The fundamental culprit in the degradation of any audio signal is VIBRATION. This has been well established by scientists and recording and audio engineers.
So no matter how good any piece of audio equipment may be, it is vulnerable to vibrations. This means that until you have installed a system capable of controlling vibrations and resonances, your equipment will never be able to perform optimally. Our experience has led us to understand and appreciate that, done properly, vibration control is by far the most effective and rewarding upgrade path for any audio system. Simply said, what you place your equipment on has a profound effect on how it performs.
There are other vibration controlling systems available but none of them approaches the sophistication of Modulum™ platforms and nothing approaches the astonishing results they deliver.
THE IMPORTANCE OF VIBRATION CONTROL TODAY
RESOLUTION
Over the last two decades, giant steps have been made by audio manufacturers to improve the quality of sound reproduction. This is directly related to the resolution level of audio components; the ability to retrieve and reproduce the faintest sound of a recording; the ability to sense the air surrounding the instruments; and the ability to perceive the full extent of decay of a note played on a piano.
Now that we have attained this level of resolution, it is more important than ever to control unwanted vibrations and resonances. Imagine a high-resolution camera lens sitting on a flimsy tripod that is blown around by the wind. You’re not going to get the high-resolution image you were hoping for.
Once you have placed an audio component on a Modulum platform you’ll soon find out that you are getting optimal performance.
The benefits are incremental. With each piece of equipment that is placed on a Modulum platform, acoustical resolution is progressively, and markedly, improved.
THREE PRINCIPAL SOURCES OF VIBRATIONS
Modulum platforms work by reducing the effect of the three principal sources of vibrations simultaneously.
Modulum platforms eliminate unwanted vibrations in a variety of ways.
FUNDAMENTAL VIBRATION CONTROL
Establishing a solid foundation
THE MODULUM™ PLATFORM AND STAND STRUCTURAL DESIGN
The first step in addressing vibration issues starts with the architecture and the design of a platform and stand system.
1. CHOOSING THE BASIC MATERIAL
Modulum first started developing its platforms by studying the characteristics and properties of basic materials. Plexiglass, marble, granite, plywood, MDF and solid wood were among the candidates. Solid hardwood correctly laminated and shaped to optimize vibration dissipation ended up as the clear winner.
2. CHOOSING THE APPROPRIATE HARDWARE MATERIAL
The next step was to choose the material for the hardware. We initially used solid wooden posts. Although they performed well, we thought they had some drawbacks in terms of reliability in the assembly of the modules. We opted for solid aeronautic grade 6061 T6 - 1 1/2" aluminum tubes.
3. CHOOSING EFFECTIVE DAMPENING MATERIAL
We used compressed rubber joints/washers to dampen vibrations and spread the pressure evenly throughout the entire assembly. They are placed at each point of contact between the wood platform and the aluminium hardware.
4. HIGH PRECISION CNC MANUFACTURING
All Modulum platforms are CNC manufactured. This ensures speed, precision and consistency.
The level of performance we achieved with our first assembly was superior to that available from most products on the market. But most importantly, it convinced us that managing vibrations was a truly effective path to improving audio systems.
We started exploring additional ways to build upon the level of performance we had already achieved.
MECHANICAL VIBRATION CONTROL
Further controlling vibrations and resonances
MAPPING STRESS, VIBRATIONS AND RESONANCES
To improve upon what we had achieved, we used finite element software to understand how our wood platforms behaved when exposed to vibration. The mapping of the platform showed us where the mechanical stress was concentrated and having the greatest effect.
We studied different vibration control avenues to solve the problem. A passive vibration control method caught our attention: tuned mass damping. The same technique is used to protect skyscrapers, bridges and power lines from the devastating effects of earthquakes and wind-induced vibrations.
Of all the means to control vibrations, this is the most effective. The Modulum Harmonic Absorber. This system has an effect on all fronts. The component itself, the adjacent components, the external vibrations induced by walls and floors and airborne vibrations. It is the holistic line of defense.
It is inspired from by seismic control of skyscrapers, bridges and Stockbridge dampers and ship seismic dampers.
TUNED MASS DAMPING
THE MODULUM HARMONIC ABSORBER
Modulum harmonic absorbers are meticulously designed laser-cut stainless steel blades. They are mounted in a specific array in precise areas underneath the platforms to reduce the amplitude of mechanical vibrations and resonances.
For months we experimented with different designs of harmonic absorbers. We were able to whittle down our initial selections to twelve different models that are now used in different combinations to optimize the performance of all our platforms no matter what size or type of wood.
TUNING
Audio signals can be disturbed to the point of unwanted degradation by not just one, but many levels of vibrations.
Experimenting with different sizes of Modulum Harmonic Absorbers was like working with a graphic audio equalizer, adjusting the peaks and valleys throughout the frequency range. When harmonic absorbers are precisely designed, the audio signal that emerges is as close to the unadulterated original recording as possible.
In terms of music reproduction quality, everything falls into place. Better focus, better soundstaging, depth, clarity, tonality and so much more.
Well-tuned platforms enable audio equipment to perform at its best and give you the exceptional listening experience you’re looking for.
BEFORE
Several different stress levels (in red and green) on a platform
AFTER
With the use of Modulum tuned dampers, detrimental stress is removed resulting in optimized audio performance
Imagine the beauty and purity of sound that you’d get from a front row seat near this still lake.