XTIXTI
User’s guide
1/9
User’s guide
XTI
User’s guide
INDEX
1.
General information: what is the X-Treme Installer?
2.
Working principles
3.
The toolbar
4.
Setup
5.
Creating an audience area
6.
Adding arrays, single speakers and subwoofers
7.
Array editor
8.
Editing and deleting objects
9.
Map and section calculation and viewing
10.
Auto-range
11.
Array preview window
12.
Startup wizard
13.
Workspace
2/9
XTI
1. General Information: what is the X-Treme Installer?
X-Treme Installer (XTI) is proprietary software designed to carry
out a virtual installation with X-Treme audio systems, in order to
calculate the sound distribution produced in a three-dimensional
space by an installation in free field conditions. Line arrays, single
sources, and subwoofers, chosen from a list of X-Treme products,
can be arbitrarily placed and oriented in a virtual three-dimensional
space. Also, starting with four-sided planes, arbitrary three-dimensional audience areas can be created. The software will provide
several representations of the maximum continuous SPL distribu-
tion in the various areas of the virtual venue (broadband and octave
bands) as output. XTI automatically calculates an optimal geometric configuration (Autosplay function) for array installations, starting
with a field analysis of the sound produced for a series of possible
configurations.
2. Working principles
The following is an overview of XTI’s working principles.
The input data of the program is represented by the speaker data
files. There is one file per speaker containing maximum SPL data,
as well as balloon attenuation, with 5° angular resolution and third
octave spectral resolution. All of this data are accurately measured
in the Sound Corporation electro-acoustic laboratory.
Starting with this input data and the installation geometry data entered by the user, the program calculates the sound pressure level
on specific planes, which are also defined by the user, using the
complex sum of each speaker entered into the project as grids
with points on the planes themselves. The complex sum allows the
phase contribution of the sound pressure - due to different distances covered by sound of different speakers and thus the resulting
acoustic interference - to be taken into consideration.
Fig. 1 Main XTI software workspace
XTI is more than just a classic “aiming” software, since its three-
dimensional calculations allow for a more complete analysis
(showing horizontal sound dispersion and creating a more complex representation of the venue) and it is not limited to line array
systems. The software is fundamentally based on the interference
phenomenon, which provides an accurate estimate of interactions
between speakers, providing results that are more precise than
those obtained using a Ray Tracing-based algorithm; this accuracy
becomes fundamental to describe the directivity of “periodic” (in
the space) audio systems like line arrays.
However, no interaction with the environment is modelled, which
must be considered in order to interpret the information provided
in a useful and meaningful way. Figure 1 shows a screenshot of the
main workspace.
Specifically, this model results in a correct description of the array,
for which not even a minimally accurate estimate can be obtained
with a normal algorithm of the “energetic sum” (meaning “not considering the phase”, for example, see the Ray Tracing technique).
The sound is plotted on a graph in the map view with a color scale
on the ground level and on the areas set by the user, which can be
horizontal as well as inclined. It is also possible to map the level on
any vertical section by simply defining a segment on the plan view,
which matches the intersection between the plane of the desired
vertical section and the ground. In addition to the same segment,
both a graph of the sound level and a “sonogram” - which is a diagram showing the variation of the sound spectrum versus space
- are available: both of these two values are interpreted along the
predefined segment at the height of the listener.
3/9
User’s guide
The sound level in each of the plots previously described may be
broadband or limited to a particular octave.
The spectral resolution of the image is thus set to octaves; this
is just a “smoothing” of the internal data, which is calculated at a
higher frequency resolution set by the user.
The plotted SPL is interpreted as the maximum RMS Sound Pres-
sure Level which the loudspeaker system being used can provide.
Subwoofers are also modeled in XTI. It is important to note that the
SPL created by subwoofers is strongly influenced by the environment, which is currently not considered at all by XTI (for instance,
there is a substantial difference in SPL when subwoofers are placed
on the ground compared to when they are suspended, a difference
that is much less dramatic for normal speakers). Moreover, it can be
misleading to represent the perceived SPL at very low frequencies,
especially when limiting the spectral resolution output to octaves.
open
project
project
new
save
project
trash new
select zoom new
audience
new
speaker
array
Fig. 2 XTI toolbar
Entering a higher than native resolution (third octaves) the user can
obtain more accurate and homogeneous maps, because different interference patterns arising from a greater number of varying
frequencies (each of which is possibly present in the actual signal
reproduced) overlap.
Listener height: the generic height of the listener in meters. It is used
in zones in which no audience areas are set (see next paragraph).
Max and Min map values: expresses the upper and lower limits
in dB of the range used in the section view (and map view if Autorange is not set for the map view, see Autorange explanation below)
corresponding respectively to the warmest and coldest color in the
color-bar for broadband views (“Lin” or “A-weighted”). The scale
for single octave visualization is automatically lowered by 10 dB because, in the presence of broadband signals, the energy contained
in an octave is on average one-tenth (-10 dB) of all of the acous-
“meter” setup global
new
sub
trace
section
SPL
calculator
autorange
autorange
map
band
select
And even when we estimate it, it is a matter of experience to decide if it is sufficient, since it is not necessarily aligned with the
response of higher frequencies, but depends on the musical program (Fletcher - Munson curves describe this phenomenon very
well!). For this reason, XTI is currently not designed to accurately
suggest the correct number of subwoofers for an installation, nor
is it intended to provide a truly meaningful absolute SPL at those
frequencies. An estimate of the number of subwoofers to be implemented, once it has been given a certain configuration of satellites,
is suggested by X-Treme based on other guidelines, which do not
take the use of XTI into account (see the HPS or Line Array manual). However, this tool is very useful for detecting SPL variations
across the listener area, due to interference, which is very strong
and difficult to handle at low frequencies.
Now, let’s discuss XTI’s unique functions: if you own XTI and have a
PC, turn in on and try it out while reading this document.
3. The toolbar
Figure 2 is an image of the toolbar with a description of the function
of each tool.
4. Setup
Clicking on the icon
opens the Setup menu, which shows the following elements that
can be edited.
Frequency analysis: this lets the user set the frequency resolution for the calculation. For third octaves, the program performs its
calculations directly on the input data of the file (since it is stored in
third octaves). For higher resolutions, the input values of the files are
evenly divided in the sub-bands that were created.
tic energy present. When any new data is entered, the Autorange
function on the main screen is disabled and the next map will be
calculated with the new range set manually.
Temperature: enter the estimated air temperature during the performance (in Celsius) here. In the calculation, the temperature influences the sound speed and the resulting interference pattern.
Humidity: enter the estimated air humidity during the performance
here. It affects the absorption of sound by the air (important at high
frequencies).
Consider obstacles: if enabled, this option considers audience
areas, represented by four-sided plans, as obstacles. This means
that on each point of the map, the contribution provided by the
speakers that are visually hidden in these plans is neglected. A
geometrical optics estimate is used, which means that diffraction is
ignored. Despite this, the option can be useful if its limits are taken
into consideration. When the option is disabled, audience plans
are acoustically transparent. This function works also if the areas
concerned are switched to “not active” (see below).
Fig. 3 Setup menu
4/9
XTI
5. Creating an audience area
In the XTI program, a single audience area is represented by a foursided, horizontal or inclined plan. Areas with other shapes can be
assembled starting from this basic geometry.
These plans are generic surfaces on which the sound level is calculated, and may represent a listening area, a stage or a rigging
tower.
To create an area, activate the icon,
then click on the four selected points in the map window. An editing
window then appears asking you to enter the listener height (which
can be different for sitting or standing audiences): this defines another, height-shifted area, parallel to the “ground” quadrant, which
should contain the heads of the listeners. It is not advisable to set
different areas with points perfectly coinciding with each other.
It is possible to deactivate areas, meaning that they will not be
mapped. A deactivated area will have a grey outline instead of a
black one. Deactivating an area may be useful to visualize the sound
in zones located beneath another area. A deactivated area will still
be considered an obstacle if the Consider obstacles function is active. A deactivated area will be not considered by the Create and
Autosplay functions, explained in due course.
This window permits further editing of coordinates, also inserting
the z values and thus tilting and raising the areas, which were horizontal and at ground level until now. To edit the coordinates, refer
to the coordinate numbers (1 > 4) present in the map view.
To adjust the shape of the area, change the coordinates in the editing box, or drag the points directly with the Select tool for horizontal
movements.
Audience areas are also viewable in the section view. The z coordinate of number 4 vertex is automatically calculated, since it is
bound to the other three coordinates because it must be part of
the same plane.
6. Adding arrays, single speakers and subwoofers
Activation of one of the
icons allows the user to add an array, a single speaker and a subwoofer, respectively. In the map view, left click on the point where
you wish the speaker to be located and drag it to the desired target point (see below). The editing window that appears will accept
the signal data and the geometry of the new element. For single
speakers and subwoofers in particular, the program requires the
following:
• Model (chosen from the several X-Treme models available) and
its possible deactivation;
• Electronic delay on the signal: this can be inserted in terms of
meters covered by the sound or the corresponding time in milliseconds (entering time data modifies the spatial data and vice versa);
• Speaker position, in terms of the coordinates of the center of
the speaker’s front side (see further explanation);
• Target point coordinates: this defines the horizontal aiming
direction (different target points that are in line with each other
and with the speaker correspond to the same aiming direction)
Fig. 4 Screenshot of audience area management
Fig. 5 Initial editing window
The target point is represented by a triangle shaped arrow in the
map view, which appears when a speaker is selected using the
Select tool. The target point of a speaker, if not adjusted, is placed
2 meters to the right of the speaker by default. To change the target point of a speaker directly on the map, you can drag the target
point arrow with the selection tool.
The default height of a single speaker, when created, is the listener height in the highest active area in that particular position.
The default height of the target point, when dragged, is the listener
height in the highest active area in the new target point position.
The default height for a subwoofer and its target point is half of
its vertical dimension (with the subwoofer placed on the ground).
Speaker and target point height for an array are not adjustable in
this initial editor and must be modified in a more detailed way in the
array edit window, located on the right of the default workspace.
This editor deserves a specific explanation, and will be discussed
in the following chapter.
5/9
User’s guide
7. The array editor
Use the icon
to insert a new array; click on the selected point on the map and
drag it to the required target point for horizontal pointing.
Fig. 6 Array parameter management panel
Once the information in the initial editor is entered, a new editor
window appears on the right side of the workspace, with the following functions and options:
• Configuration: generic array model (XTMISI, XTMLA, etc.) and
possible global deactivation (ON-OFF) of the array.
• Installation: choice between “ground stack” and “flying stack”
installation.
• Height: flying bar height and vertical angle (for flying stacks): they
are both active for flying systems, while the angle is set to 0° for
ground configurations.
• Splay Angles: are the angles between each element and the previous one (the upper for flying/suspended configurations and the
lower for ground). This data is automatically limited to a welldefined range depending on the specific speaker geometry.
• Number of elements: for flying systems this number is limited by
the height of the flying bar; symmetrically, a default number of
speakers sets a minimum value for the bar height. The max. cap.
of the flying bar is certified up to 12 upper modules, but the XTI
program can accept a maximum of 16 elements.
• Model: specific model (upper module or subwoofer), and possible deactivation for each array element. Switching a model to
“subwoofer” automatically turns each box above it (suspended
array) or below (stacked array) into a subwoofer.
• On board amplifier: depending on the model, this allows the user
to decide where on board amplifiers will be placed, influencing the
position of the mass center and the resulting rigging output data;
in this case, filter choice (see next point) will be limited to groups
of equal filters, equal to the number of on board amplifiers.
• Filter: graphic third octave equalizer, chosen from a specific list
for each array model, which simulates the presets provided by
X-Treme Audio along with its products.
• Delay: a delay common for all of the elements (see previous paragraph for delay input modality).
• Create: using audience area’s geometry as input data automatically provides a feasible number of array boxes as well as flying
bar height and angle (for flying systems). An autosplay calculation is included (see below).
• Preset splay arrows: (to scroll splay sets): once array length
and height are chosen (manually or automatically) and when the
audience area design is decided, use these arrows to obtain
varying splay angle configurations, starting with a circular shape
and moving to more progressive curvatures, even a “J” shape.
The common factor of all these configurations is the total coverage angle, meaning the sum of the splay angles (with variations of few degrees), which depends on the specific audience
geometry. Pushing these arrows will result in forcing the flying
bar angle to its optimum value considering the specific audience
geometry.
• Autosplay: tests all the possible splay sets (introduced at the
previous point), and sets the one giving the best evaluated SPL
distribution on the active audience areas on a straight line pointing in the same horizontal direction as the array.
8. Editing and deleting objects
To delete a speaker, an array or an area, left click
then left click the element to be eliminated in the map view.
To move an object activate
(Select tool) and drag the desired element (in the map view).
Otherwise, double click the object and its editing window will appear allowing you to enter new coordinates.
To adjust speaker target points, it is possible to drag the triangular
arrow associated with each speaker or array, if previously activated
by single clicking
in the plan view. Each time you move the arrow, the target point will
be updated with the new horizontal coordinates of the arrow, and
its height will be set to the listener height in the highest active area
in the new position. If necessary, you can readjust the target point
height by editing the speaker window or changing the state (active
or inactive) of some areas.
To edit existing areas, left click on a vertex to view the coordinate
numbers, then right click to open the editor window.
9. Map and section calculation and viewing
Activating the
icon will calculate the sound level and make the color-map appear both in the plan view and in the vertical section view: the
sound level and sonogram also appear (if not hidden by the user)
along the segment of the section (Level and Sonogram).
The map, section, and level that appear are in the frequency range
currently selected on the toolbar.
The level in the map view refers to the listener height level at each
listener area, meaning each area at its height and inclination. This
means normal color discontinuities will be seen between neighboring areas where height discontinuities are present.
To set a new section segment, select the
icon and draw a line in the plan view: section, level and “sonogram”
will be recalculated and viewed.
To update these values (and not the map view) when segment
is left unchanged (but for example the speaker system setup is
changed), double click on the section view.
6/9
XTI
For a view similar to typical 2D aiming software, just trace a segment passing through the array itself in its pointing direction (see
the picture at the top of the manual).
Section, Level and Sonogram, and the distance in meters from the
beginning of the segment - meaning the first point clicked when
created - all appear on the x-axis.
The sound level plotted in the Level view is just the section value at
listener height (measured in dB on the y-axis).
The Sonogram maps the spectrum versus the distance, with frequency (Hz) on the y-axis. It provides a view of the frequency response versus space in a single graph in order to evaluate possible spectral irregularities along the defined segment. Both in the
map and the section view, the image can be zoomed in and out
by scrolling with the mouse wheel or using “page up” and “page
down” keys. The specific window needs to have been previously
activated by clicking the
icon. The Zoom tool
selects an area in the map view and adapts it to the window it
contains.
Panning is performed by dragging while holding down the mouse
wheel or using the keyboard arrows.
The second icon
is strictly dedicated to the plan view. When disabled, the range in
the plan view is the same as the section view. If enabled, it sets the
lowest and highest values present in the map view as limits, optimizing the color range for the map view (please, be careful at color
mismatch with the two views).
11. Array preview window
At the extreme left of the default workspace, a side view of the currently selected array is available.
Fig. 7 Detail of the acoustic map calculation
10. Autorange
Two functions are available for color map auto-ranging.
The first icon,
is a general Autorange for which the range limits are decided based
on sound that is evaluated in the entire volume of space involved.
When enabled, this function sets these values in the setup window
and allows the user to view current data (or calculates and makes
new data appear if no data are present). If the function is disabled,
the current range values will be maintained until a new range is
manually inserted in the settings editor (allowing for “same condition comparisons” between different speaker system setups, but
risking color map saturation where the data exceed the range).
Fig. 8
Preview window with indication of array mass center
The array image can be easily zoomed and panned using the same
control set for the map and section window (arrows or mouse wheel
for Panning and page up-down or mouse wheel for Zooming). The
utilities offered by this view are:
• Realistic viewing of the side appearance of the array, its curvature
as well as the presence of subwoofers and onboard amplifiers.
• Visualization of the array mass center position, its vertical projection on the rigging bar, and the distance of the projection point
from the front edge of the bar. The flying bar is correctly scaled
for each specific model as are the rigging holes (specific data are
contained in each speaker system file). Use this view to choose
the correct rigging hole, meaning the one that is closer to the
mass center vertical projection (red line).
12. Startup wizard
Starting a new project from the file menu, or simply clicking
will prompt an intuitive “wizard” that will allow you to set up a default
configuration, with a modifiable number of arrays and a rectangular
horizontal area, with modifiable dimensions and tilt.
7/9
User’s guide
13. Workspace
The workspace layout can be changed in several ways, dragging
the panels with the various views that are available. Several examples are shown in figure 9. The default workspace is shown
first and it can be restored any time by choosing “Workspace ->
default” from the main menu. When the layout is changed, the Custom workspace mode is activated and the new layout is automatically saved when closing, and recalled the next time it is opened.
Fig. 9 Some different XTI workspaces
8/9
Contacts
www.x-tremeaudio.com
X-Treme Headquarters:
via Monti Urali, 33 - 42100 Reggio Emilia - Italy
tel. +39 0522 557735
fax +39 0522 391268
X-Treme Audio reserves the rights to change or modify products and specifications at any time without prior notice.
X-Treme and the corresponding symbols, images and registered trademarks are of exclusive property of Sound Corporation group. © 2010 Sound Corporation group. All rights reserved.
9/9
For technical support/information: support@x-tremeaudio.com
For general information: info@x-tremeaudio.com
For commercial information: sales@x-tremeaudio.com
Loading...