Prism\'s Audio Analyzers Selected by Martin Audio

Tag : Precision Measuring Tools


The analyzers are being used to develop new products and test theaudio performance of existing products as they pass through theproduction process.

Originally founded in 1971 to supply world-class touring systems tosuper groups such as Pink Floyd and Supertramp, Martin Audio is nowinternationally renowned as a company that designs leading edgelive performance systems across a spectrum of sound reinforcementapplications.

It is particularly noted for the integrity of its technicalexcellence and longevity of its products, all designed by MartinAudio with in-built sound qualities that artists can rely on tofaithfully reproduce their performances to every corner of theauditorium.

Prism Sound's powerful dScope Series III proved the perfectsolution because it provides a comprehensive suite of analogue anddigital electronic analysis tools including new enhancements to itsacoustic measurement capabilities. These enable it to measureacoustic transducers and offer impulse response analysis;Quasi-anechoic frequency response; loudspeaker rub and buzzdetection; loudspeaker loose particle detection; impedanceanalysis; time domain averaging to attenuate the effects ofbackground noise and complete automation support including limitchecking and pass/fail results for QC/verification testing.

France Prime, Martin Audio's Electronics Design Engineer, says:"Currently we are using our dScope Series III to optimise noise anddistortion levels, as well as the frequency response of our mixedsignal designs. We have found it especially useful for optimisingthe analogue circuitry around A to D and D to A converters.

"As audio electronics and acoustic engineers, listening isprimarily how we will make decisions on new circuit designs oralternative IC choices. However, the dScope Series III enables usto get the design to a respectable performance level before westart listening. It gives us accurate and reliable measurements,which can be useful to identify any parallels between what we arelistening to and what we are measuring."

Prime adds that Martin Audio's R&D staff are also using dScopeSeries III as a flexible analogue and digital signal generator,particularly as a source for power testing amplifiers and forproduct EMC pre-compliance testing.

Martin Audio now plans to extend the use of its dScope Series IIIto the production line, using the unit's multi-tone tools forconfirmation of frequency response, THD+N and level.

Prism Sound's dScope Series III comprises a Windows PC softwareapplication (XP and Vista compatible) coupled with an externalhigh-precision audio I/O processor for equipment-under-test (EUT)connections. The unit takes full advantage of the processing powerof the host PC, enabling multiple simultaneous measurementssimultaneous measurements to be made and highly flexiblecustomizable generation and analysis tools to be supported, whilstkeeping hardware costs to a minimum.