I need help with a special project for a celebrity customer.

Danny Richie · « **on:** 13 Jun 2014, 02:14 am »

I have a friend from OKC pictured below that wants to put a PA system on his truck for special events. He wants it to look old school like the big horns you'd see at an old ball park. Think blues brothers car. He wants two or even four big speakers that can be mounted on his camper shell.

I will need to fix him up with a wireless mic. Actually a couple of wireless mics. One for him and one for his buddy. And I need some amplification and volume control. I was kind of thinking about the efficient new chip amps that run on 12 volts.

Also, I don't want him to sound like he is yelling through a drive through window speaker at McDonalds. I want really good clean sound.

I did some crossover work for Azzolina Audio several years ago. They had some big fiberglass horns with a full range driver mounted in them. They played down low enough to cover vocals just fine. I kind of have a solution like this in mind.

But it would also be a good idea for this to not be ruined if a little rain were to get on it. So think water proof or water resistant.

Also don't want to go overboard on the budget. This needs to look old not like a high dollar speaker. Look old but sound great. New guts in an old shell.

So does anyone have an idea where I might come up with some big horns that I can work with? Ideas....?

HAL · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Jun 2014, 02:35 am »

Danny,
The Sure Electronics 100 watt stereo Class D amp boards from Parts Express will run on 12VDC. Will not get full power, but with horns probably not needed. Runs cool and just needs a chassis. I think they now sell the chassis as a kit.

Sennheiser makes some nice inexpensive wireless mic systems. I used one for a PA application for a pub a few years ago with a full range driver in a sealed box. Used an old X-Amp to drive the speaker and was plenty loud for the pub.

Maybe better compression drivers for the horns if they are a standard size fitting.

Redefy Audio · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Jun 2014, 03:52 am »

altec multicell horn with auto paint

tg3 · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 Jun 2014, 03:05 pm »

I've got an unfinished, surplus Edgar Seismic Sub. You would have to make a tapped horn to get the same or more bass out of a pickup truck.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 Jun 2014, 03:35 pm »

I just need to cover the human vocal range. No subs needed.

glynnw · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Jun 2014, 04:58 pm »

And what quarter-mile ET does this outside speaker need to endure? I recognize the owner from the TV show.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 Jun 2014, 05:01 pm »

Quote from: glynnw on 13 Jun 2014, 04:58 pm

And what quarter-mile ET does this outside speaker need to endure? I recognize the owner from the TV show.

I don't think he is planning on making any runs with them on.

I did find some of these: http://www.avguy.com/atlas-dr-72.htm

That horn can take a number of different compression drivers. But I am a bit afraid that they will have a pretty thin bottom end and not sound very natural.

Rubbbq · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 Jun 2014, 05:21 pm »

Danny Richie · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 Jun 2014, 05:59 pm »

Oh yeah, that's the look we're going for.

HAL · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 Jun 2014, 06:25 pm »

If you want a replica of the megaphone, there are a few people that have made replicas.

Did a quick search on Google and at least two replicas showed up.

When we were at Universal Orlando last year, they have one there that drives around everyday for Blues Brothers shows. They maybe able to get the original specs for a replica, or know who made it.

mpauly · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 Jun 2014, 02:26 am »

FARMTRUCK!!!!! Whoohooo!!!

http://www.okcfarmtruck.com/

Scott F. · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 Jun 2014, 03:27 am »

Danny,

I've used these in a couple of stadium sound systems I've designed.

http://www.communitypro.com/productlist/108-rseries

They are actually quite good for being an outdoor product. They don't need much EQing and do great on the vocal range. In fact, the 12" versions I've used worked quite well in large open format on vocals and music.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Jun 2014, 05:28 pm »

Quote from: Scott F. on 14 Jun 2014, 03:27 am

Danny,

I've used these in a couple of stadium sound systems I've designed.

http://www.communitypro.com/productlist/108-rseries

They are actually quite good for being an outdoor product. They don't need much EQing and do great on the vocal range. In fact, the 12" versions I've used worked quite well in large open format on vocals and music.

Those look very practical, but don't have the old school look.

HAL · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 Jun 2014, 08:55 pm »

The original looks like a modified air raid siren from the '60s. Searched eBay and were a few similar that might work.

Folsom · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 Jun 2014, 11:59 pm »

Danny, ask Rhing over in the TPA3116 in C&C section to build you a few up to his spec (caps & inductors). They'll sound very good with a battery buss like you had in the little 7297.... You could easily have enough power to get some highly efficient horns pumped up. I mean what, a few watts would do it, ya?

The TPA3116 has a "slave" mode option that might work nice, so you don't have to worry about how many outputs his other gear etc happens to have.

He wants horns like he's holding, or old Altec horn loaded style? Any which way, there's no reason it can't sound awesome.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Jun 2014, 03:52 am »

Quote

He wants horns like he's holding, or old Altec horn loaded style? Any which way, there's no reason it can't sound awesome.

Just something with that old school look. I am trying to figure out a way to give him that and good sound. I wish I could find some horns with a throat big enough for an 8" coaxial.

Oscillate · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Jun 2014, 05:01 am »

"I wish I could find some horns with a throat big enough for an 8" coaxial"

How durable / tough does this horn have to be? Unless it's going to be abused,
consider fabricating one to whatever size you wish by using layers of paper
mache built up to about 1/2" or more thick over a shaped wire screen base.
Then sand it smooth and apply lacquer paint. It might take two weeks to finish
the horn ...but the cost of materials would be minimal.

Alternatively, Rueben could almost certainly bend 1/8" - 1/4" plywood to
whatever flared throat shape and size you want. Including the vintage Altec
Lansing multicell horn mentioned earlier.

...just a thinking outloud

cleestedwood · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 Jun 2014, 05:12 am »

Get a couple of old tuba's and mount the 8 '' down the throat.

Oscillate · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 Jun 2014, 06:39 pm »

Another option if you wish or need to fabricate your own
horn would be to inquire at an established sheet metal shop.
Those folks routinely produce complex geometric shapes for
their customers.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 Jan 2016, 11:50 pm »

Just an update to this old thread.

I found some vintage horns and outfitted them with my M-130 woofers. They hit 105db at 1 watt/1 meter through the vocal range and had a smooth top end roll off.

And today Farmtruck came by for an audition and picked up his horns. Look for them in these next seasons episodes of Street Outlaws.

He also listened to the Serenity Acoustics Super-7 and took a minute to have his picture taken next to one of them.