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SPLAY ANGLES
The WLA can be configured with several different splay angles. The splay angles determine the amount of overlap
between the individual units. This is used to determine the amount of summation or 'throw' for separate sections of
the array. As the splay angle between boxes increases the summation decreases but the spectral variance due to
interactions between the elements is also decreased.
For many venues a good compromise between throw and spectral variance can be reached by varying the splay angle
across the length of the array. By varying the angular separation along the length of the array, a balance can be met for
the required coverage. Smaller splay angles provide higher summation to cover more distant seating and bleachers.
Larger splay angles provide lower summation with reduced spectral variance for close seating. Used correctly this can
provide even coverage over long distances.
Each group of loudspeakers with different splay angle will require a separate channel of amplification and different EQ
settings. This is due to the different summation effects by differing splay angles.
LEVEL TAPERING
Tapering the level of enclosures has a beam steering effect which can be used in the conjunction with angular separation
between elements. The beam will be steered away from the 'on-axis' centre line of array toward the cabs being driven
at the highest level. The extent of the beam steering effect depends on the length of the array and the level difference
between the top and the bottom of the array. This technique allows you to further tailor the vertical coverage to differently
shaped venues, reducing the level variance between the front and rear of the venue.
Ideally the level of each enclosure is tapered gradually (e.g. 0.5dB or 1dB per element). This means you will require an
amplifier channel per element. Groups of elements can be tapered in pairs or more, although a more gradual taper will
give you smoother vertical pattern control.
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