Ralph Heinz: Hello Ron, I was wondering if the textures you mentioned are associated with the materials data base, or do they need to be defined separately for rendering purposes?

Ron: They are defined separately and are not attached to the base in any way. You can use any bitmap, so it could be a photo if you want an outdoor scene behind a window, or it could be line drawings of bricks or stone or photos of the same thing.

Charlie Hughes: I saw something about loudspeaker phase data now being included. Will this take the same tabular form as the magnitude data?

Ron: Exactly the same form, Charlie.

Ron: For manufactures of speakers, if there are things you do not want the public to know, then you may submit a DLL with the special info. The only thing the user sees is the control panel of the speaker.

Joe Bennett: Speaking of the materials database, the one in 3.0 was a little vague. Have there been any improvements on material descriptions?

Ron: Some improvements are done, and more are on their way. The names now can be 255 characters in length, and the descriptions inside are unlimited. The priority has been to finish the program, and as time permits, I will be updating the lists with better descriptions and info about the measurement techniques.

roland: How much data is available to support predicted results as against actual results on an install?

Ron: Over the years, I and many other consultants and installers have made comparisons between predicted and real-world results. The correlation has been EXTREMELY good. This is based on TEF measurements and real people doing Alcons tests with word lists. The accuracy really depends on how good you are at modeling and in selecting materials that best describe the room you are in.

Bill Ketts: In the materials database, what is the source of the absorption numbers? And, also, we have added many new materials to our database. It we convert, will these still be there?

Ron: First question, we have four sources. "Sound System Engineering" by Don & Carolyn Davis; a book from Klark Teknik on sound system designs; the NIOSH book from the US government; and, input from the manufacturers that make the stuff. Second question, you will have to use the built in tools to convert your materials to the new format and when you install, rename the EASE database file name something else so that it does not install over the top of your info.

Dave D: Is EASE of any use to a touring/portable rig system guy?

Ron: Very much so. Many have modeled venues and shared these models, so that when you come in to use a particular venue, you can design the system in advance, and put it in fast and accurately.

Joe Bennett: You mentioned at NSCA that you might be traveling the country doing training seminars. Is that still in the works?

Ron: Yes - we will setting a schedule this fall, right after AES. Road seminars will start in February . I will also be doing one in Seattle-Tacoma November or early December.

Moderator: Are there other EASE educational programs?

Ron: Yes - Renkus-Heinz (RH) offers training at their headquarters every other month - check their web site for the current schedule. Electro-Voice (EV) also does some training on the road as well as at the factory.

Jeff: Will EASE 4.0 require more from a computer hardware standpoint?

Ron: Yes it does. As I have stated before, the fastest, biggest gun you can afford is what you need. But in all seriousness, the minimum processor requirement is 350-400MHz, with a video card that supports hardware acceleration such as Annihilator cards, as well as more memory and disk space.

Bill Ketts: When are you coming to Dallas?

Ron: Not when it is HOT!! As a rule, I try to go north when the weather allows and south when the weather requires. I also do private schools for people who want private tutoring ...(advertisement).

JohnC: Can you explain, specifically, the advantages that the inclusion of phase data on 4.0 will provide?

Ron: Up until now, phase was calculated using running time differentials between sources to calculate the nulls and anti-nodes. But now, with real measurements of phase, we can include phase adjustments used for aiming of line arrays. It also gives us a better understanding of the behavior of speaker clusters.

Joe Bennett: When can we expect copies of 4.0 to actually ship to end users?

Ron: Dr. Ahnert is expecting to show the release version of 4.0 at AES in New York. We will have the manuals in information updated by that time. Shipping will depend on how quickly the printing of the manual can be done. For those that cannot wait, the manual will be on CD as well.

Moderator: I know it will be shown by Renkus at AES, and that they will be conducting 30-minute overview seminars there.

Bill Ketts: What is the cost to upgrade?

Ron: That has not been set yet, but is under discussion and should be in line with previous upgrades. The CAESAR module will be an added cost, just like EARS and EARS RT. Additional costs are yet to be decided.

Joe Bennett: Is Dr. Ahnert's book a good companion for the EASE user, or is it more for people wanting to understand how the software was designed?

Ron: It is a great book for learning to design sound systems, period!

Bill Ketts: Would you supply more overview of CAESAR?

Ron: CAESAR is a module that has been developed by the professors at the university of AACHEN in Germany, and it was done in collaboration with Dr Ahnert. It allows the prediction of purely acoustic measurements such as EDT (Early Decay Time), T-10, T-30, as well as IACC and Echo Music and Speech Echo. These are measurements or predictions that are purely acoustic.

Moderator: Curious... what did you use for modeling before EASE?