[Kevin Haskins]

The Woofer Widget project is coming along.   For those who have not been following the development, the Woofer Widget is an advanced signal processing solution that uses truly new ways to improve the performance of bass subsystems.  At the core of the Woofer Widget are three chips called Field Programmable Analog Arrays (FPAA).   These little marvels of modern technology are essentially arrays of operational amplifiers that can be changed and modified in real time with a microcomputer to achieve some incredible results. 

 

Imagine a very complex and completely configurable analog solution that can be reconfigured, adjusted or changed on the fly.   FPAAs allow us to do things that are not possible with traditional passive components.   They also achieve electrical transfer functions with an accuracy that is unmatched (1% or better).   Their adaptable and flexible nature allows the hardware to be used in innovative ways, of which the Woofer Widget is one example.

When we designed the Woofer Widget, we looked at typical signal processing needs in bass subsystems and emulated many of them in software.   Many of these functions are familiar to both consumers and audio engineers.    The difference is, they are fully adjustable without mechanical parts. That important distinction allows us to totally change the function of the Woofer Widget without a single hardware change.  Any signal processing need we identify, we can meet with a simple change to the software.

Standard functions in the base configuration include:

·   Adjustable Subsonic Filter 12db/octave or 24db/octave and fully adjustable corner frequency
·   Adjustable Low-Pass Filter 12db/octave or 24db/octave with fully adjustable corner frequency
·   Continuously adjustable phase
·   Gain Stage for volume adjustment (+6db - -60db)
·   Linkwitz Shelving filter to extend low frequency response
·   Room Measurement System with Microphone
·   Four bands of Parametric Equalization to smooth room response.

Bass heads have long known that the low frequency response of a system is often dominated by room interactions.   With that in mind, the Woofer Widget includes a powerful room measurement tool and the ability to interface that measurement with the signal processing functions.    After all, what good are the signal processing functions if you don’t know how to set them? 



The beauty of the Woofer Widget is its simplicity and function.   It does exactly what it is designed to do, allow the user to measure the room and adjust the bass subsystem in response to those conditions.    The user simply inserts the Woofer Widget in the signal chain between the preamp/processor and the subwoofer amplifier.   All adjustments are made to the Woofer Widget with your computer, connected via a USB cable.   A simple computer interface allows you to set-up your microphone, take a room measurement, view the results and then use the Woofer Widget tools to optimize your in-room frequency response.  It is simple and easy without any unnecessary complexity or clutter.



How much does such a cutting edge tool like the Woofer Widget cost?   The stand alone solution shown here is going to be somewhere between $299-$349 retail.    I'll have packages that sell with the new Exodus Subwoofers and we will have a version built into a plate amp near the beginning of 2008.   

OEMs who are interested in programmable analog solutions, feel free to contact me.   The Woofer Widget is merely a specialized version of our OEM reference design, SonicMaster3.    The SonicMaster Series of Chipsets are scalable for different functionality, cost & complexity.   The user interface can range from knobs/buttons & LCD character screens all the way to PC based Graphical User Interfaces (the Woofer Widget uses a PC based GUI).    The sky is the limit in terms of design and the price of implementation, both in terms of hardware and development cost are very attractive to mid-sized OEMs.   



   

[BradJudy]

Cool, looks similar to R-DES, but with built-in measurement capability.  Any idea when the stand-alone units will start shipping? 

[Russell Dawkins]

Now this is something that could make a huge difference to most systems.
Does the measurement mic come with it?
It looks like there is a delay function. Is there?

[Kevin Haskins]

Cool, looks similar to R-DES, but with built-in measurement capability.  Any idea when the stand-alone units will start shipping? 

We are doing a small production run fist to qualify everything.   Supply will be pretty limited until we get into the second production run.    We are working on the software interface now and I'd expect limited quantities to be available in December.    More stable supply in Feb of 08.

[Kevin Haskins]

Now this is something that could make a huge difference to most systems.
Does the measurement mic come with it?
It looks like there is a delay function. Is there?

Yes... measurement microphone with 25' cable included.   The USB and some cheapo RCAs are included also.

Variable phase is a type of delay, so.... yes!   We are providing delay.   

We are doing everything in the analog domain so DSP-like delay is problematic.   We have solutions for 2-3ms though which is good enough for my needs and such things as time alignment of tweeters.

[Russell Dawkins]

I was thinking of something like 12 msec, so you would have the option of putting the sub behind or under the listening position and have the speakers up to 12 feet away.

[Kevin Haskins]

I was thinking of something like 12 msec, so you would have the option of putting the sub behind or under the listening position and have the speakers up to 12 feet away.

You just run an extra 3,597,510 ft of cable.   That will give you just about the right delay.... better make sure its low capacitance.   

Seriously though.... delay is the one thing that is difficult.   We don't have the ability to hold bits in a buffer.    Of course we don't have the same difficulties of trying to deal with DSP buffer times either.    Its analog so we can do pretty much anything that was traditionally done in the analog world.   We just have complete programability, better accuracy and the ability to change analog filters with microcomputers so it opens up a lot of features that you couldn't typically do with passive solutions.

[Russell Dawkins]

I am reminded of the Cable House Cafe up in Sayward in northern Vancouver Island where the outside walls are actually left over logging cable about 2 1/2 inches in diameter, spot welded together.

'Course it's not Siltech ...

[Kevin Haskins]

I am reminded of the Cable House Cafe up in Sayward in northern Vancouver Island where the outside walls are actually left over logging cable about 2 1/2 inches in diameter, spot welded together.

'Course it's not Siltech ...

Yea... just imagine the cost of a high-end subwoofer cable of that length.   It would surpass the gross national product of the world.   

[SteveSlagle]

So Kevin,

Will I need a pair for stereo subs, and will it work with Dipole Subs (ie. those XJ15 "B stock" subs that were just dropped on my porch  )? 
I'm very interested in this either way (for my pair of sealed Sonic Craft 12s &/or the XJ 15 s)
 

Steve

[Kevin Haskins]

So Kevin,

Will I need a pair for stereo subs, and will it work with Dipole Subs (ie. those XJ15 "B stock" subs that were just dropped on my porch  )? 
I'm very interested in this either way (for my pair of sealed Sonic Craft 12s &/or the XJ 15 s)
 

Steve

Steve, 

Good question.   The Woofer Widget is designed as a single channel solution.   That doesn't mean you couldn't have output to multiple subs, its just means that they all get the same modified transfer function.   Its not a native multichannel device.   

The Anadigm chipset is flexible enough that we can have multiple channels of output with a given chip structure.   For example, its possible to use a single chip solution to provide an active crossover for a 2-way loudspeaker.    Its also possible, to have a single chip provide signal processing on two channels of audio (or more).     

So... the with the Woofer Widget the answer is NO.    With the underlying technology, YES.   

[JohnR]

Looks pretty cool! Couple quick questions. The software change needed to change functionality is in the controlling PC only? Also, it seems that the parametrics are cut only, did you consider allowing boost with a broad peak?

Guess I'm just wondering if the widget can be used to eq a dipole woofer

[Kevin Haskins]

Looks pretty cool! Couple quick questions. The software change needed to change functionality is in the controlling PC only? Also, it seems that the parametrics are cut only, did you consider allowing boost with a broad peak?

Guess I'm just wondering if the widget can be used to eq a dipole woofer

We designed the Woofer Widget as "cut only" simply to protect the less informed users.   We didn't want people dialing in a 20db peak trying to correct for a null and then wondering what that awful noise was from their subwoofer.   

The LT is fixed right now for 6db of gain for the same reason.   Its mainly just a matter of trying to keep users from trying to make silly corrections and then not understanding the consequences.   

These limitations are self-imposed.   Its just a matter of us changing the software (on the PC based software in this case) to allow greater range of adjustment.    We may develop "add-on" supplemental software that extends the functionality of the base unit.    We have brain-stormed a couple applications where we could write software to extend the functionality of the Woofer Widget and the dipole application would be one of the first.   

[klh]

I think it would be wise to sell or give out those add-ons (the ability to boost). If need be, make someone purchase the add-on through your website, and in doing so, make it mandatory that the purchaser click "yes" on a waiver stating that they understand the risks they may be taking. You could even make the webpage a "secret" page that you only give out to people you've talked with personally. I agree that it's good to be careful, but at the same time, it's also good to allow freedom to those that know what they are doing. As an example, I have a sub and a BFD that I set up with Room EQ Wizard. I cut massive peaks in several areas, but in doing so it unintentionally brought other areas down. I had to then use a narrower band to boost those particular areas to get the response back to where it originally was. The result is a nice house curve that is essentially below the original unaltered curve at all frequencies... so the overall effect is there is only cutting going on. That wouldn't be possible without the ability to boost those frequencies.

[Kevin Haskins]

I think it would be wise to sell or give out those add-ons (the ability to boost). If need be, make someone purchase the add-on through your website, and in doing so, make it mandatory that the purchaser click "yes" on a waiver stating that they understand the risks they may be taking. You could even make the webpage a "secret" page that you only give out to people you've talked with personally. I agree that it's good to be careful, but at the same time, it's also good to allow freedom to those that know what they are doing. As an example, I have a sub and a BFD that I set up with Room EQ Wizard. I cut massive peaks in several areas, but in doing so it unintentionally brought other areas down. I had to then use a narrower band to boost those particular areas to get the response back to where it originally was. The result is a nice house curve that is essentially below the original unaltered curve at all frequencies... so the overall effect is there is only cutting going on. That wouldn't be possible without the ability to boost those frequencies.

That is pretty typical if your using several bands over just a couple octaves.    Much of this we will flesh out over the next couple months during software testing.    Its fairly trivial for us to update the software and have the latest version posted on the web site for download.    Much of what we do will be dictated by feedback from users, both the technically capable types and the layman.   

In terms of add-on features.   Its something where we are trying to justify the software design cost.   There are lots of projects that we can do so its not like we are short on things to do.    The trick is finding which things are most beneficial to our long-term success.    What I'd really like is an "open-source" type of model where we exposed the API and allowed software savy users the ability to design their own mini-applications.    That would be really cool because a network of users developing for the platform are going to come up with better ideas than just us.         

[Dustin B]

Is it a hardware limit, or a software limit on the 4 bands of PEQ?

[Kevin Haskins]

Is it a hardware limit, or a software limit on the 4 bands of PEQ?

Its a software choice.   We could provide more but you potentially trade-off other functions.    We can do five in the Woofer Widget and still maintain all the other functions but there are some design choices that we are taking to minimize the on-board software footprint for future applications that will run without the PC side GUI.   

[klh]

What I'd really like is an "open-source" type of model where we exposed the API and allowed software savy users the ability to design their own mini-applications.    That would be really cool because a network of users developing for the platform are going to come up with better ideas than just us.         

That would be smart (especially if you were planning on giving the add-ons away). Why take up a lot of your time to do something that pays little to nothing additional? I suppose the other benefit is if someone decides to download someone elses program, they do so at their own risk. As for letting other creative people do the work, look at what happened with REW. That was free and did wonders for peoples subwoofers and for sales of the BFD. You could sell a solid well performing peice of equipment and others could "mod" the software to make it even better.