Martin Audio Wavefront Precision Series User manual

User Guide
WPS
Optimised Line Array

Copyright © 2019 Martin Audio Ltd. 2
WPS USER GUIDE V1.0
WPS USER GUIDE
Contents
Introduction
About this Manual 4
Important Safety Instructions 5
Caution 5
Unpacking the Units 5
System Overview
WPS 6
Mechanical Design 6
Acoustic Design 6
Accessories
Amplification and DSP 7
Low Frequency Extension
SXC118 and SXCF118 8
Rigging and Transportation
WPSGRIDt – Touring Flying Frame 9
WPSGRIDi – Install Flying Frame 9
WPSOUTRIG 9
WPSCART 9
DISPLAY
Overview 10
VU-NET 2.2
Overview 14
WPS Rigging
Overview 18
WPS Connections 19
WPSCART – Transport Cart 22
WPSOUTRIG – Ground Stack Bar and Outrigger 23
Inclinometer Assembly 24
Flown Systems 27
Rigging WPS and WPSGRIDt 29

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Cart Removal 29
Unlatch the top from the supporting poles in four places, lift it off and set it aside. 30
Lift the front links on the left and right of the WPS and pin in position. 31
Flying the Array 31
Place the WPSGRIDt or WPSGRIDi flying frame on the top cabinet in either the front or rear position as determined by the DISPLAY
project. Most arrays will use the front rigging position, the rear position is required when the array has an excessive up-tilt. 31
Landing the Array 38
Ground Stack Deployment
Overview 40
Specications
WPS Specifications 44

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Introduction
About this Manual
This manual explains in detail the individual components that comprise a complete WPS system. System wiring and rigging is explained,
and the two key software packages are covered. It is not, however, the intention for this manual to be the sole tutorial medium for those
wishing to use the system. Training is available via the Martin Audio website including video, webinars and formal training in order to help
you gain a full understanding of the systems and their operation.

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Important Safety Instructions
Please read these instructions and retrain for future reference. Heed all warnings and follow all instructions.
• No naked flame sources such as lighted candles should be placed on the apparatus.
• Do not block any ventilation openings.
• Install in accordance with the Martin Audio instructions.
• Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves or other such apparatus that produce heat.
• Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounding-type plug. A grounding plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The third
prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit your outlet consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete
outlet.
• Protect the power cable from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit
from the apparatus.
• This equipment must be earthed.
• Only use attachments / accessories specified by Martin Audio.
• Use only with wheelboard and rigging hardware specified by Martin Audio. When moving using supplied wheelboards, caution should
be used to avoid injury from the cabinet tipping over.
• Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
• No user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way such as power supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus,
the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
• Do not remove covers.
Caution
To reduce the risk of electric shock do not remove any covers. There are no user serviceable parts inside the units. Refer servicing to
qualified service personnel only. Call Martin Audio Ltd on [phone] or e-mail [email protected] for service.
Unpacking the Units
After unpacking the unit, please check it carefully for any damage. If any is found, immediately notify the carrier concerned – you, the
consignee, must instigate any claim. Please retain all packaging in case you need to return the unit.
Please consider the environment. When the product has reached the end of its useful life, please dispose of it responsibly through a
recycling centre.

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System Overview
WPS
WPS is a three-way, passive, small format line array element consisting of two bass reflex loaded 8” neodymium magnet low frequency
drivers, four 4” neodymium magnet mid frequency drivers, and four 1” neodymium magnet high frequency compression drivers loaded
on a coplanar waveguide. In conjunction with automated DISPLAY system design and VU-NET network control software applications,
WPS features scalable resolution for advanced array control, resulting in outstanding levels of consistent, high quality audio that can be
distributed to every point throughout the audience in a venue.
WPS is a new breed of small-format optimised line array which brings innovative acoustic design, ultra-high performance and coverage
consistency to a wider range of users, applications and budgets than previously possible. The three-way, passive system features reflex
loaded low-frequency, and horn-loaded mid and HF sections to raise efficiency and increase output. Its high efficiency acoustic design can
equal or outperform larger, direct radiating designs
Mechanical Design
WPS is designed to be easy to handle, safe and easy to rig. The cabinet is constructed from high grade multi-laminate birch plywood, with
an integral 3-point rigging system. Two side pocket handles and two rear grip handles make handling safe and easy, and the cabinet is
finished in black textured paint with a fabric-backed protective steel grille
Acoustic Design
The WPS low frequency section consists of 2 x 8” (203mm) long excursion bass reflex loaded neodymium drivers. Both drivers are set back
behind the walls of the HF horn, with a small volume of air in front of each driver increasing the output at the upper end of its operating
range. The LF exit apertures are spaced apart horizontally to provide useful LF horizontal pattern control.
The mid-range section consists of four close-proximity compression loaded 4” (101mm) paper drivers that raises efficiency and enter the
horn walls via annular slots close to the HF throat to sum effectively with the HF wavefront.
The high frequency section consists of 4 x 1” (25mm) horn loaded compression drivers – the use of multiple small HF drivers instead of
traditional large diaphragm CD drivers results in less distortion and extended HF response.

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Accessories
Amplication and DSP
iK42
The iKON iK42 is an advanced 4-channel controller amplifier which combines very high-power density with superb audio performance,
state-of-the-art DSP and network control for WPS systems.
The iK42 can deliver a full 5000 watts per channel into 2 ohms with all channels driven while remaining highly efficient. Its high efficiency
reduces the energy drawn from the mains supply and ensures the power reserves needed to deliver superb sound under arduous live
conditions.
Ethernet is used for system remote control and monitoring via Martin Audio’s VU-NET software application, while a user-friendly front
panel interface allows full local control of all features. Dante digital audio network inputs are also provided for digital audio distribution
and control.
Powerful DSP is fully integrated into the iK42 to provide a multitude of features that ensure maximum performance and worldwide
compatibility. It also provides up to 1000 FIR filter taps @ 48kHz on each output channel, which is essential to implement DISPLAY’s
wide bandwidth optimisation process in WPS line array systems. The iK42 employs comprehensive protection functions to maintain
safe operating conditions of both the amplifier and the loudspeakers driven — including a sophisticated loudspeaker limiter suite which
incorporates peak, RMS and excursion limiting, as well as multiband limiting for passive 2-way systems.
iK42AMPRACK32+
The iK42AMPRACKUK(US)+ is a tour grade amplifier rack with a shock mount chassis. The rack consists of:
3 x iK42’s
1 x INDIST1U+
1 x IK42DISTUK(US)+
2x ASF14020

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Low Frequency Extension
SXC118 and SXCF118
Designed for touring sound and installations, the SXC118 and it’s flown variant, the SXCF118, is a compact, high performance cardioid
subwoofer. It features an 18” (460mm) forward facing driver and a 14” (356mm) rear facing driver, each driven independently by separate
amplifier channels and DSP. Each driver has its own chamber with optimised bass reflex porting.
This arrangement produces a cardioid dispersion pattern which maximises the front radiation and reduces unwanted radiation behind the
subwoofer.
The recommended iK42 amplifier optimises the DSP parameters for front and rear drivers to maximise the rear rejection — from 21dB at
43Hz to 28dB at 75Hz. This keeps low frequencies away from stages, turntables and walls as well as reducing reverberant energy in the
room, greatly improving the system’s low frequency response accuracy and impact.
In front of the enclosure, the output from the two drivers is additive, giving an extra 2dB of output when compared with a conventional 1
x 18” subwoofer.

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Rigging and Transportation
WPSGRIDt – Touring Flying Frame
WPSGRIDt is a tour grade flying frame designed to fly up to 24 WPS, or a combination of SXCF118 and WPS.
WPSGRIDt versatility allows ground stacking WPS with positive and negative array angles in conjunction with the WPSOUTRIG ground
stack kit, or the ability to securely rig onto the SXCF118.
WPSGRIDi – Install Flying Frame
WPSGRIDi is an install flying frame designed to fly up to 16 WPS for permanent installation. Ground stack not available with this accessory.
WPSOUTRIG
Stabilising accessory and angle bar used in conjunction with the WPSGRIDt for ground stack options.
WPSCART
The WPSCART is a tour ready cart used to transport 4 x WPS safely and efficiently. Inter-cabinet angles can be pre-selected to reduce
deployment time and cabinets can easily be positioned and integrated into the array using the captive cart locking system.

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DISPLAY
Overview
DISPLAY is a unique software application for Wavefront Precision systems which calculates both inter-cabinet splay angles and the DSP
parameters for optimum system performance in any given space. Unlike competitors’ systems which generally use a basic geometric
calculation to aim their arrays, DISPLAY uses an extremely accurate computer model of the array to analyse the system performance in
a drawing of the venue. This allows DISPLAY to precisely calculate the parameters for the system to get exactly the coverage you have
specified. As a system designer you determine exactly how you would like the system to perform in the space; the SPL contour from the
front to the back of your audience region, how much spill into non-audience areas is acceptable and even specify designated Hard Avoid®
areas that the system will actively process to reduce spill to a minimum - great for producing a quiet stage or for reducing off-site noise
pollution at outdoor events.
The application is very straightforward to use taking you through a series of steps in a logical order. In fact, it won’t allow you to attempt
to design a system in the wrong order; steps need to be completed one after the other in the correct order making it very straightforward to
design an array that will perform to its maximum potential.
DISPLAY opens with a dashboard at the top of the screen prompting you to specify your array, which is the first step of the design process.
WPS is available along with the all the other WP Series and Multicellular family of products. You next specify how your array will be
deployed – flown, or ground stacked – specify the number of cabinets and give the array a name.
The dashboard changes to show the tabs from left and right in the order in which the design will be completed.

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The coverage tab shows your 2D model with the planes refined into three types; audience in green, non-audience in red and hard avoid
in blue. Each dot represents a virtual microphone position at which the software will take response measurements using the integral
computer model. The dots in the critical audience region are closer together for greater accuracy and are spaced closer together at the
start of the audience region to mirror how each region is covered by sections of the array. The audience offset can be edited – standing,
sitting or a custom offset – and each region can be edited, perhaps changing a section under a balcony from audience to non-audience for
example. The SPL profile can be modified and the environmental conditions entered to allow optimisation to compensate for air absorption,
particularly critical for outdoor events.
First a 2D slice of the venue is created, the coverage within the venue is specified and the splay angles calculated. A rigging report allows
you to deploy the array and whilst that is being done the EQ coefficients are calculated. Finally, an SPL report gives detailed information
showing exactly how the system will perform. The computer model is accurate to within +/- 1dB of actual measured results, meaning the
SPL tab is a reliable overview of how well your system design will cover the space.
The 2D slice is either drawn from scratch or you can also import a shell drawing from a previous project if you are working in a venue you
have visited previously. The slice is a side view of the venue. It is drawn anticlockwise starting at the back of the stage and clicking to
define the position of vertices that define all the planes within the venue. This doesn’t have to be done accurately as you can refine the
precise position of the points working from architects’ drawings or measurements you have taken yourself. The array is positioned, and the
audience region specified from start to finish.

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Once this is complete you can further refine how the array is to be deployed in the ‘Rig’ tab; choosing for example between a 2-point hang
and a single point for which the application will display the best position on the flying frame to give the nearest angle to the optimised
aim. The actual physical angle that the specified hole in the frame will give will be displayed, with the option to use this angle in the
optimisation so that the array EQ is optimised for the actual physical position in which the array is installed.
Finally, the load on each flying point is shown and critically the ‘Rig’ tab shows if the array is safe and meets both BGVC1 and DIN18800
standards.
With the physical deployment underway you can progress to optimise the EQ. Again, you can enter the environmental conditions and can
balance the three goals of response in your audience region, leakage to non-audience and the Hard Avoid performance. By default, each
are given equal importance but if your application demands particular emphasis on any one of these parameters, they can be given greater
importance. Resolution is entered as 1, 2 or 3 box for WPS.

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The SPL tab shows the system performance. The entire venue SPL is displayed on an index plot with frequency along the horizontal axis
and position within the venue along the vertical. SPL is indicated with colour, blue being quietest moving through the colour spectrum to
red which is the loudest. You can move the cursor around the index plot and the position is shown on the 2D slice of the venue top left
whilst showing the frequency response at that position on the graph on the right.
The final stage is to export your design. You can produce a printable rigging report, a wire-frame 3D model of the array, export 3D data for
use with EASE and most importantly export the project as a D2P file which can be uploaded directly to an iKON amplifier for powering
Wavefront Precision systems
DISPLAY can be downloaded from the Martin Audio website: www.martin-audio.com/support/software. There is also a comprehensive
user guide to take you through the design process in detail. We strongly recommend downloading the user guide to fully understand the
application.

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VU-NET 2.2
Overview
VU-NET is Martin Audio’s application which is used to connect to iKON amplifiers and a growing number of products including the MLA
family, CDD-LIVE!, PSX and DD12. This makes it possible to create a system with products from several different ranges and control and
monitor them from a single software platform.
Connection to iKON amplifiers is made over a standard Ethernet network using off the shelf networking products so remote access to
control Wavefront Precision systems is extremely straightforward. Complex systems with large numbers of amplifiers can easily be created
using standard network switches, the system by default is configured with dynamic IP addressing so DHCP or APIPA support will be
required however a static IP configuration is also easily enabled.
VU-NET is used to upload the presets created using DISPLAY into the amplifiers which will automatically create a thumbnail of the
Wavefront Precision array that has been designed. Once the array has been created, all of the amplifier functions are available for control
to make any changes you may need to make to routing, polarity, delay or system EQ. Once the system is configured the amplifiers can be
kept online to give comprehensive monitoring of the system performance.
The application opens with a blank system diagram. It is possible to add products manually using the ‘Palette’ on the left, but this has
limited use. However, in practical applications the ‘Discover Devices’ button is used.
The application searches the network for all VU-NET enabled devices and will run an installation wizard to add them to the VU-NET project.

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The next stage is to right click on the amplifiers to access the ‘Preset Manager’.
From here the system allows you upload the D2P file of your system design.

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You can now return to the project system diagram, double click on the amplifiers and edit the system to suit your application, perhaps
changing the inputs to DANTE.
Input EQ can be adjusted to change the tonal balance and/or compensate for room acoustics.
The output EQ is greyed out as it is used to apply the EQ created by your DISPLAY project, however the high-pass filter is available for
adjustment so you can determine the crossover point between the WPS array and your subwoofers.

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Comprehensive ganging is available so for example you can ensure that stereo arrays remain completely identical.
Once the system is configured to your satisfaction the ‘Master Overview’ gives a complete picture of even the most complex system allowing
you to monitor all metering and access commonly needed functions such as gain and mute.
VU-NET is a free download from the software page of the Martin Audio website at www.martin-audio.com/support/software.
VU-NET is a comprehensive application with a host of functions to enable control and monitoring of almost every parameter of a system.
For full details we would strongly recommend downloading the VU-NET user guide which can be found on the same page as the application
download.

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WPS Rigging
Overview
WPS three-point rigging system consists of two rigging points at the front and a single rigging point at the rear of the cabinet. The rear
rigging bracket assembly (fig. 3) provides eight rigging holes allowing for inter-cabinet angles of 0.5°, 1°, 2°, 4°, 6.5° and 10°, as well as
STORE, LOCK, and LINK positions, for flying arrays or for use when assembling ground stacked arrays.
LINK PIN
LOCK PIN
RIGGING LINK
LINK PIN
LOCK PIN
RIGGING LINK
REAR HANDLE
SIDE HANDLE
LOCK PIN
LINK PIN
ANGLE PIN REAR LINK
REAR HANDLE
0.5
1
LINK
LOCK
4
6.5
2
LINK
LOCK
0.5
1
LINK
LOCK
4
6.5
2
LINK
LOCK
STORE
10
STORE
10
HML08172
Martin Audio
003
375mic Lexan Velvet
3M8153LE
Reverse
51.00 mm
201.07 mm
Profile
Black
White
13549
25/04/2019
Artwork Layout Approval
Name
Signature
Date
Our Ref Date
Customer
Specification
Reference Dims
Iss Tolerance
Material
Width
Height
Corners
Adhesive
Print
Colours
Tool Ref
General ± 0.2
unless otherwise stated
Part No
GrainwordLtd
Unit 3, Warnford Industrial Estate Clayton Road, HAYES, UB3 1BQ
www.supapress.com
This drawing does not represent the finished
print quality or colour rendition. However the
content of the text detail , layout and colour
separation are correct to the best of our
knowledge. Please check this drawing carefully
and if approved, sign the panel below, returning
it by fax on 0208-756-0501.

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WPS Connections
The WPS has two parallel wired Neutrik® NL4 connectors on an angled panel at the rear of the cabinet, recessed to avoid damage. Connect
speaker cables here.
NEUTRIK NL4 SPEAKON
The two NL4s are wired in parallel so either can be used as a nominal ‘input’ or ‘link’ output. WPS is a passive system and all speaker
cables and link cables must utilise 2-core cable.
When the system is configured for a single box resolution system each cabinet is connected to one amplifier channel. In two box resolution,
connection is made from an amplifier channel to the ‘input’ of one cabinet and the second ‘link’ NL4 is used to make a parallel connection
to the adjacent cabinet. The maximum is three box resolution – that is three cabinets connected to a single amplifier channel.

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WPSGRIDt – Touring Flying Frame
The touring flying frame is a comprehensively featured flying frame designed to meet BGVC1 and DIN18800 standards, and capable of
lifting WPS using either one or two lift points up to a maximum of 16 WPS cabinets (BGVC1) allowing both positive (up-tilt) and negative
(down-tilt) array tilt angles.
A two-part inclinometer is available for use with the touring flying frame which displays the angle at which the WPS array is flown (relative
to horizontal). It consists of a sensor part number ASM20017 (mounted within the flying frame, one required per grid) and a remote
display unit part number ASM20019. Interconnection is via a standard XLR mic cable. A weatherproof 35m (115’) cable is available as
an optional accessory.
3.25T SHACKLE
REAR LINK PIN
21 SINGLE POINT
PICKUP POSITIONS
3.25T SHACKLE
SUB LOCK PIN
REAR RIGGING PIN
FRONT RIGGING PIN
GROUND-STACK
& SUB LOCK PIN
INCLINOMETER FIXINGS GROUNDSTACK
& SUB LINKS
GROUND-STACK
ANGLE SELECTION
SECONDARY REAR
RIGGING POINT
CABLE
MANAGEMENT/
SAFETY
SUB LINKS
MOTOR
POINT/SAFETY
SECONDARY FRONT
RIGGING POINT