L-ACOUSTICS - Products

Products / LA8

Cutting edge loudspeaker amplification, DSP, network
High-grade 24 bit A/D converters, 130 dB dynamic range
32 bit floating point SHARC DSP, 96 kHz sampling rate
4 channel high efficiency amplifier section fed by 2 inputs
LA4: 4X1000W/4 Ohms, LA8 4X1800W/4 Ohms
Advanced dual IIR/FIR filter algorithms
Exclusive L-DRIVE system protection
Complete onboard L-ACOUSTICS preset library
LA NETWORK MANAGER PC software & monitoring
AES/EBU Standard on LA8 and LA-RAK (May 2011)

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FULL RELEASE PACK OCT 2011

LA8 PRESET LIBRARY 2.3

LA8 FLAT PRESET

Warning About Firmware 1.5.1.2
AES/EBU
System
Technology
Specs
Testimonials

FIRMWARE (and eventually LA NETWORK MANAGER) update will erase all user data, in particular the user presets stored in the units.

Consequently, before applying any operation, save personal systems, presets, and/or output channels to files using the version of LA NETWORK MANAGER software already installed on the computer.

These files will be ready to be loaded back after the process is complete. Refer to the LA NETWORK MANAGER user manual for both steps.

Product	Comments	Functionalities	Description
LA4/LA8 FIRMWARE 1.5.1.2	Includes LA4 PRESET LIBRARY 2.2/LA8 PRESET LIBRARY 2.3	LA NETWORK MANAGER 2.0 Ready
LA8 PRESET LIBRARY 2.3	Automatically installed with LA8 FIRMWARE 1.5.1.2	ARCS II preset	One preset for the new ARCS II® constant curvature WST® line source

Following the successful introduction of the LA-AES3 card and LA-PANEL AES3 in 2010, LA8 amplified controller and the L-ACOUSTICS K standard are evolving and will support AES/EBU digital audio as a standard feature. This change on LA8 and LA-RAK series will be effective on May 1st, 2011

LA-AES3 offers one AES/EBU stereo input and one AES/EBU thru port (link) to interconnect LA4 and LA8 to any digital mixing desk or any audio distribution network, while maintaining a fully digital signal path.

Main features:

1 AES/EBU input, compliant with AES3 (AES/EBU) and IEC 60958 Type II (S/PDIF) specifications, ESD protected
Seamless AES/EBU to analog input automatic fallback option, with constant delay
High-quality hardware Sample Rate Converter accepting program sampled from Fs = 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz
Adjustable gain: - 12.0 dB to + 12.0 dB by 0.1 dB steps
1 AES/EBU thru, electronically buffered with failsafe relay, ESD protected
Maximum cable length: up to 300 m (with certified cables dedicated to AES/EBU transport at Fs = 48 kHz).
USB port (reserved for future applications).

Automatic AES/EBU to analog input fallback:

Switchover conditions: no clock, loss of lock, invalid audio (validity bit), CRC error, bipolar encoding error, data slip
Constant delay: yes
Revert to AES/EBU input: upon user selection

Audio Specifications:

Supported input Fs: 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz
Supported word lengths: 16, 18, 20, and 24 bits
SRC output: 24 bits/96 kHz
SRC dynamic range: 140 dB
SRC THD+N: < - 120 dBfs
SRC passband ripple: ± 0.05 dB (20 Hz - 40 kHz at Fs=96 kHz)
Amplifier propagation delay: fixed at 3.4 ms or 3.9 ms1, or all supported input sampling frequency

Dimensions:

H x W x D: 34 x 90 x 115 mm - 1.33 x 3.54 x 4.52 in
Weight (net): 0.112 kg - 0.246 lbs
Finish: black and anthracite gre

Connectors:

AES/EBU input: 1 Neutrik® XLR female
AES/EBU link: 1 Neutrik® XLR male
USB: 1 Mini-B type USB female

At the heart of the new L-ACOUSTICS® integrated system approach, the LA4 and LA8 Amplified Controllers offer cutting edge loudspeaker Amplification, DSP, Network Control, and comprehensive System Protection in a single ergonomic package. Based upon similar platforms the exceptional and ground breaking performance level delivered by both the LA4 and LA8 allow for full optimization of all L-ACOUSTICS® system resources and deliver outstanding audio quality combined with the best possible transducer protection.

Both units offer an integrated approach by combining the most advanced amplification, signal processing, network remote control and monitoring technologies currently available, and are pre-configured for digital multi-channel audio networking. In addition, a powerful and upgradable operating system with an intuitive user interface provides a high level of “hands on” system control without sacrificing accurate
and fast operation under real world conditions.

Packaged in a compact 2U lightweight format chassis, both the LA4 and LA8 platforms are derivative of the same basic design and share the following characteristics:

A four-channel high efficiency amplifier section fed by two inputs, offering a power level matching for all L-ACOUSTICS® loudspeaker systems
A DSP section featuring advanced filter algorithms and an exclusive L-DRIVE protection system for the transducers allowing for optimum system performance
A complete onboard preset library stored in 99 memory locations to cover all the principal L-ACOUSTICS® loudspeaker system configurations
An intuitive and ergonomic user interface, fully accessible from the front panel for standalone operation
Two I/O Ethernet ports for networking up to 253 units
The complementary PC-based LA NETWORK MANAGER software (Windows® compatible) with remote network monitoring and control of the LA4 and LA8 units
A rear-panel plug-in card slot for future multi-channel digital audio networking implementation

Specific features of the LA4 and LA8 include:

The LA4 delivers up to 4 x 1000 Watts into 4 ohms
The LA8 delivers up to 4 x 1800 Watts into 4 ohms
Speaker output connectors are specific to each platform
Each unit carries its own on board preset library specific to the power requirements of L-ACOUSTICS® loudspeaker systems

All L-ACOUSTICS® loudspeaker systems now benefit from the advanced and exclusive properties of the LA4 and LA8 control platforms. As a result of the integrated approach all L-ACOUSTICS® loudspeaker systems have been enhanced by the superior performance of high end electronic platforms, allowing for perfect power matching combinations across the entire product range. The unique ensemble
of on board features such as local or remote control, system status visualization, driver protection, system connection, and the addition of external peripherals are all offered in a secured and standardized environment. This rationalized approach allows for simple system operation with the benefit of superior and predictable audio results.

New proprietary algorithms are processed in a SHARC 32 bit floating point DSP engine at a 96 kHz sampling rate. A specialised engineering approach combining IIR and FIR filters generates a perfect linearization of phase curves and a significant improvement of the system impulse response for an even more natural, transparent, and realistic sound experience. Two cascaded 24 bit A/D converters on the front-end yield a ground-breaking encoding dynamic of 130 dB.

The new L-DRIVE protection feature offers a dual analysis of both signal intensity and voltage in real time and RMS. Under extreme conditions when component membranes reach the over-excursion zone or if the coil ensemble temperature reaches a critical point, L-DRIVE opens and acts as a power regulator. As a result the amount of power delivered to any channel is adjusted to the power handling capacity of each individual transducer on the relevant channel. This optimizes the power resources of the system in use while preserving the highest dynamic range.

With a complete preset library accessible in 89 banks and 10 additional user presets, the engineer is offered fingertip access to all the usual L-ACOUSTICS® speaker system configurations.

The four amplifier channels driven by two inputs provide optimum system flexibility. The LA4 and LA8 offer two specific power ranges (4 x 1000 Watts into 4 ohms per channel, and 4 x 1800 Watts into 4 ohms per channel, respectively) yielding perfect power matching for each individual L-ACOUSTICS® loudspeaker system. The built-in technologies allow for control of the very wide dynamic range found in live audio productions while the high-efficiency components offer superior reliability all from a sleek ergonomic package with exceptional weight/size ratio.

Preset library drivers	V-DOSC - dV-DOSC - KUDO SB18 - SB118 - SB28 - SB218 115XT HiQ
The LA8 allows full system drive capability via the following features	89 factory presets including mono 4 way active systems, stereo 2 x 2 way and hybrid 3 way + sub extension A flexible I/O matrix routing between the two inputs and the four amplified outputs
DSP SHARC 32 bit/floating point, 96 kHz sampling rate	24 bit A/D converters, 130 dB dynamic range of encoding Combined IIR/FIR Algorithms Input delay adjustable from 0 to 500 ms Output delay adjustable from 0 to 35ms Section dedicated to system equalization using LA NETWORK MANAGER L-DRIVE excursion and temperature real-time control Fixed Latency = 3.9 ms
4 channel amplifier	Switch mode power supply, 120 V or 230 V 4 x 1100 W/8 ohms at 1% THD, all channels driven simultaneously (4 x 1300 W peak) 4 x 1800 W/4 ohms at 1% THD, all channels drive simultaneously (4 x 2500 W peak) Gain structure: 32 dB
Audio specifications	Frequency response: 10 - 30k Hz, -1.5/+0 dB at 8 ohms Output noise: -67 dBV (20 - 20k Hz, A-weighted) Output dynamic range: 107 dB (20 - 20k Hz A-weighted) Max input level: 22 dBu (balanced, THD 1%) Input impedance: 22 kOhms, balanced
Physical data	H x W x D: 88.1 (2U) x 483 x 420 mm - 3.5 (2U) x 19 x 16.5 in Weight (net): 12.2 kg - 26.9 lbs Finish: black and anthracite grey
Drawings

Dave Kay Director Adlib	"As one of the most recent companies to join the V-DOSC rental network, we were able to invest in the LA8 amplifier platformfrom the beginning. The new system is a great development and improvement of an already fantastic product".
Johan Schreuder Sound Designer Supertramp Tour	“The use of the LA Array Morphing Tool from the LA Network Manager software, has been an undeniable benefit in adapting the frequencies according to the different musical styles.”
Charles Miray System operator	"The LA4 and LA8 have made my life easier. Firstly, the system set-up is facilitated by their compact and light packaging and so is the audio cabling process. Secondly, the LA-Network Manager software allows remote control on a group of loudspeakers in the same array. This is an undeniable benefit in emergency situations that we often face in the “live” world"
John Moine de Russy Ingénieur en diffusion sonore/Opérateur console www.ingenieuxduson.com	"LA NETWORK MANAGER 1.2 brought many new features. I particularly like the new flexibility with hybrid presets to optimize the number of amplified controllers when I study a sound design"
Brian Murray Manager US Audio and Lighting	“With the LA8’s comprehensive limiting and EQ features, I never have to worry about blowing components or getting a bad sound, which I don’t think is even possible with L-ACOUSTICS because we can fly their cabinets without EQing them in a pinch and everything still sounds amazing. I can’t say enough good things about them”
Sami Ahonen Sound Engineer Old Student House	"I’m using the LA Network Manager’s Array Morphing tool extensively to compensate for the amount of LF energy caused by the room acoustics. This makes my life much easier as I can decrease the low frequency range in a better way without having to use extra EQ"
Paul Van Baasbank Sound Designer	“The LA Network Manager worked very well, I found the FIR filter especially useful in averaging out the high frequency response of the cabinets near the stage compared to the middle and the far end of the room, by attenuating the bottom KUDO’s high frequencies in two groups”
Vladimir Coulibre System Engineer	"The new Array Morphing really helped me during the tuning phase. I could quickly access and edit the contour of the system even before using any equalisation. This is a time-saver when I need to have identical contours from different complex line source configurations and very useful for covering various audience geometry. I can easily go from my standard system in a big stadium to a slightly adapted contour in the “low-mid” section in a smaller stadium without having to drastically re-EQ my system”
Sherif El Barbari Freelance System Engineer	"With the addition of the new KUDO 25Hz preset on the KUDO/LA8 system, not only the available resources of the system are well optimized, but an already very flexible system has become an even more powerful one and can easily be, what I would consider, a top contender for touring applications. I had the chance to test the new preset recently for a couple of Radiohead outdoor shows and was very impressed with the results"
Paul Smith Head of Audio Visual Horizon Communications	“When we first took delivery, we staged an A/B listening test between our LA48a and new LA8, and the difference was incredible--especially when we deployed the new amps with our KUDO rig. Even using the LA8's stock presets without any tweaking, it was as if we had just bought a whole new speaker system."
Micke Ljungberg CEO/Owner Music & Lights AB	“I first heard the K1 system; I was really stunned by the work L-ACOUSTICS had put in. They have managed to get the frequency response to be consistent all the way to the off axis limit point, something I’ve never heard on any system to this day. Combined with the amazing power of the system, the best and fastest rigging in the business, plus the integration with LA8 amplified controllers and the great improved KUDO system made it a done deal! New clients are already lining up, and with K1 we are certain to take a new share of the market”
Andre Bonang Director Tri Tunggal Abadi	"The LA8 and LA4 amplified controllers sound really good; the presets make everything easier and we can make any adjustments using the new contour EQ of the amplified Controller"
Mike Sprague Director of Touring Sound Image	"The LA Network Manager monitoring/control software is brilliant”
George Olson George Strait’s FOH Engineer	I’m really enjoying LA Network Manager and the LA8’s onboard processing tools, especially Array Morphing. The network software has provided a very quick means of tailoring out some of those low-mid frequencies. Plus, seeing that the LA8s are perfectly matched for our L-ACOUSTICS loudspeakers, I’ve found that they provide a bit more brilliance in the mids and highs than our previous amplifiers, which is a nice improvement.”