AcoustiTools^® User Guide

*Be sure to register your copy of AcoustiTools through the link on the app’s info screen to receive important updates and announcements via email.

First Step

Before starting AcoustiTools, first access your iPhone or iPad's App Switcher to see your recently used apps (swipe up from the bottom to the middle of your screen and hold until you see the App Switcher or double-click the Home button).

Swipe up on all open apps to close them.

With all apps closed, now open AcoustiTools.

This will ensure no other apps affect the ability of AcoustiTools to correctly access the microphone and display accurate readings.

Main Screen

AcoustiTools’ innovative design simultaneously displays four active modules. This breakthrough feature allows you to view real–time infromation from multiple modules at once and quickly select a module to interact with.

Click the center logo button to access more options on the sort order screen.

On the sort order screen, you can access the Global Settings page, the info page, and the ability to rearrange the order that the modules are displayed on the main tile screen. In addition to tapping on a module from the main tile screen to launch it, you can also tap on a module’s title on the sort order screen to immediately launch it without returning to the main tile screen.

To rearrange, drag the double line bars on the right up or down to the slot you desire. You can also scroll down to the “Stored” section to rearrange additional modules.

• Real Time Analyzer
• dB Meter
• Augmented Reality Spatial Module
• Diagnostic PEQ (Parametric Equalizer) — available through in-app-purchase
• Diagnostic GEQ (Graphic Equalizer) — available through in-app-purchase

Global Settings

• The Global Settings allows you to select the following options: Spectral Weighting, SPL or DBFS, Averaging, Block Size, and Microphone Calibration Trim.
• Spectral Weighting: you can choose between Flat, A, B, and C weightings.
• SPL or dBFS: you can choose to display the digital value from 0 that the device is receiving by selecting dBFS. Otherwise, keep it on SPL to know how loud your environment is.
• Averaging Options: you can choose between None, 2, 4, 8, and 16 samples, Fast (125 ms), Slow (1 second), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 seconds, as well as 1 minute of averaging. The averaging setting will apply to the RTA module, the AR Spatial Analyzer module, the Diagnostic PEQ module (in Active mode), and the Diagnostic GEQ module (in Active mode).
• The Block Size will default to 4096 but can be adjusted from 2048 to 16384. This determines the amount of data allowed to buffer before being processed. The larger the buffer, the more accurate the values will be. However, the larger the buffer, the more the device has to work. If you experience trouble processing on your device, try decreasing the Block Size. If you want more detail, increase the block size.
• The Microphone Calibration Trim will default to 0dB. AcoustiTools is calibrated for iPhones’ and iPads’ internal microphones using Pink Noise. AcoustiTools should be within typical tolerance without any microphone trim adjustments. However, each device’s hardware is unique, so AcoustiTools includes the ability to adjust the microphone calibration trim in 1dB and 0.1dB increments in case your particular device has deviated too far from the expected tolerance.

Real Time Analyzer

• The Real–Time Analyzer displays the live XY plot for dB level vs. frequency.
• The red problem frequency line will automatically highlight the frequency on the RTA graph with the largest difference from surrounding frequencies.
• You can also highlight a specific frequency with the blue selectable frequency line. Tap on the RTA graph at the frequency you want to hightlight and the blue line will appear. Touch and drag along the graph to modify which frequency you want the blue line to hightlight. To remove the blue line, touch its label above the graph.
• The Module Settings button opens the RTA specific settings.
• The graph color options let you choose if you want the RTA graph to display full spectrum color or solid blue.
• You can also choose if you want the red problem frequency line to be on or off.
• Additionally, the Global Settings can be accessed through the Global Settings button. This accesses the same settings as referenced earlier. Remember, the Block Size setting will affect the amount of information the RTA can process. The larger the Block Size the more detailed the RTA’s graph will be, the smaller the block size, the less detailed the RTA’s graph will be.

dB Meter

• The upper left of the cube shows the Max–Peak value based on the greatest dB value heard until the Reset button is pressed.
• The upper right of the cube displays the current, rolling, Average sound level. Tap on the average time periods to display up to 3 simultaneously.
• The bottom section displays the current Peak value.
• The bottom right of the module displays the Max–Average (RMS) Panel.
• The Global Settings button accesses those settings.
• The Module Settings button opens the dB Meter specific settings.
• Turn the Max–Average (RMS) Panel on/off.
• Turn on/off the dB Color Thresholds Alert feature.
• Customize the color thresholds for each section of the cube: Max–Average, Average, Max–Peak, and Peak.
• Select the time period desired for the 3 averages in the Max–Average (RMS) Panel and the Average section of cube.
• You can also display Slow, Fast, or both at once.

Augmented Reality Spatial Analyzer Module

• In the Augmented Reality Spatial Analyzer module, you can use the advanced augmented reality technology to see spatial acoustic information.
• Place tags to see the audio information at each tagged location.
• To start the tagging process, tap the plus button at the lower right of the screen and a blue dot will appear above the plus button to indicate you’re in the first phase of the tagging process.
• Next, line up the speaker icon on the floor directly beneath the speaker and tap the plus button again to lock the icon to that location along the floor. A second blue dot will appear to indicate you’re in the second phase of the tagging process.
• Then, tilt your device up until the speaker icon is on your speaker and tap the plus button one more time to lock the speaker icon in place. A third dot will appear above the plus button temporarilly before fading away to indicate the tag has been placed.
• Tag your main speakers to see the volume at each speaker’s location.
• If you place a speaker tag at the wrong location, you can use the undo arrow button in the lower right of the screen. Press and hold the undo arrow button until the center of the reticle is over the speaker icon you are wanting to undo. When the reticle is over a tagged speaker, the reticle will highlight by filling the center of the reticle’s ring. Once the reticle highlights, release the button and the tag will disappear allowing you to replace the deleted tag with a new one.
• The Volume Variance feature displays the volume over the audience between the main speakers and your device. This uses the idealized aproximation of a 6dB drop for every doubling of distance.
• To use this feature, label the tags you placed on your main speakers with the Main Speaker button using the reticle highlighting process.
• Now you can click on the Volume Variance button to view how loud the volume is from the front of your audience to your device and make sure the experience is great for everyone.
• The Delay Calc feature uses speaker tags to quickly calculate the delay timing needed for setting up your delay stacks. The Delay Calc overlay shows the distance between the tags, the time that sound will take to travel between them, as well as the sample delay. You can input the delay value into your system and then adjust the value further according to the Haas effect range for your specific venue.
• To use this feature, place two speaker tags: one for a main speaker and one for a delay stack on the same side of the venue.  Label both speaker tags with the Delay Tag button using the reticle highlighting process.
• Now you can click the Delay Calc button to view the delay calculation.
• The Module Settings button opens the AR Spatial Analyzer specific settings.
• Display the distance in Meters or Feet.
• Choose the Sample Rate you want the Delay Calc overlay to use when calculating the sample delay between the two Delay Tag labeled Speakers. You can choose to use 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, or 192kHz.
• Delay time calculation options.
• The Calculated Temperature text box allows you to type in the current temperature of your environment.
• You can choose to display temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
• Customize the dB Color Thresholds.

Diagnostic PEQ (in-app-purchase)

• Use the revolutionary Diagnostic PEQ module to listen to pink noise and receive recommended corrective EQ settings in real-time for tuning your audio system.
• The Diagnostic PEQ module is designed to analyze the device’s audio input, comparing it to a true pink noise curve while playing pink noise through your audio system. Thus, the module displays tuning suggestions for the audio system according to your environment’s deviation from a pink noise curve.
• You can play pink noise through your audio system from our page: Noise Generators
• Values are displayed for the center frequency, the Q or Bandwidth, and the amplitude.
• In the Module Settings, switch between displaying the Q or Bandwidth for each filter.
• You can switch between Active and Paused modes within the module.
• Use the Active mode to see the values change in real-time acording to the audio input.
• When active, you can adjust your system’s EQ acording to the suggested curves in real-time.
• Use the Paused mode to “freeze” the values on-screen.
• When paused, you can click on the boxes to bring that individual curve’s information to the front.
• You can also “listen” in one location of a venue and bring the paused values back to your system’s location to adjust your system’s EQ values.
• Click the Table button to see each band’s information listed in rows and columns.
• The Table will update in real-time if the PEQ is in the Active mode and will be static if the PEQ is in the Paused mode.
• The slider to the right of the Diagnostic PEQ sets the maximum number of bands the Diagnostic PEQ will display. It will display up to the number of bands selected, picking the frequencies that need to be corrected the most.
• Click the arrow button at the top left of the module to open the PEQ’s drawer.
• Tap the Record Sample button to record the pink noise being played through your system. Without any EQ applied in your system, record samples in each of your listening positions.
• Once you have recorded samples, the suggested averaged corrective curve to implement for your space will be denoted by the white line displaying the overall filter curve.
• On each sample’s box, you will be able to rename samples, turn individual samples on/off using a check mark button , re‐record specific samples with an “R” button, delete them with a trash can button, or change their color with a color picker.
• The three buttons on the right side of the drawer are for:
• Raising the center of the drawer to reveal the top of the graph while the samples are still displayed.
• Turning on/off the information boxes.
• Turning on/off the individual samples’ curves.
• Additionally, the Global Settings can be accessed through the Global Settings button. This accesses the same settings as referenced earlier. Remember, the Block Size setting will affect the amount of information the Diagnostic PEQ can process. The larger the Block Size the more information the Diagnostic PEQ will display, the smaller the Block Size, the less the Diagnostic PEQ will display within the maximum number of bands allotted.

Diagnostic GEQ (in-app-purchase)

• Use the revolutionary Diagnostic GEQ module to listen to pink noise and receive recommended corrective EQ settings in real-time for tuning your audio system.
• The Diagnostic GEQ module is designed to analyze the device’s audio input, comparing it to a true pink noise curve while playing pink noise through your audio system. Thus, the module displays tuning suggestions for the audio system according to your environment’s deviation from a pink noise curve.
• You can play pink noise through your audio system from our page: Noise Generators
• Values are displayed for the center frequency and the amplitude.
• You can tap on the boxes to enlarge them, making it easier to read that particular band’s information.
• You can switch between Active and Paused modes within the module.
• Use the Active mode to see the values change in real-time acording to the audio input.
• When active, you can adjust your system’s EQ acording to the suggested curves in real-time.
• Use the Paused mode to “freeze” the values on-screen.
• You can “listen” in one location of a venue and bring the paused values back to your system’s location to adjust your system’s EQ values.
• Click the Table button to see each band’s information listed in rows and columns.
• The Table will update in real-time if the GEQ is in the Active mode and will be static if the GEQ is in the Paused mode.
• The slider to the right of the Diagnostic GEQ sets the number of bands the Diagnostic GEQ will display. It will display the number of bands selected, picking the frequencies that need to be corrected the most.
• Click the arrow button at the top left of the module to open the GEQ’s drawer.
• Tap the Record Sample button to record the pink noise being played through your system. Without any EQ applied in your system, record samples in each of your listening positions.
• Once you have recorded samples, the suggested averaged corrective curve to implement for your space will be denoted by the faders displaying the overall filter curve.
• On each sample’s box, you will be able to rename samples, turn individual samples on/off using a check mark button , re‐record specific samples with an “R” button, delete them with a trash can button, or change their color with a color picker.
• The button on the right side of the drawer raises the center of the drawer to reveal the top of the graph while the samples are still displayed.
• Additionally, the Global Settings can be accessed through the Global Settings button. This accesses the same settings as referenced earlier. Remember, the Block Size setting will affect the amount of information the Diagnostic GEQ can process. The larger the Block Size the more information the Diagnostic GEQ will evaluate, the smaller the block size, the less the Diagnostic GEQ will process for the number of bands allotted.
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Info screen

• The Tours button opens the Tours page where you can run each module’s in‐app tour individually.
• The Go button opens this AcoustiTools User Guide webpage.
• The Register button opens the AcoustiTools registration webpage — be sure to register your copy of AcoustiTools through the link on the app’s info screen to receive important updates and announcements via email.
• The Visit button opens our website’s home page: www.acousticmasterminds.com
• The email button opens your email client to send us your question.
• The Rate button opens the prompt to rate and review AcoustiTools on the App Store