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 Forum index » How-tos » Production - engineering/mixing
How To Test Audio Equipment?
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migraneboy



Joined: Dec 25, 2006
Posts: 13
Location: Finland

PostPosted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:55 am    Post subject:  How To Test Audio Equipment? Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

I couldn´t find a decent site about this topic, so please share your wisdom!

Im having serious doubts that somethings wrong with my gear, so I would like to know what type of testing can be done at home to find out whats going on in my preamps or soundcard ect...


Some of the inputs on my preamp sound different when they should be identical, and I also think that my soundcards L+R outputs have started to sound different..

What might be the best method of testing to find out whats going on?
I´d like to findout the exact dB and Hz values of the "anomalities" so I might be able to somhow compensate them..

Thanks for your suggestions
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andrewF



Joined: Dec 29, 2006
Posts: 1176
Location: australia
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

hi I'm no expert on these things
but this link was recently posted on s-diy
it may help you out

http://techmind.org/audio/
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migraneboy



Joined: Dec 25, 2006
Posts: 13
Location: Finland

PostPosted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 2:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

thanks andrewF!

Looks like a good tool, I´ll try it out!
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mosc
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Joined: Jan 31, 2003
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Visual Analyser 8- http://hacca.altervista.org/ - is and excellent program you should also check out. A lot of people here have had good luck with this one.

Unfortunately, imbalance between L and R channels is too common on even expensive equipment. Most people take it for granted that the channels match, but often they don't, even when the equipment is new.

You can rig up a synth to act as an external test tone generator. It doesn't matter what you use as long as the output is constant. Plug it into both channels and do a spectrum analysis and check the gains. I'm not sure that the manufacturers test products very carefully. They assume most consumers can't tell the difference anyway.

For practical purposes its OK if there are some minor variations. But, if you hear differences then your gear either needs to get fixed or replaced. Hearing is the most important test - but you are right to want to get an accurate independent analysis.

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migraneboy



Joined: Dec 25, 2006
Posts: 13
Location: Finland

PostPosted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 4:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Thanks!

Good tip! It should prove useful for lots of different testing.. Going thru my preamps should be easy cos they go thru A/D conversion so theres nothing colouring the sound after the pres.

I guess I might be able to test my soundcard L+R outputs with that program also.

Maybe if I use the whitenoise-function and route the soundcard outputs straight back into the inputs, record it and check for differences in level and frequencyresponce between the two I might find out whats going on. Then again, if my soundcards stereo analog input is bust I cant say if it´s the output or input that has the problem, or both! Smile

For testing my speakers I think I need that whitenoise again, record it thru the left speaker with a decent mic in front of it, then put the right speaker in the exact same place and do it again. I should be able to see the possible differences in their sound by comparing these two files, right ?

Im using a RME Digi 96/8 soundcard, a focusrite octopre and Genelec speakers. Im in the middle of moving house, so before I start measuring the room for acoustics and even think about diffusors or anything I think I need to know that the source is working like it should.

Thanks again for the link, gotta love free stuff!
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mosc
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

That method for checking your speakers should be illuminating.
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