look here for FAQs

here is the online-help

If you want to use the old swedish BassCAD shareware, click here.

For calculation and simulation I use the software "BassCADe" which I programmed by myself. Here you can download it. It is easy to use und runs under all 32-Bit- and 64-Bit- Windows operating systems. It is also applicable under LINUX with an emulation.

DOWNLOAD: BassCADe 3.5.3.0 (german / english) for Windows 32-Bit

To be sure to get the original and error-free file you can proof it with a MD5-checksum tool.

Here you can download the loudspeaker data sets with TSPs:
You can extract these sets under the BassCADe sub-folder  ..\TSP\ after deleting all old files.
BassCADe find these sets during the update check.
You can select manually a speaker type in BassCADe depending on brand and name, or you use the search-function. Then all file were read and you choose depending on different criteria.
Then up to 20,000 files can be read, the search result can be listed in a table (up to 1000 results).

If somebody wants you can send me new bcd-files or TSP information.These should be contain at least the following characteristics: brand, exact name, Qts, Qes, Qms, Vas, fs, Re, d (Sd), RMS-power.
If Le and/or occupation volume or Xmax present it will be awsome.
If you have tipps or advices to missing speaker brands please send me a link for the according TSPs. I can extend these data.

Tips and tricks:

1. "Install" this software not in a Windows protected application folder, e.g. in c:\tools\bass\
2. It is recommended to activate the automatic update check.Then with each software start the program version and number of data sets will be checked and compared with internet versions. (options: update: automatic update check at startup and search for data sets during update check)
3. The About-window at start and the question at closing can be deactivated in options module. (setup, Software: invert the 2 according checkboxes)
4. For better using in old style you can select the wished modules in the main window at start. (options) tip: click "a few". You can change these selection.
5. If you detect a bug or a problem please inform me with a detailed description that I can fix it...
   

Earlier the name of the software was BassCAD. To prevent confusion with the swedish program with the same name I have added an "e" since version 3.2. This means engineering and is an advice for the english language support. Both programs are existing since 1996. (But it seems the swedish software will not be updated.)

The following is possible in BassCADe:

• A speaker data search depending on different TSP values, names etc...
• delivered will be more than 4000 speaker data sets (subwoofer, woofer, midbass)
  
• Advices for bass box types depending on Thiele-Small-Parameters of the speaker
  
• Calculation and simulation of open (bi-pole), contained, reflex boxes, additional sealed an vented ban pass types
• comparision of box simulations up to 6 curves (also with abolute levels and different power)
  
• calculation of expo-horns
• caclulation of TML (transmissionline) housings
• Calculation and re-calc of reflex tubes and tunnel dimensions
• Calculation of outer dimensions of box housings depending on inner volume and board thicknesses (cuboid, car-sub, cylinder and pyramide form)
  
• Calculation and simulation of passive filter networks for speaker crossovers: low-pass, band-pass, high-pass up to 4th order
• total X-over simulation
  
• Calculation of impedance linearisation for passive filters
• Calculation of level correction with device-power estimation depending on different frequency spectrums (can also be defined by yourself)
  
• Calculation of air coil dimensions to get a wanted inductivity
  
• Calculation of maximum sound pressure level (up to 3 different types at the same time) depending on SPL, power and distances
  
• Find the TSPs depending on measurement values
• Calculation of occupation (speaker displacement) volume depending on speaker dimensions
  
• Calculation of the loss factor QL of vented housings depending on measured values
• Unit-calculater for length, surface, volume, level (dB), wire diameter and lineary interpolation
  
• Total impedance calculation of speaker networks in many combinations up to 50 speakers
  
• Loss-calculation of speaker cables
• Dimensioning of Car-HiFi power supply cabeling (up to 4 amps)
  

Because I am not a professional programmer I integrate only the from me needed functions.
It does not exist a Pro-version with extended functionalities!
If you need a small feature give me an advices, I will check it. Many changes an extensions based directly on e-mail wishes.

(1) maybe software runs with restrictions (e.g. without help) or not in the correct design
(2) not tested by myself, information via e-mail
(3) software versions greater than 3.2.5 runs usually since Windows NT4 and Windows 95 because I use windows functions of  IE 3.0.
(4) For all new Windows OS since Windows VISTA an additional Windows help system from MS must be installed to use local help files..

Fedora is a Linux based on RedHat.

History: (for more details look into the delivered readme.txt file)

new in version 3.5.3: (June 2023)
- Calculation of an integrated Helmholtz absorber (IHA)
- More possiilities of tube calculation wit free selectable k-factor
- Request before overwriting or deleting of internal simulation data
- added undo function for exports of RC filter frequency responses
- Loading and saving (bcdcfg file) all values in module "Interference"
- Loading and saving (bcdcfg file) all values in module RC-Filter
- Export (e.g. as CSV-file) of simulation results in modules RC-Filter and Impedance correction
- calculation of frequency-depending absorbing in air
- module Interference: Additionally to a pase shift a delay time could be defined for each speaker
- bug fixes
- small things

new in version 3.5.2: (November 2022)
- Favourite list for speaker drivers (quick-select) in module TSP data
- In electronic module: more voltage regulator types can be selected
- auto-calc function can be disabled inreflex module (like in bandpass) 
- Calculation of heating time dep. on weight and material (module component cooling of devices)
- For calculation of RMS values now with definition of sine and half-sine with phase angle possible
- Calculation of inner dimensions in housing modules "rectangle standing boxes" and "trapezoid"
- Simulation of RC filters (e.g. also RIAA deemphasis)
- HTML help (online and offline) via buttons available
- bug fixes
- small things

new in version 3.5.1: (December 2020)
- in general more details in exported text fles
- Import possibilities of FRD- and ZMA-files for measurement data
- Saved text files could also opened in box simulation modules
- Random number generator
- Calulation of frequency of notes
- more features in interference module, e.g. graph of frequency response
- Bugfixes
- small things

new in version 3.5.0: (July 2020)
- entire new created main window with tool information and icons instead of buttons
- new common usage principles with image-icons instead of text buttons in most modules
- many internal optimization an modifications
- new module Interference: Addition of two sound sources with graphical image of the SPL in a room
- new module NTC: Calculation of NTC resistors (based on beta, Ro and temperature) and resistor dividers with NTC thermistors
- Unit-calculator: new tab RMS: average value calculations (Root Mean Square) of definable signals
- Unit-calculator: new tab DMX: calculation of DMX-adsresses into DIP switch positions, bank assigning, RGB-color calculations of LED spots
- Unit-calculator: now additionally to lineary and logarithmic now up to cubic interpolation, additionally different average values
- Capacitor module: Depending on a definition of a target capacitance different combinations of two capacitors (parallel- and -in-series circuit) will be calculated to achieve this target
- wire loss calculation now with temperature influence (specific electr. resistance and temperature gradient)
- Module options: new structure and depending on new functionalities with more setup possibilities for file exports (here centrally definition)
- All crossover modules: Slow- and fast mode removed, now fully in native resolution (same as in measurement imports)
- All crossover modules: Now more data and entire result in export files
- many crossover modules (LP, BP, HP, total x-over, impedance correction) now possible (like in EQ by mouse button) curve value additionally to position
- Better interaction between different modules
- Better (more intuitive) usage of many modules
- Some bug-fixes and many small modifications

Known problems:

• multi-user windows system (NT, 2000, XP and newer): All configurations are saved in the basscad.ini file. Usually Window manages the position (e.g. in Windows-Folder in older windows versions) Therfore this directory must be free for writing access. Since BassCADe version 3.3.0 you can choose the position of the ini-file by yourself. Windows-7 uses an own folder in users-directory, it works without problems. Vista handles these configs in a different way, how-ever.
  
• Norton Antivirus detects sometimes in EXE-files, other scanners work correctly...
• Windows-7 have some problems with color changing in options menu, it needs a while.
• With Windows Vista and Windows-7 sometimes access-violations could occur with pressing the ALT-GR-key. The reson is the VCL environment of the compiler. At the moment no workaround for my compiler is known.
• With some VPNs the internet access is not possible
• After an update of Windows-10 (in Marc or April 2021) all scrollbars are hidden inside this software. So parts could not be used. After the next update by Microsoft this bu was fixed (05-31-2021)

1. Is this software available in english? This version (since rev. 3.2) supports english and german. Since Version 3.2.6 the assistent is available in english too.
2. What does this program? This software is for simulation of contained (closed), reflex (vented) boxes, contained and vented band passes, passive X-overs as  high pass, low pass, band pass. Furthermore ist the calculation of exponential horns, impedance correction elements an the evaluation of TSPs possible and many more... This software is not the Basscad-Version from the swedish programmer.
   
3. What is with the full version? There's no full version available, only this freeware.
4. I have download problems! What can I do? The used server has not a special FTP port, so you can download it via HTTP only. If the download failes, try this small link an try again. If not mail me, I will send the packed ZIP-File via e-mail.
   
5. May I provide this software on my page? Yes, but only if you have a source description and reference link to my page. This software have to copy unchanged and with full extend.
   
6. I have a deactivated OK-Button in the TSP-input window! What's wrong? Is one or more parameter not in a usual (out of a possible) range, this button will be deactivated. This could be if the Qts is greater than Qes. You have to input a manufactor and a name.
7. What about the asked speaker parameters? The Software needs TSPs for calculation and simulation. These TSPs (Thiele-Small parameters) you can get by the speaker manufactor. The most important params are Qts, fs, and Vas (in LITRE!). You can measure it by yourself with this software
8. I have no information of the displacement parameter. What now? the displacement descibes the volume of the speaker cage and membrane) itself, it has to added to the calculated Box volume. It's important, if you have small boxes and big speakers. In this software you can measure and calculate this value. For the simulation it is not neccessery.
   
9. What is the serial resistance (at closed and vented boxes module)? A resistance in line with the speaker increases the total quality. this resistance come about the inner esistance of the amplifier, the cable and the ohmic resitance of a crossover coil. An amp with attenuation coefficient of 400 at 8 ohms has an inner resistance of 20 milli ohms (0.02 ohm). With the cable (2meters long a 2 x1,5qmm cross-section) you have to add 45 milliohms. Typical coils have a resistance (it depends on length and cross-section) of 0.1 ... 2 ohms.
10. Is a Linux version available? No. An open-source will not published. If you want use BassCADe you should use the Windows-Simulator "Wine", then BassCADe runs under Linux too... For further informations look into te linux.readme.txt file in the basscade archive. www.winehq.com/site/download
11. Why are the advices and results of simulations different to manufacturer data and other box calculation softwares? A calculation of a contained box is simple compared to reflex systems. Qts, Qtc, Vas and volume are associated together. So the simulation results are almost equal. Reflex and band pass contructions are more difficult. They exists no ideal combination here but many tuning possibilies. Additional we get here box losses and high influences of constants as sonic speed, temperature and air pressure. With vented housings as reflex, contained bandpass an especially vented band passes you have to estimate the loss factor Ql. This parameter have an influence in practice but you cannot calculate it directly. Depending on this Ql changes the behaviour at the tuning frequency. In BassCADe you can select this parameter. Further the behavior of a box in a car is different to a free field simulation.
12. After installation an error-message appear "cannot write BASSCAD.ini" How can I use this software? You need write permissions for the INI-directory. Solution: Change the type in program options menu / configuration file (ini) from "default" to "temp"(windows-temp-folder) or "user". Here you can select a specific folder. You must have write permission on it. This path are saved in file ini.ini in the BassCADe-program folder. Therfore you need for this change write permissions too. Select "save extern ini file position" and then click on save-button. Now after a BassCADe-restart it shouls work normally.

Old versions: