“Because Physics.” That’s a phrase that I find myself using when I explain “the why” about sound systems. Often I hear questions like; “Why can’t we put the speakers here?” or “Why can’t we use this kind of microphone?” As a system designer, I’m keenly aware of how sound waves interact with the structure of your room or how microphones work. Physics is why your sound system can have feedback or your hearing assistance system can’t transmit properly when you push the expandable antenna all the way down. Physics is the reason that you can hear low frequencies but not high frequencies when you stand behind a speaker. Physics affects if I recommend acoustic treatment in some rooms and not in others. Physics is critical in everything from the gauge of speaker wire to the location of wireless mic antennas. I’m not just expressing my opinion, that’s how God made the world. It has rules and we have to live by them. Sound has predictable characteristics if we take the time to understand them. So take a minute, be curious and revisit your high school physics class. You might be surprised at how it can help you understand your sound system.
Tim’s Tech Talks – March 2020
