AudioTools includes a versatile and powerful system for saving and recalling test data and audio files, exporting them to a computer, and importing them into AudioTools running on another iOS device.

This feature is available throughout the app, in any module that saves a graph, and also in SPL Pro and STIPA.

Some modules can also save audio files. These include SPL Graph, Impulse Response, and the Recorder.

Complete instructions on transferring data files from one instance of AudioTools to another are available here.

Also see our Save to Photo Roll option.

Naming Files

You can name a file with any combination of up to 32 letters, numbers, and spaces. Files are stored in folders by file type (like RTA or FFT) so you can use the same file name for different types. There is no limit other than storage space for the number of files that you can store.

Storing Files

When you store a file, it is saved on the device locally. The files are backed up to your computer when you back up your device, but unless you are using iCloud, if you delete the app the stored files will also be deleted. In most cases, a tab-delimited file of the raw data will also be saved along with the data needed to restore the graph.

See the information below about transferring files to your computer.

The tab-delimited data file will have the same name that you used to store the file, with the .TXT extension. Microsoft Excel and Apple Numbers will normally open this file directly. The contents of this file will vary by file type, but will always include the date and time of the measurement, in the local time zone.

We recommend using iCloud to store your files.

Here are the files that can be saved

• Data Files – All modules support storing data files, with the “.txt” extension. This is the main user-readable file.
• Audio Files – SPL Graph, Impulse Response, and the Recorder can store an audio. These may have the “.wav”, “.caf”, or “.m4a” extension, depending on the encoding used.
• Video Files – SPL Graph can store video files, with the “.mov” extension.
• Images – If you take a photo, the picture file will be saved with the extension “.png”.
• Notes – The notepad file, if you have created one, will be saved with the same file name, and the “.log” extension.

All of these files are stored in the “public” folder.  

Browsing and Recalling Files

Scroll the list, and tap to select a file. It will be highlighted in yellow when selected. Tap Recall to open the file. When you recall a stored file, the information needed to redraw the graph(s) will be recalled.

Taking Pictures

If your device has a camera, you may take a photo, which is then associated with the stored file name. Tap the camera icon after selecting the file to take a picture. Each stored file can have its own photo, and will take the name of the file, with the .png extension. To see the picture, tap the circle-i icon on the right. This will bring up the info screen for the file, and you can export the image file by tapping the “Export” button.

File Options Menu

Tap the square icon with the arrow pointing up (see image above) to bring up the file options menu. This menu give you options to

Copy Selected File Name

Copies the file name to the clipboard.

Export Files to a Browser

Brings up the Files screen, which provides a URL that you can enter into a browser to get direct access to the files stored on the iOS device. Also see the section below, Transferring Files to Your Computer.

Auto-Save Options

Set the Auto-Save Options for the current module, such as RTA or FFT.

Clear Recalled Graphs

For some modules, this will remove previously displayed store graphs from the main screen.

Delete All Files in Folder

As it says, this will delete all storage for the current module.

Export Button

The square icon with the arrow pointing up lets you export the current selection to another application, such as Excel or Numbers, or to send the file using email, a message, or many other apps. It also allows you to save the file locally to the Files app, or copy it to Notes. The options available will depend on exactly what apps you have installed.

This button lets you export one file at a time, to move multiple files, look at using iTunes File Sharing or iCloud. More information about these below.

Storing a Note File

Tap any file name to highlight it on the screen, and then tap the square button with a pencil in it. This will create a text note with the same base filename as the stored file, and the extension “.log”.

Deleting Files

When you delete a file, all files associated with that file name are deleted. This may include graph data, tab-delimited data, a photo, a notepad, and in some cases audio. 

Transferring Files To Your Computer Using a Browser

You can either use the Export button on the Save / Recall screen, or the Utility->Files module to bring up the WiFi transfer screen. Or, you can leave the built-in WiFi server always running, by turning on the “Enable Background Server” option on the General page in the Settings menu.

Enter the URL shown in your browser on your computer, and then select the folder containing the files that you want, and either Ctrl-Click, or Command-Click on the file name to download it. The file will be in tab-delimited XLS format.

You must be on the same LAN address, including the subnet, on both the computer and the iOS device. This means that the first 9 characters must match, such as 192.168.003.xxx. In this case all numbers must be the same except for the last 3.

To get the raw data (for importing to another device), the photo, or the notepad, see the instructions below for iTunes File Sharing.

WiFi connectivity is required for this feature. You can transfer using a LAN, or set up an ad-hoc (peer-to-peer) local network on your PC.

You may also email the tab-delimited data file to yourself (or anyone else), by tapping the compose icon in the toolbar.

Using the Files App

The Files app, which is available since iOS 11, will allow you to directly access the files saved in AudioTools if you are using the internal storage mode. Open the Files app on your iOS device, go to the top menu page, and tap on “On My iPhone”. You will find a “StudioSixDigital” folder that allows you to access any files saved by the app, and also provides a place to copy in files such as microphone calibration files, and reference file curves. Look for the “public” folder, open it, and you will find folders for any module, like RTA or FFT, as well as the calibration and reference folders.

iCloud

iCloud is fully supported in AudioTools, and is the recommended storage method. Using iCloud, all of your files are automatically copied to your computer, and other iOS devices on the same iTunes account can also open them. As you save data out in the field, a co-worker back in the office can open them.

Additional Media Files

If there are additional files that have been created, they will appear in the same folder, with different extensions, such as .wav, .aif, or .caf for audio files, .txt for notepad files, and .jpg for image files.

iTunes File Sharing

If you have a lot of files that you would like to transfer en masse, you can use iTunes file sharing, although now the Files app on the device is easier to use, in most cases.

Open up iTunes, connect your iOS device and select it, and then select the Apps tab. Look down the page and you will see AudioTools listed. Select the Public folder (not the top-level apps folders) and click the Save to…. button. Put it somewhere, and inside you will see all of the xls files, photo files, audio files, and notepad files in the folders.

GPS Location

The current latitude and longitude coordinates are stored along with the data. The location will be shown in your tab-delimited file. This feature uses the location services of your device. Note that it will often take several seconds for accurate data to be obtained. Location data is shown when you browse to a stored file.