L-Acoustics dV-DOSC, Operator'S Manual

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dV-DOSC dV-SUB Manual V3.0 June 2005
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2.4 dV-DOSC COVERAGE MODELING USING SOUNDVISION
SOUNDVISION is a proprietary 3D software program dedicated to the modeling of the entire L-
ACOUSTICS product line - including dV-DOSC, V-DOSC, KUDO, ARCS, XT and MTD enclosures.
Designed with a convenient, graphical user interface, SOUNDVISION allows for the calculation of
sound pressure level (SPL) and coverage mapping for complex sound system or venue configurations.
Room geometry and loudspeaker locations are defined in 3D and simplified operating modes allow the
user to work in 2D to rapidly enter data. According to user preference, either horizontal (plan) or
vertical (cut) views can be selected to enter room coordinates or to define loudspeaker
placement/aiming. SPL plus coverage mapping are then based on direct sound calculations over the
defined audience geometry.
SOUNDVISION features a user-friendly interface with multiple toolboxes that allow for convenient
entry of room and loudspeaker data while displaying coverage or mapping results along with 2D
Cutview, Target and Source Cutview information. All toolboxes can be displayed simultaneously,
providing the user with a complete control interface that allows for rapid system optimization.
Using sophisticated modeling algorithms, SOUNDVISION offers several levels of support. Due to its
speed and ease-of-use, “Impact” mode is well-suited to the needs of touring sound engineers and
touring sound companies. More detailed information is available in “SPL Mapping” mode, providing an
invaluable tool for the audio consultant or sound designer. For the installer, physical properties
provided in “Mechanical Data” provide useful practical information for fixed installation applications.
Impact mode coverage is based on the -6 dB directivity over a 1-10 kHz operating bandwidth (at 5
degree angular resolution) and allows for visualization of system coverage and SPL distribution.
Optimum SPL contours are highlighted within the displayed -6 dB coverage pattern (filled circles
correspond to the -3 dB coverage pattern) in order to facilitate the implementation of multiple source
installations. For offstage LL/RR V-DOSC or dV-DOSC arrays (or distributed sound reinforcement
design using coaxial loudspeakers), the goal is to align filled circles in order to have even coverage.
Mapping mode provides a color-coded representation of the SPL distribution over the defined room
geometry and allows for visualization of the coverage of individual loudspeakers as well as the
interference between multiple loudspeakers. In mapping mode, the user can select individual 1/3
octave bandwidths, unweighted or A-weighted SPL, or any frequency range between 100 – 10k Hz.
Typically the 1-10 kHz bandwidth SPL mapping provides a good representation of system
performance since this bandwidth is responsible for perceived system intelligibility and clarity.
To illustrate dV-DOSC coverage, Figure 55 shows SPL mappings at octave band frequencies for an
array of 12 enclosures (angles = 5.5, 5.5, 5.5, 5.5, 4.5, 3.75, 3.75, 3, 3, 3, 3). For this example, the dV-
DOSC array is perpendicular to a 35 x 100 metre target plane at a 30 metre throw distance (imagine
the dV-DOSC array firing at a large wall). Coverage is stable and well-defined above 1 kHz while
becoming progressively more omnidirectional at lower frequencies. Figure 56 shows impact mode
coverage and band-averaged SPL mappings for the array of 12 dV-DOSC enclosures pictured in Fig.
55. Impact coverage provides a good representation of the octave band mappings seen in Fig. 55 for
frequencies higher than 1 kHz. For this reason, impact mode is considered to provide a good
indication as to the overall coverage of the array in terms of clarity and intelligibility.
It is also interesting to compare the A-weighted, unweighted and 1-10 kHz SPL mappings of Figure 56
with the individual octave band mappings of Figure 55. The 1-10 kHz SPL mapping is seen to provide a
good representation of the overall coverage of the array and corresponds well with the coverage
predicted in impact mode. The A-weighted SPL mapping provides a more strict representation of
system coverage since there is more emphasis on higher frequencies while the unweighted mapping is
more omnidirectional due to the inclusion of lower frequency information in the average.
Note: For color versions of SOUNDVISION figures see the dV-DOSC manual PDF file available for download
on
www.l-acoustics.com
.
A complete description of SOUNDVISION is beyond the scope of this manual. For
further information, participation in a dV-DOSC or SOUNDVISION Training Seminar is recommended.