Smaart v8 Beta Readme Revision: 5100 (8.2 candidate) November 20, 2017 Disclaimer: The Beta build of Smaart v8 is available to users wishing to experience the bleeding edge software version that is still in development. While using the Beta you may encounter bugs, crashes, unexpected behavior, and awesome features. Please send crash/bug reports and feedback to support@rationalacoustics.com. Include as much detail as possible when describing how you encountered a bug or crash. Providing a step-by-step scenario for reproducing the bug/crash is immensely helpful and makes it much easier to track down the source of the problem. If a crash dump is available, please send that as well as the exact revision number of the build. For more information about collecting crash dumps, see our KB article here: http://rationalacoustics.com/support/035205-smaart-keeps-crashing A public forum is also available for discussions about the Beta: http://www.rationalacoustics.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?16-smaart-beta Copyright 2017 Rational Acoustics
Beta Build vs. Release Build The Beta and Release builds have been carefully segregated to allow both to be installed on the same computer without interfering with each other. Both builds use the same licensing, so there is no licensing change required if Smaart v8 is already activated on the computer. The configuration file is stored in a different location for each build, however both builds reference the same trace file location. The default installation directory for Windows is different for each build; the OS X app bundle name is different for each build (you can place both in the Applications folder). The Beta build displays the word BETA in red letters in the title bar of the application. The About dialog displays Smaart v8 Beta as the application name, and lists both the upcoming target major version as well as the revision number of the build. The revision number is the precise revision that was used to generate the Beta build. When new Beta builds become available, use File -> Check for Updates within Smaart to download and install the new version. The Beta and Release builds are on different update cycles, and update independently, as the Beta will be updated more frequently. Copyright 2017 Rational Acoustics 2
Table of Contents Beta Build vs. Release Build... 2 8.2 Features Outline... 4 10EaZy Integration... 5 Multiple Systems... 5 Maximum Average Manager (MAM) with dedicated Leq meter... 5 SPL Calculation Centralization... 6 Comprehensive SPL Log File... 6 Measurement Environment Header... 7 10EaZy Header... 7 Max/Limit Header... 7 Logged SPL Data... 8 Separate Input Meters and SPL Meters... 9 Polarity Invert... 9 SPL Alarms and SPL readout colors... 9 Max Reading and Reset Button... 10 Clip... 10 SPL Measurement/Logging Workflow... 10 SPL History Window... 12 Source Selection... 12 Plot Zoom Widgets... 13 Plot Legend... 13 Leq Buffer Reset Plot Markers... 13 Input Clip Markers... 13 Max, L10, L50, L90... 14 Copyright 2017 Rational Acoustics 3
8.2 Features Outline New features in 8.2 (as of Rev 5100): 10EaZy SPL monitoring system integration o Connect any number of 10EaZy systems to a computer running Smaart for a calibrated classcompliant* SPL measurement system o Cross-platform hardware support through Smaart o 10EaZy Maximum Average Manager (MAM) with limit warnings o Recalibration support SPL calculation centralization logging or metering an input triggers the calculation of 13 SPL metrics automatically Comprehensive SPL log file all SPL metrics in one file for every logged input SPL History Window(secondary plot complete) Separated Input Meters from SPL Meters SPL Alarms and SPL readout colors triggered by user-defined thresholds Leq buffer progress bar Input calibration date is now stored in the config file and used in SPL log files Added Peak C SPL metric Added Polarity Invert function, accessed via Input Meters Added horizontal orientation option to Input Meters Removed aspect ratio lock from Input Meters Added option to use Comma as decimal mark in log files (General Options) Added right-click menu to SPL meters Added under range indication to status button in SPL meters Various UI changes to comply with IEC 61672 Added handling for spotty network connections while using the Client Window Added Export to ASCII option to Data Library right-click menu. Saves directly to ASCII text file Added support for multi-select -> Copy to ASCII in the Data Library Fixed crash that could occur if Data Library Menu was open and the program was closed Fixed bug where application focus was occasionally lost Fixed bug where captured trace color pool reset after program restart, resulting in repeat colors Fixed bug where Meter Config was not being stored when saving through Manage Configurations dialog Fixed bug where Weighting Curve dialog table didn t update after Import/Delete Fixed bug where measurements would stop on server when Client Window connected Fixed crash that occurred randomly while measurements were not running</note> Fixed deadlock related to changing plot types Fixed scaling bug in Spectrum plots Fixed bug where capturing a trace from a weighted measurement and hiding it would clear the weighting *Class compliance certification pending Coming soon Log notes Copyright 2017 Rational Acoustics 4
10EaZy Integration Smaart 8.2 includes support for communicating with and measuring through the 10EaZy SPL measurement hardware, developed by SG Audio Aps. During 8.2 installation, the 10EaZy hardware drivers are automatically installed on your computer, so you only need to plug in the 10EaZy system and launch Smaart to begin measuring. Previously, 10EaZy hardware could only be used in the Windows operating system, however drivers for both Windows and Mac OS X are included with Smaart. 10EaZy can be used for all single-channel measurements in Smaart. For more information about 10EaZy hardware, visit http://www.10eazy.com Note: The 10EaZy/Smaart integration features are only available for 10EaZy Class 1, Class 2, and RT systems. The 10EaZy SW dongle is not supported. Multiple Systems Smaart can interface with multiple 10EaZy systems if they are all connected to the same computer via the onboard USB ports or a powered external USB hub. The 10EaZy Maximum Average Manager (MAM) implementation in Smaart can reference one 10EaZy microphone at a time. To monitor the SPL from multiple systems simultaneously, simple create a standard SPL Meter for each 10EaZy input. Maximum Average Manager (MAM) with dedicated Leq meter A dedicated Leq meter and Maximum Average Manager meter is provided for the 10EaZy microphone. When 10EaZy is connected, an additional settings group becomes available in the SPL Config (previously Meter Config) tab of the Configurator. The MAM is tied to the SPL Meters window, so you must show the SPL Meter windows (E hotkey) to see the MAM. Copyright 2017 Rational Acoustics 5
SPL Calculation Centralization When an input is calibrated for SPL, and logging is enabled or an SPL meter is displayed, Smaart automatically begins calculating 14 sound level metrics for that input regardless of which meters are actually showing. The 14 SPL metrics are: db FS db SPL Fast db A SPL Fast db C SPL Fast db SPL Slow db A SPL Slow db C SPL Slow Leq1 LAeq1 LCeq1 LeqT (where T is a user-defined time period) LAeqT LCeqT Peak C This provides a way to easily log and monitor SPL/Leq without taking up screen real estate, and without the risk of resetting Leq buffers while reconfiguring SPL Meters. Comprehensive SPL Log File Each logged input has a dedicated, time-stamped log file containing all 13 SPL metrics. Additional logged data includes Input Clips, Alarms, Leq Reset, and a dedicated 10EaZy Leq column if the logging device is 10EaZy. The default save location for log files is /Documents/Smaart v8/logs, with the file name being YYYYMMDD.HHMM.Device.Input.txt. When Smaart is closed, an informational header is written to the top of the log file containing various postanalysis results. If logging is stopped, then started again, a new log file is created with the new starting time recorded within the file. Copyright 2017 Rational Acoustics 6
Measurement Environment Header File Creation Date the date/time when the file was created. Operator from the Log Config dialog Company from the Log Config dialog Venue from the Log Config dialog Input Device Friendly Name of device Input Channel Friendly Name of channel Calibration Date Smaart 8.2 and newer saves the calibration date in the config file. If no date available (calibrated before 8.2), log will say Unknown Smaart Software Version current Smaart software version 10EaZy Header This section is only present in log files generated from a 10EaZy input. 10EaZy limit Leq limit configured in 10EaZy MAM config within SPL Config 10EaZy Calibration status either Factory Calibration or User Calibration. Number of Limit Violations (10EaZy) number of violations based on 10EaZy limit in MAM config Total time above Limit (10EaZy) total time above limit configured in 10EaZy MAM config Max LAeq value (10EaZy) Max LAeq value while logging Max/Limit Header Each value in this header refers to the metric derived from the entire log s data. If an Leq or Max value has been reset, there will be an asterisk (*) next to the value in the header. Alarm 1 (Alarm level) Alarm 2 (Alarm level) Number of Alarm 1 Violations Copyright 2017 Rational Acoustics 7
Number of Alarm 2 Violations Max Leq1 Max LAeq1 Max LCeq1 Max Leq T Max LAeq T Max LCeq T Max db SPL Slow Max dba SPL Slow Max dbc SPL Slow Max db SPL Fast Max dba SPL Fast Max dbc SPL Fast Number of Overloads Logged SPL Data The data section of the log file contains 21 columns: Time date/time when logging occurred 10EaZy LXeq T only present with 10EaZy inputs at the time of logging Peak C Max C weighted Peak SPL SPL Fast Max unweighted db SPL Fast maximum value since last log entry SPL A Fast Max dba SPL Fast maximum value since last log entry SPL C Fast Max dbc SPL Fast maximum value since last log entry SPL Slow Max unweighted db SPL Slow maximum value since last log entry SPL A Slow Max dba SPL Slow maximum value since last log entry SPL C Slow Max dbc SPL Slow maximum value since last log entry Leq1 1 minute unweighted Leq at the time of logging LAeq1 1 minute A weighted Leq at the time of logging LCeq1 1 minute C weighted Leq at the time of logging Leq1 C A LAeq value subtracted from LCeq value at the time of logging Leq T user-period unweighted Leq at the time of logging LAeq T user-period A weighted Leq at the time of logging LCeq T user-period C weighted Leq at the time of logging Leq T C A user-period LAeq value subtracted from LCeq value db FS Max db FS maximum value since last log entry Overload * in cell if input was clipped since last log entry Alarm 1 * in cell if Alarm 1 was triggered since last log entry, empty otherwise Alarm 2 * in cell if Alarm 2 was triggered since last log entry, empty otherwise Leq Reset * in cell if reset was triggered since last log entry, empty otherwise Copyright 2017 Rational Acoustics 8
*Clips, Alarms, and Leq Resets are logged at the time of the event, regardless of logging interval. The current value for each metric is recorded, along with an asterisk in the appropriate column. Separate Input Meters and SPL Meters Input Meters and SPL Meters are now independent standalone windows. Input Meters are automatically configured based on selected devices and inputs. Meter Config has been renamed to SPL Config and is dedicated to configuring SPL Meters. A horizontal orientation has been added to Input Meters, toggled using hotkey Alt + Shift + E or via the menu at View -> Input Meters -> Input Meter Orientation. The aspect ratio lock has been removed from Input Meters, making it a more flexible little dude. Polarity Invert The polarity of an input can be inverted using the button near the corresponding Input Meter. Engaging this setting inverts the polarity of the signal at the input level, effecting all measurements using that input in Smaart. SPL Alarms and SPL readout colors Two customizable SPL Alarms can be configured in the lower portion of SPL Config. When an alarm is active, the chosen calibrated input is monitored using the selected SPL metric and alarm level. If the level is exceeded, the border of the SPL Meters window flashes red and Alarm 1 X db is displayed in the title bar for the configured duration. If logging is enabled on the input, the alarm is recorded in the log file. In the SPL Display Settings area of the SPL Config, there are three SPL thresholds that control the color of SPL Copyright 2017 Rational Acoustics 9
meter readouts; Green Above, Yellow Above, and Red Above. If the value displayed in an SPL meter exceeds one of these thresholds, the readout color will change to reflect the threshold color. These colors serve as visual aids and SPL readout color changes are not recorded in the log file. Max Reading and Reset Button Each SPL Meter includes a Max reading, which indicates the maximum level of the metric represented in that meter since the measurement began. If you re logging, this corresponds with the Max value in the Max/Limit header section of the log file. Clicking the Max Reset button (circle icon in image above) resets the Maximum level reading and adds an asterisk next to the value in the log file. The color of the Max Reset button indicates the health of the SPL level. Grey indicates that the signal is under range, which is defined as anything below the Green Above threshold in SPL Config, or a hard-coded threshold for 10EaZy hardware. Green indicates that the signal is within range and not clipping. Red indicates that the signal is clipping the input. Clip When a clip occurs, the SPL meter Max Reset button will turn red, and OVERLOAD will be indicated where the Max level is normally written. After a clip occurs, all Leq measurements taken from that input will automatically reset. SPL Measurement/Logging Workflow Begin by choosing the desired input device and channel in Options -> I-O Config (click the Use checkbox). If the input is not already calibrated for SPL measurement, select the channel that needs calibration and click the Calibrate button at the bottom of I-O Config. Proceed with calibration, referring to the Help Files if you are unfamiliar with the process. Note: 10EaZy Class 1 and Class 2 systems are calibrated from the factory. Copyright 2017 Rational Acoustics 10
Next, click the SPL Log Config button at the bottom of I-O Config. SPL Log Config opens and you re dropped in the SPL Config tab of the Configurator at the same time. Operator, Company, and Venue are optional informational fields that are added to the header of each SPL log file, enter something useful and proceed to choose which calibrated inputs you wish to log using the tree view at the bottom of the dialog. Checking the box next to the device name selects all calibrated inputs for that device. Click Ok to close the dialog. You may choose to configure SPL Meters for display at this time, but you can also do this after logging begins; the SPL Meters are a view of the SPL measurements that are calculating and logging in the background. The following items must be configured prior to the start of logging, as they will be greyed when logging begins: Logging Interval, Log Path, User Leq Time, all Alarm settings, and 10EaZy Limit, Weight, and Period. When you re ready, click Start Logging in the top-right of SPL Config. Rejoice. Copyright 2017 Rational Acoustics 11
SPL History Window The SPL History window is a standalone window that shows a graphical presentation of the log file generated from log-enabled inputs. Active log files (real time) or previously generated log files can be viewed in the SPL History plot. The SPL History window contains two plots where the top (primary) plot shows the full log file and is always displayed, and the secondary plot shows either the full log, or some portion of it designated by the zoom widgets in the primary plot. The SPL History window can be accessed from the View Menu (View -> SPL History), the hotkey combo [Alt+H], or selecting SPL History from within the SPL Config tab of the Configurator. When SPL History is visible, it is listed in the Window menu along with other program windows. Source Selection The Source selection drop-list contains a list of all logging inputs (friendly names), as well as a File option, located at the bottom of the list. When a live logging input is selected, the previously logged data is loaded from the log file into the history plot and the plot commences updating from the current time. Selecting the Browse button opens a file browser where you can choose to load a saved log file. Choosing File from the source selection drop-list also pops the file browser. At this time, only Smaart v8.2 log files are supported. Copyright 2017 Rational Acoustics 12
Plot Zoom Widgets The primary plot contains arrow-shaped widgets that control what part of the log file is displayed in the secondary plot. Moving either widget crops the trace viewed in the secondary plot to the area between the widgets. When the widgets define an area smaller than the entire log file, click and drag anywhere between the widgets to move the zoom region. You can also move the zoom region using the left and right arrows on your keyboard. For live logs, if the right-most widget is positioned at the far right of the plot it will lock onto the current time, giving you the ability to continuously view the most recent x minutes of logged data in the secondary plot. Plot Legend The SPL History plots contain a Display Legend analogous to the Real Time plot Graph Legend, however rather than showing static or live measurements, the legend is populated by the 13 available SPL display metrics (dbfs is excluded). Only one metric can be displayed in the primary plot at any time. The secondary plot supports showing all or many of the available metrics by checking the colored boxes in the plot legend. Clicking the name of the SPL metric will bring the corresponding trace to the top of the trace stack. The Z hotkey can be used to cycle the trace stack order in the secondary plot, which will update the trace displayed in the primary plot. Leq Buffer Reset Plot Markers When a Leq Buffer Reset occurs, the reset is indicated by a solid black bar in the primary plot of the SPL History window at the appropriate time stamp. Hovering the cursor over the ball at the top of the buffer reset indicator displays the timestamp for when that reset was triggered. Input Clip Markers When a logging input is clipped, that clip is noted and time stamped in the SPL log file and indicated by a solid red bar at the appropriate timestamp in the primary SPL History. Hovering the cursor over the ball at the top of the Input Clip marker displays the timestamp for that clip (indicated as Input Clip: HR:MIN:SEC). Copyright 2017 Rational Acoustics 13
Max, L10, L50, L90 These values are calculated from the logged data for the top-metric in the area within the zoom range. Changing the metric z-order recalculates these values for the new top metric. o o o o Max: The maximum value in the zoom range. L10: The level exceeded for 10% of the time. For 10% of the time, the sound or noise has a sound pressure level above L10. For the rest of the time, the sound or noise has a sound pressure level at or below L10. (These higher sound pressure levels are probably due to sporadic or intermittent events.) L50: The level exceeded for 50% of the time. It is statistically the mid-point of the noise readings. It represents the median of the fluctuating noise levels. L90: The level exceeded for 90% of the time. For 90% of the time, the noise level is above this level. It is generally considered to be representing the background or ambient level of a noise environment. Copyright 2017 Rational Acoustics 14