Wall Of Sound

The Grateful Dead's Wall of Sound was one of the most impressive and innovative live concert PA systems ever created. Designed by audio engineer and physicist Owsley "Bear" Stanley, the Wall of Sound was a massive, complex system that utilized hundreds of speakers to create an immersive and powerful audio experience for audiences.

The system was first used in 1974, and quickly became a defining feature of the Grateful Dead's live performances. At its peak, the Wall of Sound consisted of 586 speakers and weighed over 75 tons. It was so large that it required a crew of over 40 people to set up and operate.

One of the key innovations of the Wall of Sound was its use of delay lines. These were long tubes filled with air that were used to delay the sound of the music and create a sense of depth and space in the sound. The system also featured a custom-designed mixer that allowed the engineers to control the sound in a highly precise and flexible manner.

Perhaps most impressively, the Wall of Sound was designed to be self-powered. Each individual speaker had its own amplifier, which allowed the system to deliver an incredibly high level of sound pressure without distortion or feedback. This was a major departure from traditional PA systems, which relied on a small number of powerful amplifiers to drive large numbers of speakers.

The Wall of Sound was so powerful that it was capable of filling large outdoor arenas with sound without the need for additional reinforcement. In fact, the system was so loud that it could be heard from miles away, and was often the subject of noise complaints from neighboring communities.

Despite its technical innovations, the Wall of Sound was not without its challenges. The system was incredibly complex, and required a high degree of skill and expertise to operate effectively. It was also very expensive to produce and maintain, and required a significant amount of space to set up.

Despite these challenges, the Grateful Dead continued to use the Wall of Sound for several years, and it remains one of the most iconic and influential live concert PA systems of all time. Its impact on the world of live sound reinforcement cannot be overstated, and its legacy can be seen in the countless PA systems and sound designs that have followed in its wake.

The Wall of Sound also had a profound impact on the Grateful Dead's music itself. The band's focus on improvisation and experimentation was perfectly suited to the system's capabilities, and it allowed them to explore new sonic territories that would have been impossible with a traditional PA system. The Wall of Sound became an integral part of the Grateful Dead's sound, and helped to define their live performances during one of the most creatively fertile periods of their career.

In many ways, the Wall of Sound was a reflection of the Grateful Dead's philosophy as a band. It was an audacious and ambitious project that challenged traditional ways of thinking about live sound reinforcement. It was also a deeply collaborative effort, involving a large team of engineers, technicians, and musicians working together to create something truly remarkable.

Today, the legacy of the Wall of Sound lives on. It remains an inspiration to musicians, engineers, and audiophiles around the world, and its impact on the world of live music can still be felt today. The Grateful Dead's Wall of Sound was more than just a PA system – it was a symbol of creativity, innovation, and the power of music to bring people together.

The Wall of Sound was used at The Cow Palace on March 23rd, 1974. This show was released as Dick's Picks Volume 24 in 2002.