What Treble is trying to do for acoustic consultants

In just a few days, on February 6th, Treble will unveil the biggest update in our history (sign up for the launch webinar here). This update relates to the Treble web application, one of our two flagship products. Since the web app’s launch in 2023, we’ve seen a variety of professionals integrate Treble into their daily work, e.g., material manufacturers, sound system designers, vendors, architects, interior designers and music producers. But perhaps the main user group is acoustic consultants in the building industry. In this post, I want to share some insights into how we at Treble strive to serve the acoustic consultant community and provide some context around the upcoming update.?

I also hope to spark some discussion, to hear from consultants whether they think we are on the right track or whether something can be improved. We are always open to feedback, so please don't hesitate to leave your thoughts in the comments below.?

While this post focuses on the web app update, I’d also like to mention our second flagship product, the Treble Software Development Kit (SDK). Tailored for audio algorithm development, acoustic simulations at scale, and product virtual prototyping, the SDK will soon receive its own major update. Stay tuned!

The Backstory and Vision

For years, I worked as an acoustic consultant. I loved it and found it to be a deeply meaningful job - helping create spaces with optimal acoustic environments. There are so many well-established benefits to good acoustic environments - improved health, well-being, productivity,?and connection. But I strongly felt that the software tools available to me could be improved, and that better tools could amplify the impact of all those working in the field of acoustics and help push the agenda of good acoustics.?

When we founded Treble in 2020, our vision was clear: to build a modern acoustic simulation platform to empower professionals to create exceptional acoustic designs. From the start, our slogan, “Enabling a better sounding world” has reflected our mission as enablers. We started focusing on the building industry, and it remains a key focus area still, although we’ve since expanded into other verticals such as machine learning, automotive, and product development.

From the beginning, our web application has revolved around three core pillars:

• Better accuracy: Reducing risk and empowering high-quality designs.
• Better workflow: Helping consultants work more efficiently and deliver greater value.
• Better auralization: Enabling consultants to communicate designs intuitively and impactfully.

By February 6th, we'll have made great strides towards realizing our vision. Let me try and summarize here how we have been doing that.?

Spend your Time on Acoustics, not Tedious Manual Labor

Feedback from consultants consistently highlights the time-consuming and tedious manual labor associated with simulation work, especially 3D model preparation, as a major pain point in architectural acoustics. We in Treble therefore decided to place tremendous focus and resources on addressing this issue. The holy grail vision is the one click analysis - directly from 3D architectural (often BIM) model to simulation results.

I also note that acoustics remain one of the only disciplines outside the modern BIM workflow. Architecture, structural, HVAC, electrical, fire & safety, etc., all work in a central and shared building model. But acoustics are outside the loop - a standalone acoustic model must be constructed, usually from scratch, and design proposals are delivered back as text reports or sketches into pdf documents. This inefficiency is a gap we aim to close.?

By Feb 6th?we won't have completely realized the holy grail BIM-integration vision yet, but we will have made major progress towards improving the workflow efficiency. Some key aspects:

• BIM importing: Import BIM models of entire buildings and have them automatically separated into acoustic simulation models for each space.?
• Automatic geometry simplification. Included in the BIM importing is that architectural models will now be automatically simplified and made suitable for simulation. It won't be perfect in every case, but it will get you most of the way (and it will get better with time as it is trained on more models).??

• Intuitive UI/UX:?A seamless user interface reduces the learning curve and boosts productivity – a major focus area in Treble and a must-have for software products in 2025.
• The power of the cloud: Run virtually unlimited simulations simultaneously, collaborate with colleagues across the globe in real time, and share your results with stakeholders via the browser. Treble adheres to the strictest cloud security standards there are (SOC2), ensuring your data is protected and permanently backed up.

Democratizing Acoustics - Simulate Everything

With improved workflows and an intuitive interface, running acoustic simulations becomes faster and more accessible. Our goal is to make simulations so straightforward that they become a standard part of most projects. Imagine preparing a simulation in minutes—faster than traditional Sabine calculations (that’s our goal at least!). By running simulations on a wider range of projects and spaces, and being easily able to run multiple design iterations, we believe that better designs can be discovered and risk reduced.

Another ambition of ours is that more people can leverage acoustic simulations. You don't need to be a PhD in acoustic simulations to operate Treble, any acoustics enthusiast should be able to quickly and intuitively get going. We'll be adding in-app learning content from Feb 6th, to help users improve their simulation skills and tackle various acoustic challenges.?

Advanced Analysis

Our simulation engine is the heart of Treble, seamlessly integrating wave-based modeling for low frequencies with geometrical acoustics for high frequencies. A major speed-up of the engine will be released on Feb 6th. We have benchmarked both the wave-based solver and the geometrical acoustics solver against other solutions on the market, and I can confidently say that our offering is the fastest on the market.?

Through rigorous benchmarking and validation, we’ve demonstrated our engine’s accuracy in scenarios ranging from small studios to auditoriums. We consistently see the benefits of wave-based modeling at low-mid frequencies over geometrical acoustics and in some cases accuracy improvements in the high frequency range due to the pressure-based nature of our geometrical acoustics solver.

Coupled with our simulation engine, we offer a wide range of analysis and post-processing features. The room mode visualization feature we're releasing on Feb 6th?will be a great example of a "Treble-unique" analysis feature.

Users must still be mindful of how they use the engine, as "garbage in, garbage out" always applies. Key factors like material properties, geometrical detail, and scattering are crucial for accurate wave-based / geometrical acoustics hybrid simulations. Simulations have limitations and approximations, and skill in interpreting results remains essential. We've worked hard to improve documentation and tutorials to help users maximize the software's potential.

Making Acoustics Tangible

Acoustics can be intangible and complex, especially for non-experts. Paradoxically, the decision makers in building projects are usually non-experts in acoustics: building owners, end-users, architects, interior designers, etc. To bridge this gap, we’ve developed tools that help consultants present results in engaging and understandable ways.

A personal favorite of mine is the shared auralization feature, where stakeholders can intuitively compare design options through audio-visual experiences directly in the browser.

We have also built a ton of very cool visualization features, tools like reflection trackers and heatmaps make acoustic phenomena more understandable. And there are further additions in the pipeline on this front too.

The Room and the Sound System in?One Software

The Treble application already offers powerful capabilities for sound system modeling, especially for PA systems. It allows users to model directional point sources and import sound source properties via the CLF format. By being cloud-based, simulating hundreds or thousands of speakers in one model is easy, making it particularly suitable for large airports, train stations, stadiums and the like.?

On February 6th, Treble will introduce a key upgrade: complex source summation in post-processing. This feature enables detailed analysis of interference patterns between sound sources, leveraging Treble’s pressure-based GA solver. Enhanced STI modeling capabilities will also be added and sources can now be placed closer to surfaces.

Our journey in sound system modeling is just beginning. Treble aims to become the ultimate solution for both room acoustics and electro-acoustic modeling. In the near future, we plan to have a richer database of loudspeaker systems, support for importing source data through a new open format, and the ability to model any type of sound source—line arrays, subwoofers, and more—with unparalleled accuracy, powered by our cutting-edge solvers. Exciting developments are on the horizon—stay tuned!

Modern, Flexible and Transparent Licensing

Treble uses a seat-based subscription model that includes all updates and support, offers a low barrier to entry, and allows users to join or leave as needed. Initially, we explored a "compute token" system for the web app, but have now shifted to a simpler model with unlimited usage included. To suit various needs, team sizes and budgets, we offer multiple subscription tiers.

Join Us in Making the World a Better Sounding Place

By February 6th, we will have made significant progress toward our founding vision. My ultimate hope is that the acoustic consultant community benefits from our hard?efforts (trust me, it's been a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears). That our offering empowers acoustic consultants to elevate acoustics, enhance efficiency, win more projects, and ultimately contribute to a better sounding world. Then it will all have been worth it.?We understand that this is certainly a bold endeavor, and we know that change can be daunting, especially in a well-established industry. But we firmly believe that by working together, we can build a better, more enjoyable future for acoustics professionals and ensure that buildings around the world sound as good as they look.

We can’t do this alone. Your feedback, your insights, and your openness to embrace innovation are what will ultimately determine our success. We invite you to join us on this journey—not just as users of our software but as collaborators in shaping the future of acoustic consulting. Cheer us on, challenge us, and help us make this vision a reality. Together, we can achieve our shared goal of enabling better acoustics for everyone. Let’s make it happen. See you on February 6th.