Room and Microphone Audio Analysis?

[punkin]

I've been doing a little research on how to evaluate the overall "condition" or suitability of a given room for recording or listening. I've seen references to SPL meters and spectrum analyzers but never Dynamic Signal Analyzers. Basically an audio tracking generator.

I'm wondering if a DSA could be used as an audio source to your speakers then again picked up by a microhpone(s) to map the room? Move the speakers and or microhpones around to find the best locations.

Taking this one step further, couldn't this same device be used to "sweep" the response of your microhpones and other signal chain devices?

Any thoughts?

 

[knightfly]

I guess a DSA could be used for that if you already have one - if you don't, check this out -

http://www.etfacoustic.com/

The software is about $150, the complete package with mic and preamp and test signal CD's runs around $550, it has 1 hZ resolution or better, etc - Steve

 

[Ethan Winer]

Punkin,

I agree with Steve. I just bought ETF5 from Acoustisoft a few weeks ago and it's great. It does all the important tests the $5000 hardware systems do, but for only $150.

--Ethan

 

[punkin]

Thanks guys...I appreciate the input. I'm no expert in this particular field but, without going into detail as to what I do for a living, I do have a DSA at my disposal.

I guess what I was getting at is if a DSA could be used in conjunction with my existing typical home recoding studio to do any meaningful analysis. Further, from this testing (what ever it be) predict room adjustment necessary to improve the audio quality?

Comments?

 

[knightfly]

I've been out of the "loop" long enough to need clarification on the capabilities of the unit you're referring to - can you give an idea of some of the functions it has available? From that we could probably come to some conclusion as to how useful it could be for room/gear tests... Steve

 

[punkin]

The DSA is a fairly sophisticated audio tracking generator like device...it generates various user selectable/programmable audio patterns (sweeping, stepping, compound signals, various noise patterns) and it has a simultaneous tracked receiving input. The audio frequencies possible are from single digit Hz values to 100 kHz. Some models will do more or less but mine is well optioned.

The device generates calibrated patterns and levels and expects to see them return. The return signal is diplayed on an analog audio spectrum analiyzer...more correctly like a tracking generator. The difference between the original sent signal is compared to the returned/recieved signal and graphically diplayed.

In my line of work it's generally used to test descrete audio components to determine insertion losses, phase shift and frequency response characteristics. I was wondering if it could be some how used to test a recording setup. The big difference in how my theoretical test compares to how I would see it used in my field of work is that we don't test the open air or "free-space".

I'm thinking the set up like this...The DSA output sent to a monitor or monitors or maybe even into the mixing board with all the EQ's set to null...then out to the speaker monitors...the monitors fill the room with sound...the studio mic picks up the audio and is then sent to the DSA. Now we've tested the frequency respone of all the equipment and the room between the speakers and the mic.

At this point, could optimal speaker and microphone placement be determined for shape size and responses of the room? Also, since the DSA can be set to sweep specific frequencies...I'm thinking you could use it to determine best placement for traps and baffles.

While it almost sounds like I've answered my question, I remind you of my original post...while I have a considerable background using this test equipment in other areas, I have no appreciable experience in listening room or recording room acoustics. Just wondering that since I have some equipment on hand...can I use it as described or some variation to better set up my humble recording facility? If so, what would I be looking for? (I'll bet that last question was loaded).

Anyways,...what do you think?

Peace, love and all that happiness stuff.