Smaart was first developed in 1995 as a cost-effective software-based solution to audio analysis during a time when the choices for audio analyzers were limited to a small number of moderately to extremely expensive hardware devices – with very limited functionality by today’s standards. The Smaart brand went through a few ownership changes until Rational Acoustics was founded in 2008 with the specific purpose of ensuring the continued development of the Smaart platform while substantially enhancing the educational and support efforts that back it.
With the release of v9, Smaart is moving from its old version-based product structure to a new, more cohesive edition-based one. This means that instead of maintaining multiple separate products, with separate but related code bases, each at different release versions (i.e. Smaart v8, Smaart Di v2, Smaart SPL v1), there will now be only one version of Smaart (v9) that is available in several different editions.
By standardizing all editions of Smaart on the same v9 code base, we have ensured that all editions share the same fundamental GUI, the same command and control structure, the same operational paradigms, and are cohesive down to the hotkeys. The only difference between the four editions is in each one's feature sets.
Smaart v9 will include the full-featured, flagship, Smaart Suite edition, which includes all three of Smaart's powerful measurement modes (Real-Time, Impulse Response, and SPL) with no functional limitations. Smaart Suite is the analog to the comprehensive functionality currently found in Smaart v8 and is designed for professional users who require (or desire) Smaart's full feature set across all three measurement modes.
Smaart RT (Real-Time Edition) is Smaart Suite's Real-Time Mode as a stand-alone edition. It comprises all of the core multi-engine FFT-based measurement capabilities that professional audio engineers have come to rely upon from Smaart over the past 27 years – RTA, Spectrograph, Transfer Function and Live Impulse Response measurements - all harnessed in a work environment developed to fit the workflow and task-critical demands of modern audio engineering. If you hear an engineer talking about using “Smaart,” they are probably talking about the RT mode.
While it does include Live IR measurement and basic single-channel SPL monitoring capabilities, Smaart RT does not include the Suite’s acoustic analysis focused Impulse Response Mode or the fully featured SPL monitoring tools of SPL Mode. Smaart RT is designed for users who simply require the complete advanced functionality of the Real-Time Mode.
Smaart LE (Light Edition) is a simplified, streamlined version of Smaart's Real Time Mode with many of the advanced settings and adjustments for Spectrum, Transfer Function and Live IR measurements pre-set and fixed – in effect, just like operating RT on its default measurement settings. All the power of RT without all of the variables. Although it does not include many of the advanced user functions included in Suite and RT, it does allow for Smaart’s unlimited multi-engine measurement configurations and contains the core, essential functionality for Smaart’s spectrum and frequency response measurements. And because it uses the same GUI and command and control structure as RT and Suite, it serves as the perfect gateway to the Smaart measurement platform for new users, students, and those who just want quick, simple, solid measurement functionality without the bells and whistles.
Smaart SPL (SPL Edition) is the power of Smaart Suite’s SPL mode as a stand-alone edition. Smaart SPL includes all of the multi-channel, remotely monitorable, SPL metering and logging features found in Smaart Suite, in a simplified, purpose-focused package. Smaart SPL is ideal for applications, such as installed level monitoring systems, that don't require any of the Real Time or Impulse Response measurement functionality found in other editions of Smaart.
Smaart v9 Las introduces a host of new features, improvements & updates. Completely new is the a multi-device, multi-output, signal generator that allows each output to have its own independent friendly name and trim value, and signal generator output presets, allowing users to pre-define and quickly recall output channel selections and trim settings. Also new is a user-definable macro configuration that allows automation of Real Time Spectrum or Transfer Function measurement tasks (Smaart Suite & RT only), a new measurement pause behavior for all running engines, without hiding the data created, and a new auto-set delay tracker functionality that when engaged will automatically turn itself off once the reference delay is stable.
Among the features improved, Rational Acoustics details an aesthetic refresh with unified interface elements, making measurement configuration more intuitive, with standardized measurement configuration across all editions. There's also a more powerful transfer function engine, larger FFT settings for transfer function measurements, and the ability to detect and use devices on-the-fly without rebooting Smaart (plug and play). Overall, the 64-bit software offers improved graphics rendering and application startup time, including also native support for Apple Silicon.
Starting with v9, Smaart will now be offered via two different licensing options: a Perpetual licensing for any of the four editions (the way Smaart has been licensed since its inception), or an Annual Subscription License for Smaart Suite, Smaart RT and Smaart LE, which will auto-renew each year for an additional one-year subscription unless cancelled.
www.rationalacoustics.com/pages/smaart-v9-landing-page
www.rationalacoustics.com
