HEAD acoustics Expands VoCAS Speech Recognition Testing Software

HEAD acoustics continues to perfect measurement and analysis solutions in the field of speech and communication quality, expanding from a vast range of hardware platforms and tools - including its HMS II.3 fullband artificial head - all the way to dedicated software that adjusts to the quickly-evolving needs in this field. The German company continues to expand VoCAS, a sophisticated software tool for performance evaluation of automatic speech recognizers, addressing real life conditions in the lab.

NTi Audio continues to expand its range of leading test and measurement solutions for acoustics, audio and vibration applications. The company has recently moved to new headquarters, and expanded its development team, accelerating development of software for its range of products. This includes adding artificial intelligence (AI) analysis and Noise Classification for its NoiseScout noise monitoring solution, or improving the features for its popular XL2 Sound Level Meter.

While Voice Coil Test Bench reviews only make use of the Large Signal Identification (LSI) data from the Klippel analyzer, the reality is that there is an amazing list of 30 modules available for the KA3 that are seriously valuable for transducer and system development. As space permits, I will be covering a number of these modules in future issue of Voice Coil. The first module in this series is the Time Frequency Analysis (TFA) module. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, October 2021

ACQUA 5.0.100 is the first iteration of the new generation of the well-established measurement and analysis software ACQUA from HEAD acoustics. ACQUA's significantly reworked software structure provides even greater flexibility for voice and audio quality evaluation, while paving the way for future expansions. Designed for the requirements in applications as diverse as communication systems, Bluetooth, ANC headphones, or smart speakers, ACQUA now supports faster hardware configuration, perceived loudness analysis, and MDAQS audio quality evaluation.

PHABRIX, the manufacturer of video and audio broadcast Test and Measurement instruments that was acquired by Leader Electronics in 2019, announced that the 8000th of its Sx handheld unit is about to roll off the company’s production line. This significant milestone helps cement the brand's position as the broadcast industry’s most popular test and measurement device despite only being launched not even 14 years ago.

Tektronix announced the launch of its newest version of the acclaimed 5 Series mixed-signal oscilloscope (MSO). With numerous enhancements, including added support for power integrity testing and for debug and validation, the 5 Series MSO delivers even more versatility while continuing to provide high-fidelity waveforms, unique spectrum analysis capabilities and flexible signal access appreciated by engineers around the world.

Austrian start-up SevenBel has developed a method to make noise sources visible, enabling engineers to prevent undesirable noise in buildings or devices. The company's Sound Scanner acoustic camera solutions have been developed for these applications, combining a rotating sensor unit, a mobile app, and a cloud service. High-tech printed circuit boards from Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik (AT&S) are part of the sensor units that make this affordable noise measurement solution possible.

GRAS Sound and Vibration added four new power modules to its existing line, with the introduction of the GRAS 12BE, 12BC, 12BF, and 12BD Microphone Power Modules aimed at engineers who need to power CCP or LEMO measurement microphones and would like seamless integration of microphone sensitivity via TEDS. These new power modules have the ability to take advantage of the latest GRAS SysCheck2-enabled microphones.

Klippel announced a minor software update for both the R&D and QC software of the Klippel Analyzer System, free of charge for current users of dB-Lab major version 212 or QC 7. The update introduces the new Multi-Tone Measurement (MTON) and Multi-Tone Distortion Task (MTD) measurements, updates to the Near-Field Scanner (NCS) software and new capabilities for the Poly2SCN converter utility, which converts scan data from Polytec systems toto Klippel Software formats. And Klippel announced details of its 2022 Virtual Lecture event.

Stuart Yaniger shares his more recent experiences with Virtins Multi Instrument Measurement Software, which he combined with his RME ADI-2 Pro FS R audio interface and the Linear Audio Autoranger II to create what he defines as the Lab Bench of 2021. This is a very complete solution for anyone working on product testing and evaluation from home. It is also an approach that complements Yaniger's 2015 series of audioXpress articles on how to adapt home computers and sound cards for audio test and measurement. In this article, he experiments and updates his findings about Virtin's Multi Instrument software. This article was originally published in audioXpress, March 2021.