Line Array VS Virtual Array Systems

To Line Array or not? That is a question you should ask your AV vendor when evaluating the best audio solutions for your next event. Today, audio engineers have many tools to solve problems. There are two major forms of sound design to help solve these problems, Line and Virtual Arrays:

• Line Array: Many people might think Line Array systems are a recent development. You can actually trace them to the design of the column speaker that’s been used since the late 1950’s. Put simply, a Line Array has multiple speakers stacked closely in a vertical column. This produces a wide horizontal and narrow vertical sound wave. The intent is to distribute and direct sound to the audience in a controlled pattern, keeping unwanted energy reflection to a minimum.
   
• Virtual Array: This sound theory became relevant in the mid-1980’s as a development of concert sound practice of the time. It’s design seeks to combine all the elements of a sound wave to produce sound that appears to come from a single point in space, which comes from the surface of a sphere. When that surface resonates it sends sound waves equally in all directions. Through careful manipulation of cabinet design, multiple cabinets are arrayed to produce a unified wave that represents a portion of that sphere.
   

These two different designs both provide a uniform sound wave to the audience with as little unwanted reflection in the room as possible.

In today’s industrial audio world, knowing which set-up to use is the key to a successful audio display. If your room is wide and deep with a low ceiling, Virtual Array elements used in a distributed system may be your best solution.

However, if your room is wide and deep with a high ceiling, the application of a Line Array system may give you the best bang for your buck.

In small to mid-sized rooms Line Array speakers and ground supporting may work, but it might not be the most efficient and cost effective answer. Using Virtual cabinets can give you a more flexible installation.

Everyone likes to use the newest and most advanced AV equipment. Remember, one tool does not fix all your problems. Technologies may or may not be more relevant to a particular problem regardless of age. Give your clients the best results by knowing the strengths and weaknesses of different sound systems and applying them correctly to different types of rooms.
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Craig Vlasic | Technical Director/Audio

Joining WAV in 1982, Craig was the first full-time employee. In 30+ years, Craig has engineered over 700 meetings with audiences ranging from 20 to 35,000 people. While current in the latest audio techniques and theories, he brings knowledge in fundamental audio logic to every production from corporate talking heads to rock-n-roll bands.