How do you use the tools together?  

First, here are three independent author's descriptions of how to use these tools.

       Using FRD Tools to Design a Speaker

and

       Crossover Simulation in Speaker Workshop - Tutorial with FRD Tools

and

       Speaker Workshop Manual - With FRD Tools (large zip file download)

          The tools at the FRDC are subject specialized. The idea is to find the best of breed technology in each application area for your particular project and combine their results and/or pass the data from one program to the next. For example, SPL Tracer is one means of creating FRD speaker files (from response graphs), and  another method to create FRD files for speaker drivers is an external measuring program. These resulting frequency responses are specific to the baffle shape/size and the box size and box back wave type (sealed, ported, TL) used in the measurement situation (in the pre-existing graph or as you are measuring). Using Baffle Diffraction prediction and Box Modeling tools, you can simulate the measurement conditions as well as the target conditions (final configuration) for your design. By adding and subtracting these responses together you can convert a traced or measured response to be predictive of your final design before actually constructing it. 

         So the general flow between the tools is usually, to predict the response from the box and baffle and simulate the field patterns and for differing combinations of drivers. For some designs, its easier to start with the end result you desire and work backward, to locate drivers that would fit the design. An example of that would be to use the target generating programs (like the Transient Perfect Programs for example) first, then subtract out the other influences and use that to find drivers that closely fit those criteria. For other designs you might start with specific speaker drivers you have already chosen and work forward through the box and baffle toward to required crossover. It all depends on what you are sure about when you start the design. Usually size and cost constraints determine the aspects of the design that require the most experimentation and thus the discovery process to convert that idea to a final system design.

        Below are several processes you might use to achieve your final design. The first two listed, are simulations without really building anything; one analog passive and the other active digital. The next two examples are ways to achieve a design by measurement and using the FRDC tools to assist in that process. The last two process examples are ways you might used the FRDC tools to enhance or correct or improve a design

Analog FRD Simulation Process

        The analog process can start from either the final targets or the actual drivers the designer has decided he wants to use. If starting from the drivers, then the drivers response as measured on a non final test baffle/box or traced (SPL Tracer) from the manufacturers response graphs are first acquired. Next Baffle Diffraction and Box Model are simulated for target and measurement conditions (BDS, Unibox, Sub Simulator, UH Frame). These responses are imported into a processing tool (FRC) where the effects of box and baffle are corrected and the responses are extended, normalized, subtracted/added and the minimum phase re-derived.

        The resulting situationally specific corrected responses are then imported into a crossover design tool (PCD, Crossover Simulator) and the targets either imported from an external target program or created in the crossover program where the components to achieve those responses are calculated.

       The raw driver responses and/or the final crosssover corrected designs can be used to simulate the 3D dispersion and lobing pattern with the ARPE and VPR programs at any step in the design process.

Analog FRD Measurement Process  

       The analog process from a Measurement is very similar to the Simulation. Since the measurement is from the actual Box used in the final design, there is no need to Model the Box at all. If your measurements are near field then you may want to model the baffle diffraction for near field and also for your listening distance and subtract to create a diffraction distance correction. You would do this with the BDS and FRC as above. The remainder of the crossover design process is as above.

Other Corrections

       Many of the remaining tools at FRDC can be used to roughly estimate or fine tune aspects of a design. The largest remaining class of tools are EQ control tools. The Linkwitz Transform, Parametric EQ, Transfer Function Designer and Minimum Phase Response Modeler can be in many many ways, both early in a design to estimate requirements, as well as the final correction for a specific in room response. Specifically related is the Room Response Calculator which interacts well with all the EQ control tools.

      One of the most popular tools is the Passive Crossover Design Calculator with can be used to solve specific crossover correction issues as a preview or final tool and is the most demonstrative for how crossover elements are chosen and added to a system.

Rect Linear Digital Simulation Process 

          The process of digital crossover generation usually starts with a Target generator program, like the MPRM, TFD, TPSD, FM, TPSDM, etc. The resulting targets can be output and viewed in pattern simulation programs (ARPE, VPR) to determine if the resulting dispersion and lobing is satisfactory; further clarifying the requirements for you to choosing the best drivers for this design.

          Once the drivers are selected, they are measured in a test baffle/box and/or traced (SPL Tracer). Next, Baffle Diffraction and Box Model are simulated for target and measurement conditions (BDS, Unibox, Sub Simulator, UH Frame). These responses are imported into a processing tool (FRC) where the effects of box and baffle are corrected and the responses are extended, normalized, subtracted/added and the minimum phase re-derived.

       The resulting situationally specific corrected responses are converted to Rect Linear Format and the Target corrections are also imported, already in Rect Linear FRD format and are then subtracted. The resulting Rect Linear FRD files, the driver corrections that the DSP processing needs to perform, are output for each driver. Programs like DSP Tools or Brute FIR can use the Rect Linear FRD files to simulate these final digital crossovers.

Rect Linear Digital Measurement Process   

        The digital process from a Measurement is very similar to the Simulation. Since the measurement is from the actual Box used in the final design, there is no need to Model the Box at all. If your measurements are near field then you may want to model the baffle diffraction for near field and also for your listening distance and subtract to create a diffraction distance correction. You would do this with the BDS and FRC as above. The remainder of the crossover design process is as above.

Combinations

     All the responses that can be derived or calculated by all of these tools can be mixed, multiplied, subtracted, filtered, resampled, extended, bent, soft spliced and gain scaled with the Frequency Response Combiner tool.  Specifically designed to normalize, combine and complete any FRD response (Standard and Rect Linear) the FRC is the conversion tool to get all FRD responses conformed for interchange as required by the needs of the specific tool, whether part of the FRDC or external. 

      One of the most essential processes of the FRC is the Minimum Phase Extraction tool which completes a Frequency only response into a Frequency and Phase response.