Renkus-Heinz Inc. - Pro Audio

The following class synopsis gives a general idea of the subjects covered in the EASERA/EASERA SysTune classes. As each instructor brings his own methods to teaching the class and the level of experience of the students in the classes varies, the classes may not follow this schedule exactly and these synopses should not be viewed as class outlines.

Prerequisites: Own a copy of EASERA, EASERA Pro or EASERA SysTune; have basic sound system measurement experience; be familiar with basic acoustic terms and industry standards for sound system performance and with using computers and the Windows operating system.

Class Overview:

EASERA classes emphasize the practical use of EASERA and EASERA SysTune for sound system and room acoustic measurements. Both EASERA and EASERA SysTune will be covered and all class participants will be trained on both programs. Particular emphasis is placed on making fast and accurate field measurements and interpreting the results.

The class includes an overview of all the modules of EASERA and EASERA SysTune. Due to the complexity of the programs, every option will not be discussed nor will every button be pushed, but students will have a good working knowledge of both programs and be ready to make their own measurements at the completion of the class.

Participants will get more from the class if they have installed EASERA or EASERA SysTune and worked through the tutorial at least once. The goal of the EASERA/EASERA SysTune class is to learn to use EASERA and EASERA SysTune as a tools. We must assume students have a certain level of experience in pro-audio and room acoustics. The class is not a class in acoustics or system design. We recommend that students attend a Syn-Aud-Con seminar, take classes at the NSCA & InfoCOMM expos or take advantage of similar educational opportunities before coming to the EASERA classes.

Class in general:

The class will be presented over two days at a facility where we can take measurements. We try to find acoustically “interesting” venues for the classes. The first day will concentrate on understanding the software, interfacing with the necessary hardware and calibration. The second day will be at a location where the class will be able to make real site measurements of an acoustic space. Loudspeakers of various types and sizes will be provided as will a number of external sources such as balloons and pistols.

What students should bring: All that is required for the class is an inquisitive mind and pleasant nature; however, certain items will enhance the participant’s experience if they are available. A laptop computer with EASERA or EASERA SysTune installed; a mic-pre/sound card, a measurement microphone and a piston phone/mic calibrator will allow the participant to learn on his own equipment. As the venue for the class may not be fully climate controlled, a sweatshirt or light jacket is recommended.

EASERA/EASERA SysTune Class Outline

Day One:

• Introduction to computer based measurement systems; EASERA & EASERA SysTune
.......- Basics of measurement
.......- Dual FFT measurement
.......- Overview of the EASERA Gateway

• Using the Live module to check signals, levels etc.

• Making a quick measurement o Setting the stimulus type
.......- Selecting the stimulus length
.......- Checking the level
.......- GO

• Introduction to evaluating a measurement
.......- View and Calc window
.......- Introduction to overlays
.......- Introduction to cursors

• Lunch

• Measurements in detail
.......- Types of stimulus
..............• Advantages/Disadvantages
..............• Using the Wizard
.......- Averaging
.......- Dual FFT and Gateway
.......- Real-time Transfer function and SysTune

• Processing o The Impulse response
.......- ETC
.......- Magnitude
..............• Smoothing
.......- Overlays & Cursors
.......- Windowing
..............• Symmetrical vs. asymmetrical windows
..............• Time-Frequency-Constant window in SysTune
.......- Echo Speech & Music
.......- Phase and Group delay
..............• Cyclic move
..............• Adjusting the receive delay
.......- Reverberation time
.......- Clarity Ratios
.......- Waterfall
..............• LF Modes
..............• Discrete reflections
.......- Room Acoustic metrics and the EASERA Appendix

• Calibration
.......- Calibrating EASERA SysTune
.......- Calibrating EASERA as a system
.......- Calibrating the EASERA Gateway

Evening: Optional Class Dinner

• DAY TWO:

• Making a multi-channel measurement
.......- Stereo mic
.......- Multiple mic
.......- Spatial Averaging with SysTune

• Aligning loudspeakers in time
.......- Continuous mode in EASERA
.......- Real-time impulse response in SysTune

• Crossover/time alignment
.......- Looking at magnitude
.......- Looking at time
.......- Looking at phase

• Aligning subs

• Break for lunch

• Spectral Averaging
.......- Multiple mics
.......- Multiple measurements

• Room RT
.......- Dodec
.......- Pistol
.......- Balloon

• Measuring background noise

• LEQ in SysTune

• Speech intelligibility
.......- SI Metrics
..............• %ALcons
..............• RASTI
..............• C50
..............• STI
..............• STI-PA
.......- Comparison of loudspeaker systems vs. distance
..............• Steerable line array loudspeaker
..............• Compact conventional two-way loudspeaker
.......- Real-time STI using live talker, SysTune

• EASERA & EASE Integration
.......- Analyzing EASE files in EASERA
.......- BIR files in EASERA and EASE
.......- Wrap-up, tear down
.......- Presentation of certificates