d&b audiotechnik HeadroomCalc

With a deep commitment to supporting sound engineers, system planners and consultants during each phase of its audio journey, d&b audiotechnik HeadroomCalc will make its InfoComm 2023 debut at booth #5561. Available in ArrayCalc v11, the patent-pending HeadroomCalc technology now predicts the reaction of a d&b system to a specific audio signal, providing a more precise sound pressure level (SPL) and headroom calculation than any other solution currently available.

HeadroomCalc is the latest update to ArrayCalc simulation software and will provide superior and more comprehensive predictability of system performance. It represents significant progress in predicting accurate system performance that will impact the planning and execution of future audio projects. It enables the customer to choose the right system and/or system amplifier, both of which influence the budget needed for a project. It assists in complying with health and safety regulations at live events that specify the limits regarding onsite sound exposure levels. Pre-recorded alarm messages can be reproduced with a certain SPL to satisfy all venue or legal requirements. 

“HeadroomCalc uses audio files provided by the user, representing a real-world application that allows users to accurately account for specific signal response as well as DSP limiter-based nonlinear processing impacts,” states Marc Lopez, Vice President of Marketing, d&b audiotechnik Americas. “Our customers will benefit from even more realistic simulation results, enabling them to create a system design that meets specification requirements at a new level.”

HeadroomCalc predicts the reaction of a d&b system to specific audio signals, providing a more precise SPL calculation by processing any user-defined audio file through a simulation of the configured audio system. The input signal, often a pre-recorded alarm message or a recording of the band, is fed into the simulated loudspeaker processing of the selected d&b system amplifiers with intermediate results of output voltage and gain reduction signals for every amplifier channel within the system over time. The output voltages are combined with the simulated impulse responses of the connected loudspeakers. This yields the sound pressure signals for every loudspeaker at up to five individual definable receiver points.

The total sound pressure signal is created for all receiver points, which is the sum of all sound pressure signals at each point. This is then used to derive the SPL metrics in the same manner a portable SPL meter would operate at each defined measurement point.

For more information, visit d&b audiotechnik at booth #5561 and demo room W230D.