Speakers and Line Arrays play a fundamental role in the amplification of live sound. The main goal of line arrays is to evenly distribute the entire frequency range and "loudness" of the performance to the audience, regardless of where people are located. Stage handlers and audio engineers work together before a live performance to achieve the optimal sound quality for audience satisfaction during the live event experience. Typically, traditional line arrays are installed by technicians on the ground floor. With the help of motorized hoists, the speakers are hung or “flyed” to be mounted at a specific height and reach the J-shaped curve, provided that the stage or venue can adequately accommodate the weight and the height of the speakers. Any horizontal or vertical calibration and directional approximation of the speakers must be completed before flying the array. Recently, thanks to digital technology, it has become possible to orient or aim a line array without physically moving the speakers. Some companies such as Renkus-Heinz and Martin Audio have developed various digitally and electronically controlled speaker arrays. While the specifics, motives and methods of each company's technology may vary, it appears that the main purpose and focus of each is the ability to calibrate line array speaker placement after flight. Renkus-Heinz has ICONYX. At first glance, the popular application of this particular family of digitally controlled column line arrays is to reinforce sound in public places such as airports, museums, stadiums, cathedrals and even corporate classrooms. ICONYX also boasts its specific design and ability to blend seamlessly with the architecture of the... center of the card... before the show; and could potentially allow more time to be spent on other aspects of the event, to ensure the quality of the overall experience. The current technology that allows digital control of speaker arrays is probably not perfect yet. However, it is undoubtedly an advancement in the audio industry in terms of innovation and showcasing the possibilities for live sound amplification. Perhaps comparable to the time when digital audio workstations began to arise, some may dislike or even disapprove of the new ideas, but in time, it is very likely that this technology will find its place in the world of audio. Works Cited http:// www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar06/articles/live_linearrays.htm http://www.martin-audio.com/mla/c-design- background/ http://www.renkus-heinz .com/ http://www.renkus-heinz.com/iconyx http://www.renkus-heinz.com/rhaon-software