The new Acoustical Simulation Tool (AST) software from NEXT-proaudio is an acoustic simulation software for 2D modelling of either single subwoofer sources or sub-arrays.
Based in a very fast and accurate algorithm, this tool is capable of predicting the acoustical performance of the subwoofers, helping the user to find the best solution for a given venue with a multiple sound sources. The simulator allows the user to simulate in 11 different ISO 266 spacing frequencies (20Hz~200Hz) with a single click.
AST includes a NEXT-proaudio’s subwoofer models database, containing sensitivity, max power, and subwoofer dimensions. After adding a sound source to the project, it can be easily modified by clicking on the top of each one.
There are several different parameters that can be adjusted, such as: orientation and vertical stack (up to 4 units), some other electronic parameters can be also individually configured like polarity, delay and gain (The gain value can be calculated according to the feeding amplifier power). Based on humidity, temperature and altitude, the speed of sound is carefully calculated in order to achieve the maximum soundwave phase calculation precision. The resultant coverage simulation is mapped in a Jet-color graphics with the SPL distribution throughout all the venue.
With a listening point, as known as a probe or “virtual microphone,” the user can easily predict the frequency and phase response in a desired location. AST provides up to 4 listening points simultaneously.
Polar plot is also available in this software tool. The user only needs to indicate how far the virtual measure will be taken and click to trace. The polar plot will be displayed in a separate window with some important information along side it as Q, DI and -6dB angle.
The long set up time as well as calculation errors, can be a big problem when inserting subwoofer arrays. To avoid set up problems, AST provides a function called “Insert Array” that enables the user to customize an array with only a few mouse clicks.
Setting up a subwoofer “Virtual Arc” can be a difficult and time consuming task – However, this is an easy job for AST users. Based on the acoustical beam aperture (0º~90º), a provided function called “Virtual Arc” does all the complex math calculations for you and presents the needed data (sub location and delay) to include in your DSP audio processor.
“Virtual Arc” is a very important and useful feature of AST because it automatically calculates the subwoofer delays to make a virtually arched array with the desired directivity pattern. It will save the user time when setting up a subwoofer array for a show.
