somehow made it far enough to actually get on the freeway before he got stuck. Well, the local CBS affiliate had their helo up in the air covering the snow remediation efforts, and they zoomed in on this guy in the Smart car who was standing on the side of the road talking on his cell phone...when a fleet of; not one, not two, but THREE 5 tone dumptrucks with plows on the front and sanders on the back came ripping down the road right next to him and BURIED his car in freshly plowed snow.

The anchors who were yapping away live on TV were speechless. I couldn't stop laughing for DAYS afterwards. It was the funniest damn thing I have ever seen on live TV. And the TV station replayed it on their promos for months.

[Tommy Peel]

I wouldn't mind having one of these, just for the lulz and ultra hate that I would get from the other tree hugging-tofu eating-hippie/yuppie Smart Car drivers.

I thought you'd made my day with the picture....

A few years ago when NE Oklahoma had the biggest snow storm we have ever had (dubbed Smowmagheddon) which dumped about 30 inches of snow on us in about 24 hours, I was watching TV of the City road crews plowing the freeways. Some dumb-ass yuppie in a Smart car though it would be a good idea to take his car with 3 1/2" of ground clearance and 12 inches tires out in the snow.

He somehow made it far enough to actually get on the freeway before he got stuck. Well, the local CBS affiliate had their helo up in the air covering the snow remediation efforts, and they zoomed in on this guy in the Smart car who was standing on the side of the road talking on his cell phone...when a fleet of; not one, not two, but THREE 5 tone dumptrucks with plows on the front and sanders on the back came ripping down the road right next to him and BURIED his car in freshly plowed snow.

The anchors who were yapping away live on TV were speechless. I couldn't stop laughing for DAYS afterwards. It was the funniest damn thing I have ever seen on live TV. And the TV station replayed it on their promos for months.

Then I read the rest of the post... Still rolling on the floor laughing.


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