Olive Tree Lab - Suite - The first integrated acoustics software for indoors and outdoors

Olive Tree Lab Suite

An integrated acoustics software for indoors and outdoors

What is Olive Tree Lab Suite?

OTL Suite is a suite of 3D acoustical software applications integrated in one working environment. It's the first ever acoustical software application which offers such flexibility among calculations in various fields of acoustics, including non-homogeneous meteorological conditions, within the same environment.

These applications are: Room Acoustics, Open Plan Office, Outdoor Sound Propagation, Multilayered Structure Builder, and Sound Distribution and Scattering Polar Plotter.

Think of OTL-Suite as the equivalent of MS Office in Acoustics - many applications talking to each other seamlessly and no more transferring incompatible data from one application to another.

Version 4.4 Released, find out What's New here...

Why Olive Tree Lab?

Because:

After years of using third party software and mismatch between measured data and predictions, we have developed a software where practice matches theory .
It's developed from an acoustical engineer’s point of view.
Although standards are needed, there are advanced acoustical methods beyond standards, which we additionally apply.
We believe in accuracy and not estimation for both the designer and the client.
We know how difficult it is to switch between applications, now all your acoustic needs are in one software.
You don't have to set up another project in another software.
We believe working with a software should be fun and not tedious.
We believe our products are revolutionary.

Key Features

3D Acoustical software applications in one integrated working environment.
The first ever wave based geometrical acoustics software application.
Spherical sound pressure (not energy) wave propagation over impedance surfaces. Also allows for plane wave propagation and absorption coefficients.
Atmospheric Refraction and Turbulence due to non-homogeneous atmosphere.
The first 3D acoustical software application to include a Multilayered Structure Builder based on the Transfer Matrix Method. Calculates surface impedance, sound absorption coefficients and sound transmission losses of 3D model entities.
Sound Distribution and Scattering Polar Plotter.
Room Acoustics
Open Plan Office
Outdoor Sound Propagation
Source Directivity, OTL can now also import CLF files that represent the directivity of the sources.
Head Related Transfer Function. This response characterizes how the human ear receives sound in 3D space.
Unique Visualization Features.

Working Environment

Integration
Problem solving approach
Intuitive
Ease of use
Working efficiency
Easy learning curve
Portability

Calculations

Accuracy
Speed
Multiple projects results intercomparison
Export of all results for post processing by 3rd party software
Precise and Indicative calculation approach
Scientifically validated results

Visualisation

3D Modelling in 4 display modes
Sound ray visualisation
3D & 2D Mapping
Camera function
Polar plots of sound scattering
Visualise results vs criteria
Screenshots of all software components

How it works

Import 3D model from 3rd party software or model your project in OTL-Suite
Assign source-receivers
Assign your materials according to absorption coefficients or calculated surface impedance
Run calculations for single or multiple receivers (mapping) for outdoor & indoor acoustics in one integrated environment
Calculate Sound Distribution & Scattering Polar Plot

Applications

Research & Prototyping
Manufacturing including noise barriers
Design of Acoustical Material and Structure & Manufacturing
Noise Control Design & Strategy during construction
Environmental Acoustics Assessment
Room Acoustics Materials and Structures Optimisation
Working Space Layout Acoustical Optimisation
Wind Turbine Industry
Health & Safety Criteria Exceedance
Acoustical, Architecture & Interior Design
Academia

Users

Acoustic Engineers & Consultants
Audio & Sound Engineers
Manufacturers
Researchers
Academia & Students
Architects & Interior Designers
Audio-Visual Installers
Environmental engineers
Health & Safety Officers
Government & Local Authorities
Professionals & Hobbyists

Methodologies and Standards

Based on:

ISO 9613-1: 1993(E): Acoustics - attenuation of sound during propagation outdoors - Part I: Calculation of the absorption of sound by the atmosphere. International Standards Organisation,1993.
ISO 3382-1:2009 (E) : Acoustics - Measurement of room acoustic parameters - Part 1: Performance Spaces
ISO 3382-2:2008: Acoustics -- Measurement of room acoustic parameters -- Part 2: Reverberation time in ordinary rooms
ISO 3382-3:2012: Acoustics - Measurements of room acoustic parameters - Part 3: Open Plan Offices
IEC 60268-16:2011, Sound system equipment - Part 16: Objective rating of speech intelligibility by speech transmission index
Olive Tree Lab-Acoustics Lib methodology based on a great number of scientific literature
PEMARD's Framework

Screenshots

Live Sound Affecting Communities
using Atmospheric Refraction

Sound Paths refracted from the atmosphere originating from loudspeakers (with the source directivity included) of a stadium to a nearby house on a hill.

Details of the .clf file used to model the loudspeaker directivity

Closeup of loudspeakers within the stadium.

Now, Live Sound Affecting Communities can be Modeled by OTL-Suite, Taking Into Account Atmospheric Refraction

Vertical sound distribution of the same configuration.

OTL-Suite’s Meteo side panel, other than calculating atmospheric refraction effects for wind turbine farms, can also be used to model the effects of sound propagation from open venues such as stadiums to nearby communities. Such modelling greatly assists both concert organizers and local authorities alike in assessing the impact of loud sound events.

Example of Multilayered Structure Builder

The Multilayered Structure Builder in OTL Suite calculates the following:

Sound Reduction Index (10-10kHz)
Rw(C;Ctr) ratings at 100-3150 Hz and 50-5kHz,
equivalent statistical absorption coefficients 10-10kHz,
ISO 11654 absorption coefficient,
a(w), Class and NRC ratings of the structure
integration angles 78 and 90 degrees
complex surface impedance of the structure.

Advantages

Unlimited number of layers
High resolution frequency analysis in an extended frequency range from 10 Hz to 10kHz
Export of values in both high resolution frequency analysis and 1/3 octave analysis
Front-Back, Back-Front performance (in sound absorption calculations)

Limitations

Applicable to infinite size panels. Future development to include finite size.
Sound bridges apply between 2 plates and air or soft materials such as rockwool. In case 2 or more rockwool layers or rockwool and air layers are present between 2 plates, the bridges (links between the 2 plates) are not calculated.
Corrugated plates cannot be calculated. To be included in future development.

Noise Mapping Examples

Road Traffic Model

Levels Before Mapping in 3D

Levels Before: Legend according to DIN 18005-2

Example project of Highway Traffic, mapping shown in 3D and according to DIN

Levels After: Legend according to DIN 18005-2

Levels After Mapping in 3D

What Our Clients Are Saying

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Paragon Acoustic Consultants had been reviewing different room acoustics software packages to standardise the software used within the practice. Various room acoustic packages were considered, however, a number of the software packages considered proved unfavourable due to limitations of room geometries that can be modelled, limited calculation outputs and general concerns that the software was unnecessarily difficult to use for even straightforward tasks. This practice has reviewed Olive Tree Lab Suite and found the software to be user friendly whilst providing a very high level of functionality. Having rented the software and modelled a number of relatively complex room acoustic projects, we are impressed with the software and in particular the very professional back-up and support provided by P.E. Mediterranean Acoustics R&D. At this stage the modelling functions for outdoor sound have not been used, however, having watched demonstrations by Mediterranean Acoustics via computer link–up the external modelling sections of the software look as impressive as the room acoustics modelling.

John Gillott

Acoustics Consultant
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Paragon Acoustics Consultants, UK

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The OTL Team is a delight to work with. Amazingly responsive to questions and requests, and constantly improving the product. When it comes to software development & support, many should look at this company as a model to follow.

Dominique J. Chéenne

Ph.D.
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INCE, USA

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I would like to appreciate the team of OTL and Premard in terms of their continued support and efforts. OTL has been such a valuable tool that I keep coming back for more. With the new software OTL 4 Pemard has again made an effective tool for Acousticians worldwide.

Abraham Berin

B. Tech E&MT, M.Sc A&A (UK)
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Head of Acoustics, INFOSIGHT, UAE

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I have been using the OTL Lab application for a number of years, mainly for teaching and demonstrations at undergraduate and postgraduate courses in acoustics and noise control. The program is user-friendly and incorporates an advanced high-level 3D designer tool for setting up virtual acoustic environments, allowing easy setting up of case studies and extracting results and maps for radiation and transmission for noise and other sources.
I find very useful the advanced physics engine for sound propagation which allows for wave-based simulations (plane or spherical) considering also atmospheric refraction. This enables OTL to achieve accurate results especially in large scale setups encountered in environmental studies. The interface for immediate comparison of analytical results with standardized approximations (ISO standards) or simplified computational methods such as ray tracing and image-source models allows for comprehensive evaluations in multiple levels of physical detail. Such features which have been utilized by the members of our Audio and Acoustic Technology group during research projects.
The support by the OTL team was extremely helpful and their response immediate, tackling queries at personal level and providing educational webinars for the students.

John Mourjopoulos

Professor
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University of Patras

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OTL is an appropriate tool for prediction of acoustic adjustments in room acoustics, outdoor environment and industry. It offers flexibility and an ease of the ability to customize. Thanks for the multi-layered structure for impedance, absorption and SRI prediction.

Toufic Attieh

Technical Manager
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Gresam Acoustic & Vibration Engineering, Lebanon

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Although designed for demanding Acoustics applications, Olive Tree Lab has been instrumental in my research and work. Despite its hugely detailed modeling of acoustic properties, primarily addressed to acousticians, through its intuitive interface, it has also proven invaluable for architectural design. Furthermore, the Mediterranean Acoustics team have vastly exceeded my expectations for 'after sales service' and provided a rare blend of scientific expertise and personal care – giving true meaning to the word 'support'.

Ilias Papageorgiou

Architect
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Greece

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We find OTL very intuitive and the customer service spectacular. Once the model was properly configured, the mapping software predicted very accurately and was within +/-5dB in comparison to actual field measurements. We were able to provide client documents that were clear and intuitive and allowed them to prove compliance with local and state noise ordinances.