Meyer Sound Laboratories
Encyclopedia
Meyer Sound Laboratories is an American company based in Berkeley, California
that manufactures self-powered loudspeakers, multichannel audio show control systems, electroacoustic architecture, and audio analysis tools for the professional sound reinforcement
, fixed installation, and sound recording
industries.
The company’s emphasis on research and measurement has resulted in the issuance of dozens of patents, including for the now-standard trapezoidal loudspeaker cabinet shape. Meyer Sound has pioneered other technologies that have become standard in the audio industry, including: processor-controlled loudspeaker systems, self-powered loudspeakers, curvilinear arraying, cardioid subwoofer
s, and source independent measurement.
Meyer Sound has consistently involved itself with advanced research beyond that connected to immediate product development, sometimes in conjunction with arms of the University of California, Berkeley
. Some of this research has resulted in unusual products such as their parabolic sound beam
and sound field synthesis loudspeakers. Other projects, such as the spherical loudspeaker research underway by Meyer Sound and CNMAT
(Center for New Music and Audio Technologies) at UC Berkeley are still in the stage of pure research.
A demonstration of the ACD system led to Meyer Sound creating a subwoofer for film director Francis Ford Coppola
’s use with the custom, quadraphonic sound system that toured with the original 70 mm release of “Apocalypse Now
.” This was the first loudspeaker to use a dedicated processing unit to provide crossover, amplitude and phase correction, along with driver protection.
Also in 1979, the company developed the UM-1 UltraMonitor, which led to a long association with the band Grateful Dead
. As the band was very experimental, this relationship resulted in opportunities for John Meyer to try out new ideas for the then-emerging field of high-powered sound reinforcement in real-world applications.
The UltraMonitor was the first product to employ a new, patented horn loudspeaker design that reduced distortion by a factor of ten compared to previous designs. This patent was the first of more than three dozen issued to the company since its founding.
In 1980, at the behest of Broadway sound designer Abe Jacob, Meyer Sound repackaged the technology of the UltraMonitor into the UPA-1. This loudspeaker had an immediate impact on theatrical sound, but was also notable for its introduction of the trapezoidal cabinet shape, which enabled the construction of curved arrays (flat-front arrays, in common use at the time, result in substantial destructive interference). A patent was issued for this innovation. The UPA-1 was an inaugural inductee into the TECnology Hall of Fame.
Meyer Sound pioneered high-level loudspeaker arrays with the release of the huge MSL-10 in 1981, followed by the MSL-3, a single cabinet (essentially a “slice” of an MSL-10) configurable into arrays of nearly any size.
Expanding on the appearance of real-time, dual FFT analyzers, Meyer Sound introduced source independent measurement (SIM) in 1984. SIM allowed sound system operators to use music itself as a test source for the first time, enabling continuous sound system correction over the course of a performance. SIM System II, the second generation of this technology (and the first version practical for widespread field use), won an R&D 100 Award (awarded for the 100 best engineering feats in any field worldwide) in 1992, in addition to the TEC award the original system received in 1986.
Meyer Sound broke new ground when it introduced the HD-1 studio monitor, a fully integrated self-powered loudspeaker, in 1989. The HD-1 won at the TEC Awards
in 1990 in the Transducer Technology category.
The release of the MSL-4 in 1994 marked the beginning of Meyer Sound’s production of self-powered loudspeaker systems for high-level sound reinforcement, and, over the following years, the company converted their entire loudspeaker product line into self-powered systems.
Meyer Sound Laboratories has participated and been featured in several episodes of the Discovery Channel series “MythBusters
” involving sound. As a result, Meyer Sound acoustician Roger Schwenke has become an unofficial and irregular member of the MythBusters team.
The first MythBusters episode involving the company was “busting” the myth that a duck's quack will not echo. The second time was the infamous “Brown Note” episode, which explored the myth that a person subjected to high levels of very low-frequency sound could experience “involuntary intestinal motility." In the course of busting this myth, John Meyer became interested in the physical aspect of transmission of very low frequencies.
This, combined with Meyer Sound’s involvement with several revivals of the Sensurround
motion picture system, directly influenced the design of the Pearson Theatre (named for sound reinforcement pioneer and longtime Meyer Sound associate Don Pearson) at Meyer Sound’s headquarters. The theatre was designed by Berkeley-based architects Marcy Wong and Donn Logan http://www.wonglogan.com/pearson/pearson_00.html and has received an Architecture Merit award from the United States Institute for Theatre Technology
(USITT) in 2008 and a citation award from the San Francisco chapter of the American Institute of Architects
in 2009. The Pearson Theatre is notable for its exceptional low-frequency performance, cutting-edge video and audio technologies, multipurpose design, and experimental capabilities.
Three other MythBusters episodes involving sound tested the myths that a glass could be shattered by sound alone (confirmed), that a candle flame could be extinguished by sound alone, and that an SKS rifle could be made to fire by subjecting it to massive quantities of very low frequencies from a subwoofer.
In 2005, Meyer Sound acquired LCS Audio and launched its LCS Series of digital audio products. The first new development by Meyer Sound of LCS technology was Constellation electroacoustic architecture, launched in 2006. Constellation is based on the VRAS (Variable Room Acoustic System) technology first developed and patented by Dr. Mark Poletti of Industrial Research Limited. D-Mitri, a next-generation engine for the LCS Series, was introduced in 2009.
In 2008, the USITT presented Meyer Sound founders John and Helen Meyer with the Harold Burris-Meyer Distinguished Career in Sound Design Award. Also in that year, the John and Helen Meyer Scholarship was established in conjunction with the Escuela Superior Andaluza de Medios Audiovisuales (Superior School for AudioVisual Media) in Andalusia, Spain, and awarded to five students.
Meyer Sound also began making loudspeakers for cinema applications in 2009.
TEC award for Outstanding Technical Achievement, Sound Reinforcement Loudspeaker Technology given to UPQ
JM-1P and UP-4XP Win WFX New Product Awards
Loudspeakers
These include the Matrix3 (to be replaced by the D-Mitri platform) and Constellation electroacoustic architecture.
Processor and Drive Systems
These include Galileo, Meyer Sound's loudspeaker management system, as well as line drivers and equalizers.
Audio Analysis Tools
These include MAPP Online Pro, SIM, and RMS.
Connectors
Meyer Sound's VEAM connector combines AC power, audio and RMS data into one environmentally sealed multipin connector.
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
that manufactures self-powered loudspeakers, multichannel audio show control systems, electroacoustic architecture, and audio analysis tools for the professional sound reinforcement
Sound reinforcement system
A sound reinforcement system is the combination of microphones, signal processors, amplifiers, and loudspeakers that makes live or pre-recorded sounds louder and may also distribute those sounds to a larger or more distant audience...
, fixed installation, and sound recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
industries.
The company’s emphasis on research and measurement has resulted in the issuance of dozens of patents, including for the now-standard trapezoidal loudspeaker cabinet shape. Meyer Sound has pioneered other technologies that have become standard in the audio industry, including: processor-controlled loudspeaker systems, self-powered loudspeakers, curvilinear arraying, cardioid subwoofer
Subwoofer
A subwoofer is a woofer, or a complete loudspeaker, which is dedicated to the reproduction of low-pitched audio frequencies known as the "bass". The typical frequency range for a subwoofer is about 20–200 Hz for consumer products, below 100 Hz for professional live sound, and below...
s, and source independent measurement.
Meyer Sound has consistently involved itself with advanced research beyond that connected to immediate product development, sometimes in conjunction with arms of the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. Some of this research has resulted in unusual products such as their parabolic sound beam
Parabolic loudspeaker
A parabolic loudspeaker is a loudspeaker which seeks to focus its sound in coherent plane waves either by reflecting sound output from a speaker driver to a parabolic reflector aimed at the target audience, or by arraying drivers on a parabolic surface...
and sound field synthesis loudspeakers. Other projects, such as the spherical loudspeaker research underway by Meyer Sound and CNMAT
CNMAT
CNMAT , The Center for New Music and Audio Technologies, is a multidisciplinary research center within University of California, Berkeley Department of Music. The Center's goal is to provide a common ground where music, cognitive science, computer science, and other disciplines meet to...
(Center for New Music and Audio Technologies) at UC Berkeley are still in the stage of pure research.
History
In 1979, John and Helen Meyer established Meyer Sound to produce reliable high-fidelity products for sound reinforcement professionals. Meyer Sound’s first product was the ACD/John Meyer studio monitor, based on a design Meyer developed while heading the acoustics laboratory at the Institute for Advanced Musical Studies in Switzerland.A demonstration of the ACD system led to Meyer Sound creating a subwoofer for film director Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. He is widely acclaimed as one of Hollywood's most innovative and influential film directors...
’s use with the custom, quadraphonic sound system that toured with the original 70 mm release of “Apocalypse Now
Apocalypse Now
Apocalypse Now is a 1979 American war film set during the Vietnam War, produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The central character is US Army special operations officer Captain Benjamin L. Willard , of MACV-SOG, an assassin sent to kill the renegade and presumed insane Special Forces...
.” This was the first loudspeaker to use a dedicated processing unit to provide crossover, amplitude and phase correction, along with driver protection.
Also in 1979, the company developed the UM-1 UltraMonitor, which led to a long association with the band Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
. As the band was very experimental, this relationship resulted in opportunities for John Meyer to try out new ideas for the then-emerging field of high-powered sound reinforcement in real-world applications.
The UltraMonitor was the first product to employ a new, patented horn loudspeaker design that reduced distortion by a factor of ten compared to previous designs. This patent was the first of more than three dozen issued to the company since its founding.
In 1980, at the behest of Broadway sound designer Abe Jacob, Meyer Sound repackaged the technology of the UltraMonitor into the UPA-1. This loudspeaker had an immediate impact on theatrical sound, but was also notable for its introduction of the trapezoidal cabinet shape, which enabled the construction of curved arrays (flat-front arrays, in common use at the time, result in substantial destructive interference). A patent was issued for this innovation. The UPA-1 was an inaugural inductee into the TECnology Hall of Fame.
Meyer Sound pioneered high-level loudspeaker arrays with the release of the huge MSL-10 in 1981, followed by the MSL-3, a single cabinet (essentially a “slice” of an MSL-10) configurable into arrays of nearly any size.
Expanding on the appearance of real-time, dual FFT analyzers, Meyer Sound introduced source independent measurement (SIM) in 1984. SIM allowed sound system operators to use music itself as a test source for the first time, enabling continuous sound system correction over the course of a performance. SIM System II, the second generation of this technology (and the first version practical for widespread field use), won an R&D 100 Award (awarded for the 100 best engineering feats in any field worldwide) in 1992, in addition to the TEC award the original system received in 1986.
Meyer Sound broke new ground when it introduced the HD-1 studio monitor, a fully integrated self-powered loudspeaker, in 1989. The HD-1 won at the TEC Awards
TEC Awards
The TEC Awards is an annual program recognizing the achievements of audio professionals. The awards are given to honor technically innovative products as well as companies and individuals who have excelled in sound for television, film, recordings and concerts...
in 1990 in the Transducer Technology category.
The release of the MSL-4 in 1994 marked the beginning of Meyer Sound’s production of self-powered loudspeaker systems for high-level sound reinforcement, and, over the following years, the company converted their entire loudspeaker product line into self-powered systems.
Meyer Sound Laboratories has participated and been featured in several episodes of the Discovery Channel series “MythBusters
MythBusters
MythBusters is a science entertainment TV program created and produced by Beyond Television Productions for the Discovery Channel. The series is screened by numerous international broadcasters, including Discovery Channel Australia, Discovery Channel Latin America, Discovery Channel Canada, Quest...
” involving sound. As a result, Meyer Sound acoustician Roger Schwenke has become an unofficial and irregular member of the MythBusters team.
The first MythBusters episode involving the company was “busting” the myth that a duck's quack will not echo. The second time was the infamous “Brown Note” episode, which explored the myth that a person subjected to high levels of very low-frequency sound could experience “involuntary intestinal motility." In the course of busting this myth, John Meyer became interested in the physical aspect of transmission of very low frequencies.
This, combined with Meyer Sound’s involvement with several revivals of the Sensurround
Sensurround
Sensurround is the trademark name for a process developed in the 1970s by Cerwin-Vega in conjunction with Universal Studios to enhance the audio experience during film screenings...
motion picture system, directly influenced the design of the Pearson Theatre (named for sound reinforcement pioneer and longtime Meyer Sound associate Don Pearson) at Meyer Sound’s headquarters. The theatre was designed by Berkeley-based architects Marcy Wong and Donn Logan http://www.wonglogan.com/pearson/pearson_00.html and has received an Architecture Merit award from the United States Institute for Theatre Technology
United States Institute for Theatre Technology
The United States Institute for Theatre Technology is a membership organization which aims to advance the skills and knowledge of theatre, entertainment and performing arts professionals involved in the areas of design, production and technology, and to generally promote their interests...
(USITT) in 2008 and a citation award from the San Francisco chapter of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
in 2009. The Pearson Theatre is notable for its exceptional low-frequency performance, cutting-edge video and audio technologies, multipurpose design, and experimental capabilities.
Three other MythBusters episodes involving sound tested the myths that a glass could be shattered by sound alone (confirmed), that a candle flame could be extinguished by sound alone, and that an SKS rifle could be made to fire by subjecting it to massive quantities of very low frequencies from a subwoofer.
In 2005, Meyer Sound acquired LCS Audio and launched its LCS Series of digital audio products. The first new development by Meyer Sound of LCS technology was Constellation electroacoustic architecture, launched in 2006. Constellation is based on the VRAS (Variable Room Acoustic System) technology first developed and patented by Dr. Mark Poletti of Industrial Research Limited. D-Mitri, a next-generation engine for the LCS Series, was introduced in 2009.
In 2008, the USITT presented Meyer Sound founders John and Helen Meyer with the Harold Burris-Meyer Distinguished Career in Sound Design Award. Also in that year, the John and Helen Meyer Scholarship was established in conjunction with the Escuela Superior Andaluza de Medios Audiovisuales (Superior School for AudioVisual Media) in Andalusia, Spain, and awarded to five students.
Meyer Sound also began making loudspeakers for cinema applications in 2009.
Milestones and Awards
- 1979: Meyer Sound Laboratories founded.
"Horn Loudspeaker and Method for Producing Low Distortion Sound" patent granted.
Introduced first dedicated loudspeaker processor. - 1980: "Trapezoidal Loudspeaker Cabinet" patent granted.
The Meyer Sound UPA-1 introduced as the first commercial trapezoidal loudspeaker. - 1984: Source Independent Measurement (SIM) system introduced.
"Circuit and Method for Correcting Distortion in Digital Audio Systems" patent granted. - 1985: Audio Engineering Society (AES) awards Fellowship to John Meyer
- 1986: Technical Excellence and Creativity (TEC) award for Outstanding Technical Achievement, Acoustics Technology given to SIM (Source Independent Measurement)
- 1989: HD-1 High Definition Audio Monitor introduced.
- 1990: TEC award for Outstanding Technical Achievement, Transducer Technology given to HD-1 studio monitor
- 1992: R&D 100 Award given to SIM System II
- 1993: "Correction Circuit and Method for Improving the Transient Behavior of a Two-Way Loudspeaker System" patents granted.
- 1995: "MSL-4 Self-Powered Loudspeaker System" patent granted.
Lighting Dimension International Sound Product of the Year award given to the Self-Powered Series of loudspeakers - 1996: "Improved Loudspeaker Horn" patent granted.
First used in CQ-1 and CQ-2 loudspeakers
"MTS-4A Full-Range Main Loudspeaker" patent granted.
Theatre Crafts International Sound Product of the Year award given to UPA-1P and UPA-2P - 1997: "SB-1 Parabolic Long-Throw Sound Beam" patent granted.
- 1998: PSW-6 High-Power Cardioid Subwoofer introduced
- 1999: AES awards Citation to Helen Meyer
TEC award for Outstanding Technical Achievement, Sound Reinforcement Loudspeaker Technology given to PSW-6 subwoofer - 2000:UPM-1P Ultracompact Wide Coverage Loudspeaker introduced
X-10 High Resolution Linear Control Room Monitor introduced
TEC award for Outstanding Technical Achievement, Sound Reinforcement Loudspeaker Technology given to UPM-1P - 2001:M3D Line Array Loudspeaker with Broadband Q
EDDY Sound Product of the Year award given to UPM-2P - 2002:M2D and M1D Curvilinear Array Loudspeakers
- 2003:MILO High-Power Curvilinear Array Loudspeaker
Producción Profesional & Producción Audio Award (Spain) for Best Sound Reinforcement Product given to M3D
EDDY Sound Product of the Year given to M1D and M2D
Meyer Sound First Appears on MythBusters - 2004:"Manifold for a Horn Loudspeaker (REM)" patent granted.
"Interconnectable Rigging System for Loudspeakers and Rigging Frames" patent granted.
Mipa award for best Large Format PA System given to MILO
EDDY Sound Product of the Year given to UPJ-1P
TEC award for Outstanding Technical Achievement, Sound Reinforcement Loudspeaker Technology given to MILO
Parnelli Award for Lifetime Achievement given to John Meyer - 2005:"U.S. Patent Issued for Meyer Sound MAPP Online Method" patent granted
- 2006:Mipa award for best Large Format PA System given to MICA
- 2007:Mipa award for best Large Format PA System given to M’elodie
AES presents Silver Medal to John Meyer - 2008:TEC award for Outstanding Technical Achievement, Sound Reinforcement Loudspeaker Technology given to UPJunior
USITT recognizes Pearson Theatre with an Architecture Merit award
East Bay Business Times declares Helen Meyer a Woman of Distinction - 2009:Mipa award for best PA System given to UPQ-1P
USITT presents John and Helen Meyer with Harold Burris-Meyer Distinguished Career in Sound Design Award
UPQ series wins Loudspeaker Product of the Year from Live Design
American Institute of Architects gives a citation award to the Pearson Theatre
SB-3F sound field synthesis loudspeaker is awarded System Contractor News' award for Most Innovative Loudspeaker for Commercial Installation
TEC award for Outstanding Technical Achievement, Sound Reinforcement Loudspeaker Technology given to UPQ
JM-1P and UP-4XP Win WFX New Product Awards
Products
Meyer Sound specializes in self-powered loudspeakers, digital audio systems, and audio analysis tools.Loudspeakers
- JM Series
- M Series
- Concert Series
- UltraSeries
- Studio Series
- Industrial Series
- EXP Series
- Digital Audio Systems
- LCS Series
These include the Matrix3 (to be replaced by the D-Mitri platform) and Constellation electroacoustic architecture.
Processor and Drive Systems
These include Galileo, Meyer Sound's loudspeaker management system, as well as line drivers and equalizers.
Audio Analysis Tools
These include MAPP Online Pro, SIM, and RMS.
Connectors
Meyer Sound's VEAM connector combines AC power, audio and RMS data into one environmentally sealed multipin connector.