Every sound system design starts with a model of the venue, and the accuracy of that model depends on the quality of the data used to create it. However, in many cases, the available architectural drawings are incomplete, outdated, or do not accurately reflect the final state of the built space.
Renovations, refurbishments, and years of incremental modifications widen the gap between what appears on paper and the reality of the venue. When a design is based on inaccurate geometry, problems often emerge during the later stages of a project: coverage that does not perform as predicted, rigging structures that do not fit, or adjustments that must be resolved during installation.
To address this challenge, L-Acoustics introduces Digital Construction, a new service capable of capturing a venue exactly as it is built and delivering a verified geometric model ready for use in Soundvision.
Digital Construction includes an on-site scan carried out by an L-Acoustics Application Engineer, capturing stages, balconies, and the connecting areas between them using handheld LiDAR technology. This method documents a venue in high resolution and significantly faster than manual measurements, while also capturing details that may be overlooked by less advanced methods such as hand drafting or point-to-point (P2P) laser systems. It is designed for large-scale professional venues, where the short-range scanners found in consumer devices—typically limited to around five metres—cannot provide the required coverage. The result is an accurate representation of the space as it actually exists.
From point cloud to Soundvision-ready geometry
Each scan undergoes a verification and processing workflow based on standardized procedures and quality-control checks at every stage. This ensures consistent results regardless of venue size, from small clubs to large stadiums. Clients receive a detailed point-cloud file for documentation and reference purposes, together with a simplified model optimized for Soundvision, ready for acoustic simulations and system design.
The post-processing timeline depends on the size and architectural complexity of the venue, so the L-Acoustics team works with each client to establish a realistic schedule before the project begins.
A reliable foundation for the installation market
Digital Construction strengthens the first stage of any design process by ensuring that the model accurately reflects the real venue before any loudspeaker system is specified. The service complements the Soundvision tools and architectural drafting services already used by L-Acoustics teams and partners, providing certified providers, AV consultants, and venue owners with a reliable as-built reference.
Its benefits are particularly evident in renovation projects, historic buildings, and venues lacking up-to-date documentation, where verified geometry helps minimize unexpected issues such as undocumented ceiling structures, rigging constraints, or sightline conflicts.
As the only loudspeaker manufacturer offering full-scale venue LiDAR capture integrated into its design workflow, L-Acoustics ensures that the accuracy of Soundvision begins with a precise geometric representation of the venue. Furthermore, an accurate venue model retains its value beyond a single project. The resulting data can support future upgrades, improve communication among stakeholders, and contribute to the growth of the global L-Acoustics venue database used by designers worldwide.
In addition to the design challenges themselves, inaccuracies in venue drawings also affect the Autofilter algorithm, which takes those deviations into account and can result in less precise front-to-back tonal and level balance. Digital Construction delivers complete accuracy to the geometry on which a system design is based, ensuring that every client achieves the best possible result through a seamless workflow spanning design, deployment, calibration, and every show thereafter, says Asher Dowson, Product Director for Services at L-Acoustics.
Image captions:
- LA_Digital_Construction_1©Luke Dyson – Photograph taken from the stage of the O2 Academy Brixton. Photo credit: Luke Dyson.
- LA_Digital_Construction_2 – LiDAR image showing the view from the stage of the O2 Academy Brixton.
- LA_Digital_Construction_3 – Soundvision view from the stage of the O2 Academy Brixton.
