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Looking for a modern audio spectrum analyzer that won't break the bank

for_p1, are you sure you have tested a 2i2, or just read posts about people who had driver and other operating system issues with the interface ?

Focusrite 2i2 loopback performance appears to be pretty damn low from results scattered around this diyaudio thread - https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/equ...carlett-2i2-2nd-gen-measurements-whats-3.html

And those results didn't use the software to suppress the interface's output test signal harmonics, but that capability is now available, which then leaves just the distortion of the interfaces input analog circuitry and ADC.
 
2i2 kept at around 2V in can rival most but the best dedicated audio test equipment. Circa -135dB is quite the boombox.
 
Lots to digest in the last dozen posts. Seemingly, a simple question does not have simple nor inexpensive answers!

But I'm warming up to the sound card approach. Still, with pmillett's protection board, an outboard sound card like the Creative Labs, and the FFT software, I think you're still into it some $300 or so. Still cheaper than a used Audio Precision unit for probably 90% of the performance.
 
Brice said:
I also wanted to try the TrueAudio software with a Behringer UCA202 to see what a low budget solution can do. It's on its way and I'll report back.
Click to expand...
I would love to hear about your results Brice, when you get that far.
 
I snagged a used EMU 0404 USB on Amazon. When I get it I'd be happy to post some results if the rest of you are willing to walk me through it. ;-). They shouldn't be too hard to find.
 
Zack, you may need scope type probes, and you may need to customise those probes specific to the EMU (ie. you may not be able recompensate them to work with other scopes). You will also need a bnc to 6.5mm jack adaptor (I found it easy to purchase metal adaptors that use an RCA connector as the go-between).
 
zackthedog said:
I snagged a used EMU 0404 USB on Amazon. When I get it I'd be happy to post some results if the rest of you are willing to walk me through it. ;-). They shouldn't be too hard to find.
Click to expand...

Find instructions and implement a fix there for noise in one channel first. It is an easy fix. Keep in mind that E-MU only stable up to 96kHz sample rate. Thus frequency limit for analysis in 48kHz.
 
The EMU0404 USB is stable at 192kHz. I have one. I also haven't made any mods to it, as the very low, but noticeable noise spikes in one channel are of no concern to me - I know they are there, and use the other channel if it becomes a concern.
 
Hi guys,
Quick update.
I've got my Pico 2204A. I installed the Pico software.

First of course windoz did not recognise the device. I had to manually trigger a driver update which it found.
Then all was good.

I put a short BNC cable between the AWG and input A. I generated a simple 1V 0 offset square signal.
I then use the auto function to display the signal and here is what I've got.

1K-square-pico6.jpg

I may be doing something wrong but I was expected a clean square and not a spiky one.

Do you guys have had this?

Thank you
Brice.
 
Brice said:
Hi guys,
Quick update.
I've got my Pico 2204A. I installed the Pico software.

First of course windoz did not recognise the device. I had to manually trigger a driver update which it found.
Then all was good.

I put a short BNC cable between the AWG and input A. I generated a simple 1V 0 offset square signal.
I then use the auto function to display the signal and here is what I've got.

View attachment 1610216

I may be doing something wrong but I was expected a clean square and not a spiky one.

Do you guys have had this?

Thank you
Brice.
Click to expand...

Click on the A channel settings ("A" button in upper left) and set it to 9, 10 or even 11 bits. Go as high as you can before the square wave starts to round off a bit. That will smooth the traces.
 
Thanks Zak. It worked > 10 bits but then it's not a square anymore, like a clipped triangle signal. Really odd. Am probably missing something.

So far I am not impressed but I have to try with a real case and not cross feeding the device.
 
Brice said:
Thanks Zak. It worked > 10 bits but then it's not a square anymore, like a clipped triangle signal. Really odd. Am probably missing something.

So far I am not impressed but I have to try with a real case and not cross feeding the device.
Click to expand...

Well, the 2204 is perhaps too limited. Why don't you return it and go with the 2206B? It can do 11 bits without distorting the trace and the AWG has much more range. Just a suggestion. I think the 2206B will meet our needs very well.
 
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kward said:
Maybe this is already common knowledge. For PC sound card based solutions, this list is some of the software than can be used for spectrum analysis. I have not tried any of these, this is from my research. I'd lean toward Arta or AudioTester personally.

Arta, Arta steps - http://www.artalabs.hr
AudioTester - www.audiotester.de
MATAA - http://audioroot.net/mataa
RightMark - http://audio.rightmark.org
SpectraPlus - http://www.spectraplus.com
VisualAnalyzer - http://www.sillanumsoft.org
Click to expand...

Thank you!
 
kward said:
Maybe this is already common knowledge. For PC sound card based solutions, this list is some of the software than can be used for spectrum analysis. I have not tried any of these, this is from my research. I'd lean toward Arta or AudioTester personally.

Arta, Arta steps - http://www.artalabs.hr
AudioTester - www.audiotester.de
MATAA - http://audioroot.net/mataa
RightMark - http://audio.rightmark.org
SpectraPlus - http://www.spectraplus.com
VisualAnalyzer - http://www.sillanumsoft.org
Click to expand...

I use Arta but don't have much experience with it yet. Mainly have captured speaker impedance info. I built the suggested interface box which makes it a lot easier to interface with the external sound card.

Pete Millett says he uses Audio Tester along with his interface box, which seems like a good testimonial. I have the pic board coming to build his box.

John
 
Brice said:
John, There is no doubts about taste ?
Click to expand...
Hi Brice,
Almost. More like "in matters of taste there can be no disputes". Now get away from a matter purely of taste toward engineering issues or something more objective and maybe there can be a discussion. I just think it's a good reminder that much of what is discussed in the audio hobby are matters of taste and folks shouldn't get so defensive or combative about them. Mostly, I don't see this happen much on AK, but sometimes.

BTW, I really enjoy your restoration threads.

John
 
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