d&b audiotechnik has announced new capabilities for the Soundscape audio platform, to ‘further enhance a user’s ability to deliver outstanding multi-dimensional audio imaging, resolution and emulated acoustics’.

A Soundscape system comprises three elements – the DS100 Signal Engine, the hardware platform with comprehensive matrix functionality that can operate in a standalone system configuration mode or be combined with one or both of two software modules, En-Scene, an object-based positioning tool, and En-Space room-emulation software.

The latest feature updates are: Scenes – hardware-based scene memory capabilities within the DS100 Signal Engine and for the Soundscape software platform; two new room signatures within En-Space; and a configurable ‘Spread factor’ for function groups in En-Scene.

Scenes enables snapshots of all DS100 and Soundscape parameters (Matrix/En Scene & En Space) to be stored within the DS100 hardware memory. These allow scenes to be created in R1 remote control software offline without the DS100 for later transfer to the DS100 hardware memory. These scenes can be recalled from there using R1, but also via OSC commands – either as a direct call to a desired scene number or by stepping through the Scene list step by step using the Next/Previous function. OSC functionalities allow d&b systems to be integrated into third-party control systems – from advanced show control software such as Q-Lab up to creation of UIs on a tablet or smartphone.

En-Space room emulation software is an in-line technology, meaning to generate or expand the acoustic environment it does not use microphone feedback loops. Its outstanding simple setup and operation, make access to some of the world’s most acoustically renowned performance spaces a reality for installation and touring both indoors and outdoors.

Two new rooms, from Ravenna Italy join the existing seven concert and recital halls, significantly extending the scope of En-Space room emulation. With the very short and ‘dry’ reverberation of 1.3s from the Alegrie Theatre and the (massive & manifold) 5.6s from the Cathedral of San Vitale, users now have two new environments at their fingertips. These additional Space options are distinctly different from the extraordinary concert halls already available and open up new applications and new creative possibilities for existing designs.

Soundscape software allows for loudspeakers to be combined into Function Groups. This ability to organise and address loudspeakers by groups – according to their function within the whole loudspeaker system (like mains, front fills, delays) ensures the flexibility and simple operation of a Soundscape system. The new ‘spread factor’ increases the capabilities of these function groups – with an individual spread factor per function group, users can adjust how the spread setting of the objects are handled by the various function groups, thus determine the energy distribution between the loudspeakers within the different function groups according to the specific needs of the set-up.

‘In the field, we’re seeing people use the DS100 and the Soundscape software toolkit in all sorts of interesting and creative ways – some of them far beyond that we expected or could even imagine – we’re delighted to find that in the hands of sound designers and mixers the results are really impressive,’ says, Product Manager, Georg Stummer. ‘These latest updates are driven by feedback from real users which, as always, is a vital part of the product development process for us.’

This Soundscape toolkit is fully integrated into the d&b workflow, so that it can be used with an existing d&b system in the familiar ArrayCalc and R1processes and routines, similar in operation to any conventional d&b loudspeaker system. The extent of the loudspeaker system configuration is in the hands of the user: the more loudspeakers used, the greater the resolution and stability of the sound over the audience area. The system configuration can be extended to a full 360° surround design for venues the size of an arena, enveloping the entire audience.

More: www.dbaudio.com