Software-based audio test systems use your PC

3 May 2006 Test & Measurement

The DS10 is a Windows software package, which turns any PC with a sound card into an audio test system that combines the functions of an oscillator (signal-generator), level meter, spectrum analyser, noise meter, peak programme meter and distortion meter, along with frequency and phase measurement.

Developed by UK company Lindos Electronics, local distributor Eltron says that its main feature though, is 'sequence testing'. This was introduced by Lindos 20 years ago in its LA100 test set, and universally used by broadcasters and studios for routine quality assurance ever since.

In just two clicks it allows to run a typical test sequence that can quantify any audio system in terms of levels, frequency response, phase, distortion and noise in as little as 20 s. If Lin4WinXP (another software package common to all Lindos test systems) is also running, an impressive results sheet with graphs and pass/fail tolerance testing appears immediately on the screen ready to save, print, or even publish to the Web on a test sheet database.

Sequence tests carry FSK-coded information, which ensures that they are self-synchronising and fully automatic. The company's DigiSonic tester can generate and receive LA100 and MiniSonic sequences, and with the benefit of digital processing, swept distortion and swept phase tests are also included. All measurements are completely realtime and attention has been paid to ensure that the software behaves more like hardware than software.

A variation is the Lindos MiniSonic test instrument, the MS10. This is a complete, portable audio test set that combines the functions of an oscillator (signal generator), level meter, peak programme meter, noise meter and distortion meter, along with frequency, phase, and tape speed measurement, in one small handheld unit that can be used on its own or with a computer running the Lin4Win support software.

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