The Alcons Ribbon Calculator™ is Alcons' line-array simulation and set-up tool, turning the Alcons line-arrays and line-source columns into a precision instrument.

Instead of developing a proprietary tool, Alcons decided to commit to standardised simulation platform; Not only to have optimised integration between line-array set-up tool and acoustical project simulations, but also to have a platform where users can compare different systems from different manufacturers.

The Alcons ARC™ was developed in cooperation with Software Design Ahnert GmbH, the originators of the industry-standard EASE electro-acoustic design a.o. The ARC™ data files are compliant to the EASE Focus platform.

ARC™ is based on actual system measurement output data and is designed to offer two-dimensional modelling of Alcons' L-series pro-ribbon line-arrays and Q-series pro-ribbon column-arrays. The algorithms that drive the program take into account the coupling principles of arrayed (line-)sources.

The screen is divided into 4 different sections:

• System set-up (venue design/system lay-out/atmospheric parameters),
• Rigging (array side-view/pick-point/weight),
• Level Views (area SPL, frequency response) and
• Mapping properties (full-colour SPL mapping, up-to-9 reference positions).

The modular character of the 4 sections, enables a custom-tailored screen lay-out.

Being a set-up tool, ARC™ offers a relatively simple, intuitive modelling tool, while supplying the required prediction data for optimal system performance. It considers the direct-field response, leaving out any acoustical parameters; For in-depth analysis of system performance within a projected acoustical environment, it is recommended to use EASE instead (Alcons EASE DLL's available).