What are the fundamental principles of designing with beams?

What are the fundamental principles of designing with beams?

The concept of designing with beams is more commonly associated with lighting, where mechanical shutters control the light pattern to either highlight a performer or wash the entire stage with light from the same fixture. This principle of controlling and shaping beams is fundamental to the design approach of HOLOPLOT system. This section will outline the design process using these principles, outlining the types of beams available and where and how to use them for the optimal effect.

There are two primary beam types:

Parametric Beams

A Parametric Beam is defined by a set of parameters allowing the adjustment of its direction (i.e., vertical/horizontal steering angle) and width (i.e., vertical/horizontal opening angle) and its performance target.

Find out more about Parametric Beams

Coverage Beams

A Coverage Beam is an optimized beam, tailored to the shape and size of the target (coverage) area, taking into account any optional avoidance areas. By using a sophisticated inverse numerical optimization method, the predefined target response can be 'mapped back' to the array to obtain the driver filters.

Find out more about Coverage Beams

How do I decide which type of beam to choose?

When deciding which type of beam to use in a design, the following characteristics should be taken into consideration:

Parametric Beams are inherently dynamic, requiring no pre-processing or connection to the cloud, which allows for quick and easy deployment. This enables designers to rapidly set up a beam to assess the performance capabilities of the array. Additionally, Parametric Beams can be utilized during an event or show to swiftly cover areas that were not initially deemed necessary. For instance, if audience numbers exceed initial expectations and a new area needs to be covered, Parametric Beams can be rapidly deployed to address this requirement.

Parametric Beams are particularly valuable for long throw applications. They can generate planar waves, creating extensive sound corridors. This feature is particularly beneficial in environments where no single area needs specific coverage or optimization. Such versatility makes Parametric Beams an essential tool in dynamic and unpredictable settings, ensuring optimal sound distribution and audience experience.

Coverage Beams are used for the majority of applications where both spatial and spectral uniformity are key to the system's performance. The ability to define a zone that is either optimized for precise coverage or avoided ensures the designer has a greater level of control of the system than when using conventional technology. To ensure the beam settings are fully optimized for the specific application and audio content, a number of parameters need to be understood and effectively applied. These are outlined in the following section.