remote system testing

 

Remote SyStem Testing

There may be times that you wish to help another person with setup and test of their audio system, but you are unable to physically be present. This page presents several ways to do remote system testing. We have heard of some cases where someone has loaned an iTestMic2 or iPrecisionMic to do some tests remotely when they could not travel to the location.

Please check back often as we will be updating this page with new information and methods.

Using Recordings of Pink Noise

A simple test that can be helpful is to have the person at the remote location record pink noise and send you the WAV file for analysis. Several AudioTools modules, including RTA and FFT, allow importing a WAV file so that you can then see the output of the remote system on your iOS device running AudioTools.

Ideally, the remote location will record using a flat, omni microphone, with pink noise from any of many possible sources, including online sound generators, or using AudioTools (or the free version, SoundTools) as the source. If this is not practical, the next best thing would be to record the pink noise using ann iOS device.

To see how to import WAV audio files, follow these instructions.

Using LARSA to do Remote Testing

One way to get excellent test results remotely would be to have the person at the remote location obtain LARSA, run one or more tests, and to then send you the results. Here are the steps involved:

Obtain LARSA. For some quick tests, the cheapest way to do this would be to have the person at the remote location download SoundTools, and start the free 7-day trial of LARSA. Or, they could download AudioTools and enable the 7-day trial there

Run the Tests. Before they start the tests, make sure they enable iCloud File Saving, on the Settings menu. Then coach them through the tests, using in onboard iOS device microphone, and have them save the results. You might have them test several locations in the room, or perhaps just one loudspeaker at a time.

Send the Tests. When the tests have been save, have them open the Files app, go to the iCloud section, and look for the Studio Six,  SoundTools, or AudioTools icon, depending on which app they are running. Then look for the folder named “internal”, open that, and lookd for the “LARSA” folder. In this folder the files that you are looking for are the “filename.ddr” files. These are thr full, internal AudioTools format of the LARSA tests, with all of the information. Just have these files emailed to you.

Load the Tests. The easiest way to load these is to use the iCloud file system on your device, and drag and drop the files into the same location, AudioTools->internal->LARSA. Now, when you open LARSA and go to the Save/Recall screen, the test files will be there. When you open them you will see all of the test results screens.

Using this method, you could suggest adjustments or room treatments, and then have another set of “after” files sent for comparison.