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Delay (DLY) Modules
There are three Delay module types available in the VENU360, they are: the Backline Delay (input), Fill Delay (mid), and
Alignment Delay (output). Their names are merely identifiers used to differentiate them and describe their intended purpose,
however they are all identical in operation, just located at different points in the signal path. Each of the three Delay module
types provide up to 1000ms of delay time. When the signal passes through all three cascaded Delay modules, up to 3000ms
of delay time can be achieved through an input-to-output signal chain.
The Alignment Delay modules are located at the end of the output chain and can be used to time align loudspeaker drivers
which require it. Typically, driver alignment delay is only required when configuring multi-way loudspeaker systems. Driver
alignment delay is required because of the physical offset which exists between the different drivers within the loudspeaker
cabinet or system, and when you bypass the internal passive crossover circuit in a speaker enclosure, you must make up for
these differences in distance. Because of this physical offset, the sound emanating from each driver will reach the listeners’
ears at different times, creating phase anomalies in the frequency regions where multiple drivers reproduce the same
frequencies (the frequency range in close proximity to the set crossover frequencies). The Alignment Delay modules provide up
to 1000ms of delay time on each output which is way more than will ever be required for aligning drivers, but this allows them
to be used for delay fill or zone applications as well, if required. This also has the added benefit of freeing up the “mid” insert
slot so another processing module type can be configured and utilized.
Driver alignment delays are included with speaker tunings, so when you select a specific model of bi-amplified or tri-amplified
main speaker in the VENU360’s Setup Wizard, driver alignment delays will automatically be entered for you based on the
model you selected. However, depending upon where you place your subwoofers or the type of subwoofers used, you may
need to enter a delay offset to take them into account as well. If you place your mains directly on top of your subs or use
stand mounts that mount your mains above your subs and your subs are of the front-loaded variety, you likely won’t have to
worry about a delay offset between your mains and subs. If you’re not sure, take a look at one of your speaker stacks from the
side perspective and ask yourself, “is the woofer’s voice coil in my main speaker physically aligned with the subwoofer’s voice
coil?” You should be able to get a good idea if you may have to apply some delay offset for your subs or simply reposition your
mains on top of the subs, if possible. Note that small differences in distance (e.g., a few inches) between low and sub drivers is
negligible and should not be of much concern, due to the large size of these low-frequency waveforms.
If your subs are placed off to the side of the stage or somewhere other than between the mains or under the mains
(anywhere not aligned with the mains when viewed from the side perspective), you will likely need to manually apply some
driver alignment delay. If you do need to apply driver alignment delay to compensate for sub placement, you can calculate the
difference in distance between the sub and “sweet spot” (the audience position which forms an equilateral triangle with the
main speakers) and the mains and sweet spot, then enter this value into the corresponding driver alignment delay (i.e., the
cabinet which is further forward will need to be “pushed back” or delayed). If the subs are located further back from the mains,
you will have to apply the delay to the mains. If the subs are located further forward than the mains, the driver alignment delay
will have to be applied to the subs.
The Backline Delay module can be inserted in an “input” processing insert slot and is used for a different purpose, see
‘Configuring Processing Module Insert Types’ on page 30
for more information on configuring inserts. Once your
driver alignment delays have been dialed in, backline delay can be used to apply a delay to the entire Front of House (FOH)
system. By applying this backline delay, the acoustic sound emanating directly from the instruments on stage (drums, guitar
amps, horns, etc.) can be positively reinforced by the FOH system. To set the backline delay, measure or approximate the
distance between the instrument furthest back on stage (usually the drums and/or guitar amps) and the main FOH speakers
then enter this distance into the Backline Delay module (the VENU360 allows you to enter the delay time setting in feet,
meters, or milliseconds – no calculation required). Don’t forget to take your driver alignment delays into account, if applicable.
For example, if you’ve placed your subs to the side of the stage and delayed your mains to align them, the mains delay would
need to be subtracted from the calculated backline delay. You can also try simply dialing this in by ear, by standing in front of
the stage and wirelessly adjusting the input delay LENGTH, using the VENU360 control app.
Processing Module Insert Types’ on page 30
for more information on configuring inserts. The Fill Delay module can
be used for applications requiring delayed loudspeakers to cover listening areas which are obstructed or unable to be supplied
