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Funktion One sound system at Transmission 2009 - Interview with Funktion One founder Tony Andrews

A few weeks ago we have visited the Funktion One factory in London (UK) to assemble/discuss together with the Funktion One crew the best possible sound system set up for Transmission 2009. After our visit we also asked some questions to one of the founders of Funktion One “the award winning” Tony Andrews to give you some more insight about professional sound systems.

Hallo Tony, your sound systems are known for their clear devastating sound. We can find the Funktion One sound systems in the most prestigious clubs all around the world, like for example Cielo in New York, Berghain in Berlin, Beta in Denver or Space and Privilege in Ibiza to name a few but also your sound systems are used at festivals like Creamfields, Glastonbury, The Glade and bands like the Chemical Brothers, Massive Attack or Jamiroquai to name a few have used your sound systems at their concerts. First off all can you tell us what a sound system consists ?

A sound system typically consists of an input device such as a microphone with speech or instruments or programme player such as a record deck or a CD player. In both cases the signal goes to a mixer at the FOH which amplifies the original signal up to a level which can drive a crossover or power amplifiers. The mixer is also where any EQ or effects are added to the sound. The next stage in a large sound system is the crossover. As sound has 10 octaves (compared with 1 octave for light), the difference between the low and high frequencies is so great that the sound spectrum has to be divided into 3 or 4 frequency bands to facilitate the very different physical requirements between high and low frequencies. These signals are then sent to amplifiers which in turn power loudspeakers that are orientated to the specific frequency bands. The loudspeakers themselves have to be blended so as to be perceived as a singularity.

How does a loudspeaker works ?

The power amplifier sends an electrical equivalent of the music or signal to the voice coil of the loudspeaker. This produces a magnetic field (because that is what happens when current flows through a coil). This magnetic field interacts with the field already present around the voice coil from the permanent magnet of the loudspeaker. This interaction produces forward and backward movement of the voice coil which is attached to the cone. This movement produces sound.

The last 10 years we have seen many brands come to the market with Line array systems. Your system is a Point source system. What makes your sound system so special and different or in other words, what’s is the difference and advantage of your point source system compared to a line array system ?

This is a big question! Briefly, when listening to a Funktion One sound system only one set of loudspeakers is heard at any position, the effect of which is a crisp, well defined and consequently exciting character to the sound whereas a line array relies on the flawed collaboration or many drivers which all arrive at the ear at slightly different times. As the auditory system can resolve time down to 15 millionths of a second the leading edges of sound are perceived as smeared which has the effect of making the sound seem distant and less exciting. Furthermore, we have a unique patented technology for the vocal range which has massively lower distortion than the traditional devices that are used by all other companies.

Can you explain to us the importance why DJs should not play with MP3 files on a big professional sound system ?

As MP3s are 10 – 20% of the information of a CD and a CD itself does not have enough information to be a true replacement for analogue, MP3 audio is very compromised. Bass lacks depth and sustain, high frequencies are crunchy and all the quiet but perceivable information such as harmonics and reverb are missing. The perceived effect of this is a dull, lifeless, dimensionless and annoying audio only fit for a lap top and is certainly short changing the public when used in professional situations.

What influence has the acoustic of a venue on the sound system ?

A venue’s acoustics has a great influence on the sound to the point where if it is really, really bad the venue is unusable.

To get an Impression you have visited Prague’s O2 arena last June with the Sensation event. After your visit we can tell you that the O2 arena also has mounted curtains in front of the 4th floor tribune that should improve the acoustic. What do you think of the acoustics of Prague’s O2 arena ?

My impression is that the acoustics of the Prague O2 Arena are better than one would expect. The curtains should make it even better.

Prague’s O2 arenas main floor has a size of 90 meter length by 60 meter wide. The first floor tribunes are at a height of 5,50 meter and goes over at a height of 12 meter into the club floor tribune and above the club floor is at 16 meter height the ring with the sky boxes. What do you have in mind to bring for Transmission 2009 on equipment to deliver the purest sound as possible on every place in Prague’s O2 arena ?

The Funktion One point source system can be focussed on the audience area only, thereby avoiding interference from reflections and multiple sources which is not the case with line arrays. For Transmission we will use 2 Main clusters and 2 Delay clusters. We will bring 58 x Res5, 10 x Res4D and 36 x F221 Bass Enclosures. For the DJ booth we will use the Res3 and the F121 Bass Enclosure.

So far we have always used 18 inch sub basses on all of our events. What can you tell us about your 21 inch sub basses we are going to use and what will be the biggest difference compared to 18 inch sub basses ?

In fact the type of enclosure loading we are using will make more difference than loudspeaker size, although it is fair to say that a larger loudspeaker will give deeper bass. Funktion One bass loading techniques give a firmer and more defined bass, with more attack in the upper bass.

What can we expect from Funktion One in the future, are you working on some special projects or special technologies to bring your sound system to even higher levels as what we know now ?

I have spent 40 years of life learning and improving loudspeaker techniques to reproduce audio and I am pleased to say that the process is still going strong. We are currently working on an even more powerful system for events the size of transmission and larger. This will use, what I believe to be, a brand new approach which is beyond line array and point source.

Do you have any dream that you would like to come through ?

Yes, I do have a dream that humans will appreciate the inter connectedness of all things and understand how every person’s feelings affect every other person’s feelings thereby replacing fear and aggression with love and care.

Tony, very nice words, thank you very much for your time and we are really looking forward to see you and your crew at Transmission 2009. It will definitely be a great experience and we are excited to hear your Funktion One sound system at Transmission 2009.