U S E R M A N UA L

User Manual
NTi Data Explorer
PC-Software for the Analysis of Sound Level Data
recorded with the XL2 or XL3 Acoustic Analyzer

Doc version
Refers to SW
and XL2 firmware
and XL3 firmware

www.nti-audio.com

2.1.0/1ev2.1.0 or higher
v4.84 or higher
v1.10 or higher

Dec.22 / MBeContents

3

Table of Contents
Part I

Introduction

5

1 Installation ................................................................................................................................... 7
2 Specifications................................................................................................................................... 8
3 Software structure................................................................................................................................... 10
4 Tutorial................................................................................................................................... 12

5 License agreement................................................................................................................................... 20
6 Update history................................................................................................................................... 22

Part II

Project view25

1 Data import................................................................................................................................... 28
2 Preferences................................................................................................................................... 32
3 Project info................................................................................................................................... 38

Part III

Chart view39

1 Overview chart................................................................................................................................... 44
2 Audio bar &...................................................................................................................................
player45
3 Level selector................................................................................................................................... 47
4 Audit Intervals................................................................................................................................... 49
5 Main chart,...................................................................................................................................
Info section
52
6 Spectrogram,...................................................................................................................................
Spectrum55
7 Cursor................................................................................................................................... 58

8 Zoom & pan................................................................................................................................... 60
9 Markers................................................................................................................................... 61

10 Export subset...................................................................................................................................
to project
72

Part IV

Result view76

1 Markers (in...................................................................................................................................
Result view)79
2 Audit Intervals...................................................................................................................................
(in Result view)
81Part V

Level Calculations

82

1 Statistics ................................................................................................................................... 83
Level statistics.......................................................................................................................................................... 83
Spectrum statistics .......................................................................................................................................................... 85
Percentiles.......................................................................................................................................................... 86

2 Day Night Level................................................................................................................................... 87
LDEN exam ples.......................................................................................................................................................... 88

3 Rating Level................................................................................................................................... 91
Im pulse analysis.......................................................................................................................................................... 92
Tone analysis.......................................................................................................................................................... 94
Third Octave Tone.........................................................................................................................................................
analysis94
FFT and Tone analysis......................................................................................................................................................... 97
Tim e of day.......................................................................................................................................................... 101
Lr calculation.......................................................................................................................................................... 102
National standards .......................................................................................................................................................... 106
BS 4142:2014 ......................................................................................................................................................... 106© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe4NTi Data Explorer User Manual
DIN 45645-1/-2 ......................................................................................................................................................... 109
DM 16 marzo 1998......................................................................................................................................................... 111

Part VI

Reporting114

1 Print preview................................................................................................................................... 115
2 Data Export................................................................................................................................... 118

Index

119

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

Part

I

6

1

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Introduction
The NTi Data Explorer is a PC-based software application with a powerful data processor for easy andfast analysis of sound level measurement data acquired by an XL2 or XL3 Sound Level Meter. Visualize,
analyze and control millions of data points with this tool that is dedicated to acoustic consultants andnoise measurement professionals. It provides a convenient way to view and manage your data andquickly create professional customized reports.

Features· Data visualization· Concatenation of projects· Fast zoom and pan· Audio playback synchronized to graph· Markers with on-the-fly calculation· Automated tonal and impulsive marker generation· Percentile levels Ln calculation· Rating level Lr calculation· Export a data subset to a new project· Customized reportingFor dedicated support, please contact your nearest NTi Audio partner.

© NTi Audio AG
Im alten Riet 102
9494 Schaan
Liechtenstein, Europe
Phone +423 239-6060
www.nti-audio.com
v2.10/1e, Dec.2022© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeIntroduction

1.1

7Installation
System requirements· Supported operating systems:o Windows 7
o Windows 8 Pro or 8.1 Pro
o Windows 10· Hardware requirements:o Recommended Minimum: Pentium 1 GHz or higher with 512 MB RAM or moreo Video board with shader model 3.0 or higher (DirectX 9.0c)· Minimum disk space: 2 GB

Hint

Result data that is exported from the NTi Data Explorer to MS Excel is saved in "*.xlsx" format.
Please check the compatibility of your MS Office installation with this file format, and install theMicrosoft Compatibility Pack if necessary.

Software installation procedure
1. Access your personal account in My NTi Audio
2. Download the NTi Data Explorer installation package
3. Double left-click on the installation file
4. Optional: After the installation procedure is completed, click on 'Help' and 'Download Demo Data ...' to install
three sets of pre-recorded demo data.

Hint

After updating the software to v2.10 or higher, your old XL2 Data Explorer folder is still accessible- just click on

until you reach the directory "Documents\NTi Audio".

XL2 Acoustic and Audio Analyzer· Firmware V4.84 or higher (legacy data require minimum firmware V2.32 or higher)· NTi Data Explorer option installed on the XL2 or XL3 device, or Data Explorer 365 license (if in doubt, contact yournearest NTi Audio partner).

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

8

1.2

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Specifications
Supported data types· XL2 or XL3 Sound Level Meter data
· Broadband, 1/1 and 1/3 octave band data
· Audio data playback aligned to graphs

Data handling· Optimized for fast analysis of big data (millions of points)

Markers· 11 different marker types available· Exclude and event marker with on-the-fly calculations· Overlapping markers of same type are merged automatically· Notes

Percentiles· Percentiles for wide band, 1/1 and 1/3 octave spectrum· Simultaneous percentile calculation of full spectrum· Flexible setting from 0.1% to 99.9%· Class width = 0.1 dB

Calculated levels· LAFT5eq_dt – LAeq
· LAIeq – LAeq
· LCeq – LAeq
· LAFmax – LAeq
· LAImax – LAFmax· LAImax – LASmax· LAE· Sum of frequency bands (e.g. 50 Hz to 250 Hz)

Audit intervals· 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 minutes

FFT and Tone Analysis
based on narrow-band method in accordance with the standards ISO 1996:2-2017, DIN 45681 Ber2:2006-08 and BS
4142:2014 with frequency steps of· 2.93 Hz for linear audio (48 kHz, 24 bit)
· 1.46 Hz for compressed audio© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeIntroduction

Automated Marker Generation· Level· Pure Tone (based on Spectrum levels)o ISO 1996:2-2017, BS 4142:2014, DM 16 marzo 1998 (Italy)o Leq – Max or Leq – Mean (neighbors)o User-defined minimum tone durationo Distinguishing between small and prominent tones· Impulsive Sound (based on broadband level)o LAIeq – LAeq, LAFmax – LAeq, DM 16 marzo 1998 (Italy)o LAImax – LAFmax, LAImax – LASmax· TimeDay-Night Levels· Lden, Ldn, Lday, Levening, Lnight· User-defined penalty

Rating Level· BS4142:2014, DIN 45645-1/-2, DM 16 marzo 1998
· User-defined measurement periods and reference time interval· Marker-based and reference time interval based correction· Counter and duration of selectable marker

Reporting· Data export to MS Excel· XPS report© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

9

10

1.3

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Software structure
Views
The NTi Data Explorer offers three different views,· Project: list of the imported projects· Chart: detailed project data in graphical form + numerical readouts· Result: numerical readout of the measurement results, and of marked sections

NTi Data Explorer views
Hint

By switching from the Chart view or Result view to the Project view, all project data (i.e. including
your amendments) will be automatically saved.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeIntroduction

11

Multiple instances
It is possible to run two or more instances of the NTi Data Explorer on one PC.

Multiple instancesThis feature may be used, for example, for comparinga) XL2 or XL3 Test files that were recorded in the same location, but at different dates,b) XL2 or XL3 Test files that were record during the same event, but at different positions,c) different sections of the same XL2 or XL3 Test file.
Hint
A project file that is simultaneously open in two instances, can be edited only in the first instance.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

12

1.4

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Tutorial
The following step-by-step guideline demonstrates a typical use of the NTi Data Explorer with the XL2 Acoustic
Analyzer.
1.

Activate the logging as well as the spectra and the audio file recording on the XL2 Acoustic Analyzer, thenexecute a sound level measurement and save the test.

2.

Connect the XL2 directly to your PC via USB, or insert the SD-card into a card reader for faster data transfer.

3.

Run the NTi Data Explorer, go to the Projects view and either· drag & drop the XL2 Test data, or· click on the 'Import' button.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeIntroduction

13

4.

Select the XL2 Test file just recorded and click 'Open'. The NTi Data Explorer imports the logged data and audio
file; this procedure can take a few seconds to some minutes, depending on the file sizes. During this process,all relevant files (including the WAV file associated with the selected project) are copied into the Data Explorer
project folder.

5.

As soon as the import process is completed, select the imported project and click on the 'Open' button to open
it in the Chart view.

6.

You can now view the level curves and results.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe14NTi Data Explorer User Manual

7.

You may zoom into any area of the Main chart or Spectrogram: left-click+drag with the mouse over the area ofinterest. The zoom response is instantaneous. In addition, the Info section on the right-hand side of the Mainchart shows the instantaneous levels at the current Cursor position, as well as the result of the whole project.

8.

Click on the button, and then on

to display the large spectrum.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeIntroduction

9.

15

Select the menu 'View -> Setup Levels...' to choose which levels are displayed in the Main chart, and select theappropriate colors. Here you may also enable or edit the values of the correction factors (k1, k2).

10. Listen to the sound recording to identify or further analyze an event; click on the corresponding point in the
Audio bar to replay the sound.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe16

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

11. To highlight an area, or exclude it from the overall result calculation, add a Marker: first select the Marker typeusing thebutton, click on theMain chart to add the Marker.

button, and then left-click+drag with the mouse over the

12. Click on
to open the Level statistics window, and then on
distribution of dt values in a graph, as well as the Percentile results in a table.

to show the statistical© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeIntroduction

17

13. Click on
to switch to the Result view, which provides an overview on the individual Marker data andthe Project result (highlighted row). You may expand or collapse any of the Marker categories.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe18

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

14. Click on
to show the Print preview; tick/clear or edit the checkboxes or modules of the report according to
your demands.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeIntroduction

19

15. Click on "File
Report Properties..." to edit the Report Properties: tick the checkboxes for the parts to beprinted, edit the corresponding text and optionally add your own logo and signature.

16. Click on

to print the report.

17. Click on
to return to the Project view; this step automatically saves all project data, including youramendments.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

20

1.5

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

License agreement
Scope
This End-User License Agreement (“EULA”) is a legal agreement between you (either an individual or a single entity)
and NTi Audio AG (“NTi Audio”). By installing or using the NTi Audio software, content or documentation (collectively
the “NTi Audio software”) accompanying this EULA, you accept these terms and are consequently bound to them. If
you do not agree to the terms of this EULA, do not install or use the NTi Audio software.
The NTi Audio software is licensed, not sold, to you by NTi Audio for use only under the terms of this license
agreement. This EULA only gives you some rights to use the software. You may use the software only as expressly
permitted in this EULA.
This EULA also applies for all upgrades or updates to the NTi Audio software (if any), supplements, internet-based
services, and support services for this NTi Audio software, unless other terms accompany those items. If so, thoseterms will govern.

License Uses and Restrictions
A. Software Installation: Subject to the terms and conditions of this license agreement, you are granted a limited,
non-exclusive license to use and run the NTi Audio software. Data transfer from an XL2 or XL3 Acoustic analyzer to
the NTi Audio software is only enabled if the corresponding license is installed on the analyzer.
B. No Reverse Engineering: You may not and you agree not to, or to enable others to, copy (except as expressly
permitted by this license agreement or by the usage rules if they are applicable to you), publish, distribute,
decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble, attempt to derive the source code of, decrypt, modify, or create derivative
works of the NTi Audio software or any services provided by the NTi Audio software, or any part thereof.
C. Termination: This license is effective until terminated. Your rights under this license agreement will terminate
automatically or otherwise cease to be effective without notice from NTi Audio if you fail to comply with any term(s)of this license agreement. Upon the termination of this license, you must cease all use of the NTi Audio softwareand destroy all copies, full or partial, of the NTi Audio software.

Services
The NTi Audio software may enable access to NTi Audio and third party services and web sites (collectively andindividually, “NTi Audio services”). Such NTi Audio services may not be available in all languages or in all countries.
Use of these NTi Audio services requires internet access and use of certain NTi Audio services may requires an NTi
Audio ID, may require you to accept additional terms and may be subject to additional fees. By using this softwarein connection with an NTi Audio ID or other NTi Audio account, you agree to the applicable terms of service for that
account.

Disclaimer
A. NTi Audio and all our affiliates do not give any warranty, guarantee or conditions for this software, i.e. you bear
the sole risk of using it. This limitation applies to anything related to this software, including breach of contract,
warranty, guarantee or condition, strict liability, negligence or other tort to the extent permitted by applicable law. It
also applies if NTi Audio knew or should have known about the possibility of the damages.
B. The NTi Audio software and services are provided “as-is”, i.e. with all faults. You bear the sole risk of using it. NTi
Audio gives no express warranties, guarantees or conditions. NTi Audio excludes the implied warranties ofmerchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
C. You acknowledge that the NTi Audio software and services are not intended or suitable for use in situations orenvironments where the failure or time delays of, or errors or inaccuracies in the content, data or information
provided by the NTi Audio software or services could lead to death, personal injury, or severe physical orenvironmental damage, including without limitation the operation of nuclear facilities, aircraft navigation orcommunication systems, air traffic control, life support or weapons systems.
D. No oral or written information or advice given by NTi Audio or an NTi Audio authorized representative shall create
a warranty. Should the NTi Audio software or services prove defective, you assume the entire costs of all necessary
servicing, repair or correction.
© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeIntroduction

21

E. In no event shall NTi Audio be liable for personal injury, or any incidental, special, indirect or consequential
damages whatsoever, including, without limitation, damages for loss of profits, loss of data or information, businessinterruption or any other commercial damages or losses, arising out of or related to your use or inability to use theNTi Audio software or services or any third party software or applications in conjunction with the NTi Audio softwareor services, however caused, regardless of the theory of liability (contract, tort or otherwise) and even if NTi Audiohas been advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event shall NTi Audio’s total liability to you for all
damages exceed the amount of ten US dollars (USD 10.00). The foregoing limitations will apply even if the above
stated remedy fails of its essential purpose.

Separate Provisions
If any provision of this EULA shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality andenforceability of the remaining provisions shall in no way be affected or impaired thereby.

PrivacyAt all times your information will be treated in accordance with NTi Audio’s privacy policy, which is incorporated byreference into this license agreement and can be viewed at http://www.nti-audio.com/privacy-statement

Controlling Law
This license agreement will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of Liechtenstein, Europe,
excluding its conflict of law principles. No amendment to or modification of this EULA will be binding unless inwriting and signed by NTi Audio. The English version of this EULA shall govern, to the extent not prohibited by local
law in your jurisdiction.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

22

1.6

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Update history
V2.10· XL3 Acoustic Analyzer: Import measurement and audio data
· Concatenation mode: support import of zip files· Optimize marker visualization and calculation· Audit interval 2 minutes in accordance with UK Noise Requirements of Approved Document O· Support negative penalties at Rating Level Lr and Day-Night Level Lden calculation for railway noise· Download demo data in Help menu

V2.00
· Spectrum: calculate 1/1 octave spectrum from 1/3 octave data
· Rating level: calculate LAeq and duration of markers· Tonality assessment according to French standard Arrêté du 23_01_97· Concatenated measurements: show results of each measurement in Results table· Optimized scrolling of Results table· Preferences: separate setting for spectrum Leq, Lmax, Lmin
· Improved calculation: sum of Lmax (xx Hz ... yy Hz)· Taktmaximal-level synchronized with the full hour at import· Show hearing threshold curve in spectrum according to ISO 226· Adding image in report· New look and feel for the toolbar· Add Chinese and French language· Replace “RTA” with “Spectrum”· FFT Analysis based on RMS levels instead of Peak levels

V1.90· Concatenate sequential measurements into a single project· Noise measurement reports with flexible configurations· Automated marker generationo on audit period noise levels
o on impulsive noise in accordance with TA-Lärm (Germany)o on weather data
· Audio setting saved in project· Preference settings extended with charts ratio and RTA layout· Customizable date/time format in report· Auto-scaling charts in 10 dB resolution· Show units in charts© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeIntroduction

23

V1.85
· Calculating FFT Spectrum based on recorded audio file
· Narrow band tonality assessment in accordance with ISO 1996-2:2017, DIN 45681:2006 and BS 4142:2014(Reference or Engineering method)· Calculate Taktmaximal-level without earlier recording on XL2· Import and replay of voice notes

V1.80· Export a data subset to a new project· Export & import of markers and marker types· Import of zipped data files· Extended reporting configuration

V1.70· RTA Spectrum offerso Leq, Lmin and Lmax measurement data (requires XL2 firmware V3.31)
o A, C and Z frequency weighting conversions· German language user interface· Extended reporting configuration

V1.60· Impulsiveness penalty for rating level Lr in accordance with BS4142:2014 (UK), DIN 45645-1/2 (Germany) and

NordTest ACOU 112· Automatic marker generation of impulses in accordance with DM 16 marzo 1998
· Tones visualization in RTA Spectrum for ISO 1996-2:2007, BS 4142:2014, DM 16 marzo 1998
· Marker counter and duration calculation in the Rating Level tool
· Calculation of percentile levels for full RTA Spectrum in one step
· One minute Audit Interval· Import of overload marker from recorded data

V1.50
· Calculate rating level Lr· Automatic tonality and impulsiveness detection· Automatic marker generation by level and time criteria· Marker names and settings offered in preferences· User comment per marker· Marker counter· Exclude markers supersede overlapping include markers· Overlapping markers of same type are merged© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe24

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

V1.40· Introduce audit interval calculations in Chart and Result View (5', 10', 15', 30', 60')
· Calculate percentiles Ln of audit intervals and show in Chart and Result View
· Simultaneous import of multiple XL2 files· Adjustable color scaling of spectrogram and RTA Spectrum· Extended usability of charting tools

V1.30· Show individual frequency bands (e.g. 63 Hz) in main chart· Calculate sum of individual frequency bands (e.g. 50 Hz - 100 Hz)· Calculate differences of broadband values (e.g. LCeq – LAeq)· Calculate and show Sound Exposure Level in report· Offer setup of levels and day-night-periods in default preferences· Display start date, duration, XL2 serial number and available spectral data in project view

V1.20
· Supports import of log data recorded in repeated timer mode (w/o cycle results)

V1.10· Level Statistics

o Calculate statistics for individual levelso LN table and level distributiono Copy data and bitmap· RTA

o RTA results of whole project, markers or cursor
o Copy data and bitmap· Improved result view table style· Improved tutorial· Minor bugfixes© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

Part

II

26

2

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Project view
The Data Explorer always starts up in the Project view. The Project view is also accessible from the Chart or Result
views by clicking the

button.

· After the initial installation, the Project view shows the 'Demo Projects' folder.
· From then on, it always opens the same folder that had been selected the last time.

NOTE

The XL2 or XL3 unit, respectively, must have a Data Explorer Option installed to allow the direct
import of XL2 or XL3 Test files to the Data Explorer software.

Projects view with imported projects sorted by recording date, and right-click context menu
Hint

Click on any column title to sort the projects in ascending or descending order.
Right-click on any column title to amend the selection of displayed columns.

Direct actions· Import project(s): click onand select one or several XL2 or XL3 file(s) (*.xl2 or *.xl3)· Replay voice note: click on· Open project:o double-click on project nameo select a project and press Ctrl+O
o select a project and click on· Delete: select a project or folder and press Del (NOTE - All contents of the folder will be deleted!)· Rename: select a project or folder and press F2· Refresh the list of projects: press F5· Organize the projects in ascending or descending order: click on the preferred column title· Arrange the columns by moving them with the mouse to the preferred position· Copy to: right-click on a project and select 'Copy To...'· New folder: right-click in the Project view and select 'New Folder...'· Up one folder level: click on© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeProject view

27

· Change working folder: click on· Create new folder: click on

Save project
All amendments to an open project (e.g. Markers, layout of the Chart view or Result view) are automatically saved.
Furthermore, upon returning to the Project view, the project file (*.xldb) is closed. Consequently, if you want torestore a previous project status, you may either· manually undo every amendment,· or restore an older version of the project file on your PC.

Copy project
You can copy & paste a Data Explorer project e.g. to another location, and open the copy if the PC has the NTi
Data Explorer software installed.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

28

2.1

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Data import
Data flow
There are basically two different ways to import logged data from an XL2 or XL3 to the Data Explorer software.
A. Test files that were recorded on an XL2 or XL3 with the Data Explorer Option installed on the XL2 or XL3 device atthe time of recording the data, can be imported directly to the Data Explorer software.
B. Test files that were recorded on an XL2 or XL3 without the Data Explorer Option installed on the XL2 or XL3
device at the time of recording the data ("Legacy data"), require an internet connection in order to be imported to
the Data Explorer software.

$
Data import procedures
NOTE

The NTi Data Explorer allows the import of XL2 or XL3 log files, regardless in which mode they
have been recorded. This does not, however, include the "cycle results" that were acquired in
the 'Repeated Timer' mode.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeProject view

29

Import procedure1.

Before importing new measurement data, you may activate the following options.
a) Conversion of 1/3 Octave Spectrum data to 1/1 Octave Spectrum data,b) Y-axis definition and percentile preferences for imported files.

2.

Connect the XL2 or XL3 to your PC with the Data Explorer software via the USB interface, or insert the SD-card
into a card reader, and copy the required XL2 or XL3 test files to the hard disk.

Example of XL2 Test files with audio file© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe30

NTi Data Explorer User Manual3.

Select the import mode via the button in the bottom left corner of the Project view.
a)create one project for each of the selected XL2 or XL3 files.

b)create one single project containing the concatenation of all the selected XL2 or XL3 files.

.
NOTES If several projects shall be concatenated, they must have been recorded by the same XL2 or XL3
instrument with identical settings.
The pauses between the recording periods of a concatenated project will be marked and filledwith the last valid level.
4. Click on the 'Import' button and select the *.xl2, *.xl3 or *.zip file(s) to be imported.
Hint
Only *.xl2 or *.xl3 files can be concatenated, but not *.zip files.

Select XL2 Test file
Hint

It is strongly recommended that you copy the XL2 or XL3 test files to the PC hard disk first, andthen import them into the Data Explorer, and that you keep a backup of the imported XL2 or XL3
Test files or the converted NTi Data Explorer files in case of loss of data.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeProject view

31

Weather data import
There are two alternatives to import weather data to your Data Explorer project,a) from a NoiseScout location that includes a weather station,b) from an autonomous weather station.

Weather data import from NoiseScout location
If your NoiseScout location includes a weather station, you may import the corresponding data as follows.
1. Download the logged data from the NoiseScout location to your PC,
2. Drag & drop the downloaded *.zip file to the Project view.
The imported project contains the logged sound levels & weather data, which may be marked for further analysis.

Data import from autonomous weather station
If you may want to import the data of an autonmous weather station into your data Explorer project,
1. Click on the

button in the Automatic Marker Generation panel,

2. Select the text file that contains the data from your weather station.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

32

2.2

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Preferences
The 'Preferences' feature allows you to customize some default settings according to your requirements, e.g. thedisplayed level or spectrum curves, the Main chart Y-axis scale, the default percentiles or the Day Night Level
periods.
The customized default settings· are automatically applied on all XL2 or XL3 projects that are subsequently imported,· may be applied individually by manual interaction on selected older XL2 or XL3 projects.

To define the default settings, select the menu 'File ® Preferences...' in the Project view.
a) Select the preferred language and edit the default Report Properties.

b) Select 'Level Selector' and 'SLMeter', and tick the level measurements that shall be displayed in the Chart view
and in the Results view by default.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeProject view

33c) Select 'Spectrum' and either 'Leq', 'Lmin' or 'Lmax', and tick the Spectrum bands that shall be displayed in theChart view and in the Results view by default.

d) Select 'Math' and 'SLMeter' or 'Spectrum', and tick the calculation results that shall be displayed in the Chart view
and in the Results view by default.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe34NTi Data Explorer User Manuale) Select 'Level Selector' and 'Ln' and select the Level Statistics that shall be displayed in the Chart view and in the
Results view by default.
Hint
The 'Preferences' settings are limited to seven percentiles.

f) Select 'Level Selector' and 'Advanced' and tick the checkbox 'Add TaktMax levels at import based on LAF max' to
let the Data Explorer software calculate the TaktMax levels, based on the imported LAFmax log data in casethat no TaktMax level has been logged by the XL2 or XL3.
Hint
Requirements for• post-calculation of LAFT3eq and LAFT3eq_dt: LAFmax logged with 100 ms, 1 sec or 3 sec interval• post-calculation of LAFT5eq and LAFT5eq_dt: LAFmax logged with 100 ms, 1 sec or 5 sec interval© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeProject view

Tick the checkbox 'Calculate 1/1 octave from 1/3 octave at import' to let the software calculate the 1/1 octave
Spectrum, based on the measured 1/3 octave data, and save the calculated results in the project.

g) Select 'Marker Types' to edit the default names, define Exclude markers or default colors© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

35

36

NTi Data Explorer User Manualh) Select 'Chart View' to· define the default layout of the Chart view· activate and amend the default Minimum and Maximum dB values for the lower and upper ends of the Yaxis of the Main chart or the Spectrogram and the Spectrum.

i) Select 'Level Statistics' and press
to edit the percentiles that shall be calculated and displayed
by default, and/or edit the scaling of the graph axes.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeProject view

37k) Select 'Day Night Level' and the edit the time scheme or penalties according to your requirements.

l) Select 'Rating Level' to edit the default penalties or time periods.

Hint

Changes of the preference settings are applied on all XL2 or XL3 log files that are subsequently
imported.
The preferences of older projects may be updated individually via the Setup Levels panel, theZoom panel, the Edit percentiles panel or the Day Night Level panel.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

38

2.3

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Project info
As soon as an XL2 or XL3 test file has been imported to the Data Explorer, it becomes a Data Explorer Project withthe following content:· Logged level data
· Recorded audio file (if applicable)· Project info (see below)· Events (Markers) created by the XL2 or XL3 or by the user from within the Data Explorer· Print preview· List of level measurements· Expansion level / layout of Result view (also after exit & re-enter)

Hint

To re-establish the original status of a Data Explorer Project after you have amended the data,
simply re-import the *.xl2 or *.xl3 Test file

Project Info pop-up
To open the Project Info pop-up, hover the cursor over the left bottom corner in the Chart or Result view.
The Project Info pop-up contains the following list of non-editable information.

Project info pop-up (example)
Hint

Please refer also to chapter Print preview© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

Part

III

40

3

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Chart view
The Chart view contains the Overview chart, Audio bar & player, Main chart & info section, Spectrogram with
Spectrum and the Project info.

Default Chart view© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart view

Chart view with large Spectrum

Chart view of concatenated project© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

41

42

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Buttons
Icon

Description
Open Another Project
Switch to Chart view
Switch to Result view
Select the levels to be displayed
Print the project report
Preview the project report
Replay the Voice note (icon only visible if project includes Voice note)
Change the layout of the chart view: Main chart only / with Spectrogram / with large
Spectrum
Zoom by Date Time
Zoom in / out
Zoom All out
Pan left / right

Export a data subset to a new project
Edit the name, function or color of the Markers

Add a Marker
Select the type of a new Marker
Open the Automatic Marker Generation window
Open the Level statistics window. The red warning
to be re-calculated.

indicates that the level statistics haveOpen the Spectrum statistics window
Open the Day Night Level window
Open the Rating Level window© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart view

43

Time axes
The time axes always show the absolute date & time as recorded by the XL2 or XL3 at the time when the level data
was acquired.
· The time axis of the Overview chart always shows the full recorded period.
· The time axis of the Audio bar, Main chart and Spectrogram automatically adapts to the current zoom range.

Separator
The separator line between the Main chart and the Spectrogram can be shifted vertically, adjusting the height of thegraphs.

Project info
A pop-up with the Project info opens as soon as the cursor is moved over the XL2 or XL3 serial number / firmware
version in the left bottom corner of the Chart view.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

44

3.1

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Overview chart
The Overview chart provides a permanent view of the full recorded period.

Overview chart with highlighted zoom range
The level curve that is displayed by default is, if available, the LAeq. Otherwise, it's the first level measurement data
recorded in the log of the XL2 or XL3 Test file.
The yellow background of the Overview chart indicates the area that is currently displayed in the Audio bar, Mainchart and Spectrogram. If you zoom in to an area in the Main chart, the area will be highlighted in yellow in the
Overview chart.
· The time axis of the Overview chart always shows the full recording period.
· The time axis of the Audio bar, Main chart and Spectrogram cover the currently displayed (i.e. zoomed) recording

period only.

Example of Overview chart, Audio bar and Main chart© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart view

3.2

45

Audio bar & player
NOTE

The Audio bar is only shown if the audio recording was switched ON in the XL2 or XL3.

Example of a continuous Audio bar

Example of a segmented Audio bar
The Audio bar is normally continuous, but can also be segmented. For example, if the XL2 'Log Audio' mode wasswitched to 'Events Only'. Furthermore, longer audio recordings will be concatenated, as the maximum file size foran audio log is restricted to approx. 500 MB (= 1 hour full audio, or 12 hours compressed audio).
The area displayed in the Audio bar always corresponds to the content of the Main chart (i.e. the zoomed area). The
vertical lines below the Audio bar consequently refer to the time scale of the Main chart, too.
There are three ways to listen to the recorded audio file.
a. To replay the audio file, you may
o click on the desired position in the audio bar, oro right-click on the Audio bar, the Main chart or the Spectrogramand select 'Play from here', oro click on the

button of the Audio player.

Right-click context menub. To pause the audio file replay,o press the 'Space' bar, oro right-click on the Audio bar, the Main chart or the Spectrogramand select 'Pause', oro click on the

button of the Audio player.

c. To stop the audio file replay,o press the 'Esc' button, or

Audio playero right-click on the Audio bar, the Main chart or the Spectrogramand select 'Stop', oro click on the

button of the Audio player.

You may switch off the AGC (Automated Gain Control), and manually adjust the gain. However, please note that inthis mode the Audio player may still reduce the gain to avoid clipping.
Hint
The AGC cannot be switched off if the XL2 or XL3 audio file was recorded in the mode
'Compressed+AGC'.
You may access the WAV file(s) behind the Audio bar (segments). To do so, right-click on the appropriate segment
and select 'Browse to ...'.
Alternatively, you may hover over the time indicator in the Audio player to read the file path of the related WAV file.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe46

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Replay voice note
If the imported XL2 or XL3 log file includes a voice note, you may replay the latter by clicking on the

button.

FFT and Tone analysis
Right-click on the Audio bar to open the FFT and Tone analysis panel.

Example of FFT and Tone Analysis© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart view

3.3

47

Level selector
Click on the
button or press Ctrl + L to select the sound levels, math results and level statistics to be
displayed in the Chart view and Result view respectively.
Hint
The displayed levels are selected independently for the Chart and the Result view.

Example of available levels in Result view

Example of available levels in Chart view

Click on 'More...', to open the 'Level Selector' panel, which provides access to more settings.

a) Sound levels· Tick thecheckbox to selectcorresponding view.

(i.e. display) or deselectall level or Spectrum curves and results in the· Tick the particular checkboxes of the levels, spectra or correction factors k1, k2 that shall be displayed.
· Edit the values of the correction factors k1, k2.

Level Selector panel, tabs 'SLMeter' and 'Spectrum'
Hint

Activate an Audit Interval if required (optional)

Hint

By right-clicking on the 'SLMeter' or'Spectrum' Setup Levels panel you maya) apply the current default settings (preferences),b) select all _dt values in the list,c) deselect all _dt values in the list.

®

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

48

NTi Data Explorer User Manualb) Math results· Tick thecheckbox to select(i.e. display) or deselectall math results in the corresponding view.

· Tick the particular checkboxes of the math results that shall be displayed.

Level Selector panel, tabs 'Math / SLMeter' and 'Math / Spectrum'
NOTE'Math' values are only available if the corresponding raw data have been logged in the XL2 or
XL3 project.

c) Level statistics· Tick thecheckbox to select(i.e. display) or deselectall level statistics in the corresponding view.

· Tick the particular checkboxes of the level statistics that shall be displayed.

Level Selector panel, 'Ln' (level statistics)© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart view

3.4

49

Audit Intervals
The 'Audit Intervals' feature allows the log data to be divided into measurement intervals (segments) of selectable
length. These intervals are always synchronized with the full hour.
For instance, the 15' (15 minutes) audit interval would divide a recording from 08:12 to 09:05, for example, into
following intervals: 08:12 ® 08:15 ® 08:30 ® 08:45 ® 09:00 ® 09:05.
The selected measurement results are then displayed for each interval in the Main chart and in the Result view.
NOTE

The 'Audit Intervals' feature is only available if the XL2 or XL3 log interval is 20 sec. or shorter(recommended: 1 sec.)

To activate the 'Audit Intervals' feature, open the 'Level Selector' panel, click on "More...",select the required interval
duration and press 'OK'.

Selection of audit interval© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe50

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Example of Chart view with 5' audit interval© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart view

Example of Result view with 5' audit interval© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

51

52

3.5

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Main chart, Info section
Main chart

Example of Main chart with Level curves

The Main chart shows the curves of the selected levels and Spectrum data over time.
· Zoom in to or out of a specific area.
· Move the cursor to a specific position in the Main chart to read the instantaneous value(s) of the displayed level(s)in the Info section.
Hint

There is a gap between the start point of the recording, and the first sample(s) of the result
curve(s). This gap corresponds to the XL2 or XL3 log "Interval dt". The first results are only
available at the end of the first log interval, whereas the audio file recording starts at the very
beginning.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart view

53

The audio file recording starts at the very beginning (0 s), while the first samples are only available after the firstlogging interval dt has elapsed (10 s)© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe54

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Info section
The Info section provides contextual information related to the displayed levels and the current cursor position.

Example #1 of Info section
Example #2 of Info section
Hint

Example #3 of Info section

The "Marker" extension appears as soon as the mouse is placed on a Marker band.

· Offset: values of the correction-factors k1, k2 (only visible if at least one correction-factor0)· Cursor: instantaneous values of the cursor

o Position: date & time of the current cursor positiono Time resolution of the currently-displayed Main chart (depends on the actual zoom range)o The instantaneous value(s) and color of the displayed level(s) at the current cursor position· Result: absolute result datao Start, End and duration of the whole recordingo The Results (i.e. all recorded values minus the excluded Markers)· Marker: properties of the selected Marker

o Type of the Markero Start, End and duration of the Marker
o Level data values of the Marker· Audit Interval: properties of the selected Audit Intervalo Type of Audit Intervalo Start, End and Duration of the Audit Intervalo Level data values during the Audit Interval© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart view

3.6

55

Spectrogram, Spectrum
The chart view allows to show the Spectrogram or the Spectrum via the display modes

and.

Right-click on the Spectrogram or the Spectrum to select· Spectrum Weighting: A, C or Z
· Spectrum based on Leq, Lmax or Lmin

NOTE

The Spectrogram and the Spectrum are only available if "Add Spectra" was set to "Leq" or to"Leq, Lmax, Lmin" in the XL2 or XL3 during the data logging.

Spectrogram
The Spectrogram displays the logged spectra of the XL2 or XL3 test (i.e. sound level at each frequency over time).
· X-axis: time
· Y-axis: frequency· Colors: red represents the highest levels, through orange, yellow, green, cyan and blue, to black representing thelowest levels

Example of Spectrogram
Hint

Right-click in the Spectrogram and select 'Show Legend' to show the color assignments.

Hint

Legend
You may edit the Spectrum-axis via the Zoom panel and thus define an absolute level
color
scheme. This may facilitate the comparison of the spectra from different projects, for example.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe«

56

NTi Data Explorer User ManualSpectrum
The Spectrum displays the selected level vs. frequency of the cursor position; it may be enlarged via the 'Change
Layout' button.
i.

Cursor outside Main chart / Spectrogram ® overall project spectrum is displayed

ii. Cursor over Main chart or Spectrogram ® spectrum for the current cursor time position is displayediii. Cursor over a Marker label ® spectrum of the marked area is displayed (Hint: Mark er color is applied to theSpectrum)iv. Cursor locked to all markers of the same type ® spectrum of all markers of the same type is displayed
v. Cursor locked to Audit Interval ® spectrum of the selected area is displayed

Different Spectra displayed (default size) depending on the cursor position (i, ii, iii, iv, v)© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart view57

In addition, the Spectrum provides individual level/frequency information both numerically (on top of the graph), andgraphically with a red bar.
a) Move the cursor over the Spectrum or Spectrogramb) Lock the cursor in the Main chart or on a Marker label, then move it over the Spectrum.

Spectrum with readout: default size (above) / large size (below)

Tones
Right-click on the Spectrum and select· "Spectrum based on"

the applicable level, i.e. Leq or Lmax or Lmin

· "Spectrum Resolution"

the displayed resolution (1/1 or 1/3 Octave) of the Spectrum and Spectrogram· "Show Tones"

the appropriate standard to show the tones, which are used for the Rating Level calculation.

Select applicable level & standard for the Rating Level analysis

Hearing threshold
To show the human hearing threshold, right-click on the Spectrum and select "Show Hearing Threshold (Z)".
© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

58

3.7

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

CursorThe cursor (mouse pointer) can be used to perform several actions:· Readout the instantaneous level results (-> info section) or level & frequency (-> Spectrum)· Zoom & pan· Start audio file replay: right-click on the required start point in the Main chart or Spectrogram, then select 'Play

from here'

Readout
The info section shows the instantaneous level or spectrum of the cursor position in the Main chart or Spectrogram.
· If the cursor is located in the Main chart, the info section shows the corresponding level values. In

addition, the intersection(s) of the cursor and the displayed curve(s) are highlighted by a small "x".
· If the cursor is located in the Spectrogram, the frequency and the level value that corresponds to theactual cursor position is also shown in the Info section.
If you press the Shift key while the cursor is over the Main chart or over a bar in the Spectrum, an additional readout
will appear· Main chartsound level· Spectrum

band level, and differences to adjacent bands

Cursor color
The default cursor color is red. While the audio file is playing, the cursor is blue.

Zoom-in/-out, pan· Zoom-in:

o select the zoom area with left-click+drag over the target area of the Main chart or Spectrogram, oro use the scroll wheel of your mouse.
· Zoom-out:

o double left-click on the Main chart or Spectrogram, oro use the scroll wheel of your mouse.
· Pan:o Overview chart, place the cursor on the zoom range (yellow area) then left-click+drago Main chart or Spectrogram, press Ctrl+left-click+drag© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart view

59

Lock cursor
The cursor position can be locked by right-clicking in the Main chart or Spectrogram, or over a Marker label, or in an
Audit Interval. The Spectrum consequently shows the spectrum at the corresponding cursor position, or of themarked area.
Lock cursor ... ® Spectruma) ... in the Main chart ® of the specific cursor positionb) ... to a single Marker ® of the marked areac) ... to all Markers of a specific type ® of the combined Marker areasd) ... in the Spectrogram ® of the specific cursor positione) ... to an Audit Interval ® of the marked area
Hint

A locked cursor is indicated by ain the Info section.
When printing a report, the values of the locked cursor appear in the printout below the charts.

To unlock the cursor,· press Esc· click onin the Info section· right-click and select "Lock cursor" again· lock the cursor at a new position© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

60

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

3.8

Zoom & pan
Zoom
There are several ways to zoom:· Click on the,

buttons to zoom in/out,· Place the cursor in the Main chart or Spectrogram, theno left-click+drag to the end position of the required zoom range,o use the scroll wheel of your mouse to zoom in/out.
· Click on the

button (or right-click on a graph) to open the Zoom panel, and manually edit the X-axis zoom
range, Y-axis scale and the Spectrum-axis color scheme:

Hint

Zoom panel
The Y-axis scaling may be adjusted to a predefined default via the preferences. To adjust the Yaxis of an XL2 or XL3 Test file that has been previously imported, right-click on the Y-axis sectionof the Zoom panel and select 'Default'.

· Return to the overall view:o click on,o double click on the Main chart,o right-click on the Main chart or Spectrogram and select 'Zoom All Out'.

Pan
When you are zoomed in, there are several ways to pan:
· Click on theorbutton.

· Press the left / right arrow on the PC keyboard.
· Click on the zoom range in the Overview chart and move it with the mouse.
· Press Ctrl+left-click in the Main chart or Spectrogram and move the zoom range with the mouse© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart view

3.9

61

Markers
Markers are a very helpful way to· exclude user-defined areas of the recording from the overall result calculation, and· highlight specific events that occurred during the recording.

Example of main chart with five different mark er types
Markers are either logged by the XL2 during the recording, or manually added by the user within the Data Explorer.
Every Marker is displayed as a colored band in the Main chart.
Irrespective of how it was created, any Marker may be edited or deleted by the user.
Hint
From Data Explorer v1.50 onwards, the Simplified Marker Calculations apply.

A) Marker types
The NTi Data Explorer supports eleven different Marker types, which are by default labeled "Exclude" and "Marker
1...10". The name & color of each Marker type may be edited. Also, you can choose which Marker type(s) should
be excluded from the result calculation. These settings may be edited in two different ways,
i.

globally via the Preferences

ii. individually for each project

amends the default settings,
amendments apply only for the selected project.

Click onto open the 'Define Marker Types' panel. The
panel shows the 11 Marker types.
· Double left-click on any entry in the first column to edit thecorresponding Marker Name (consequently the name of allMarkers of this type in the Main chart or Result view will beamended).
· Tick the checkbox in the second column to exclude allMarkers of this type from the level result calculation.
· Amend the color of any Marker type via the corresponding

dropdown menu.
Hints
The level data of an excluded Marker is notconsidered for the overall level result calculation.
In the Main chart, every excluded Marker is
identified by a "–" (minus) sign in front of its
name.
If an excluded Marker overlaps with a standard(included) Marker, the overlapping part will beignored (i.e. excluded).

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

Example of edited Mark er types

62

NTi Data Explorer User ManualB) Create a Marker
Markers can be created in three different ways,i.

Automatically by the XL2

ii. Manually via the Data Exploreriii. Automatically via the Data Explorer
NOTE

Proper creation of Markers is an essential prerequisite for the Rating Level calculations

i. Automatic XL2 Markers
If Markers were set by the XL2 unit during the recording, they are assigned and labeled as follows:· Marker 4 ® Pause: the XL2 recording had paused for a while· Marker 5 ® Lvl: the XL2 input level exceeded the user-defined threshold· Marker 6..9 ® Key 1...4: the operator pressed the XL2 Input Keypad during the recording· Marker 10 ® Error: a technical problem (e.g. SD-card overflow) occurred during the recording

ii. Manual Data Explorer Markers
1.

Select the Marker type using thecombo box, then click on the- or press the corresponding number key 0...9 on the PC keyboard.

button2. Create the Marker by selecting an area in the Main chart with left-click+drag.
Hints
Overlapping Markers of different types are supported.
Overlapping Markers of the same types are merged.

iii Automatic Data Explorer Markers
1.

Click on the
button, or select the menu 'Markers ® Automatic Marker Generator ...' to open the AutomaticMarker Generator panel

2.

Select the method, how the Marker(s) shall be generated,a) Level ® if the sound level exceeds a user-defined thresholdb) Pure Tone ® identification of tones (a frequency band sticks out of the third Octave spectrum)c) Impulsive Sound ® detection of short impulsesd) Time ® user-defined time periods© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart view

63a) Level
The Data Explorer automatically marks every section of the recorded sound level that exceeds the user-defined
threshold.

Parameters· Level ® select the sound level, above which the automatic Level Markers shall be generated.
· Start [dB] / for [s] ® threshold level that must be exceeded for at least the specified duration to generate aMarker at this point· Stop [dB] / for [s] ® the generated Marker ends as soon as the sound level falls below this threshold for at least

the specified duration· Pre Trigger [s] ® the generated Marker starts the specified time earlier than the point where the 'Start' thresholdspecified above is exceeded· Post Trigger [s] ® the generated Marker ends the specified time later than the point where the sound level falls

below the 'Stop' threshold specified above· Add Markers Type ® select the Marker type that shall be generated·® tick this checkbox if you want that all previously-created Markers of the selected type be automaticallydeletedExample© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe64

NTi Data Explorer User Manualb) Pure Tone
The Data Explorer automatically marks every section of the recorded sound level, where the level in a band of the
1/1 or 1/3rd Octave spectrum (i.e. a tone) exceeds the level of the two neighboring bands by a user-definedminimum difference
identification of discrete-frequency spectral components).

Parameters· Calculation ® select the condition for the tone detectiono Leq – Max (neighbors) ® a tone is marked if its Leq exceeds the maximum levels of the twoneighboring bandso Leq – Mean (neighbors) ® a tone is marked if its Leq exceeds the mean levels of the twoneighboring bands
o ISO 1996-2:2017 (international), DIN 45645-1/-2 (Germany), BS 4142:2014 (Great Britain) or DM 16
marzo 1998 (Italy) ® a tone is marked, if it meets the conditions proposed by the standarda) Duration ® a tone is marked if it exceeds the minimum difference and lasts at least for the user-definedtime periodo Difference [dB] ® minimum level difference between the tone level and the levels of the twoneighboring bands
o for [s] ® minimum time period, for which the 'Difference' condition must be metb) Level Range ® a tone is marked if its level difference to the neighbor bands is within the user-definedrange
o Difference [dB] ® minimum level difference between the tone level and the levels of the twoneighboring bands
o to [dB] ® maximum level difference between the tone level and the levels of the two neighboring
bands· First / Last Band ® optional user-defined limitation of the frequency band, in which tones shall be marked· Add Markers Type ® select the Marker type that shall be generated·® tick this checkbox if you want that all previously-created Markers of the selected type be automaticallydeletedHint
The detected tones are listed in the Info section under 'Marker
Notes'© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart view

Examplesa) Level difference

10 dB, Durationb) Level Range 20 to 40 dB© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

2s

65

66

NTi Data Explorer User Manualc) Impulsive SoundThe Data Explorer automatically identifies & marks short impulsive sounds
pressure, usually < 1 s).

identification of brief bursts of soundParameters· Calculation ® select the sound level, for which the automatic Impulsive Sound Markers shall be generatedo LAFmax_dt-LAeq_dt
o LAImax_dt-LAFmax_dt
o LAImax_dt-LASmax_dt
o DM 16 marzo 1998
· Difference [dB] ® threshold level that must be exceeded to generate a Marker at this point· Add Markers Type ® select the Marker type that shall be generated·® tick this checkbox if all previously-created Markers of the selected type be shall be automatically deleted

Example© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart view

67d) TimeThe Data Explorer marks user-defined time slots.

Parameters· Day of Week / To ® select the day(s), when the Marker(s) shall be generated· From Time / To Time ® the start & stop times of the Marker per day (e.g. Monday 07:00 to 21:00, Tuesday 07:00

to 21:00, ...)
· Add Markers Type ® select the Marker type that shall be generated·® tick this checkbox if you want that all previously-created Markers of the selected type be automaticallydeletedHint
If you want to mark separate time slots per day, you have to generate these Markers one by one.

Example© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe68NTi Data Explorer User Manuale) Weather
If the project contains weather data, you may create automatic Markers.

Parameters· File name / Browse ® enter the file path & name of the weather data file, or click on

to select therequested file
NOTE

The weather data file must be formatted appropriately.

· Weather data ® select any of the recorded weather data (e.g. Wind Speed, Wind Direction, Air temperature,

Relative Humidity, Air pressure, Rain intensity, ...)
· From / To ® the weather data range, wherein a Marker shall be generated (e.g. Wind Speed average 10 to 20

m/s, Rain intensity 3 to 5 mm/h, ...)
· Add Markers Type ® select the Marker type that shall be generated·® tick this checkbox if you want that all previously-created Markers of the selected type be automaticallydeleted© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart view

69C) Edit a Marker
The type, the start/end points or the duration of any Marker can be edited, regardless whether it has been imported
from an XL2 test, or created in the Data Explorer software.
Right-click on the Marker (or Marker name) in the Main chart and select 'Edit', then· amend the Marker Type, Start, End or Duration in the Info section, or· click on the left or right edge of the Marker band and manually adjust it with the· click on the Marker band and pan it with the

cursor, or

cursor, or· edit a note (i.e. comment) to the Marker via the Info section

Click on 'OK' in the Info section to confirm or on 'Cancel' to abandon your changes.
Hint
If two or more Markers of the same type are overlapping, they will be mergedD) Export / Import of Markers
You can export the Markers from a project and import them into another project. This feature allows you to compare,for example, the marked incidents between two measurements that have been recorded at the same time.
· Select the menu "Markers ® Export Markers..." or "Markers ® Import Markers... ", respectively.
· Select the memory location of the *.XML file and confirm.

Hints

The exported *.XML file contains the Markers of the project, their individual time stamps andMarker types.
During import, only the Markers that fit into the recording period are considered.

It is also possible to export the Marker Types from a project, and import this set to another project. This allows you
to share the Marker names among different PCs.
· Click on the

button to open the 'Define Marker Types' panel.

· Right-click on the panel, select the menu "Export Marker Types..." or "Import Marker Types...", respectively, andconfirm.

E) Delete a Marker
There are two ways to remove Markers.
i.

In the Main chart· Right-click on a Marker and select 'Marker ® Delete', or·ii.

Right-click on the Marker name and select 'Delete', orIn the Result view·Left-click on a single or several Markers and click on·

Select several Markers using Shift + left-click or Ctrl + left-click and click on·

Select a Marker type© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeor

all Markers of that type) and click on

or

70

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

ExamplesDelete Mark er in Main chart

Delete Mark er in Result view© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart viewF) Marker Spectrum
You may either display the Spectrum of a specific Marker, or of all Markers of the same type.
a) Spectrum of a specific Marker
i. Right-click on the Marker name and select 'Lock'ii. Right-click on the Marker area and select 'Marker ® Lock'b) Spectrum of all Markers of the same typei. Right-click on the Marker name and select 'Lock All of Type [Mark erName]'ii. Right-click on the Marker area and select 'Marker ® Lock All of Type [Mark erName]'© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

71

72

3.10

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Export subset to project

The NTi Data Explorer allows you to export a subset of the recorded data (i.e. level results, Markers and audio
recording) to a new project.
Thus you may, for example, take the sound file of a specific event, or the relevant part of a longer recording, andmake it available to your customer.

A) Zoom in & Export
1. Zoom in to the interval that you want to export.
2. Click on the
button to open the 'Export as new Project' window; you may now optionallyo amend the Start or End time, or the duration,o tick or clear the checkbox

to include or exclude the audio recording,o edit the File name of the new project.
4. Click on

to complete the project export.

Export user-defined time interval to new project
Hint

Alternatively you can right-click on the Main chart and select the menu "Export as new
Project...".

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart view

Export zoom interval to new project© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

73

74

NTi Data Explorer User ManualB) Export a Marker
Right-click on a Marker and select the menu "Export as new Project...".

Export Mark er to new project© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeChart viewC) Export an Audit Interval
Right-click on an audit interval and select the menu "Audit Interval

Export as new Project...".

Export audit interval to new project© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

75

Part

IV

Result view

4

Result view
The Result view summarizes the numerical results of the selected levels in a table.
Hint

Click onto select the level results that are displayed in the columns.
Notice that the Result view does not display dt values.

Example of Result view

Structure
The Result view is vertically divided in two sections, Project Results and Markers.
a) Project Results
1. Recorded: the overall level results including the data of all Markers.
2. Every Marker with a "–" sign in front of its name is excluded from the Result and shown separately
3. Result (highlighted row): the overall level results without considering the data of the excluded Markers.
b) Markers
The individual results of all remaining Markers (i.e. no excluded Markers)c) Audit Intervals
The individual results of all Audit Intervals© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

77

78

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Features
The following operations are supported in the Result view.
· Select the levels that are displayed.
· Click onorto expand or collapse Markers.

· Right-click to the Result view and selecto 'Expand All' or 'Collapse All' (applies to all Marker categories),o 'Date and Time Format' to adjust the format of the 'Start' column to your demands.
· Double click on a Marker or an Audit Interval to open the Chart view, with the zoom range at the selected Marker

position / Audit Interval, respectively.
· Delete a selected Marker if necessary.
· Click on

to export the formatted table to an MS Excel file.

· Open the Level statistics calculation· Open the Day Night Level calculation.

Hint

All settings are saved in the Project, i.e. the Result view layout will re-open in its last state when
the project is opened again.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeResult view

4.1

79

Markers (in Result view)
The Result view shows the Marker Types, number of Markers per type, Start Date & Time, Duration, the measured
level(s) within the corresponding Marker and Notes (optional).

Example of Mark ers in the Result view
Hint

The impact of including/excluding a Marker in/from the result calculation can be directly
visualized via the 'Define Marker Types' panel.

Please notice that
· Markers can only be edited in the Main chart· you may nevertheless delete the Marker(s) in the Result view by using the

button· if you double-click on a Marker line, the software automatically toggles to the Chart view and displays thecorresponding section
Hint
Right-clicking in the Result view opens a context menu to• expand or collapse all Markers,• show or hide the notes• copy the selected row to the clipboard.
Hint
The individual Spectrum Math Level per Marker is calculated by summing up the related band
levels (refer to blue example below).
The overall minimum Spectrum Math Level is calculated by summing up the minimum levels perband (refer to red example below).

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe80NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Example of sum level calculation© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeResult view

4.2

81

Audit Intervals (in Result view)
The Result view shows the Type, Start Date, Duration and the measured level(s) within the corresponding Audit
Interval.

Example of Audit Intervals in the Result view
Hint

If an Audit Interval is completely covered by an 'Exclude' Marker, it shows no results.

Please note that· the duration of the Audit Intervals must be selected via the Setup Levels· if you double-click on an Audit Interval line, the software automatically toggles to the Chart view, displays thecorresponding section and locks the cursor to it.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

Part

V

Level Calculations

583

Level Calculations
The NTi Data Explorer offers three tools for customized level calculations,i.

the Level statistics, Spectrum statistics or percentiles are accessible via theii. the Day Night level window is opened by clicking on theiii. click on the

5.1

and

buttons,

button.

button to definite the Penalties or calculate the Rating Levels.

Statistics
The Data Explorer supports the calculation of· Level statistics· Spectrum statistics

5.1.1

Level statistics

Clicking on
opens the 'Level Statistics' window. Therein, you may calculate the statistical distribution of single
levels and display them in a numerical table and graphically.
1. Select the Level of interest (e.g.
2. Optionally click on).
to open the 'Edit percentiles' panel.

3. Optionally tick one or both checkboxes
4. Click on(refer to explanation below).

to initiate the statistical calculation.

The Level Statistics window consequently shows the selected percentiles in a numerical table and a graph.
·

Project Result (i.e. selected level)·

Markers (if applicable)·

Audit intervals (if applicable).

Level Statistics window© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe84

NTi Data Explorer User Manual· The graph shows the individual and the cumulative probability for the selected row (i.e. of the Project Result, of aMarker or of an Audit interval); hover over the graph to read out the individual results.
· Tick the 'Chart' / 'Result' checkbox and close the Level Statistics window

the percentiles will be shown in theChart / Result view (Hint: the 'Chart' check box is only available if an Audit Interval has been activated).

Tick check boxes to view the percentile results in the Chart, Result view

Hint

If the 'Level Statistics' button shows a red warning
the level statistics have to be recalculated. This happens e.g. if a marker is added or edited, or if the audit interval is changed.
Thus, the calculated statistics will get invalid and disappear in the Result view, until they are recalculated.

· To copy and export the percentile data, right click on the numerical table or the graph and select betweeno "Copy All Rows"
copies the percentile data (Project Result, Markers and Audit intervals) to the
clipboardo "Export to Excel..."opens a new MS Excel file with all percentile datao "Copy Bitmap"o "Copy Data"copies the graph as bitmap to the clipboard
copies the numerical probability data to the clipboard· To zoom the graph,o click & drag to select an area of the graph that shall be enlargedo right click on the graph, select 'Zoom...' and manually enter the preferred Min.X, Max.X, Max.Y valueso right click on the graph and select 'Zoom All Out' to return to the full view© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeLevel Calculations

5.1.2

85

Spectrum statistics

Clicking on
opens the 'Spectrum Statistics' window. Therein, you may calculate the statistical distribution of all
the Spectrum levels and display them in a numerical table and graphically.
1. Optionally click on
2. Click on

to open the 'Edit percentiles' panel.
to initiate the statistical calculation.

The Spectrum Statistics window consequently shows the selected percentiles in a numerical table and a graph.
·

Project Result (i.e. selected level)·

Markers (if applicable)·

Audit intervals (if applicable).

Spectrum Statistics window
To copy and export the percentile data, right click on the numerical table or the graph and select betweeno "Copy All Rows"
copies the percentile data (Project Result, Markers and Audit intervals) to the
clipboardo "Export to Excel..."opens a new MS Excel file with all percentile datao "Copy Bitmap"o "Copy Data"
Hint

copies the graph as bitmap to the clipboard
copies the actual percentiles per band to the clipboard

After exporting / pasting the result data to MS Excel, you may sort the table e.g. by the 'Type' or'LN' according to your demands.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

86

5.1.3

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Percentiles

The list of LN values for the percentiles calculation can be edited as follows.
· Enter a numerical LN value in the top input box and click on 'Add'.
· Select an LN value from the list and click on 'Delete', or 'Delete All'.
· Click on 'Apply Default' to apply the default values (® preferences).

Hint

Edit percentiles panel
The default list of LN values may be defined via the preferences. XL2 or XL3 Test files that havebeen previously imported, may be adjusted by clicking on the 'Apply Default' button.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeLevel Calculations

5.2

87

Day Night Level
The 'Day Night Level' window calculates the LDay , LEv ening, LNight , LDN , LDEN levels with individual weightings(penalties).

Example of Day-Evening-Night time scheme with penalties

Time scheme and penalties
The top section of the window comprises of the parameter settings for the time scheme and penalties.
· Enabled, Period: each 24 hour period can be divided into between 1 and 3 periods,

1) Day ® always enabled
2) Night ® tick checkbox to enable a separate result calculation or penalty for the night period3) Evening ® tick checkbox to enable a separate result calculation or penalty for the evening period (onlyaccessible if 'Night' is enabled)· From, To: assign individual start times to the enabled periodso Adjust the times for when the individual enabled periods begin.
o The end time of a period is automatically the start time of the next period.
o Enter the times in the format hh:mm:ss· Penalty: positive or negative offset that should be added to or withdrawn from the measurement results to reflect

the annoyance level during that period.
o Enter the penalties, expressed in dB, for the Day, Evening and Night periods separately.
· Split at Midnight: the Night level is calculated separately for each calendar day (see example), i.e. split by

1) 00:00:00 hrs to start of Day +2) end of Day/Evening to 24:00:00 hrs
Hint
The default list of Day Night Levels may be defined via the preferences. XL2 or XL3 Test files thathave been previously imported, may be adjusted by right-clicking on the top section of thewindow and selecting 'Apply Default'.

Click onsettings.
NOTE

to let the system evaluate & display the level results that correspond to the current

If no valid measurement could be executed, the message "n. def." (not defined) is shown as
result.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

88

5.2.1

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

LDEN examples

Example #1

Example #1: Day-Night time settings, penalties and calculated results

Example #1: Day-Night time scheme© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeLevel Calculations

Example #2

Example #2: Day-Evening-Night time settings, penalties and calculated results

Example #2: Day-Evening-Night time scheme© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

89

90

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Example #3

Example #3: Day-Evening-Night time settings, split at midnight, penalties and calculated results

Example #3: Day-Evening-Night time scheme, split at midnight© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeLevel Calculations

5.3

91

Rating Level
The rating level Lr is calculated according to the formula

Lr = LAeq + Ki + Kt + Kr + Ks
whereby· LAeq: measured sound level· Ki: adjustment for impulsiveness (refer to Impulse analysis)· Kt: adjustment for tones / information content (· Kr: adjustment for the time of the day (refer to Third Octave Tone analysis and FFT and Tone analysis)refer to Time of day)· Ks: adjustment for special situations and noise sources (based on subjective assessment)

In other words, the rating level is calculated by adding 'penalties' (i.e. user-defined offsets) to the LAeq. Penalties
such as these can be applied, for example, due to impulsive noise or annoying sound incidents (tones) during aperiod of rest.

Evaluation procedure
In order to calculate the Lr, you have to execute the following steps.
1. Identify & mark impulses
2. Identify & mark tones
3. Identify & mark the time of day (e.g. daytime / nighttime / weekend)
4. Optionally identify & mark special events
5. Assign individual penalties to the aforementioned Markers and calculate the Lr© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

92

5.3.1

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Impulse analysis
Hint

The following guideline describes an approach how to calculate the penalties for impulses.
Please refer also to chapters British, German and Italian standard for more specific information.

Step 1 - Log the appropriate level data
· Adjust the XL2 or XL3 logging parameters according to yourdemands, or to the applicable national standard.
· Run the measurement.
· Import the logged data to the Data Explorer.

Example of XL2 logging setup
Step 2 - Create Markers automaticallya. Open the Automatic Marker Generation panel.
b. Select the Marking Method 'Impulsive Sound'.
c. Select the applicable calculation method, i.e.
o LAIeq_dt – LAeq_dt
o LAFmax_dt – LAeq_dt
o LAImax_dt – LAFmax_dt
o LAImax_dt – LASmax_dt
o DM 16 marzo 1998

Italy

d. Adjust the Difference [dB] as applicable.
e. Select the Marker type.
f. Tick or clear the checkbox "Delete existing markers of selected type before adding".
g. Click on "Calculate" to start the automatic Marker generation (you may optionally abort this process by pressing
the Esc k ey and re-adjust the calculation parameters).

Automatic 'Impulsive Sound' Mark er generation
Hint

The impulses acc. to BS 4142:2014 are automatically detected by the XL2 or XL3 Sound Level
Meter The applicable penalty is listed in the log file (i.e. no automated Marker generation
required).
The impulse penalty acc. to DIN 45645 is calculated by using the TaktMax level (i.e. no Marker
generation required).

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeLevel Calculations

Step 3 - Review the Markers
a. Review the automatically generated Markers and amend or delete them if necessary.
b. Optionally add Markers manually.

Step 4 - Edit the rating level parameters
a. Open the Rating Level panelb. Define and adjust the Periods (e.g. a day/night scheme)c. Edit the individual penalties (positive or negative) for selected Markers
d. Click on 'Calculate' to get the results.

Example of rating level calculation© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

93

94

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

5.3.2

Tone analysis

Basically, there are two approaches to determine penalties to represent the annoyance of tones,i.

the "Survey method" (acc. ISO 1996-2:2017), also called "Third Octave method" (acc. BS 4142:2014)

ii. the "Engineering method" (acc. ISO 1996-2:2017), also called "Reference method" (acc. BS 4142:2014)
Hint
The decision, which of the aforementioned methods shall be applied may be specified by local
regulations.

5.3.2.1

Third Octave Tone analysis

The "Survey" or "Third Octave" method identifies tones according to the following rule.
The difference
between the LZeq in the rd
Octave band of interest and the LZeq of bothadjacent rd Octave bands must be³ 15 dB @ 25 Hz … 125 Hz³ 8 dB @ 160 Hz … 400 Hz³ 5 dB @ 500 Hz … 10 kHz

Tone detection according to "Survey" / "Third Octave" method

Tutorial
Hint

The following guideline describes an approach how to calculate the penalties for tones, based onthe "Survey" or "Third Octave" method.
Please refer also to chapters British, German and Italian standard for more specific information.

Step 1 - Log the appropriate level data
· Adjust the XL2 or XL3 logging parameters according to yourdemands, or to the applicable national standard.
· Run the measurement.
· Import the logged data to the Data Explorer.

Example of XL2 logging setup
Step 2 - Create Markers automaticallya. Open the Automatic Marker Generation panel.
b. Select the Marking Method 'Pure Tone'.
c. Select the applicable calculation method, i.e.
o Leq - Max(neighbors)

DIN 45645-1/-2

o ISO 1996-2:2017o BS 4142:2014

Great Britaino DM 16 marzo 1998

Italy

d. Adjust the calculation parameters.
e. Select the Marker type.
f. Tick or clear the checkbox "Delete existing markers of selected type before adding".

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeLevel Calculations

95

g. Click on "Calculate" to start the automatic Marker generation (you may optionally abort this process by pressing
the Esc k ey); optionally re-adjust the calculation parameters (e.g. minimum duration) and restart the automaticMarker generation until you get a relevant result.

Automatic 'Pure Tone' Mark er generation

Step 3 - Review the Markers
a. Review the automatically generated Markers and amend or delete them if necessary.
b. Optionally add Markers manually.

Step 4 - Edit the rating level parameters
a. Open the Rating Level panelb. Define and adjust the Periods (e.g. a day/night scheme)c. Edit the individual penalties (positive or negative) for selected Markers
d. Click on 'Calculate' to get the results.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

96

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Example of rating level calculation© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeLevel Calculations

5.3.2.2

97

FFT and Tone analysis

The "Engineering" or "Reference" method identifies tones based on the FFT spectrum of the level recording.
Depending on the applicable standard, it calculates the difference
between the level of a prominent tone, and thelevel of the masking noise in a critical band around the tone frequency.

Tone detection according to "Reference" method© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

98NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Tutorial
Hint

The following guideline describes a general approach how to calculate the penalty for tones,
based on the "Engineering" or "Reference" method.
Please refer also to chapters British, German and Italian standard for more specific information.

Step 1 - Data logging
Adjust the XL2 or XL3 logging parameters according to yourdemands, or to the applicable national standard.

Example of XL2 logging setup
NOTE

The FFT and Tone Analysis feature is only available if the XL2 or XL3 logging setup included the
Audio file recording in format 24-/32-Bit @ 48/96 kHz (recommended) or "Compressed".

Step 2 - FFT and Tone Analysis
1. Right click on the Audio bar, or on a Marker name and select "FFT and Tone Analysis"
2. Optionally edit the Start / End time of the analysis
3. Select the FFT Post weighting (A for Tone Analysis / Z only for FFT)
4. Select the applicable Tone Standard; optionally edit the Seek criterion (applies only for BS 4142:2014)
5. Click on
6. Optionally zoom in by placing the cursor in the FFT graph, and theno left-click+drag to the end position of the required zoom range,o use the scroll wheel of your mouse to zoom in/out.

FFT and Tone Analysis panel (ISO 1996-2:2017)© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeLevel Calculations

99

FFT and Tone Analysis panel (BS 4142:2014)
Hint

If you zoom out the FFT graph, the light blue is the max value for all the bars in that pixel, while
the dark blue is the min value for all the bars in that pixel.

The table in the FFT and Tone Analysis panel provides the following information.
· Tone Frequency fT [Hz]: frequency of the spectral line, to the level of which the tone contributes most strongly· Audibility

L or Tonal Audibility Lta [dB]: calculated difference between the tone level LT, and the masking or

audibility threshold· Kt [dB]: correction factor that reflects the annoyance of tonal sounds; Kt has to be added to the value of LAeq fora time interval, to get the tone-corrected rating level for that interval· Identifier: lists the frequency group (FG) when a number of tones are present in the range of a critical band; thecritical band is positioned symmetrically around the most significant tones. The tones level LT is the energy sumof these tones; the level LT is the assigned to the frequency of the participating tone that has the maximum valueof audibility L· CB Start [Hz], CB End [Hz] ('critical band'): frequency band, within which the auditory system integrates thesound intensity in the formation of loudness, and within which it integrates the sound intensity in the formation of
the masking threshold· LS [dB] ('mean narrow-band level of the critical band'): energy mean value of all narrow-band levels in a criticalband that (as a rule) does not exceed this mean value by more than 6 dB
· LT [dB] ('tone level'): energy summation of the narrow-band level with the tone frequency, and the lateral lines

about, assignable to this tone
· LG [dB] ('critical band level'): level of noise that is assigned to the critical band that describes the masking

characteristic of the noise for one or more tones of the noise in this critical band· av [dB] ('masking index'): difference between the masking threshold, and the critical band level LG, of themasking noise· Lpt [dB] ('sound pressure level of tones')· Lpn [dB] ('sound pressure level of the masking sound within a critical band')The graph shows the calculated FFT spectrum.
o The row with the bold numbers represents the most prominent tone in the spectrum
o You may read out individual frequencies and their related level by using the cursor.
o Right-click on the graph to zoom out, or to copy the bitmap or numerical data to the clipboard© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

100

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Furthermore, if the BS 4142:2014 has been selected, the graph may also show yellow bands = Noise Pause (i.e.
local maximum in the FFT spectrum with a probability of containing a tone)
Hint
Seek criterion [dB] (only available for BS 4142:2014) = level for the tone detection in the FFTspectrum. For normal and smooth spectra, a tone Seek criterion of 1 dB works without problems;for irregular spectra values up to 3 dB or 4dB can give better results.

Step 3 - Note the penalty· Manually note the highest penalty Kt [dB] shown in the table and add it to the rating level, or· Right-click on the table to copy the rows to the clipboard, or to export the numerical data to an MS Excel

spreadsheet.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeLevel Calculations

5.3.3

101

Time of day
Hint

The following guideline describes an approach how to define the penalties for the time of day.
Please refer also to chapters British, German and Italian standard for more specific information.

Step 1 - Log the appropriate level data
· Adjust the XL2 or XL3 logging parameters according to yourdemands, or to the applicable national standard.
· Run the measurement.
· Import the logged data to the Data Explorer.

Example of XL2 logging setup
Step 2 - Create Markers automaticallya. Open the Automatic Marker Generation panel.
b. Select the Marking Method 'Time'.
c. Select or adjust the applicable parameters, i.e.
o Day of Weeko From / To Timed. e.

Select the Marker type.

f. Tick or clear the checkbox "Delete existing markers of selected type before adding".
g. Click on "Calculate" to start the automatic Marker generation (you may optionally abort this process by pressing
the Esc k ey).

Automatic 'Time' Mark er generation© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

102

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

5.3.4

Lr calculation

Click onto open the 'Rating Level' panel. Therein you may define the penalties, day-/night-time periods andtime intervals, before you click on

to let the software calculate the rating level.

Rating Level window
Right click on any section of the Rating Panel window to apply the default settings.

Hint

Periods
The periods define the (reference) time intervals, in which the rating levels are calculated.
Click onto open the 'Periods' panel.

Definition of a time periodi.

Create a new period:o click on 'New',o enter the name of the new period,o select the day(s) for which the new period shall apply,o enter the 'From Time / To Time', i.e. the duration of the new period per day,Hint

The duration applies individually on each of the selected days, e.g. Monday 07:00 to 21:00, Tuesday
07:00 to 21:00, ... Sunday 07:00 to 21:00 (i.e. not Monday 07:00 to Sunday 21:00)
o select the 'Time Interval' that shall be applied (Example: Time Period = 60' the 'From Time / To Time'is sliced into sub-periods of 1 hour duration)o click on 'OK' to confirm© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeLevel Calculations

103

ii. Amend an existing periodo select the period and click on 'Edit',o amend the settings as required,o click on 'OK' to confirmiii. Delete a period: select the period and click on 'Delete'.
Hint
If two or more Markers are overlapping within a time period, their penalties are added together.

Example of time period with overlapping penalties

Marker vs. Time Interval based Correction
The Rating Level features supports two different correction types,
1. Marker based Correction

the penalty is applied only on each sample of the marked section.

2. Time Interval based Correction

the penalty is calculated and applied on the entire time interval.

Mark er / Time Interval based Correction© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

104

NTi Data Explorer User ManualMarker based Correction
The 'Marker Penalty' is applied per Marker. The Marker may identify a tone, impulse, rest time or other period.
Different Marker types may have individual penalties.
Click oni.

to open the 'Penalties' panel.

Create a new penalty:o click on 'New',o select the Marker type,o enter the required penalty,o click on 'OK' to confirm.

ii. Amend an existing penalty:
o select the Marker type and clickon 'Edit',o amend the Marker type or the
penalty,o click on 'OK' to confirm.
i.

Delete a penalty:
o select the Marker type and click on 'Delete',o click on 'OK' to confirm.

Time Interval based Correction· The 'Impulse Penalty' is applied per time interval, in which e.g. an impulse has occurred. The amount of thepenalty depends on the selected standard.
· Alternatively, the selection "Markers Feature" counts the number of Markers and their combined duration per timeinterval. Based on the acquired results a user-defined penalty may be applicable.
Click on the corresponding button to select the Impulse Penalty calculation method, or the Marker type to be
counted.

Rating level panel© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeLevel Calculations

Calculate Lr
Click onto start the Lr calculation.

Example of rating level calculation© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

105

106

5.3.5

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

National standards

The NTi Data Explorer software supports the following national standards.
· BS 4142:2014

Great Britain· DIN 45645-1/-2

Germany· DM 16 marzo 1998

5.3.5.1

Italy

BS 4142:2014

In Great Britain, the rating level is calculated by applying penalties acc. to BS 4142:2014 on the tones and impulsesthat happened during the recording period.

XL2 logging setup· Logging: ON

o Interval dt: 1 so Add Spectra: YES (i.e. LZeq 1/3rd octave spectrum)· Log Audio: ON (e.g. Compressed)· Log Values*: ALL*: requires XL2 firmware v3.24 or higher

XL2 logging setup for BS4142:2014

Identification of impulses
Impulses are detected and marked automatically by the XL2 during the logging process.
NOTE

The Extended Acoustic pack must be installed on the XL2 to detect impulses acc. to BS 4142.

Identification of tones
Use the Automatic Marker Generation to identify tones according to BS 4142:2014.
Hint
Optionally adapt the Min. Duration to streamline the generated tone markers.

Automatic generation of tone Mark ers acc. to BS 4142:2014© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeLevel Calculations

107

To verify the generated Markers, place the cursor over the Spectrum spectrum, right click and select "Show tones
BS 4142:2014". You may now hover the cursor over the Chart view, while watching the Spectrum as soon as the
cursor 'hits' a tone, it will be displayed in the spectrum.

Hover cursor over the chart view to verify the generated Mark ers and tones© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe108

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Rating Level calculation
Open the Rating Level panel anda. Define the periods (day/night scheme)
b. Apply a penalty on the tone Markers
c. Select the Impulse Penalty BS 4142:2014
d. Click on

to get the results.

Example of Rating Level calculation results acc. to BS 4142:2014© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeLevel Calculations

5.3.5.2

109

DIN 45645-1/-2

In Germany, the rating level is calculated by applying penalties acc. to DIN 45645-1/-2 on the tones and impulsesthat happened during the recording period.

XL2 logging setup· Logging: ON

o Interval dt: 1 so Add Spectra: YES (i.e. LZeq 1/3rd octave spectrum)· Log Audio: ON (e.g. Compressed)· Log Values*: ALL*: Extended Acoustic Pack option for the XL2 required

XL2 logging setup for DIN 45645-1/-2

Identification of impulses
The impulse penalty Ki is calculated with the formula LAFT3eq–LAeq, or LAFT5eq–LAeq. Consequently, no Markers
have to be established.

Impulse penalty calculation by using the Tak tMax level

Identification of tones
Use the Automatic Marker Generation to identify the tones.
Hint
Optionally adapt the Min. Duration to streamline the generated tone markers.

Automatic generation of tone Mark ers acc. to DIN 45645-1© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe110

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Rating Level calculation
Open the Rating Level panel anda. Define the periods (day/night scheme)
b. Apply a 3 or 6 dB penalty on the tone Markers
c. Select the Impulse Penalty
d. Click on

LAFT5eq-LAeq (DIN 45645-1) or LAIeq-LAeq (DIN 45645-2)
to get the results.

Example of Rating Level calculation results acc. to DIN 45645-1/-2© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeLevel Calculations

5.3.5.3

111

DM 16 marzo 1998

In the Italian standard DM 16 marzo 1998, the Rating Level is evaluated by analyzing the number of impulses andtones that happened during the recording period.

XL2 logging setup· Logging: ON

o Interval dt: 0.1 s
o Add Spectra: Leq, Lmax, Lmin *· Log Audio: ON (e.g. Compressed)· Log Values: LAeq, LAFmax, LASmax, LAImax*: requires XL2 firmware v3.32 or higher, as well as 'Extended
Acoustic Pack' option and special file in XL2 root directory pleasecontact NTi Audio

XL2 logging setup for DM 16 marzo 1998

Identification of impulses
Use the Automatic Marker Generation to identify impulses according to DM 16 marzo 1998.

Automatic generation of impulse Mark ers acc. to DM 16 marzo 1998

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe112

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Automatically generated impulse Mark ers acc. to DM 16 marzo 1998

Tone analysis
Place the cursor over the Spectrum, right click and select "Show tones
consequently show the dominant tone of the recording.
NOTE

DM 16 marzo 1998"; the spectrum will

DM 16 marzo 1998 is only available if the XL2 has recorded the Lmin spectra

Right click on the spectrum and copy the bitmap or numerical data to export it to a spreadsheet application (e.g.
MS Excel) for further analysis and reporting.

Right click on spectrum to export bitmap or numerical data

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeLevel Calculations

113

Rating Level calculation
Open the Rating Level panel anda. Define the periods (day/night scheme)
b. Select 'Counter, Duration' in the Markers Featurec. Click on

to get the results.

d. Right click on the calculation results and copy the numerical data to export it to a spreadsheet application (e.g.
MS Excel) for further analysis and reporting.

Example of impulse evaluation acc. to the standard DM 16 marzo 1998

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

Part

VI

Reporting

6

115

Reporting
The NTi Data Explorer provides several features for creating a report from the project data.
· Editable Report properties and Print preview· Data export to MS Excel· Copy graph to clipboard (bitmap format)· Copy numerical data to clipboard

6.1

Print preview
Print preview
You may open the Print preview via the menu 'File ® Print Preview', or by clicking onview.

in the Chart or Result

Consequently, a window opens wherein you may enable/disable and edit the following Report properties:· Logo: default (NTi Audio), or your own logo (up to 350 x 70 pixels)· Title: headline of the project report· Start and End Date
· Introduction: user comment that precedes the charts in the project report· Image: tick the checkbox, click onand select a picture (e.g. a photo or a sketch) that shall be included

to the report· Configuration: status of the test instrument used
· Body: graph subtitle· Results: measurement results in table form
· Conclusion: user comments· Signature: empty line or picture (e.g. scanned signature with up to 350 x 70 pixels)© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe116

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Report properties control panel© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeReporting

117

Printouts
To print out the report, click onor select the menu 'File ® Print...'Example of print preview
Hints

If you lock the cursor within the Main chart or Spectrogram, the corresponding data are added tothe printout.
The report printout includes neither the default size Spectrum, nor the Level statistics.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe

118

6.2

NTi Data Explorer User Manual

Data Export
Export to MS Excel
Click on the

button to export the numerical data of the Result view to an MS Excel spreadsheet.

Example of a Data Explorer result table after export to MS Excel

Copy bitmap to clipboard
Right-click on a graph and select 'Copy Bitmap'; the graph is now in your clipboard and may be pasted to a
document, etc.

Copy data to clipboard
Right-click on a graph and select 'Copy Data' or 'Copy Selected Rows'; the relevant data is now in your clipboard
and may be pasted to a table, document, etc.

© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeIndexIndexdefault settings
32, 47, 86, 87
demo data7
DIN 45645-1/-2
109
DM 16 marzo 1998
111

-Aadjustments
91
AGC
45
audio
bar
40, 45player40, 45audit interval
export72
audit intervals
49
activate
47level statistics
83
percentiles
83
automated gain control
45
automatic marker
61-Bbitmap
118
BS 4142:2014-Eeditmarker61
engineering method
error marker
61
evening87
example88
exclude61
export72
data
118
project
26
export data
77

97

-Ffolder26

106-Ccalculation
83
chart
main
52
overview
44
spectrogram55
spectrum55
view
40
clipboard118
clipping
45
comment
61
company logo
115
concatenated project28, 40copy project26
copy to clipboard
118
correction factor
47
cursor58-Ddata28
export77, 115, 118
flow
28
import12, 26, 28, 32
Data Explorer
option26, 28structure
10
day
87
example88
daytime101© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe-Ggain control
45
Germany rating level
109
Great Britain rating level
106-Hhardware
7
hearing thresholdhighlights
655-Iimage
115
importmultiple projects
28
NoiseScout *.zip
28
preferences32
repeat mode data
28
weather data
28
XL2 file
28
impulse analysis
survey method
92
third octave method
92
impulses91
impulsive sound marker
61
info section
40, 52
installation
7
instance
10
internet
28
interval
102

119

120

NTi Data Explorer User Manualinterval
102
export72
introduction
6
Italy rating level

option26, 28structure
10
111

option26, 28overview chart40, 44-Kk1, k247
key marker

-O-

61

-LLDEN87
example88
legacy data28
legend55
leveldisplay52
marker61
overview
44
results
77
setup
47
setup default
32
spectrum55
statistics
83
level marker
61
license28
license agreement
20
lock cursor
58
logo
115

-M main chart
40, 52markerautomatic
61
data
77
export72
result view
79
spectrum61
measurement results
52
midnight
87
MS Excel
118
multiple instances
10-Nnight
87
example88
nighttime101
NoiseScout
28
notes
61
NTi Audio
6, 20
NTi Data Explorer

-Ppan
60
pause
61
penalties
91
penalty87
impulse92
tone
94, 97
percentiles
83, 85, 86
default
32
period
102
photo
115
post trigger
61
pre trigger
61
print
115
probability
83
project
26
concatenate
28, 40content
38
copy
26
export72
import28
info
38, 40restore26
save
26
pure tone
61
pure tone marker
61-Rrating levelcalculation
102
definition
91
Germany
109
Great Britain
106
Italy
111
read-only mode
10
readout
58
reference method
97
repeat mode
data import28
replaysound file45
voice note
26, 45
replay sound file58
Replay Voice Note46
© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeIndexreport115
preview
115
restore project
26
result view
77
RTA
levels default
32
RTA spectrum
55

tone marker
61
tones
91
trial mode28
trigger61
tutorial
basics
12-U-Ssave project
10, 26
separator
40
setup levels
47
default
32
share project
26, 28shift zoom range
60
signature
115
softwareinstallation
7
structure10
sound file45
special events
91
spectrogram
40, 55spectrum40, 55, 61
standard
Great Britain
106
Italy
111
statistics
level
83
RTA
85
step-by-step
12
structure10
support6
survey method
92, 94-T table export
118
TaktMax
32
third octave method
91, 92, 94
threshold61
timemarker61
of marker
61
time axis
40time of day
91, 101
tonality
61
tone analysis
94
engineering method97
FFT 97
reference method
97
survey method
94
third octave method
94© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBeundo amendments-Vview
10
chart
40
project
26
result77
voice note
26, 45-Wweather data
import28
marker61
weekday101-XX-axis zoom
60
XL2
marker
61
XL2 Data Explorer
old projects
7
XL2 setup
12-YY-axis scale
60
default
32-Zzoom58, 60

26

121

122

NTi Data Explorer User ManualNotes© 2022 NTi Audio AG, MBe