need advice on signal generator - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: hendrix
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 09:20:16 pm
content: Hi,I will be doing some audio testing (speakers, amps, etc.) soon for a project and designing some stuff and need to get a signal generator for this. I was advised to look at:Gwinstek GAG-810 audio generatorhttp://www.gwinstek.com/en/product/productdetail.aspx?pid=5&mid=74&id=108But, I would like to get something that would also be useful in the long run, have sweep capability and such, so I looked into this:Rigol DG1022A waveform generatorhttp://www.batronix.com/shop/waveform-generator/Rigol-DG1022A.htmlIs there anything that I would be missing by getting this unit? Or, are there any suggestion on another unit maybe? I have never owned a Rigol instrument so I have no idea about their quality first hand. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

author: FrankBuss
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 09:53:35 pm
content: The Rigol device has 14 bit resolution. That's below audio CD quality, not good for audio testing. I would use just your sound card, or maybe a good external USB sound card. There are lots of audio generators and analyzers for the PC.

author: Hideki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 10:38:06 pm
content: My go-to program for sweeping speakers and other devices is the free (but forum registration required) Room EQ Wizardhttp://www.hometheatershack.com/roomeq/It works well with an RME Babyface USB audio interface, but almost any interface will work. You will need a measurement mic and possibly a preamp if you want to do more than simply output the sweeps. Seeing what the speaker outputs makes it a whole lot more useful. You can also use REW to generate speaker impedance plots and many other things.I can't recommend the Rigol for audio use, unless you just want to make simple waveforms at predefined levels. It will do sweeps, but they are a bit stepped, not really smooth.If you're rich, you can buy Prism Sound dScope. If you're filthy rich, Audio Precision and Rohde & Schwarz both have ways of removing the filth.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 11:36:00 pm
content: A signal generator like the SDG1000 series or Rigol will do just fine for testing amplifiers and so on. Unless you want to do die hard distortion analyses...

author: Prime73
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 11:46:42 pm
content: What kind of mic do you use for speakers/room analyses?Quote from: Hideki on February 07, 2014, 10:38:06 pm

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 11:58:09 pm
content: minidsp sell this mic for use with REW.UMIK-1

author: Hideki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2014, 12:04:50 am
content: A small capsule omnidirectional mic. The frequency response should be as flat as possible, but getting there will cost a lot. It's more economical to buy a cheaper mic that comes with a calibration curve and then input the curve in REW to correct for the mic response. Correcting for the time response of the mic can be a lot harder, but that's usually not as critical.I'm using an Audix and a Dayton mic.Some tests can be found here:http://realtraps.com/art_microphones.htm