Brent McCall -

VR3

I was curious...

What kind of research, testing, etc goes into cables...

I mean, I find it hard to imagine what on earth yall do to get what you get...

What are the goals? the design? what do you consider when you design it?

Etc....

Curiosity kills me...lol

Also wouldnt mind quoting you on my website (if you dont mind)..

Thanks

Brent McCall

Trey:
I am a HiFi nut.
I got started in the mid 60's. My dad had a Sylvaina console stereo turntable (with 2 way speakers). We would listen to Arti Shaw, Pete Fountian, Al hirt and Satchmo. I could sit in front of that thing for hours. When I heard the "Peanuts-Linus and Lucy Theme" I talked my parents in sending me to piano lessions (good training for listening tests).
Music is the experience, the gear is just a way to get there (however sometimes it is at least half of the fun).
My products are intended to have as little inter-action with the signal as possible.
A lot of the time this is not something that can predicted as an absolute by the engineer, so many hours are spent just sitting with my eyes closed listening/comparing. As no dout you have found this will tell you the truth. My tastes run from Rock/Jazz/Classical/Blues/Country but not much Rap (I am 45).
While not overly scientific this is the basis for my cable design selection. Once I develope the prototype cable I will send it out to other people in the industry, Dealers (ones that I know care about the music), manufactuers
(Parasound, Bohlender/Graebner are generaly the first).
From what they tell me (and what I hear) we modify if nessasary and retest. Since these guys can be brutal it is always scary (particulary Robin & Fred at B/G, Fred used to be KEF and knows his stuff).

I am also still a practicing custom installer.
So my products have to also be as easy to install as possible and durable (Robin at B/G also used to be an installer, he may notice something that I am blind to).

Funny thing is Cable design is not Rocket Science.

As I tolld Mark in our first conversation my goal was not to build a high end product (too small of a sales base), but to design/build a cable that performed the same cable-cable-cable ad nausium.
There are however certain construction processes that can and do make a major difference in cable performance. When these are correctly used, you get a cable that is not only consistant in performance. But will also provide a great dollar/performance.


To be brief:
I build what I would like to listen/watch.

I AM BIASED. These are my babys.
I want them to be right (I also like to hear people say good things about them).
The guy that owns Metra/Ethereal has given me the time and resources to hopefully do this right (Ethereal does not keep Metras doors open, dash kits do that).
Like most of the forum members I am still in love with the music (and would pay to do this if I had to).

PS.
The cable swap program is a great way for me to verify or modify my designs.

Sorry to go on for so long.
My wife says I should have been a preacher.

Thank You

mantis

Brett,
I didn't know you where an Installer. I am an Installer as well.
I did a small job yesterday with a plasma lift. Check it out in electronics. It's Bose 321 with a plasma lift.

I work for Tweeter. Who do you work for and what do you Install?

Dan

dorokusai

Just as a side note, I grilled the shite outta Brent about his cables, and he was as open as you could possibly get about the approach, design, and application of what Ethereal is all about.

That impressed me very much. They are a worthy addition to the program.

VR3

Thanks for the thorough reply...

That sounds awesome, and it definetely sounds like you put alot in your product!

I will definetely sign up for more Ethereal demos in the future...

Thanks again...

There are way to many solid companies out there, makes things way to hard to decide...lol

Brent McCall

Last night while responding to this post.
I was programming a Crestron system including:
CP2e
CNX-RMC (2 ea)
TStats (2 ea)
ST1700C (4 ea)
TPS2000L (7 ea)
ML500 (4 ea)
WPR48 (1 ea)
Vantage Lighting (138 Loads)
Knox HD-8
DSS Tivo (6 ea)
Sony DVD Changer (1 ea)
Sony Single DVD (7 ea)
Sony 50" Plasma (1 ea)
Sony 37 " Plasma (1 ea)
Sony 24" LCD 4 ea)
Parasound ZAmps (6 ea)

All of this with with complete control of EVERY load in the system On/Off, Bright/Dim, Timers etc.
Its all about the show.
Your posts were my break.

I work directly for Metra/Ethereal.
My job is product developement and support.
But.. I feel that the only way that I can design real and usable products is to go out in the field.
I will do Crestron and Vantage jobs for dealers and on occation other manufactuers.

Thank You

Brent McCall

Oh BTW:
I still do some audio.


JBL-Outfitted ‘Bug’ Draws Attention After Landing At CES, Super Bowl
Wednesday, February 18, 2004 by Rob Granger

This 1998 Volkswagen Beetle has been driven only 98 miles, but it's already been seen by thousands. Awarded "People's Choice Best of Show" at CES 2004 in January, and recently showcased in the Budweiser booth at Super Bowl 2004 in Houston, the car was rebuilt from the ground up by a team of six METRA auto sound installers and an airbrush artist.

Over a span of six months, more than 2,000 hours were spent gutting and rebuilding the inside, down to the factory wiring. JBL supplied the audio components, including a W15 GTi subwoofer; Power Series amplifiers including a BPX 2200.1 and two PX 300.4 amplifiers; and C608 GTi speakers.

The car's steering is controlled by dual joysticks, allowing it to be driven by the driver or the passenger, while the speedometer and odometer are viewed through 15-inch monitors on the driver and passenger sides. The Beetle's power windows and locks are controlled by a Crestron touch screen, making it the world's first fully automated vehicle and one of the most advanced cars ever built. Connecting cables and power distribution products were provided by Tsunami Installation Products.

The vehicle will be shown throughout the year at Hot Import Nights, SEMA, dB Drag, IASCA, USACi, and other industry events. The Beetle’s creative team includes: David "Fishman" Rivera, Jeremy "Froggy" Carlson, Scott "Poopie" Palmieri, Emilio Oliverus, Tom "Big Time" Reece, Brent McCall and Rudy "Bacon" Zannet.

http://www.carsound.com/NewsFiles/arc1-2004.shtml
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/customcar/scene/20040407/dave_rivera.html
http://www.m-emag.com/article.asp?section_id=11&article_id=544&page_number=3&preview=
http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/crestron/lst?.dir=/Crestron+Bug&.src=gr&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//briefcase.yahoo.com/

CES 2006 will realy be cool.

Thank You

Brent McCall

Bug with Crestron Panel
We have over 100 relays run by rs232.
This is so much fun.

VR3

wtf is that???????????

Brent McCall

98 Beetle w/ 15" LCD screens.
NO Steering wheel.
Custom Seats.
And a whole lot of JBL.
Steering is by joy sticks in each door.

VR3

AWESOME! That would be very cool!

Is this the install u did?

Brent McCall

While I did do some of the Seat design.
My major part was the wire layout and Automation/Crestron interface.

Brent McCall

Seats