the leamon sound device

The Leamon Sound Device (LSD) is currently assembled from the following:

- Speakers: 24 M-Audio BX-5 near-field amplified studio monitors

- Audio Interfaces: three Firewire Mark of the Unicorn 828s, each driving

eight monitors (one is an 828mkII, which provides MIDI)

- Computation: one PowerMac G5 dual 2.0Ghz, with 2GB RAM, 600GB hard

drive space, running Mark of the Unicorn's (MOTU) Digital Performer and

MachFive, and Propellerhead's Reason, under OS X

- Instruments: a Kurzweil SP-88 keyboard controller, a Yamaha bass guitar, a

Yamaha DD-55 drum machine

- Mics: eight Shure SM-58 microphones, one Mineroff SME ATR55 field

microphone, one NADY PRA-8 mic preamp unit

The 24 monitors are arranged in a semi-regular pattern on the four walls

of a medium-sized room. This is a completely subjective setup; many different

positioning strategies are possible, especially depending on the space and

its acoustics. For instance, my LSD lacks speakers on the ceiling and floor.

If you want to build an LSD, you can go about it the way I did or via any

number of other routes. I chose this configuration because 1) I prefer Macs,

2) I have used MOTU's products in the past, 3) I was on a budget, and

4) I am learning virtually all of this from scratch.

It should be feasible to build a similar LSD using a Windows PC, Pro Tools, Logic,

or any other multichannel audio program, other audio interfaces (Firewire or not),

and different types of monitors. It is even possible to build them using purely analog

components (the Flaming Lips did something similar with their Zaireeka project),

though sound quality and sync issues will affect the kind of output you get.

I built my system in stages. First, I bought the Mac and software, one 828, and

eight monitors. Once I learned how to make sounds and get them out through each

speaker independently, I went ahead and got another eight BX-5s and another

828, and finally took the plunge and finished out the 24.

Most of the difficulties I encountered were due to my ignorance and the all-

encompassing nature of the software -- Digital Performer and Reason are

not simple programs to learn. Sometimes just figuring out why pressing a key

on my keyboard isn't producing any sound takes many minutes of cogitation

and struggle.

Also, the 828 interface works great, but probably does a whole lot more than

what I need. The Firewire audio interface market is becoming more crowded, so

let's hope that soon (if not already) one can purchase a good cheap reliable

stripped-down eight (or more) channel Firewire interface.

Although the BX-5s do an okay job with bass response, you might want

to consider adding one or more subwoofers to your LSD. They're expensive

but I assume the sound is that much better. (I hope to buy a subwoofer or

two with donations to the equipment fund.)

I run the entire system off two electrical outlets, and haven't blown a fuse yet.

I assume that I'm a bit starved for power, considering the BX-5s are 75-watt

monitors, but am happy with how the system sounds.

In theory, the LSD is scalable to many more channels and much larger spaces.

I'm not sure how many 828s a 4.0Ghz (total) G5 can drive, but suspect that software

that routes audio between computers (Wormhole is one example), or at least syncs

audio playing from each one, is the answer to the practical question of just how to do it.

If you are serious about building your own LSD and I can be of any help, please don't

hesitate to contact me.