Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Surround Array Placement Software

This is topic Surround Array Placement Software in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 06-29-2006, 01:48 PM:

Does anybody make software that allows you to input the room dimensions and speaker dispersion patterns and spits out exact speaker positions and mounting angles? You should be able to get pretty even (+/- 1 dB) coverage with precise placement and aiming. You could calculate manually but it would take a LONG time because you'd have to account for wave interactions from all the other speakers on that channel.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 06-29-2006, 02:02 PM:

I have used a rather expensive program from Rane called Ease
some people have had good luck with acousticad

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 06-29-2006, 08:02 PM:

EASE is the defacto standard of speaker simulations...most manufacturers have ease models. There is also a company Lara that makes a low cost, less sophisticated speaker simulation software.

EASE is not a RANE owned program. renkus-heinz is the caretaker of EASE. JBL Professional also sells it.

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 06-29-2006, 08:26 PM:

I have never heard of "Lara". Link?

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 06-29-2006, 09:39 PM:

http://www.integralacoustics.ca/

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 06-29-2006, 10:36 PM:

is correct it isn't Rane that owns Ease

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 06-29-2006, 11:33 PM:

But do remember to give it a good ear test. Computers can do wonders, but they often miss the little nuances that make it go from good, to outstanding. That said, I think I'll check some of those apps out. Probably work for my home system too, given the right info.

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 06-30-2006, 11:10 AM:

Ease is a great program but vey expensive. I usually work with a long time friend using his Ease programs and his input on projects requiring this information. My last project using Ease was for a cinema circuit in which we made layouts for small / medium and large rooms....several years later and 90 + rooms, the end result is great.
You can use published speaker factory 360 degree dispersion charts and a drafting table for quick and dirty situations regarding placement but the whole picture regarding room surface splatter and other issues would not be addressed.
Regarding using your ears...RH also has a program to allow you to hear how the room would sound in the design phase [Cool]

I have not had an opportunity to try it but my friend says it is amazing.

Posted by Eric Robinson (Member # 2966) on 07-01-2006, 02:40 PM:

It looks like Ease 4.1 is for sale on SoundBroker dot com for about $8K.

Here's a link to the product:
Ease 4.1

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-01-2006, 07:18 PM:

I prefer Ease myself and have used it on many big jobs... I got mine from a friend that works in the auto industry, although its an older version as his department was going to toss it.

quote: Michael Schaffer
I have never heard of "Lara".

Michael,

Spike Jones has the best version of "Laura" [Big Grin]

!

Mark