Mixed Analytical-Numerical Filter Design for Optimized Electronic Control of Line Source Arrays

Line source arrays (LSAs) are used for large-scale sound reinforcement aiming at the synthesis of homogeneous sound fields for the whole audio bandwidth. The deployed loudspeaker cabinets are rigged with different tilt angles and/or are electronically controlled in order to provide the intended coverage of the audience zones and to avoid radiation towards the ceiling, reflective walls or residential areas. In this contribution a mixed analytical-numerical approach. referred to as line source array venue slice drive optimization (LAVDO), is introduced for optimizing the individual loudspeakers' driving functions. This method is compared to numerical optimization schemes including least-squares and multiobjective goal attainment approaches. For two standard LSAs in straight and in curved configuration, these temporal frequency domain optimizations are performed for a typical concert venue. It is shown that LAVDO overcomes the non-smooth frequency responses resulting from numerical frequency domain approaches. LAVDO provides smooth amplitude and phase responses of the loudspeakers' driving functions that is essential for the subsequent practical finite impulse response filter design and implementation.