Overview:
The Operator Fundamentals covers the fundamentals of setting up a Smaart measurement rig and using Smaart to make basic RTA, Spectrograph, Transfer Function and Impulse Response measurements. Special attention is paid throughout the course to the subject of how to make valid and useful measurements, as opposed to simply making cool squiggly lines appear on the screen. This course begins with an overview of both the general system measurement theory involved as well as the operational context in which Smaart is used, namely in Sound System Engineering and Alignment. This course focuses on providing the attendee with a functional knowledge of how Smaart operates as a tool before expanding to the application of that tool in sound system engineering, and as much as possible, examines data interpretation as much as acquisition.
The first 2 days of class are primarily a classroom lecture and lab format, relying heavily on in-class measurements and utilizing a signal distribution system to distribute the instructor’s stereo measurement signals to the entire class. The 3rd day involves a hands-on practicum focusing on the implementation of the information presented in the first 2 days. It presents the use of Smaart in a methodical process of evaluating and adjusting the individual system components, and the subsequent combination of multiple subsystems into a multi-channel / distributed sound system. Throughout this alignment practicum, the session seeks to reinforce the necessary collaboration of measurement and listening skills.
The Operator Fundamentals Class provides:
1) A fundamental description of the measurement concepts involved in dual-channel FFT based analysis (as used in our industry).
2) A systematic breakdown of how they are realized in Smaart measurement software.
3) A detailed and hands-on (as possible) examination of the requirements for configuring and controlling a Smaart measurement rig.
Topics Covered Include (but not limited to):
Fundamental Measurement Concepts:
Single channel vs. dual-channel measurements / Time domain vs. frequency domain analysis / What the heck is an FFT?
Smaart Software Overview:
Software install/update & upgrade / Measurement Configuration / Measurement control & interface navigation
Anatomy of a Measurement Rig :
Hardware requirements / Standard Configurations / Basic Troubleshooting
RTA and Spectrograph Measurements:
Averaging and Banding / Feedback identification (& other cool things to do with Spectrograph / Calibration for SPL
Transfer Function Measurements:
Magnitude, Phase & Coherence traces: how they are generated and how to read them / Data Thresholding Functions and Improving Measurement Quality / Data Storage and Trace Averaging
Impulse Response Measurements:
Setting up the delay for Transfer Function measurements: Live IR and Delay Tracking / Measuring delay times for speaker system time alignment / Tips for improving IR measurement quality / The Impact of FFT Time Constant (window length) on Measurements
