We’ve released a new course!

Course 310 – Sound System Design – Direct Field

“System Design Begins With the Direct Field”

The system design objective is to provide adequate coverage and level to all listeners. Coverage is not intuitive. It requires consideration of directivity, level, and distance, along with the complex interactions between multiple loudspeakers. Some knowledge tools are needed to perform basic calculations and to effectively use direct field mapping software. I’ll show you how to get the quick answers needed to ponder the design, and how to refine those with the accuracy needed to write the specification.

This course focuses on loudspeaker source types, their specifications, and establishing even coverage. Pat Brown presents important aspects of all three and blends them together to produce a “logical and intuitive sound system design process.”

How does this course differ from Course 300 – Sound Reinforcement for Designers?

Sound Reinforcement for Designers emerged from our in-person training seminars. Much more depth is possible with an on-line course. Course 310 goes into detail on point sources, line sources, and direct field design objectives and philosophy. By creating a course specifically for the direct field, we can take these topics to a deeper level.

We have done the same for the all new Course 320 – Sound System Design – Room Acoustics.

What you’ll get:

Access to 33 instructional videos for 45 days
Video transcriptions
IntelliKwik^TM Windows calculator
Quiz after each lesson to test you knowledge.
Certificate of Completion
1-year SynAudCon Membership which includes access to exclusive, members-only forum.
18 Renewal Units | 9 Cedia CEUs

Test your skill level with this self-evaluation quiz.

Still not sure? Click here to learn more!

Only $299! Buy Now

Course Description

Description

Inspired by our in-person Sound System Design seminar, Pat created this online course that takes it even further.

To effectively deploy loudspeakers, you need to understand them. This includes the point source, line source, various line array types, and point source arrays – all powerful tools on the designer’s pallet. This requires an understanding of loudspeaker specifications, including sensitivity, directivity, beamwidth, power handling, and 3D balloon data. Learn how to let the audience planes and ceiling height determine which is optimal for your design. With an understanding of these concepts, the coverage and level can be determined at the drawing board using computer mapping software.

Sound System Design – Direct Field is built upon the idea that YOU, not a computer program, are the designer. We demonstrate how to use the software tools to train your intuition and to try your ideas, without replacing the logical thought process. You can have confidence at the drawing board that your systems, once installed, will work.

✅ Learn about the strengths and weaknesses of each loudspeaker source type.
✅ Learn the pros and cons of various loudspeaker placements.
✅ Perform accurate sound level calculations at the drawing board.
✅ Understand the important specifications for loudspeakers.
✅ Train your intuition to spot accurate loudspeaker specifications, not marketing-driven hype.

View or download a detailed course outline.

Course Materials for you to keep include the video text, main points, reference manual and our IntelliKwik Windows calculator. These are great resources for reviewing what you have learned.

The course is for experienced audio practitioners. We recommend a skill level consistent with graduates of our Course 50, and Course 100.

Check out an example video in the next tab.

Watch an Example Video

Instructor

Pat Brown is a 1978 graduate of the University of Louisville with a degree in electrical engineering technology. With a background as a musician, sound technician, retail music store owner, contractor, and consultant, he is familiar with the many aspects of audio. He served as an associate instructor to audio legend and SynAudCon founder, Don Davis. Pat along with his wife Brenda own and operate SynAudCon and have been providing training for the audio industry since 1996. Pat, the main instructor for SynAudCon, has the unique gift of being able to share his knowledge of complex technical topics in an easy-to-understand real world way through multi-media demonstrations. SynAudCon is recognized as an industry leader in audio education.

SynAudCon offers both in-person and online audio training. There are regularly scheduled in-person seminars and special one-time events on audio-related topics. With the release of the online training in 2010, SynAudCon training is now more accessible worldwide.

Pat writes articles for several publications. He authored three chapters for Glen Ballou’s Handbook for Sound Engineers and is co-author of Sound System Engineering 4th Edition. He considers SynAudCon online audio training courses as his most complete book, being able to explain the concepts and principles with animations and demonstrations.

He was chosen as NSCA Educator of the Year in 2005 and NSCA Mover and Shaker Award in 2011. He received Great Britain’s Peter Barnett Award in 2012.

SynAudCon has given private seminars to many companies and organizations, including the Kennedy Space Center, Disney World, Sea World, IMAX, Purdue University, the US military, Siemens and many audio manufacturers. He has conducted seminars in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, China, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, South America, Australia and Canada.

Pat and Brenda Brown founded a second business in 2005 Pro Sound Testing, Inc. Pro Sound Testing measures loudspeakers to produce data files for use in room acoustics modeling programs. Pro Sound Testing was the first company of its kind in the USA. The experience of developing a measurement facility and measuring hundreds of loudspeakers from dozens of manufacturers has allowed him to develop some methodologies and specifications that have influenced a number of industry standards.

Get to know Pat better in this 10 minute interview.

https://www.soundandcommunications.com/synaudcons-pat-brown-talks-online-learning/

FAQ’s

FAQ

How long will it take me to compete this course?

I hate to use the words “it depends” but is really does. It depends on your level of experience.

Here is a brief layout of the course.

Sound System Design Direct – Direct Field consists of 6 lessons. After each lesson, you may take a quiz. Each quiz has 15 questions. The questions required that you have a good understanding of the principles that are taught.

After completing the lessons and quizzes, you may take a final exam. The final exam is about 30 questions. With a passing score, you will receive a certificate of completion and CEU’s.

You will have 3 opportunities to pass the final exam. We consider 80% as the passing score.

What if I got into the first couple of lessons and realized I should have taken a more basic course?

No worries. The upper levels courses assumed you that you understand the principles presented in the lower level courses. If you need a more basic course, contact Brenda within 2 days of your key activation and she will exchange it.

We would like to urge you to take the self-evaluation quizzes. The quizzes will help you make a more informed decision.

We are developing an educational path for our employees. How does SynAudCon fit into this?

You will love this feature. SynAudCon online training is part of a Learning Management System which allows for tracking. Education supervisors may check the employee’s progress, quiz and final exam scores.

Is there a time limit on watching the online training?

You will have 45 days to complete the course. The 45-day clock begins on the day that the course key is activated. If you need more time, no problem. Brenda will gladly extend it for you.

We want you to get the most of this learning opportunity. We would rather extend it than for you to rush through the course.

What course materials can I keep after the course?

Text to the training videos

Main Points

Reference Manual

IntelliKwik Windows calculator

Will I receive a certificate?

Of course. After passing the final exam, a certificate of completion will be emailed to you within one business day. The certificate will include the information that you will need for the Continuing Education Units.

How do I ask questions about the this training?

We have created a support forum for our online training. You may post your questions there.

If you are little uncomfortable with this approach, please email us directly. We will make every effort to answer questions within 24 hours.

Tell me about the purchasing process.

The online cart will request the credit card information. Add the name on the credit card, (not the person taking the training.) An automated email will be sent to the email address used in the purchasing process. If you do not get the confirmation, check your SPAM filter. The message will be coming from bbrown at prosoundtraining.com

The email will include:

✅ Credit card receipt

✅ Activation key to the training

✅ Directions to activate the key.

Forward the activation key with the directions to the person taking the training. The directions are quite easy but the learner can always call 812-923-0174 if help is needed.

May I share the video content I buy with others?

Purchased online training content is intended only for the learner who will be taking the course. Sharing SynAudCon online training is a violation of the terms and conditions of this site. All actions are logged and monitored, and this policy will be strictly enforced.

We appreciate your cooperation in this as it allows us to actively develop new material and keep the price low for everyone.

Testimonials

With respect to their privacy, we will only list their initials.

I enjoyed this course. The lessons were well laid out and videos clearly explained the concepts. B.S.

Very good, the improvement is notorious. Thank you!

I think inside the phased arrays it would have been very good to see the planar arrays (Holoplot technology, EDC)

I have to recognize I haven’t heard about Bessel arrays, I would check in depth that concept and deployment. C.N.

I really appreciate the practical approach with just the facts. Too much opinion and fluff in most audio training. Many in the business have affiliations with brands. J.L.

Very comprehensive and cool ! P. Brown is very pedagogical. G.T.

I think the training was excellent! I learned a great deal and definitely filled in some knowledge gaps. The IntelliKwik application and the examples on how to use it for real world design alone are worth the price of admission!

I took my first in person SynAudCon courses in 2007 and have always considered SynAudCon to be the best audio training available anywhere. Hope to continue to take courses as time allows so that I can provide the best outcomes on customer projects.D.C.

There is a lot to system design. If you would like to review this course later, contact me and I will reactivate it for you. Many times as you start using these principles, other principles will become clearer. Kudos to you for your motivation and willingness to learn. M.S.

Approximation formulas for speaker coverage based on the rated coverage angle would be helpful to make a first estimation before simulation instead of just try and error. Otherwise great course, thank you! M.S.

I appreciate the breaking down of this class into two. More detail. J.B.

Clear and orderly exposition of the lessons. Perhaps the only thing I can think of to suggest would be an improvement in the formatting of the text in the pdfs, which are more reminiscent of a printscreen than a book text. A.L. Thank you for your suggestion. Your request was done. Brenda Brown

It was a great opportunity to get an overall understanding of the speakers. This course has given me the theoretical knowledge to design a more verifiable audio system. Now that I have a compass to navigate the Audio World, I’m glad to have this as a foundation to point me in the right direction. I can’t wait for the next course “Far field”. S.L.

You guys are THE best sound training in the business, everyone knows you guys! I work at AVI-SPL, we are all well acquainted : ) B.B.

This course has given me the theoretical knowledge to design a more verifiable audio system. Now that I have a compass to navigate the Audio World, I’m glad to have this as a foundation to point me in the right direction. I can’t wait for the next course “Far field”. S.L.

This course made me realize that I have more to learn about loudspeakers & designing a sound system. M.S.

Feedback from Course 310 – Sound System Design – Direct Field

Did this course meet your expectations?

94.12%

Yes

How would you rate this training compared to other audio training?

82.35%

Above Average

Was the course worth the price?

88.24%

Yes

How would you rate the course difficulty level?

94.12%

About Right

How would you rate the training on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the best?

50% gave us a 4
50% gave us a 5

I believe that I will retain ____ of the information that was presented.

<10% = 0
10-30% = 0
30-50% = 11.76%
50-75% = 58.82%
>75% = 23.53%

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