Introduction of a free sound system design exchange format (SDE) for data from different sound systems for noise predictions with complex summation

To consider the correlated sources of sound systems from different manufacturers in noise predictions equally with complex summation, a free exchange format for sound system planning software on the one hand and environmental noise software on the other is being defined in a cooperation with d&b audiotechnik, L-Acoustics and SoundPLAN: SDE = Sound/System Design/Data Exchange/Export This paper introduces the SDE format, its motivation and structure. With increasing open-air events in urban areas, potential problems with noise also increase. Proactive noise predictions can help prevent noise from becoming a problem in the first place. Until now it has not been possible to use data from planned sound systems from different manufacturers for equivalent calculations with complex summation. Modern sound systems have high directivity, especially loudspeaker arrays. The directivity of arrays results from superposition of sound waves from all loudspeakers. This effect is used specifically with line arrays and subwoofer arrays to optimize sound and coverage in audience areas. However, the resulting emission of an entire sound system is not constant over distance. Time-of-flight and relative phase at the receiver points must be considered with complex summation.