YAMAHA ACTIVE FIELD CONTROL CREATES
OPTIMAL ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENT

—Sound Field Support System Makes U.S. and NSCA Debut—

DALLAS, TX (March 13, 2003)—Yamaha Corporation of America announces the U.S. and NSCA debut of Active Field Control (AFC), a complete sound field support system that will naturally enhance the acoustic characteristics of a room and secure an ideal sound field for a variety of uses.

The Yamaha Active Field Control System (AFC) has been installed in venues in Japan since 1985, including The Tokyo International Forum (pictured). [Photo © Kawasumi Architectural Photograph Office]

The Yamaha AFC system differs from similar systems in that it is based on ASF (Assistance of Sound Field) technology, which utilizes a feedback loop to modify a room’s existing acoustic properties without physical modification. AFC not only changes auditory impressions of architectural sound—such as reverberation, volume and the perception of spaciousness—but also enhances early reflections and SPL to improve the sound quality in undesirable acoustic conditions, such as under-balcony or stage areas.

AFC adds/controls reflected sound by extending reverb time and increasing the level of early reflected sound; uniformly distributing the initial reflected sound; and intensifying the feeling of spaciousness by lateral reflected sound.

“Yamaha AFC provides a means for optimizing room acoustics that is fast and flexible,” states Larry Italia, general manager, Yamaha Commercial Audio. “Contractors and consultants will find it more cost-effective than an architectural renovation.”

Yamaha AFC system components include the AD824 A/D Converter, AFC1 AFC Processor and DA824 D/A Converter (amplifiers, microphones and speakers at the discretion of the customer).

“With the assistance of AFC, a venue may be ‘tuned’ to exhibit ideal acoustic properties, regardless of the application,” explains Marc Lopez, product manager, Commercial Audio. “By introducing AFC, an acoustic environment can be created that is suitable for everything from drama to chamber music to pipe organ in any space, of any scale.”

Active Field Control technology has been in use in Japan since 1985, and may be found in many high-profile projects, including The Tokyo International Forum, the Hamamatsu Arena and Fukuoka Symphony Hall. A complete demonstration of the system will be on display at NSCA in Demo Room D222.

For more information on the Active Field Control system, visit Yamaha at NSCA 2003, Dallas Convention Center, in Demo Room C144 or Booth 1713; write Yamaha Corporation of America, Commercial Audio Systems Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com/proaudio.