Kudo apparently gets its name from 'K-Louvre Modular Directivity', a patent-pending technology designed to enable users to change the coverage pattern of the array mechanically - either vertically or horizontally. It incorporates the company's now-famous WST waveguide fundamentals, and comprises a medium-format, active 3-way system with two12", four 5" and two 1" components. But uniquely, K-Louvre itself is a system of control panels that slide across the front of the cabinets 55° inwards or 25° outwards.
"It's intermediate between V-Dosc and ARCS in terms of SPL," said Bauman, "and is not intended as a replacement product. Like V-Dosc, it can be used as a variable curvature, vertical line source array, at angles between 0° and 10°. At the same time, we can adjust the coverage horizontally using the K-Louvre technology. Like ARCS, we can fly it horizontally as a constant-curvature line source array, 10° per enclosure, thereby utilizing K-Louvre to adjust the coverage vertically."
Either way, Kudo is a product that places versatility at the top of the agenda, and Bauman's list of potential applications was comprehensive: theatres, concert halls, houses of worship, sports facilities, clubs, convention centres, hotel ballrooms and theme parks. Its appeal to architects and sound designers was highlighted, including support for the company's Soundvision modelling software. But it's a FOH touring product too, and is aimed at 'regional' rental companies tackling audiences of between 500 and 10,000. As might be expected, much consideration has also been given to system integration and the ease with which Kudo might be configured plug-and-play style on the road. With that in mind, standardized amplification and signal distribution packages are being developed.
