Cliff Henricksen tells you about Cliff Henricksen
Background, Experience and Code of Work

I have worked with fascination, commitment and increasing success on technologies for the entertainment industry since 1966. As both an artist and an innovator, it has been and still is a true labor of love. 

My formal education has permanently imbedded the disciplines and fundamentals of engineering, mathematics and physics into all my work.  These fundamentals have become the foundation of all my work.  I have studied, researched, created and published numerous original writings that include mathematical models of complex mechanical and electro-acoustic systems, including the operation of horns and phase plugs for compression drivers.  I have extensive product engineering and design experiences of all kinds, from individual components to finished systems.  I designed complete sound systems for professional entertainment, athletics and large-scale public address.  On a number of these, I designed everything in the system, including all components, support structure and rigging and all electrical and electronic systems.  I also coordinated the efforts of structural and building engineers to legally satisfy code requirements, supervised entire installations including technical commissioning and voiced these systems totally by ear, to the delight of my customers. I worked on large corporate engineering teams both as an engineer and as an engineering manager.  I played a fundamental role in selling my own company to a major US corporation, working directly with its most senior executives.  I invented, patented and designed, for production, the first single-piece, injection-molded, radial phase plug for a large-format professional high-frequency compression driver. I invented and patented the (widely-proliferated) modern diffraction-slot constant-directivity horn.  I invented and patented a novel high-directivity arraying technology for large-venue and concert sound.  I invented and patented the first totally new amplification method for live musical ensemble performance since the invention of the electric guitar.  I designed and built, by hand, many working prototypes and other creations in my own shop, from loudspeaker systems to a complete, all-original, high-performance automobile.  I am author of numerous technical publications along with a growing catalog of self-published books.  My writing is often complimented as “a good read”.  I am an accomplished concert musician, band-leader, composer and arranger.  I have worked in large venues as a sound engineer, contractor and performing musician.  I have highly-developed, self-taught diagnostic listening skills that result in really good-sounding creations.  I can and do teach how to go about learning these skills to anyone.  I believe in the power of collaboration and in the exquisite pleasure of learning from everyone I meet.  My colleagues enjoy my company.  I love what I do, have fun, stay focused, honor my commitments, tell the truth, work hard, treat others with fairness, admiration and respect and I inspire others to excel and to enjoy the thrill of their own special and unique powers of creativity.

This wide body of work and experience I have described is all built on my foundation of science, mathematics and engineering.  But combined with my love of the art of creating beautiful sound and music, it has taught me to put more and more trust in my growing powers of pure intuition.  As a result, my growing capabilities have never been stronger.  I am very excited about my work in the future and I feel strongly that my best work is far ahead of me.