Accurate venue data is fundamental to successful sound system design, yet many projects still rely on outdated or incomplete architectural drawings. Renovations and modifications can create discrepancies that lead to inaccurate coverage predictions, rigging issues and costly installation-stage adjustments.

To address this longstanding industry challenge, L-Acoustics has launched Digital Construction, a new service designed to capture venues exactly as they exist and deliver verified geometric models ready for use within the Soundvision acoustic modelling platform.

The new offering introduces a comprehensive as-built capture process that utilises handheld LiDAR technology operated by expert L-Acoustics Application Engineers. The service records stage areas, audience spaces, balconies and connecting architectural elements in high resolution, creating a detailed digital representation of the venue far more efficiently than traditional manual measurement methods.

Unlike conventional hand-drafted surveys or point-to-point laser measurements, the LiDAR-based workflow is capable of capturing the complexity and scale of professional entertainment venues with a level of detail designed specifically for modern sound system design. The technology also overcomes the limitations of consumer-grade scanning devices, whose restricted range makes them unsuitable for larger performance spaces.

Following capture, each scan undergoes a standardised verification and processing workflow that incorporates quality control checks throughout every stage of the process. This ensures consistency across projects ranging from intimate clubs and theatres to large-scale arenas and stadiums.

Clients receive two key deliverables: a highly detailed point-cloud file providing a comprehensive digital record of the venue, and a simplified Soundvision-ready model optimised for acoustic simulation, system design and deployment planning. Processing timelines are tailored according to the scale and architectural complexity of each venue, with L-Acoustics working directly with clients to establish realistic project schedules.

By ensuring that acoustic modelling begins with verified as-built geometry rather than assumptions based on outdated documentation, Digital Construction strengthens the foundation of the entire design process. The service complements existing Soundvision workflows and L-Acoustics Architectural Drafting services, providing Certified Providers, AV consultants and venue owners with a reliable reference for future projects.

The benefits are particularly significant in renovation projects, heritage venues and facilities where documentation may be incomplete or inaccurate. In such environments, verified geometry can help identify potential issues before installation begins, including unexpected structural elements, rigging limitations and sightline conflicts that might otherwise emerge late in the project lifecycle.

L-Acoustics notes that it is currently the only loudspeaker manufacturer offering full-scale as-built LiDAR capture integrated directly into its system design workflow, enabling Soundvision users to work from highly accurate venue data from the earliest stages of project development.

Beyond individual projects, the value of accurate venue modelling extends over the long term. The resulting digital assets can support future upgrades, improve collaboration between stakeholders and contribute to the continued expansion of the global L-Acoustics venue database utilised by designers and engineers around the world.

“In addition to pure design problems, the issues caused by inaccurate drawings also mean that the Autofilter algorithm takes into account those inaccuracies, which can result in suboptimal front-to-back tonal and level balance. Digital Construction brings total accuracy to the foundational geometry for which a system design is produced, ensuring each client receives the absolute best result possible, leveraging our seamless workflow through design phases, to deployment, calibration, and every show beyond,” says Asher Dowson, Director of Product Management, Services at L-Acoustics.