Hand Held Audio Analysers

[Simon Lewis]

Hi y'all,

 

Just curious as to what (if anything) you may be using for acoustical analysis and your experiences with it.

 

I have Smaart, an ailing TEF20 (just gone back for repair) and a basic copy of WinMLS, but yearn for something quick and easy, that doesn't require a PC and briefcase full of USBpre's and adaptors.

 

I'm familiar with the Neutrik Minilyser & MiniSPL, but we don't have the Acoustilyser version.

I've not tried the Phonic PAA 3 (which appears to be low cost but feature-light) or the Ivie IE33 (probably the opposite!). I demoed an early Terrasonde, and wasn't impressed with build quality. I understand that they've improved since then?

 

I'd like to be be able to measure 1/3rd octave or better RTA, RT60 and octave band RT60, the main sound level indices plus Leq, plus (if possible) data logging.

 

many thanks,

 

Simon

[bemi]

IMHO there is no usable alternative for the Neutrik stuff, which isn't cheap, indeed. but you won't work without it after you have one in your suitcase ...

[Mr.Si]

Hi Si,

 

As you're most likely aware, Real Time 1/3 octave analysing and logging this data will not come cheap!

 

At work we use the following:

 

 

Type 1 meters:

 

1. Rion NA27 (1/1 Octave, 1/3 octave and Sound Level RT analyser) and will do the usual Leq, L10, L90, Lmin, Lmax, Lp, Le (SEL) etc... Fast, Slow, Peak Time weightings... A, C, and Flat (Z) weightings

 

 

2. Rion NL18 (RT Analyser storing much of the above, but doesn't show narrower bands on screen, just SPL on screen. Fast Slow peak time weightings, A, C and Flat (Z) weightings

 

3. Castle GA67 or something - not use that one much - doesn't show 1/3 octave band on screen

 

4. Norsonic 118 - nice new meter :o - I like this one - similar to the Rion NA27 in what it measures, but has much more memory and does building acoustics and FFT and works with an acceleometer device to measure vibration too.

 

 

We also have a computer based program made by a french company called "Acsoft" called dBBati32 - which is also building acoustics software - we use a 01dB Symphonie system as the sound card. (afaik - WinMLS is useable in a similar way to dBBati)

 

 

 

Neutrik do make some vey nice little units which can measure things like RaSTI etc as well asd the normal RT measurements.

 

Si

[corporatenoiseboy]

I've just got a Phonic PAA3 which is fantastic. I'm sure the Neutrik kit is good but it's so expensive that I wouldn't dare take it out on site in case it got lost or broken.

[Mr.Si]

I've just got a Phonic PAA3 which is fantastic.  I'm sure the Neutrik kit is good but it's so expensive that I wouldn't dare take it out on site in case it got lost or broken.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

How much is the neutrik?

 

We take our serveral thousand pound meters onto building sites. - they've survived so far.

 

Si

[Simon Lewis]

Si,

 

the Minilyser with a data link (for PC logging etc.) is £514 + VAT. The battery powered measurement mic costs £205 + VAT.

 

Naturally, this is geared more towards audio than acoustic measurement, but there are some useful features on the Acoustilyser version (such as the option for STIPA).

 

This comes back to my original post.... I can buy a very good Smaart rig for about £2000, and it offers considerably more than a sound pressure level meter of a similar price that you would use for standard acoustic work.

 

However, a hand held system is more convenient - but I could do with the extra features that software based systems like Smaart and WinMLS offer.....

 

Simon

[Lamplighter]

Simon

 

Have you looked at the latest offerings from Terrasonde. They have changed to an aluminium case and improved the range of software facilities. I suspect that it is in the same price range as Smaart but it is still a handheld device.

 

Brian

[Simon Lewis]

Simon

 

Have you looked at the latest offerings from Terrasonde. They have changed to an aluminium case and improved the range of software facilities. I suspect that it is in the same price range as Smaart but it is still a handheld device.

 

Brian

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I've not physically looked at one... but had a glance at the website, and noted that UK distribution seemed to be a little lacking?

 

With hardware products, it does help to have national support in place...

[Colvic]

I have the PAA3. It does most of what you're after and I would recommend it. Its a bit light on the build quality front tho.

 

I have a question on the methodology of room EQ'ing which I will post separately to get your thoughts.

 

C

[blackbox98]

There are lots of new RTAs for PocketPC style devices, including most new mobile phones with a big screen. The best of these appears to be Pocket RTA. Assuming the device can accept a mic in, so you can add a fairly flat response mic, your choice, PZM or Shure SM98 capsule or Condenser, you can get a reasonable plot. All work with pink noise and are fairly accurate at EQing systems. Also good for spotting show dynamics like B57As. It's not the same as using a varicurve and omnidrive stlye combination but still useful and quick for monitor engineers. The Phonic PAA is a useful device but I quite like having 1 device and it' on my phone - always with me rather than carting loads of stuff around.

[BenWall]

Morning all,

 

I have recently been looking at replacing my stolen PAA 2. Sadly some b******s decided to brake into my car, and sadly my PAA 2 was in the boot in its flight case... Luckily there was nothing else there for them to pinch! Anyway...

 

I liked the PAA 2, but as all ready stated it really lacked build quality and features. Just wondering what the next step up from the PAA 2 is (apart from the new PAA 3). I did like the Phonic, but would now like to move up the ladder and start exploring new features and facilities. Price is not a major issue, but not really wanting to go into the thousands!

 

Many thanks,

 

Ben.

[Simon Lewis]

Blackbox,

 

Thanks for resurrecting the thread... I still haven't bought a new analyser ;-)

 

Will your mobile phone give Type 2 (or better) accuracy, do SPL, Leq and 1/3rd octave RTA? What about RT60?

 

Just curious, as I wouldn't have thought the phone companies would need to put such operability on their devices?

 

Simon

[blackbox98]

Hi Simon

 

Done a simple A/B comparison with pocketRTA/Phonic - seems fairly accurate. Obviously there's no big features but it's immensely usable, responsive. 1/3 octave in basic version. 1/6 octave in pro version. Also comes with a desktop version. I'd imagine it's all down to the source mic. Must be relatively flat. Even with the built in mic it's still very useful for live sound monitor system EQ. It's also great for determining a quick idea of an unknown mic or unknown monitor cab. You can use any PocketPC / PDA, I'm using MDA Vario from T-Mobile. Check out the weblink PocketRTA. There are a number of other bits of software out there, HanDee-SA, HASA and Virtin's Pocket Instrument (the instrument version includes both oscilloscope and spectrum analyser). See Google Pocket PC Spectrum Analyser.

Good luck.