I just tried putting my two double 18's together in the middle at a three day outdoor battle of the bands. My boss was on site to help set up had reservations but let me try it. He was there until the main pa was up and running before he had to leave for his own three day show. I just saw the pics of his show and he did it too!!! LMAO!! Flat out admitted the coverage was WAY more even. Thank you so much for vids like these. Really helps to know what's going on instead of wondering who's "advice" is right lol. I FELT the pattern I expected too and it was perfect for the show. Cheers man!

So it would appear that placing subs side by side front middle, which I have been doing for 30+ years is the best all around procedure!

This is the video I was looking for. Thanks for sharing your knowledge

Thank you so much! I just deployed my first inline gradient cardioid sub array a few days ago and it was a trip to experience!! You’ve helped me so much and I’m always excited to see your new videos

This was fantastic! Thank you.

I wonder if you might cover a raised sub (on a small stage - say 1 to 2 meters height) vs a sub on the floor and pro's and con's of each? - Also, how about a series on odd shaped rooms with small PA rigs - covering reflections from a bar, low ceiling, a dog leg "band in the corner" scenario & single small sub placement in the worst rooms? - You could start with 2 tops and 1 sub and then maybe talk about the best 'upgrades' for each to achieve the result in each room (e.g. wider horizontal pattern, raising tops an extra meter etc.) - Learning a lot from your content and I'm trying to apply it in my small scale world where I use my DB Ingenia IG3T's + DB subs. Thank you and please do keep up the good work.

This was fantastic! Thank you. I would love to see the follow up video with the “other” 7 set ups. I will refer to this when planning out my shows to cover the audience. Great content!

Wow thank you so much Michael! I'm 51 own a small upstaging company in MS and I have learned more watching your stuff the last few days than I have in years! So nice of you to do this- can't wait to learn about time alignment! It is crazy how some days just 2 18s can punch your gut and some set ups just cancel things out. I guess too much in the wrong alignment can really hurt you- can't wait until my next venue!

Really good video! Thanks man

great simulation

Amazing video Thanks much !

Great video Michael. What would be handy is to have all of these examples, complete with their 63hz responses and a brief "When to use" blurb on the tool kit, to refer to in the field. Again, huge thanks for the resources you are providing!

Wealth of info thank you

Hi, Im quite confused with the terminologies such us delay and polarity but overall, I get the general idea but I don't quite understand it. Appreciate your work! Excited to see your other video as well. I am a trainee on our small church learning the ropes hopefully I could learn from your teachings as well.

This isn’t in your playlist for low end. I looked everywhere to find this video again. Thank you for the info!

Hello sir i am from india, i was searching about subwoofer arrangement and I found this video I can't understand English properly. but your graphs and presentation helped for understanding sub arrangements. Thenaks ❤❤❤

Nice video, gave me a lot of input. But you may give some feedback on this: I think there is missing a key Setup which produces very good (maybe best) sound with limited space in front of stage. Just put 4 subs next to each other in front of the stage and face the outer towards the stage. Then invert these and put an 3ms delay on and you will get an pretty decent cardio array. Pros: -At 63 Hz: same pattern as setup 7, but needs at last 2m less space in front of stage -At 63 Hz: covers more space / goes deeper into the room than setup 6, but needs at last 2m less space -At 100Hz: much better pattern than setup 7, depth and width of the sound are nearly doubled -At 100Hz: deeper pattern than setup 6, bigger area is covered by sound -At 125Hz: even at this higher frequency you will get a pretty decent cover without the pattern falling apart Cons: --At 100Hz: setup 6 covers a wider area, just matters if the room has twice the width than depth When I was simulating this for several hours it blew my mind and at the first event it did again.

What would happen if you put a sub at each corner of the room?

Great summary of Dave Rat's videos.

Great video!! Thank you Michael. For #6, how do you calculate the optimal grill to grill spacing between the subs?

great videos! would love to see this video with 6 subs and what kind of options that would open up. 4 subs seems to be pretty common haven't come across a video covering options with 6.

Michael-thank you for sharing your knowledge! Can you tell me, when you spread the subs in cardioid where do you measure from? Back of the front cab to front of the back cab? Or cones ?

I would love for you to do this same thing but just for a two set up. This was vary helpful.

Hi Michael I love your tutorials. What would you do with 4 double 18’s? I have the Tannoy VNet 218 subs

Great information Michael. I'm curious when talking about spacing subs as in the first example @ 5.66' apart. Is this spacing measured between the boxes or is this center to center of the speakers? Thanks again for the informative videos!

Nice video Michael, I really need to upgrade to MAP 3D from XT. One challenge that I foresee with options 6 & 7 is the space required to deploy those sub configurations directly in front of the stage. You know, where the promoters want to sell the most expensive seats or VIP standing zones. I'd like to see a Part II of this series where you look at a few more options such as all 4 subs in the center but with one facing to the rear in a cardio configuration. Also, what about two slightly spaced pairs in front of the stage, does that buy us anything? Of the seven you presented, the one that I think is practical for me to try, given the stages and room at my gigs, is the 45 degree angled end-fire option. Does that mean I should buy two more subs so I can try that one out? :).

What if you have them in a curved array spaced 5.6 feet apart? So the same as in the first setup in this video, but with the outside subs pulled towards the back. Would the sound dispersion get wider?

Just a theoretical thought here: what about placing a delayed subwoofer on those alleys (about the "middle" or worst spot for most frequencies), just to fill in what's missing from the front subs. I was also thinking about the scale of all this, because the closer you get to the stage, the narrower the alleys. So, if the audience is close enough, this might be less noticable. Also, for seating audiences, and if that's an option, you could even place the chairs where the coverage will be, in this case that would mean making the sound alleys become "audience alleys" as well. That way, the coverage would be even, because in all problematic regions, there would be no audience. Just some thoughts. I know that in practical terms, things are usually not that easy to implement.

Hey Michael. We have a 10 meter wide stage and twelve single-18” subs to use. If we put them in the center in a row attached to each other, do they behave the same as two subs in the center but just wider? Or should we space them out a little for a narrower throw? We could also put two subs LR and flip their phase for a cardioid type setup, would that help with stage bleed or should they be more in the center? Thanks in advance.

Love your videos. Can you do a video on the best sub array when the subs have to be under the stage.

Is it possible to build cardioid in an active system? There is a phase inversion switch from 0 to 180 but i wonder how I can adjust the delay if I do not have an amp rack. Thanks for your videos!

Hi thanks for the great tool! Is there a version of the spreadshit in meters and centigrades?

Hi, I have a question for you: number 6 and 7 configuration (facing each other) which subs must be delayed plus cardiod setup? Front / back? Thank you 😊

How about a center inline gradient with opposing faces in rear pair and forward-facing front pair, front pair 5.66 ft apart?

Hi Michael , great video as always! But let’s go 1 step further and use arc settings on ur evenly spaced center subs :P

Thoughts on doing something along the lines of setup #6 (center four Element Inline Gradient Cardioid Array, close spacing) with 4 d&b 21S, with all 4 being fully enclosed in a open air sub bunker underneath a hollow concrete stage (with the 2 down stage being flush with the edge of the stage at the opening of the bunker.) How would that affect the pattern/response? I know that would be hard to really answer definitively without seeing the room (the Room is wide with something close to setup #1, with a power alley in the center and a lot of cancellation in the wings). Just wanted to know your thoughts Thank you so much for this kind of content, extremely helpful!

My favourite solution is ditching the 4th sub and do a cardioid out of the remaining 3 by putting them in the middle side by side with the middle one reversed. I must check out the inverted wide cardioid though.

I'd be interested to hear what you think of a three row end fire System below or next to the stage. I'm planning an event with a low budget and I might be able to squeeze in six subs. Four won't cut it for a 4k guest event.

Very imformative video. Thanks, mike! What is that tool that you use in drawing those orange arrows, if you dont mind? TIA

I think I've heard that if you use straight across you should delay the subs the more they are from the center. Is this right and how would I know the delay amount to use in those cases?

Thanks for your excellent contribution to good mixing strategies! I'm doing my first show next month with 6 rock bands and 4 newly acquired KW181's/M32 with LR+Mono. The outdoor location is on an elevated 10'x20" stage up against a concrete loading dock with concrete walls on each side approx. 35' apart. I'd like to place the subs under the stage and utilize SET-UP 7 however, I'm not sure if delay/polarity inversion is required on the two front (audience/dance floor) subs. Actually, I'm not 100% sure if it is Audio Wise. I've watched several videos and the other option was the 'hard line'. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

What about straight line without spacing? Is it comparable more with a cube, or more with a straight line with spacing? What would be the best option of these 3 for maximum SPL in front?

It would be nice to see what a left/right flown pattern would look like. Also, what it would look like if subs were stereo and not mono.. I suspect there would be less comb filtering

Hi Michael, Could I do the centre inline gradient with two double 18? Having them placed at centre and facing each other, or must there be some space between the front and the back subs?

Valuable information you've given us, you're greatly appreciated. Q: If I have six Subs, (Same stage set up) as your example there, How would it look/sound If I stack 2 on left corner of stage, stack 2 in the middle of stage, and 2 more on the right stage? You think it would give me an even output at entire venue?

Can you utilize these arrangements for subs that don’t use dsp or have a cardiod selection?

Hi from Sweden. I'm missing some info on the "10:17 - 6 - Center Four Element Inline Gradient Cardioid Array, Close Spacing". You say you put them so they face each other (front pair facing and also back pair), but how far apart are they? Not how far away front and back pair is apart. You covered that, but how far the 2 front subs are spaced (and of course the back subs too). Are they touching or a an inch apart or 10 inches? Not sure if size matters (she promised me it didn't...) but I have 18 inch (subs, that is)(single 18). Thanks. Best regards from Sweden. Take care :)

Could you do the 6th setup with front loaded horn subs too?

On the center 4 Inline gradient cardioid array, are you measuring that 4.5 feet apart from the center or edges of the drivers?

If I put 4 single 18" subwoofers in the center at a distance of 1.5 m or 2 m between them, will they connect?

Can u do this with cardiod setups for 6 eaw sb1000 (218) and 4 community sbs45 (415)? Outside.

Thanks! Am a New sub.. May i ask bout spacing a 4 inline gradient, mirror ones? Ill appreciate it. Thanks!

Running 4 dual jbls hoping this can carry over

an you explain how you were able to aim the subs in the software, meaning turning them around, facing each other etc? Thanks

Michael I have a question I have two FOH speakers one is 100* and the other is 120* of coverage how far apart should I keep them

central cardiod with 3 elements forward evenly spaced and only one in the back central. wouldn't one well placed do the rejection job just as good as multiple?

how would this translate when positioning subs in a 20' x 17' x 8' home cinema?

Hey Michael , what if I coupled two KW181s center, then two KW153s left and right also on the floor…could I Run those 3ways in full range without phase issues? To get a little more bass response on the wings?

I have four subs from the same brand and power output. One pair is 15" and the other 18". (fbt xsub 15sa and fbt xsub 18sa). On the two subs per side setup, which sub do I put on the outside for better coverage. The larger 18" cone or the smaller 15"?

With setup 6, I wonder, how much space should there be between the two subs facing each other?

I actually have 4 subs : 2 x 12 ich & 2x18ich, what would you recommend to do? What about placing them in line, with 2 of them facing crowd, and the other 2 facing the DJ ? Which one of them would you put in what direction ?

Can you do a video for 4pcs of 2x18” subs 🙂👍Thanks from swe

hi Micheal how are you? I hope everything is OK. I wanted to ask you: if you have a solid stage is there a difference between the classic setup 1 and the central cube setup 2? or some other solution

I'd like to see stacking all 4 vertically.

ill go for N2, N6, N7...

Hello sir, i have question for setup 7, is it still work if the stage used concrete for base? Because I'll use cardioid for my setup at school, but the stage made from concrete. Oh ya the stage tall is 1 meter.

I am having a lot of problems with Mapp 3d crashing. I'm on a windows pc with amd hardware. Any ideas as to why I might have this problem?

could you please do a video on what you would do if you get a room with a "L" shape?

how far apart should the subwoofers facing each other be?

Hey thank you, can I use two dual subs for example 6? I don’t have 4 like in your example

Hi Michael, I’m in a church auditorium that’s 90ft wide & 65ft deep…with a 28ft ceiling & 32in high stage. For subs, We are installing a flown center cluster using the “wide coverage 4 element inline gradient array”. I have two questions… 1. With a flown “Wide coverage 4 element inline gradient array”…do you typically recommend additional subs installed under the stage, or do you find the flown array sufficient? (BTW…this church has no desire for heavy/extreme low end…but rather a nice/tight & controlled low end) 2. “If” you do recommend ground subs, then what is the best under stage array pattern that would compliment the flown array? Could you possibly replicate the flown “Wide coverage 4 element inline gradient array” under stage, and have a large trapezoid shape cavity cutout that would allow the energy to freely release in a more Omni pattern?

How do I tell the XOVR frequency of my sub woofers? Their range says 40-350Hz Sir Thanks I'm asking because I want to setup an in-line cardiod array and I want to get this right from the system design cause I won't have so much time on site My PA has a range that's down to 40Hz also Do I determine the XOVR by way of a low cut on my mains or something, so I'm manually deciding where I want my subs to kick in? And what if I leave that around 80Hz, cause I like the low addition I get from my PA...?

hello noob question here, does it apply to dual 18's subs ?

What about 2 subs of one brand coupled then on top another brand coupled. will this sound louder or quieter, better or worse?

Why not spread them out in a square quad ‘surround’ pattern., far away from each other?

I have 4 IQ18B turbosound subs. I would like to do the Cube stacked sub design talked about in 5min 2sec of the video. Had a question on how would I wire this? Mono signal to a sub and daisy chain to other subs?

Is Center Cube the best if you have 2x 2x18 ?

What’s the best setup in your opinion for a basketball school gym with four qsc subs ?

What software is this? Thank you

Could you do number 6 with pairs of subs from different manufacture's i.e. 2 Yamaha dxs15 mk2 and 2 HK audio elements

Wonder what you could do with 2 dual 18boxes

So I'm not understanding what you are doing here. I have Electrovoice ETX subs that have a cardioid setting . My understanding was that you could just flip them and face them backwards and then engage the cardioid setting. Am I missing something? I feel like you have left out important info.

could you please do a video on what you would do if you get a room with a "L" shape?