Bose Panaray MSA12X Guide

Panaray® MSA12X
Modular Steerable Array Loudspeaker
Design Guide

2 - Design Guide
Table of Contents
Selecting Loudspeaker Models, Modules and Beam Patterns
Is the MSA12X the Right Choice for the Application?............................................................................................................ 4
Choosing Between 1, 2 or 3 Modules............................................................................................................................................. 5
Max SPL, Throw Distance and Low-Frequency................................................................................................................. 5
Array Location (Height).............................................................................................................................................................. 5
Dual Beam Mode............................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Reverberant Spaces...................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Choosing Beam Patterns.................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Basic Steer/Spread........................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Flat-Floor Optimized.................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Raked-Floor Optimized............................................................................................................................................................... 8
Dual Beam Mode............................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Modeler Properties and Operation
Modeler® Properties and Operation............................................................................................................................................... 9
Place Array ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Array Tab ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Beam Tab..........................................................................................................................................................................................12
User Interface for Beam Shaping
User Interface for Beam Shaping...................................................................................................................................................13
Basic Steer/Spread.......................................................................................................................................................................13
Flat-Floor Optimized...................................................................................................................................................................14
Raked-Floor Optimized..............................................................................................................................................................16
Dual Beam Mode...........................................................................................................................................................................17
Map Tab.............................................................................................................................................................................................18
Send to CSD....................................................................................................................................................................................18
Manage Multiple Beam Patterns.............................................................................................................................................19
Array Setup
Array Setup............................................................................................................................................................................................20
Wiring ...............................................................................................................................................................................................20
Mounting...........................................................................................................................................................................................21
CSD Properties and Operation
CSD Properties and Operation ......................................................................................................................................................22
MSA12X Device Block in Project View.................................................................................................................................22
MSA12X Control Panel................................................................................................................................................................23
Advanced Window......................................................................................................................................................................25
CSD Workflow...............................................................................................................................................................................26
Initial Configuration in Project View.....................................................................................................................................26
Associate ESP and MSA12X.....................................................................................................................................................29
Dante® Subscription....................................................................................................................................................................32
Adjust Input Settings..................................................................................................................................................................32
Send Beam Settings from Modeler ......................................................................................................................................33
Adjust Beam Gain and Beam EQ...........................................................................................................................................34
Beam Preset and Power On State.........................................................................................................................................35
Assign Beam Preset to Parameter Set................................................................................................................................38
Beam Shaping in CSD ............................................................................................................................................................... 40
Template Files ........................................................................................................................................................................................41

Design Guide - 3
Table of Contents
For the latest documentation and technical information, please visit pro.Bose.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions ..........................................................................................................................................................42
Appendix: How to Set Up IP Address
How To Set Up IP Address...............................................................................................................................................................45
With EX-1280C or 1U ESP with Dante® Card, No Router..............................................................................................45
With 1U ESP without Dante® Card, Analog Input to MSA12X, No Router.............................................................47
Without ESP/EX-1280C, Analog Input to MSA12X, No Router..................................................................................49

4 - Design Guide
Selecting Loudspeaker Models, Modules and Beam Patterns
Is the MSA12X the Right Choice for the Application?
When considering the Panaray® MSA12X modular steerable array loudspeaker vs. the passive Panaray®
MA12EX modular line array loudspeaker, the MSA12X would be a good choice in the following scenarios:
Rooms that need a columnar loudspeaker installed vertically and tight-to-the wall for improved
aesthetics, allowing the loudspeaker to visually blend into the room. Panaray MSA12X arrays do not need
mechanical aiming, or pitch. They can also be mounted high on the wall, using digital steering to focus
sound down to audience areas.
Dicult rooms with high reverberation times that need the radiation pattern control oered by digital
beam steering. MSA12X arrays allow more precise targeting of audience areas, so you can decide where
you want to place (and not place) the acoustic energy. This level of control leads to better direct-to-
reverberant sound ratios and speech intelligibility in dicult rooms.
Rooms that require two audience zones to be covered by a single-column array.
Rooms that need a columnar loudspeaker recessed into surfaces.
Rooms with structural or design constraints that require the loudspeaker to be installed in non-ideal
locations.
Rooms that do not have an amplifier rack and can benefit from using a powered loudspeaker.
Rooms that already use, or are planning to use Dante® digital audio and control over Ethernet-based
networks.

Design Guide - 5
Selecting Loudspeaker Models, Modules and Beam Patterns
Choosing Between 1, 2 or 3 Modules
When choosing the number of modules of an array, there are many elements to consider.
Max SPL, Throw Distance and Beam Control of Low-Frequency Content
The longer the array, the higher the maximum SPL and the longer the throw distance. Also, longer arrays can
vertically and digitally steer audio content down to a lower frequency, as indicated by Beam Control Limit.
The table below is a guide for these items:
Typical Usable
Throw Distance1
Max SPL2
Beam Control
LF Limit
Modules 10 m 20 m 30 m
110 m (33 ft) 97 dB 91 dB 88 dB 500 Hz
225 m (82 ft) 100 dB 96 dB 94 dB 250 Hz
335 m (115 ft) 101 dB 97 dB 95 dB 160 Hz
1 Typical Maximum Usable Throw Distance includes considerations for reverberation and speech intelligibility.
2
Max SPL calculated based on free-field (no boundary loading gain) sensitivity, exclusive of power compression, and without beam
steering, spreading or smoothing functions applied.
All calculations based on typical conditions with complex acoustic summation by Bose Modeler® software; many competitor specifications
based on less accurate, distance-loss approximations.
For applications that exceed the general guidelines listed above, use Bose Modeler® to predict SPL for a specific acoustic environment, or
contact your Bose Professional representative.
Conference rooms with lower ceilings and smaller steering angles may not have the same reverberation concerns and can mainly consider
Max SPL as a guiding factor for choosing between 1, 2 and 3 array modules.
Array Location (Height)
If you mount the array high on the wall and utilize a more significant steering angle closer to –20° and a wide
spreading angle to cover the front rows, a 2- or 3-module MSA12X configuration is highly recommended.
Dual Beam Mode
When using Dual Beam mode, it is recommended to use a 2- or 3-module MSA12X array for better pattern
control due to the longer array.
Reverberant Spaces
Generally, the primary use of columnar arrays are for speech reproduction. Also, most of these applications
tend to be highly reverberant spaces.
The rule for these venues is, as reverberation time increases, stack more modules.
RT60* for Medium
to Large Venues
1 module 1.5 sec
2 module 3.0 sec
3 module 5.0 sec
* These recommendations apply to “typical” medium sized venues with some rever-
beration concerns. In cases where your application exceeds the guidelines, design
tools such as Modeler software, should be used to determine system performance.

6 - Design Guide
Selecting Loudspeaker Models, Modules and Beam Patterns
Choosing Beam Patterns
There are three beam pattern options for the Panaray® MSA12X. You can choose the beam type depending on
the location of the array and shape of the coverage area.
Basic Steer/Spread
Basic Steer/Spread is the most basic beam pattern. First, steer the axis of the
beam vertically, then spread the beam from that axis. Steering and Spreading
are independent from each other. If spreading is applied, the beam is spread
symmetrically from the steer axis. When the Steer angle = 0 and the Spread
angle=0, the radiation pattern of the array is the same as that of a (passive) non-
steerable columnar array, such as the Panaray MA12EX loudspeaker. Steer/Spread
works for the vertical plane only; horizontal steering/spreading is not supported.
Vocal Range Smoothing Option
Basic Steer/Spread has an option called Vocal Range Smoothing. With this option enabled (ON), the tonal
balance inside of the coverage becomes more consistent, and the sidelobes from the beam are suppressed.
The beam shape also becomes smoother, specifically around the vocal range. The trade-o of using this
option is that you lose a few dB of headroom.
Angular Limits
1-module array
Steer: ± 20°
Spread: Up to 30° (± 15°)
−20°
15°
15°
2- or 3-module array
Steer: ± 20°
Spread: Up to 40° (± 20°)
−20°
20°
20°
30°
40°
Ear
Height
0.3-0.8 m
(1’-2.5’)
Max Recommended

Design Guide - 7
Selecting Loudspeaker Models, Modules and Beam Patterns
Vocal Range Smoothing Option
The Flat-Floor Optimized beam pattern also has an option called Vocal Range Smoothing. With this option
enabled, the tonal balance from front to back of the room becomes consistent around the vocal range, and
the sidelobes from the beam are suppressed. Again, the trade-o of this option is that you lose a few dB of
headroom. This feature is ON by default and recommended for this beam type.
Flat-Floor Optimized
As the name suggests, Flat-Floor Optimized is a beam pattern that is optimized
for flat floors. With this beam type, you can only steer the beam. Spreading is
not available in this pattern. This beam type achieves consistent coverage from
the front row to the back row of the room, specifically around the vocal range.
Keep in mind that this beam pattern works best when the array is mounted at a
certain height: The bottom plate of the array should be mounted 0.3 to 0.8 m (1
to 2.5 feet) above the ear height of the audience. If the array is mounted higher
than this, or the floor is raked, choose a dierent beam type.

8 - Design Guide
Selecting Loudspeaker Models, Modules and Beam Patterns
Raked-Floor Optimized
As the name suggests, Raked-Floor Optimized is a beam pattern that is
optimized for raked floors. The Raked-Floor Optimized beam type achieves a
vertically-asymmetrical beam radiation, which is suitable for covering a raked
floor, or covering a flat floor from a relatively high array position, such as when
the bottom plate of the array is more than 1 m (3.3 feet) above the ear height
of the audience.
This pattern does not oer the Vocal Range Smoothing option.
Dual Beam Mode
Up to two beams can be radiated from an MSA12X array built from 1, 2 or 3 modules, with any beam pattern
selected independently for each beam. You can also apply individual gain and Room EQ* for each beam.
Note: Dual Beam Mode is only available when using Dante® input.
Dual beams for the MSA12X is achieved by utilizing all the drivers of the array for both beams simultaneously.
By utilizing all the available drivers, better low-frequency directivity control for both beams can be achieved.
Other manufacturers may split their array into 2 smaller arrays (one on top of the other) to achieve dual
beams, but at the cost of performance.
* Supported Bose® ControlSpace processor with Dante card required to apply individual room EQ for each beam
Dual Beam Mode, using Basic Steer/Spread and Raked-Floor Optimized

Design Guide - 9
Modeler Properties and Operation
Modeler® Properties and Operation
Beam pattern design starts using Bose® Modeler software. In Modeler, you can look at the coverage both
on the horizontal plane and the vertical plane in real time, and adjust the beam shape to match the room.
You can also specify parameters for the Basic Steer/Spread beam type within ControlSpace® Designer™
software (CSD) directly, without needing Modeler. Refer to the “Setting Up MSA12X Basic Beam Steering and
Spreading” topic in the CSD help system for more information.
Note: Room modeling using Modeler software is not covered in this document. For room modeling, refer to
Modeler help materials.
Place Array
Select ‘Place MSA Array’ Tool.
Click the surface in the Plan view and place an array.

10 - Design Guide
Modeler Properties and Operation
Yaw the array if necessary. Select the blue arrow of the array aiming tool and move.
Click and select the array. Go to the Properties tab in the Detail View.
Change the array mounting position (height) in the Array Position frame. Center is the Z-coordinate of the
array center; Top is the MSA12X top plate; Bottom is MSA12X bottom plate.

Design Guide - 11
Modeler Properties and Operation
Array Tab
Basic properties of the array are set In the Array tab.
Array Position
Top/Center/Bottom: Set the Z-coordinate of the array. Center is for the array center; Top/Bottom are
for top/bottom plate of the array. Top/Bottom are linked to the Center. You can use the Top/Bottom
coordinate to specify the mounting height on site. Note that this is the Z-coordinate of the model, which
may not necessarily be the distance from floor (when the Z-coordinate of the floor is 0, they match).
Yaw: Set the yaw of the array.
Array Configuration
Modules: Specify the number of the modules in an array. Select from 1, 2 or 3.
Beams: Specify the number of the beams radiated from the array. Either Single beam or Dual beams.
Note: For the actual system, Dual beams are possible only using the Dante® input.
Array Name: You can name the array, such as ‘Main Left’. This name is used to manage the link between
Modeler and CSD later in the workflow.
Comments: This field can be used to describe the beam pattern (e.g. ‘Weekday, covering main floor only’,
‘Sunday, covering main floor + balcony’). The comments chosen in this field are indicated in CSD later in
the workflow. This can be useful when comparing multiple beam patterns for an array rather than looking
at parameter values (e.g. Steer -10°, Spread +10°).

12 - Design Guide
Modeler Properties and Operation
Beam Tab
In the Beam tab, you can specify the beam type and beam parameters.
Main/2nd: Selection for Main beam or Secondary beam. ‘2nd’ beam tab appears only when ‘Dual beam’ is
selected in the Array tab.
Main Gain/2nd Gain: Beam gain for main beam and second beam. ‘2nd Gain’ is grayed out when ‘Single
beam’ is selected in the Array tab.
Beam type selector: Select beam type from the drop-down box.
Beam parameters: Parameters to specify the beam shape.
Send to CSD: A button to export the computed beam coecients to CSD.

Design Guide - 13
User Interface for Beam Shaping
User Interface for Beam Shaping
Basic Steer/Spread
Select Steer/Spread from the beam type drop-down selector. With this beam type, the beam axis can be
steered vertically, and the beam can be spread symmetrically from that axis. You can adjust the beam shape
with one of the following:
A: Enter Steering/Spreading angle values in the cell (Positive steering angle aims the beam upward).
B: Select and move the edges of Top (Rear) throw line and Bottom (Front) throw line on the Vertical
Coverage Map.
C: Enter the distance and angle values of the above throw lines in the cell.
A, B and C are linked and are automatically updated when the beam shape is changed.
When you move the edges on the Vertical map, select the Top (Rear) throw line edge and move to the target
point of far throw. Remember to take the ear height of the far-end listener into account. Repeat the same for
the Bottom (Front) throw.
Note: A sum of Top/Rear Angle and Bottom/Front Angle may not necessarily be the same as the Spreading
angle. This is because Modeler is adjusting the Steer/Spread angle to eectively cover the far throw target
point.
Each Beam type has its own limitation for the Beam Parameters. For example, you cannot spread the beam
too wide with Basic Steer/Spread. When you drag the edge, observe the color of the circle of the line edge; if
it is green, the edge is within the limitation. When it turns red, it is outside the limitation and the edge snaps
back to the original position.

14 - Design Guide
User Interface for Beam Shaping
Flat-Floor Optimized
Select Flat Floor from the beam type drop-down selector. This beam type is optimized for a flat-floor seating
arrangement. With this beam pattern, you can only steer the beam vertically, without any spreading. This
beam type can deliver consistent coverage from front to back specifically around the vocal range when the
array location (height) is appropriate, but if the array is located too high, you may not be able to achieve the
coverage you expect. Make sure the Bottom plate of the array is located 0.3 to 0.8 m (1 to 2.5 feet) above the
ear height of the audience.
Vocal Range Smoothing Option: Select either ON or OFF. With this option ON, the tonal balance inside the
coverage becomes more consistent and the sidelobes from the beam are suppressed and the beam shape
becomes smoother, specifically around voice range. The trade-o of this option is that you lose a few dB of
headroom. By default, Vocal Range Smoothing is OFF with Basic Steer/Spread.
Within the limitation (green) Outside of the limitation (red)

Design Guide - 15
User Interface for Beam Shaping
1-module array
Steer: ± 20°
Spread: Up to 30° (± 15°)
−20°
15°
15°
2- or 3-module array
Steer: ± 20°
Spread: Up to 40° (± 20°)
−20°
20°
20°
30°
40°
Ear
Height
0.3-0.8 m
(1’-2.5’)
Max Recommended
The beam shape can be adjusted with one of the following:
A: Enter Steering angle value in the cell (Positive steering angle aims the beam upward).
B: Select and move the edges of Top (Rear) throw line and Bottom (Front) throw line on the Vertical
Coverage Map.
C: Enter the distance and angle values of the above throw lines in the cell.
A, B and C are linked and are automatically updated when the beam shape is changed.
When you move the edges on the Vertical map, select the Top (Rear) throw line edge and move to the target
point of far throw. Remember to take the ear height of the far-end listener into account. You can move the
Bottom (Front) throw line edge but it does not aect the beam shape.
Note: The Top/Rear Angle and Steering Angle may not necessarily be the same. This is because Modeler is
adjusting the Steer angle to eectively cover the far throw target point.
Each Beam type has its own limitation for the Beam Parameters. When you drag the edge, observe the color
of the circle of the line edge; if it is green, the edge is within the limitation. When it turns red, it is outside the
limitation and the edge snaps back to the original position.
Vocal Range Smoothing Option: Select either ON or OFF. With this option ON, the tonal balance inside the
coverage becomes more consistent, and the sidelobes from the beam are suppressed and the beam shape
becomes smoother, specifically around voice range. The trade-o of this option is that you lose a few dB of
headroom. By default, Vocal Range Smoothing is ON with Flat-Floor Optimized.

16 - Design Guide
User Interface for Beam Shaping
Raked-Floor Optimized
Select Raked Floor from the beam type selection. This beam type achieves a vertically asymmetrical beam
radiation, which is suitable for covering a raked floor, or covering a flat floor from a relatively high array
position.
The beam shape can be adjusted with one of the following:
A: Select and move the edges of Top (Rear) throw line and Bottom (Front) throw line on the Vertical
Coverage Map.
B: Enter the distance and angle values of the above throw lines in the cell.
A and B are linked and are automatically updated when the beam shape is changed.
Each Beam type has its own limitation for the Beam Parameters. For example, you cannot spread the beam
too much with Raked-Floor Optimized. When you drag the edge, observe the color of the circle of the line
edge; if it is green, the edge is within limitation. When it turns red, it is outside the limitation and the edge
snaps back to the original position.
Within the limitation (green) Outside of the limitation (red)

Design Guide - 17
User Interface for Beam Shaping
Dual Beam Mode
Dual Beam mode radiates two beams from a MSA12X array. When you have selected Dual in the Array tab
(see page 11), a 2nd tab appears for the secondary beam. You can choose any of the three beam types for
each beam (Main beam and Secondary beam) independently. You can also apply beam gains for each beam
to balance the level at the seating area.
By selecting the ‘Main’ and ‘2nd’ tab, the beam type selection and corresponding parameters displayed are
switched.
Note: Dual beam is only possible by using the Dante® input with the actual system (Modeler does not have
property to set the input type). When saving Modeler steering in CSD with Dual Beams, ensure Dante input is
selected before saving.

18 - Design Guide
User Interface for Beam Shaping
Map Tab
The Map tab is used for changing the properties for SPL mapping.
Solo: Mutes/Unmutes the array and loudspeakers in the model.
Vertical Map: Activate/Deactivate the Vertical Map.
Room: Activate/Deactivate the SPL map for the room surfaces specified in the Simulation tab.
Translucent: Activate/Deactivate the Translucent option for the SPL map.
Send to CSD
When you finish the beam shape design in Modeler, and save the file, the next step is to transfer the data that
Modeler computes based on your setting into ControlSpace Designer software (CSD).
Launch CSD. Return to Modeler and select the Beam tab again. Then, click the ‘Send to CSD’ button on the far
right.
Note: CSD must be open and running on the same machine as Modeler for the data transfer to work. Ensure
you have CSD 5.0 or later.

Design Guide - 19
User Interface for Beam Shaping
Manage Multiple Beam Patterns
If you have a select Bose® ControlSpace® processor in your system (see table below), you can set multiple
beam patterns in an array and set up end user recall of these settings.
Below is the process to keep each beam pattern in a Modeler .mdr file:
1. Name the Array Name (e.g. ‘Main Left’) in the Array tab.
2. Design the beam shape (pattern A) and add short description of the beam in the ‘Comments’ field (e.g.
“Weekday, covering main floor only”).
3. Save the .mdr file with an appropriate name (e.g. ‘Weekday.mdr’).
4. Duplicate the .mdr file and rename (e.g. ‘Sunday.mdr’).
5. Design the beam shape (pattern B) for the same array and change the short description in the ‘Comments’
field (e.g. “Sunday, covering main floor and balcony).
Note: At this point, the Array Name and number of modules of the array should be the same as before.
6. Save the .mdr file.
Later in the workflow, we link the array in Modeler and the actual array through ControlSpace® Designer™
software, and as long as the array name and number of modules are the same, we can maintain that link for
dierent beam patterns stored in multiple .mdr files.
Supported ControlSpace Processor Models
ESP-880
ESP-1240
ESP-4120
ESP-1600
EX-1280C

20 - Design Guide
Array Setup
Array Setup
Wiring
When you mount a MSA12X, you can choose the orientation: Control from Bottom or Control from Top.
Once you mount the array, you have to specify the orientation in ControlSpace® Designer™software (CSD),
otherwise the beam could point toward the ceiling!
RJ-45
(Ethernet)
RJ-50
(Expansion)
RJ-50
(Expansion)
Control
(Ethernet)
Power
RJ-45
(Ethernet)
RJ-50
(Expansion)
RJ-50
(Expansion)
Control
(Ethernet)
Power
Contr
ol from Bottom Control from Top
(Default Orientation)