John Meyer
Loudspeaker designer and co-founder, Meyer Sound
Major contribution
John Meyer developed controlled loudspeaker-and-processor systems that brought compact, repeatable reinforcement to concert and theatre applications.
John Meyer developed loudspeakers at McCune before founding Meyer Sound with Helen Meyer in 1979. His research addressed distortion in transducers and ways of controlling sound coverage, with the aim of improving reinforcement rather than simply increasing level.
An important theatre application was the UPA, developed in response to Abe Jacob’s needs in 1980. Meyer’s account links its compact format and accompanying processing to practical theatre-system design, while the company’s customer relationships provided continuing input into product development.
Key work
- Meyer Sound founding (1979)
- Ultra Monitor for Jefferson Starship (by 1980)
- UPA theatre loudspeaker (1980)
In the chronology
Selected sources
- Q & A: Helen and John Meyer · Live Design
- The Ballad of John and Helen · Cal Alumni Association