Free, as in "no charge": RealTraps reports that it has upgraded ModeCalc, a graphical room-mode prediction software that it offers as a free download (Windows only, 1.3MB) to help people design new listening rooms, or assess the low-frequency response in existing rooms. The company says the new version of ModeCalc offers "several clever features, including a display that better identifies modes that are too close together, and a revised and expanded tutorial in the included Help system."
RealTraps also offers a Windows version of its Frequency-Distance Calculator, which, it claims, "lets you identify boundary-related peaks and nulls, and distinguish them from modal peaks and nulls."
Both programs can be downloaded from RealTraps Acoustics Info page. There's also a test tone download.
RealTraps co-owner Ethan Winer sees this as a public service. "Acoustics and room treatment have for years been misunderstood and even ignored by people who are otherwise educated about audio. It is our goal to explain this fascinating and important subject in plain English, and dispel some of the most common myths. Room acoustics is not complicated as some believe, and understanding the basics will help you to get the best performance from all of your audio components." Obviously, he wouldn't mind if your new-found understanding of acoustics was also accompanied by an uncontrollable urge to do something about your room.
Special K: Bob Katz, inventor, author, mastering engineer, president of Digital Domain, and all-around nice guy, has been awarded a patent by the United States Patent Office for designing a circuit designated, "Process for Enhancing the Existing Ambience, Imaging, Depth, Clarity and Spaciousness of Sound Recordings," but more commonly known as "K-Stereo" and "K-Surround." The circuit recovers lost—or amplifies hidden—ambience, space, and imaging information, and generates stereo from mono signals without adding artificial reverberation.
Digital Domain manufactures the DD-2 K-Stereo Processor, which incorporates the K-Stereo process as well as a two-band EQ and POW-R Dithering module. The company has also licensed K-Stereo and K-Surround circuits to Weiss Engineering of Switzerland and Z Systems of Gainesville, FL.
New blood at Krell: Krell Industries has hired Coby Owen to "manage new dealers while maintaining existing accounts." Owens will work with Krell's national sales manager Randy Bingham. Krell says that the success of the newly introduced Evolution Series has led to steady growth, necessitating the expansion of the sales team.
Owen can be reached at cowen@krellonline.com, or by phone at (203) 298.4011.
