Testing audio consoles
Nov 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Adam Liberman
Comprehensive testing can ensure reliability and avoid costly downtime.
Routing
Routing includes assignment of channels to output buses, auxiliary sends, monitors, solo and tape return. On an analog mixer, every possible combination of input and output must be reviewed, because the audio for each combination goes through its own unique set of switches, connectors and circuit board traces — all of which can potentially fail. For a 16-channel board with four main outputs and four aux sends, that's 128 signal paths to check.
On a digital mixer with digital routing, only 16 input paths and eight output paths will need to be looked at. You can use a 1kHz tone to check that the level is correct and distortion is normal.
Automation and record keeping
It would be time-consuming and costly to do these comprehensive tests manually. Fortunately, it's possible with a modern high-quality audio analyzer to automate the process. This not only saves a great deal of time, but it reduces the chance of error. Time can further be saved by using a multichannel analyzer or a two-channel analyzer with auxiliary switchers. Automation features are useless, however, if they're too hard to implement.
An ideal analyzer interface allows nonprogrammers to create sophisticated automation sequences without writing any code. For more complex automation, it's important that the instrument's API is accessible through a popular platform such as .NET to ensure connectivity with other applications like LabVIEW.
Conclusions
The benefits of a comprehensive, systematic and fully documented audio mixer testing regimen cannot be overstated. More viewers than ever before are watching programs on HDTVs and listening on their home theater surround-sound systems. In light of today's tight economy, it's vital to keep existing equipment in top condition and to deliver the best sound possible at the lowest cost.
To carry out the comprehensive and rapid automated testing discussed above, you'll need to have a modern, dual domain audio analyzer with easy-to-use automation and reporting capabilities. Its expense will be returned many times over in saved downtime and reduced labor costs.
Adam Liberman is an audio engineer and service specialist, as well as a technical writer at Audio Precision.
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