E A S T E R N A C O U S T I C W O R K S
P R O D U C T U S A G E G U I D E :
A N I N T R O D U C T I O N
This is the fourth installment in the Eastern Acoustic Works
Product Usage Guide series. The goal of this series is to offer
concise, accurate guidance on the use EAW loudspeaker
products.
Each guide will offer a concise overview of a particular
product series and illustrate the most common methods
of use. This chapter will focus on the application of the
six most common KF860 Series Virtual Line Array
configurations.
K F 8 6 0 S E R I E S
The KF860/VLA Series comprises two
high-output modules optimized to
create vertical line arrays. The Series
comprises two modules – the KF860
which features a 60° horizontal
coverage pattern, and the KF861
which features a 90° pattern for
nearfield coverage. Nominal vertical
coverage is 30° but the each array's true
vertical pattern is determined by the size and
configuration of the array as well as by digital signal
processor settings.
Each module contains 2x 15-in woofers, 2x horn-loaded
10-in mid frequency cone drivers, and 2x 2-in exit/75mm
voice coil compression drivers on constant directivity horns.
K F 8 6 0 S E R I E S B A C K G R O U N D
A N D D E S C R I P T I O N
The KF860/VLA Series was originally developed to help
solve specific problems for high-end entertainment industry
events that featured both live and broadcast audiences.
The key design parameters were minimal array size, high
output and broadband pattern control.
Part of the KF860 Series solution was the application
of configuration-specific digital signal processing (DSP)
to maintain pattern control over an exceptionally wide
bandwidth. Settings vary depending on the number of
modules in the array and the angle between adjacent
modules.Thus two crucial elements of any KF860 Series
application are accurately splaying the enclosures and
applying the correct DSP settings.
B U I L D I N G A N D P R O C E S S I N G
K F 8 6 0 S E R I E S A R R A Y S
To maintain accurate and repeatable array angles, EAW
developed a unique, all-steel rigging system for the KF860
Series that eliminates guesswork. The steel rigging plates that
link modules together fit into steel-tubing brackets on each
end of the module and are secured with quick-release pins.
The reader will find a complete explanation of this rigging
system on pages 7 and 8 of this guide as well as in the
companion publication,
KF860 Hardware Instructions
.
EAW has developed appropriate settings for the MX8600
Close Coupled Digital Processor to control each of the
KF860 array configurations discussed in this guide. These
settings are available from the ftp (file transfer protocol)
section of EAW's website (www.eaw.com) or can be faxed as
text files for manual entry. These settings are appropriate to
the MX8600 and only the MX8600. Do not attempt to use
these settings in any other DSP unit. Contact EAW's
Application Support Group for more information.
H A N G I N G A N D A I M I N G
K F 8 6 0 S E R I E S A R R A Y S
Hanging KF860 arrays requires the use of a dedicated
"bumper bar" developed for EAW by ATM, Inc. The bumper
bar accepts the top portion of the rigging plates at twelve
pre-configured locations.
The top module of any array will be aimed at an angle
determined by the bumper bar location selected and the size
and configuration of the array. As most application require
the array to be hung above the intended coverage area, the
bar has been designed to aim the array's output down.
However, the bar can be reversed to aim the array's output in
an upward direction. A chart indicating all possible angles
that can be obtained from the rigging system can be found
on page 8 of this guide.
EAW has developed a specially modified hand truck to
assist in rigging KF860 Series arrays. Specific instruction on
its use can be found at EAW's website or by contacting EAW
and requesting the KF860 Rigging Hardware Instructions.