Installation Manual For ZSound Ensemble Acoustical Tuning System

Transcription

1 Installation Manual For ZSound Ensemble Acoustical Tuning System Distributed by Media Specialty Resources, Inc. 61 A Galli Drive Novato CA 94949, USA Toll Free: Fax: info@msr-inc.com

2 Introduction Every studio is affected by room acoustics. Allow the articulation, tonal balance, and clarity of your monitors to be heard. Don t chance missing important elements within the mix. The ZSound Ensemble kit is a high quality, easy-to-install acoustical tuning solution for studios. Based on scientifically-designed building blocks including Absorbers, Diffusers, Corner Traps, and Ceiling Panels, ZSound Ensemble is calculated to provide optimum absorption and diffusion and is a full-frequency component solution. ZSound Ensemble modules can be installed in minutes by observing the following simple instructions. 2

3 Modules AMI Absorber Construction: A 24 x 24 x 4 (60cm x 60cm x 10cm) module consisting of a mineral wool core clad in a fiberglass lining, wrapped in fabric, and embedded in a wood substructure with high frequency filtering. Benefits: Provides absorption down to 250Hz with tapered high frequency control C-Fuser Construction: A 24 x 24 x 6 (60cm x 60cm x 15cm) 2D diffuser module made of solid wood with a Helmholtz resonator center. Benefits: Provides horizontal scattering down to 800Hz combined with low frequency absorption SWET-S 3D High Frequency Diffusers Module: Construction: A 24 x 24 x 4 (60cm x 60cm x 10cm) 3D diffuser module made of solid wood open equilateral triangle cells. Benefits: Provides hemispherical scattering down to 800Hz combined with low frequency absorption. SWETP-S 3D High Frequency Diffusers with Absorption: Construction: A 24 x 24 x 4 (60cm x 60cm x 10cm) 3D diffuser module made of solid wood damped equilateral triangle cells. Benefits: Provides hemispherical scattering down to 800Hz combined with mid-frequency absorption ACBT Corner Traps Construction: A 24 x 36 x 12 (60cm x 90cm x 33cm) corner module consisting of a mineral wool core in a solid wood enclosure clad in a poly board fascia Benefits: Provides bass absorption down to 60Hz by means of frictional and tympanic effects Ceiling Panel Construction: A 24 x 48 x 1 (60cm x 120cm x 2.5cm) flat panel consisting of a mineral wool core clad in a fiberglass lining wrapped in fabric, with hanging hoops Benefits: Provides absorption down to 300Hz 3

4 Tools and Materials Required Screwdriver (Philips or standard depending on the type of fastener) Hammer 25 Foot Measuring Tape Pencil Masking Tape Bubble or Laser Level Mirror Screws or other appropriate fasteners for your wall surface (E-Z Anchor works well for sheetrock) Eye Hooks Panel Placement Ensemble systems are suitable for a wide variety of room sizes. The bigger the room, the larger the number of treatment panels. The following diagrams show sample room layouts for four ranges of room sizes. For best results, you will need to find the first reflection points between the speakers and the listening position. (See instructions later in this manual.) Room Size (ft 2 ) (m 2 ) Kit Number of Modules System System System System 50!!!Special Note on Monitor Speaker Placement!!! In fig 1, the monitor speakers are on stands in front of the mixing desk. This configuration is superior to near field for recreating the listening environment typically found in a home. Listeners at home never sit in the near field; 99% of the time, the speakers are at least 8 to 12 feet (3 to 4m) away. For best translation to your audience s ultimate experience, try your best to emulate a home environment with your monitor placement. 4

5 ft2 (10-20 m2) Room Using ZSound Ensemble 150 System Fig 1 ZSound Ensemble AMI Absorbers 4 C-fusers 6 SWETP-S Diffusers 4 SWET-S Diffusers 2 ACBT Corner Traps 2 Ceiling Panels 5

6 ft2 (20-30 m2) Room Using ZSound Ensemble 250 System Fig 2 ZSound Ensemble AMI Absorbers 4 C-fusers 8 SWETP-S Diffusers 4 SWET-S Diffusers 2 ACBT Corner Traps 3 Ceiling Panels 6

7 ft2 (30-40 m2) Room Using ZSound Ensemble 350 System Fig 3 ZSound Ensemble AMI Absorbers 6 C-fusers 8 SWETP-S Diffusers 6 SWET-S Diffusers 4 ACBT Corner Traps 3 Ceiling Panels 7

8 ft2 (40-50 m2) Room Using ZSound Ensemble 450 System Fig 4 ZSound Ensemble AMI Absorbers 8 C-fusers 8 SWETP-S Diffusers 8 SWET-S Diffusers 4 ACBT Corner Traps 4 Ceiling Panels 8

9 Placement Guidelines: First Reflection Points The module layout shown in figures 1 through 4 gives you great control over the acoustical reflections in your room. For further enhancement, ensure that you have placed absorbers or diffusers at all the first reflection points on the side walls. You can find these by simply using a mirror as shown in fig 5. Sit at the mix position and have someone walk up and down the left wall holding the mirror flat against it. Mark an X at the point where you can see the left monitor in the mirror. Later on, you will be covering these X s with absorbers or diffusers. Repeat for the right wall and back wall. Place absorbers at the 1 st reflection points in the middle of the back wall. You should be able to see both monitors at these first reflection points on the back wall. C-Fuser Diffuser Module Place C-fuser modules a few inches behind the absorbers on the side walls as shown in figs 1 through 4. Note that the C-Fuser modules should be oriented so that the cylinder is vertical with the bass absorber vents at the top and bottom. Feel free to experiment with the C-Fuser placements by listening to the quality of the soundstage and tonal response. The mounting brackets are interchangeable with the other modules, so it s easy to move these around after you have fastened the brackets to the walls. You can see the speaker in the mirror. Fig 5 First Reflection Point 9

10 SWET-S and SWETP-S 3D Diffuser Module Place 3D Diffuser Modules towards the rear portions of the room on the side walls and the back wall as shown in fig 1 through 4. Also place 3D diffusers on the ceiling at locations behind the main listening position. Feel free to experiment with the SWET-S and SWETP-S placements by listening to the quality of the soundstage and tonal response. The mounting brackets are interchangeable with all the other modules, so it s easy to move these around after you have fastened the brackets to the walls. ACBT Corner Trap The ACBT Corner Trap is a mid to low frequency absorption device with an effective bandwidth down to 60Hz. These Traps should be placed in the front corners of the room (angled between the front/side walls) near the floor. If the corners aren't available, place ACBT Corner Traps along the front wall/ceiling junction. Ceiling Panel The floating Ceiling Panel is our solution to unwanted reflections from the ceiling. Research has shown that ceiling reflections are detrimental to good sound reproduction. We recommend hanging Ceiling Panels at the first reflection points for the front speakers as shown in Fig 6. First Reflection Point Eye Hooks go at the corners. Fig 6 Ceiling First Reflection 10

11 Optional Special Products SpringTrap A spring-loaded bass trap, the SpringTrap is our solution to very low frequency room resonance buildup in the range of 40 to 100Hz. This unique patented design, which received the Mix Magazine Certified Hit award, was presented as a research paper at AES in Amsterdam It consists of a triple-ported resonator system, activated by a large spring-loaded pistonic diaphragm. The SpringTrap should be placed in an inconspicuous area in front of the mix position or in a corner on the floor. Experiment with the placement of the SpringTrap. Since it is a triangular device, you should have no trouble finding areas to place it. Play bass-heavy program material and listen to the bass sound pressure at all the corners of the room. The louder the sound pressure, the stronger the standing wave resonance at that location, and the more effective the SpringTrap will be. The SpringTrap is not included in the ZSound Ensemble system. It is available as optional amendment. 11

12 Module Installation Now that you ve located the recommended placement for each module, you can move on to the actual installation. Absorbers and diffuser modules are hung from the walls using the supplied mounting bracket. There are two per module. Please contact MSR immediately if any of the cleats are missing. See the instruction below for the individual modules. Section View ZSound Module (see below for various types Mounting bracket at backside of module ZSound Module (see below for various types Support bracket mounted to wall Fastening screw Ceiling Panel Installation details Install mounting bracket of module onto ceiling using drywall anchor and appropriate screw. Slide module onto both of the mounting bracket channels so it is secure on the ceiling. ZSound Module Samples (Installation diagram above applies to all modules below) ZSound Module (see left for various types Toe-screw through edge of module and into ceiling along an edge that is least visible in the studio (front wall). This will ensure panel never slides out of mounting brackets. Preparing the mounting bracket locations The mounting brackets will typically be at the same heights throughout the room. We recommend using a laser level to mark the heights of all the top and bottom brackets so as to ensure a level installation. Note that some ceilings and floors are not flat and you may need to compensate for the differences. 12

13 Absorbers Position the Absorbers based on the diagrams and instructions from the preceding pages. Mark the first reflection points as described earlier. Determine the exact location on the wall for each Absorber. They are usually placed in vertical pairs. The top edge of the top module should be 72 inches (183cm) from the floor. The bottom edge of the bottom panel should be about 24 inches (60cm) from the floor. The middle of the panel pair should line up with the first reflection point as marked on the wall. Attach one or two mounting brackets to the wall per Absorber using screws into studs, wallboard anchors and screws, or other appropriate fasteners. The thin flange of the mounting bracket should point toward the ceiling. The lower edge of the top bracket is 3 1/8 inches (8cm) down from the top of the module. The lower edge of the bottom bracket is 19 5/8 inches (50cm) down from the top of the module. Lift the Absorber up and over the mounting brackets and drop it into the brackets, applying gentle downward pressure until the module is caught securely. Note that the Absorber will travel down about ½ inch (1cm) from where it started. Use a bubble or laser level to make sure the Absorber hangs straight. Diffuser Modules Position the Diffuser Modules based on the diagrams and instructions from the preceding pages. Determine the exact location on the wall for each Diffuser Module. They are usually placed in vertical pairs. The top edge of the top module should be 72 inches (183cm) from the floor. The bottom edge of the bottom panel should be about 24 inches (60cm) from the floor. The middle of the panel pair should line up with the first reflection point as marked on the wall. Attach one or two mounting brackets to the wall per Diffuser Module using screws into studs, wallboard inserts and screws, or other appropriate fasteners. The thin flange of the mounting bracket should point toward the ceiling. The lower edge of the top bracket is 3 1/8 inches (8cm) down from the top of the module. The lower edge of the bottom bracket is 19 5/8 inches (50cm) down from the top of the module. Lift the Diffuser Module up and over the mounting brackets and drop it into the brackets, applying gentle downward pressure until the module is caught securely. Note that the Diffuser Module will travel down about ½ inch (1cm) 13

14 from where it started. Use a bubble or laser level to make sure the Diffuser Module hangs straight. ACBT Corner Traps The ACBT comes with a mounting plate. Fasten the plate to the corner with appropriate screws as show in the diagram below. Position the ACBTs based on the diagrams and instructions from the preceding pages. Locate the mounting plate so that the ACBT that hangs from it is 1 inch (2cm) up from the floor. Attach the plate to the wall using screws into studs, wallboard inserts and screws, or other appropriate fasteners into the wall surfaces on both sides of the plate. Lift the ACBT up and over the mounting plate and drop it into the plate, applying gentle downward pressure until the module is caught securely. Note that the ACBT will travel down about ½ inch (1cm) from where it started. Use a bubble or laser level to make sure the ACBT hangs straight. Ceiling Panels The Ceiling Panels are hung using Eye Hooks. You will need to supply a total of 4 Eye Hooks per panel (not included with the ZSound Ensemble kit). Position the Ceiling Panels based on the diagrams and instructions from the preceding pages. Mark the first reflection points as described earlier. Determine the exact location on the ceiling for each Ceiling Panel. The center of each panel should line up with one of the first reflection points as marked on the ceiling. Standard eye hook secures into ceiling assembly. If wood backing is not available, utilize sheetrock anchor system prior to installing eye hooks Cable loop on back side of cloud panels hang off eye hooks Screw 4 open Eye Hooks into the ceiling in a rectangular pattern 36 inches by 12 inches (90 x 30 cm), 6 inches (15cm) inside each edge of the Ceiling Panel. Make sure that you secure the Eye Hooks in joists or use wallboard anchors. 14

15 After all 4 Eye Hooks are installed; simply lift the wire loops (pre-installed in the Ceiling Panel) over the hooks. The Ceiling Panel will float a few inches (cm) below the ceiling. Care Instructions The fabric surfaces may be cleaned with mild, water-free solvents or waterbased cleaning agents or foam. The wood surfaces may be cleaned with a lightly dampened cloth, or will oil soap. Spares If any mounting hardware, panel parts, or extra printed material are needed, please call MSR. Shipping Weight & Dimensions Domestic (U.S.A) Item Units Weight (lbs) Box Dimensions (in) Per Box Per Box L W H AMI SWETP-S SWET-S C-Fuser ACBT Clouds International Item Units Weight (Kg) Box Dimensions (cm) Per Box Per Box L W H AMI SWETP-S SWET-S C-Fuser ACBT Clouds Warranty All ZSound Ensemble modules are warranteed to be free of manufacturing defects for a period of 12 months from the date of purchase. 15

16 Media Specialty Resources, Inc. 61 A Galli Drive Novato CA 94949, USA Toll Free: Fax: info@msr-inc.com ZSound is a trademark of ZS International SpringTrap is a trademark of MSR Inc. Copyright 2011 ZSound Ensemble is a quality product from Media Specialty Resources, Inc ZSound Ensemble Instruction Manual v2_8.5x11. Issue date June 1,