Most Excellent Real Time Analyser Operation Manual
Important Safety Instructions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with a dry cloth. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, ovens, furnaces or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. WARNING: Improper operation may lead to permanent injury or death..
Table of Contents Important Safety Instructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Chapter 1: Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Chapter 2: Quick Start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Chapter 3: Hookup Diagrams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Chapter 4: Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 1: Introduction Congratulations on the purchase of a fine AudioControl product. You have chosen wisely. We hope that it will give you many years of super audio enjoyment and larks. Inputs and Outputs: • XLR input with 48V phantom power • Balanced input and output TRS ¼" jacks When you require total control and optimization to achieve great sound quality, AudioControl’s DM-RTA real time analyzer will help you measure, understand, and adjust your system to perfection.
Chapter 2: Quick Start Quick View 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Chapter 2: Quick Start Quick Start Before you start, please take a moment to visit our knowledge base: www.audiocontrol.com/knowledge-base. It will help you with a plethora of sound advice, and help set the mood. 1. The following details give a brief overview of the steps required to use the DM-RTA in your system. The steps below are explained in more detail throughout this manual, with a few handy connection diagrams. ** Important Note: The DM-RTA is a mono device.
Chapter 3: Hookup Diagrams Power Connections Power Adapter 12 VDC / 2 A WARNING: Use only the supplied Power Adapter 7
Chapter 3: Hookup Diagrams Computer Connection Computer running DM-RTA application USB B USB A Operation Manual
Chapter 3: Hookup Diagrams System #1: Using the microphone input USB Connection to computer RTA Display Test Tones from DM-RTA RCA in Audio System Under Test Measurement Microphone 9
Chapter 3: Hookup Diagrams System #2: Using the line-level RCA inputs USB Connection to computer Power Amplifier Line-level out from Amplifier RCA in Test Tones from DM-RTA Line-level out to Amplifier Voltage Meter Display Important Note: Test the Left and Right signals separately to measure discrete results. (The DM-RTA is a mono device and the stereo input signals are summed.
Chapter 3: Hookup Diagrams System #2: Using the line-level 1/4" TRS inputs USB Connection to computer Test Tones from DM-RTA Oscilloscope Display Line-level to DM-RTA Balanced TRS 1/4" Out Audio device, such as mixer, preamplifier, synthesizer In 11
Chapter 3: Hookup Diagrams System #3: Using the speaker-level Inputs USB Connection to computer Power Amplifier RCA in Test Tones from DM-RTA Right or Left Speaker-level out from Amplifier Speaker-level out to Amplifier Operation Manual
Chapter 4: Installation Installation The DM-RTA has mounting holes that allow you to install the unit in a test rig, such as a mobile cart. These holes have been specially imported and flown in from Blackburn, Lancashire. If you are not going to install the DM-RTA, you can still keep the holes. 6. The DM-RTA also has speaker-level inputs that are designed to accept amplified, speaker-level signals from a factory source unit or amplifier.
Chapter 5: Features Features 1 2 3 4 1. Power LED – This indicates when the DM-RTA Power switch is turned on. The DM-RTA can be powered by the supplied power adapter, or it can run for up to 4 hours on its internal rechargeable battery. Charge LED – This indicates when the internal rechargeable battery is being charged. USB Activity LED – This indicates when there is USB activity between the DM-RTA and your computer. 10 11 5 6 7 8 9 2.
Chapter 5: Features 3. 1/4" TRS Line-Level Input and Output – These are balanced connections for line-level analog signals. The line-level 1/4" TRS output from your equipment can connect here, so the DM-RTA will receive the line-level audio signals for analysis. The line-level analog output from the DM-RTA connects to the line-level inputs of your power amplifiers and other equipment. 4.
Chapter 5: Features 1 2 3 4 10 11 5 6 7 8 9 12 10. Power Switch – Press this momentary switch to turn on power to the DM-RTA. If the supplied power adapter is connected to live AC mains power, then the adapter will supply power to the DM-RTA and recharge its internal battery. If the power adapter is not used, then the power switch will still turn on the DM-RTA and it will run on internal battery power, for approximately 4 hours or more. 11.
Chapter 6: Installing the Application Installing the Application 1. Before you begin, make sure that you are wearing sturdy corduroy trousers and sensible shoes. 2. 5. Select the installation folder, or select the default location. Click “Next” Make sure that the DM-RTA is not connected to your computer during the installation of the application 3. Visit our super spiffy website at www.audiocontrol.com and locate the application on the DM-RTA product page. Download it onto your computer.
Chapter 6: Installing the Application 7. Other impertinent screens appear. Click “Next” to confirm, “Install” and click on “Finish” once the installation is complete. Hurrah! 9. Open the DM-RTA application and the main GUI (graphic user interface) will appear as if by magic. 10. Now that the application and drivers are all installed and ready to go, it is time to connect to the DM-RTA unit as follows: 11.
Chapter 6: Installing the Application Here are a few notes in case you run into any problems with the installation. 1. If there is a previous version of the application installed, then this has to be un-installed before installing the new version. 2. Sometimes during the installation, you may run into odd things, depending upon how Windows is feeling. Usually you can ignore these warnings, as the files supplied by us are trusted, tested, and kind to pets and children.
Chapter 7: Microphone Options Microphone Options AudioControl offers a wide range of professional measurement and instrumentation microphones which will make a perfect addition to your DM-RTA tool kit, and allow you to make accurate acoustical measurements. For an entry-level measurement microphone, choose the CM-20. CM-20 Use the CM-10 if you want to use the long time standard issue microphone for AudioControl’s legendary SA-3052 analyzers.
Chapter 8: The Display The Display The display has five main sections, one for each of the main audio tools of the DM-RTA. Each display will be discussed in the following pages.
Chapter 8: The Display: Top Line Controls The Top Line Controls 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 1. Large Tabs – These tabs allow easy access to the five main tools. 3. Help – This has a drop-down menu with 3 options: 2. Tools Menu – This has a drop-down menu with 3 options: Help – Select this to open up a PDF copy of this very manual. Reset hardware settings – Select this to reset the hardware settings back to as they were from the factory.
Chapter 8: The Display: Top Line Controls 4. Input monitor – Select this to monitor the signals coming in to the DM-RTA unit. This will loop out the incoming signal or test tone if that is what you are using – if there is an RCA input that you are looking at on the RTA, you can still have the audio running through the intended signal path. This should operate like a tape loop monitor from those sunny audio days when we were young. 5.
Chapter 8: The Display: Test Tone Controls The Test Tone Controls 1 2 4 3 5 1. Sine – Select here to turn on a pure sine wave test tone. 2. Pink Noise – Select here to turn on a pink noise test signal. 3. Square – Select here to turn on a square wave test tone. Caution: Take care with the use of test tones in case the amplifiers in your system take offence and overheat, or this causes damage to your hearing.
Chapter 8: The Display: Voltage Meter Voltage Meter 1 2 The voltage meter will give an accurate reading of the AC Voltage (rms) of sine wave audio signals entering the DM-RTA. Note: The incoming audio signal must be a pure sine wave, and only one input must be connected at a time. The source can either be a sine wave test tone generated by the DM-RTA, a test tone CD or MP3 file playing from a source, or an external audio generator.
Chapter 8: The Display: Voltage Meter 1. Test Tone – Select the test tone to be a sine wave if you want to take voltage measurements using the internal test tones. Connect the DM-RTA output so that the test tone tone will play in your system. This calibration routine allows you to enter a sine wave of known voltage. The DM-RTA will measure this reference signal and adjust the displayed reading to be exactly the voltage you entered. 2.
Chapter 8: The Display: RTA Real Time Analyser The RTA display allows you to see the response of your system, and see how the levels vary across the audio range of frequencies. You can investigate any gaps in the response, adjust crossover controls (if your system allows such niceties) and adjust any EQ controls you might have. The display shows the frequency along the horizontal axis, and the signal level along the vertical axis.
Chapter 8: The Display: RTA 1 2 3 4 5 1. Vertical Scale – These options allow you to select the vertical scale of the RTA from an overall signal range of 50 dB, 60 dB, 70 dB, 80 dB, and 90 dB. 3. Speed – Choose the display speed from Fast (F), Medium (M), and Slow (S). Note that the low frequencies always have a slower settling time than the higher frequencies. 2. RTA Memories – Up to six RTA displays can be stored and recalled using the drop-down menu available here.
Chapter 8: The Display: SPL Meter Sound Pressure Level Meter The SPL display allows you to the measure the Sound Pressure Level of your system using a reference microphone. You can investigate the overall SPL in your system, and in different parts of the room for example, alowing you to adjust the system for audience pleasure and audience hearing safety.
Chapter 8: The Display: SPL Meter 1 2 3 4 1. Reference Mic – This pull-down menu allows you to select the microphone, so its known properties will be used in the SPL calculations. Select “Other” if your microphone is not listed. 2. Speed – Select from Fast, Medium, and Slow, to suit your preference and the sound material you are measuring. 3. Hold – Press this to hold the current reading in the display. 4. SPL Display – This is the measured SPL display in dB.
Chapter 8: The Display: Polarity Checker Polarity Checker The Polarity Checker display allows you to measure the polarity of the speakers in your system using a microphone. This will allow you to locate any speakers that are wired out of phase. Not that it was you that wired them that way, of course. This is a no-guilt operation designed to help you fix the problem quickly before anyone notices.
Chapter 8: The Display: Polarity Checker 1 1. Start/Stop Measurement – Press this button to start the measurement. An audio test signal will play in your system, after a short warning. 2 3 2. Polarity Display – A Plus here (+) indicates that the loudspeaker you are measuring is correctly wired in-phase (but check that the Signal Quality (3) is good before celebrating). A Minus here (-) indicates that whoever did the speaker wiring, it wasn’t you.
Chapter 8: The Display: Oscilloscope Oscilloscope The Oscilloscope display allows you to measure the variation of your incoming audio signal level with time. This will allow you to identify many qualities of your system, for example if the output from your amplifier is distorted in any way (clipping) from the nice signals you are putting in. The display shows time along the horizontal axis, and the signal level along the vertical axis.
Chapter 8: The Display: Oscilloscope 1 2 3 4 1. Time Base – This allows you to adjust the horizontal time display from 1 mS per division, to 5 mS per division. Example: Pink Noise 2. Stop – This allows you to freeze the current display, giving you the chance to take a screenshot with your computer to show mum. 3. Vertical Scale – This allows you to adjust the vertical display from 1 Volt per division, 2 Volts per division, or 5 Volts per division.
Chapter 9: Specifications Specifications As technology advances, AudioControl reserves the right to continuously change our specifications and fulfill our prime directive and audio destiny. DM-RTA Maximum input level (line) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Vrms Maximum input level (speaker) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Vrms RCA Input impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.
Chapter 9: Specifications DM-RTA Block Diagram XLR Gain DM-RTA Software running on PC/Mac/ Smartphone 1/4” RCA Speaker Level SUM GAIN ADC DSP Gain Analog out Gain Digital Out Option Port Left and Right Inputs are also summed Operation Manual
Chapter 10: Service Service First, if you need service, it is probably best to go and see a trained health care professional. Please visit our AudioControl knowledge base at web address: www.audiocontrol.com/knowledge-base. This may help you find a solution to your problem. If you are fairly sure that the DM-RTA needs service, then please contact AudioControl, either by e-mail or phone.
Chapter 11: Please Remain Calm The Warranty People are confused by warranties! Lots of fine print. Months of waiting around. Well, fear no more AudioControl is here. Our warranty is designed to make you rave about AudioControl. It’s a warranty that looks out for our customers, plus helps you resist the temptation to have your friend, “who is good with electronics”, try to repair your AudioControl product. So go ahead, read this warranty, then register your AudioControl product at www.audiocontrol.
Chapter 11: Please Remain Calm Legalese Section This is the only warranty issued by AudioControl. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have rights that vary from state to state. Promises of how well your AudioControl product will work are not implied by this warranty. Other than what we’ve said we’ll do in this warranty, we have no obligation, express or implied. We make no warranty of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose.
The End The can’t dance two-step! 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 7 7 6 6 5 5 START FINISH 8 8 Operation Manual PN 913-161-0 Rev A
