Practical Test & Measurement: Sound Cards for Data Acquisition in Audio Measurements (Part 2)

In this article series, Stuart Yaniger looks at some of the available options and methods to create a low-cost system (emphasis on “low-cost”) for lab-grade audio electronics measurements and provides some examples. In this second part, Yaniger starts by examining sound card requirements and the criteria to decide what features to look for in a sound card targeted for audio measurement. This article was originally published in audioXpress, July 2015.

As you may have noticed, the ephemeral and ill-defined concept of "resolution" has been on my mind of late. Many consumers and yes, even some audio professionals, conflate bit depth with resolution. In a broad sense, this is understandable but it's sample rate that overshadows word length.

Stagetec, one of the largest German manufacturers of professional audio technology, and DELEC, Stagetec’s digital intercom and communication systems arm, have long partnered with Audinate to implement Dante audio over IP solutions. Recently, Stagetec published an interesting white paper comparing the uses of both technologies and explaining the best way to leverage the existing integrations.

Audinate’s new 4×4 channels Dante Ultimo silicon platform will enable more audio networking systems for A/V, conferencing, public address, and broadcast applications. The new Audionate Dante Ultimo (ULT-01-004) solution supports 4 channels in and 4 channels out of uncompressed audio, …

It is good to see new product launches from the TEAC group’s pro audio brand after its recent acquisition by Gibson, especially this upgrade to the legendary DV-RA1000HD recorder. The new Tascam DA-3000 offers the same famous Burr-Brown (now Texas …