d&b has launched Soundscape, which combines d&b loudspeaker systems with processing power, object-based mixing and room emulation. d&b Soundscape is a toolkit to enable the creation of an unparalleled listening experience - natural, harmonious, enveloping and emotionally engaging.
Almost 5 years in development and with extensive field testing by some of the world’s leading artists and venues, d&b Soundscape changes the approach to live sound mixing and system design. The technology allows the creation of sound system designs with which acoustic environments can be created and sound sources placed and moved.
“Soundscape fulfils a devotion we’ve had for decades,” says Ralf Zuleeg, head of sales services and application engineering at d&b audiotechnik, and the driving force behind the development of d&b Soundscape. “The question has always been, ‘How do we give the same natural, authentic listening experience to every member of the audience?’ Soundscape allows us to do that. It’s the truest case of the d&b goal of ‘Democracy for Listeners’.”
The core of the d&b Soundscape is the DS100 Signal Engine, an audio processor with Audinate Dante networking and a 64x64 level and delay matrix with in- and output processing.
The full potential of d&b Soundscape is accessed via two optional software modules which together form a powerful toolkit for sound designers - d&b En-Scene and d&b En-Space. Both are accessed via the familiar R1 Remote control software.
d&b En-Scene is a sound object positioning tool allowing the individual placement and movement of up to 64 sound objects. It accurately depicts stage scenarios so that each sound object corresponds both visually and acoustically.
d&b En-Space is a room emulation tool which can add and modify reverberation signatures for any given space.
d&b Soundscape works effectively in either 180 stage proscenium set-ups or 360 configurations and has been designed to integrate with the existing d&b Workflow: systems can easily be set up and configured with d&b ArrayCalc.
The DS100 is not a closed system, it is open for integration via the AES70 (OCA) protocol with industry standard consoles and show controllers, as well as replay and tracking systems. This ease of use and open access was an essential part of the d&b thinking from the start. The result is an open door into a new world.
Soundscape demo/pre-production facilities are now available at the d&b offices in: Backnang, Germany; Nailsworth, Great Britain; Paris, France; Asheville, North Carolina (US); Singapore; Yokohama, Japan; and with d&b partners in Vantaa, Finland.