Current Issue

May 2012

Print Article     Email Article

  Page 1 of 3   >>

Audio Review: Studio Six Sound Measurement iPod Apps

Church sound techs can now carry just about every sound test app available, including SPL, RTA, FFT, ETC and more.

by Don Brooks

This article is written for two audiences: First, for those who have never owned an iPod Touch, iPad or iPhone (referred henceforth as iDevices); and second, for those that do own one of these devices, and so don’t need to be convinced now is the time to consider owning one.

The product review focuses on an application (app) suite designed specifically for sound techs by Studio Six Digital. AudioTools includes a full set of measurement tools, from the basic Radio Shack-type dB meter to the most complex sound evaluation system, Smaart, and everything in between.

For non-iDevice owners

Prior to my current endeavor as a technology consultant, I spent 30 years with IBM, which included working in Boca Raton, Fla., on the second generation IBM PC; therefore, I could be considered one of those non-Apple enthusiasts. That was until earlier this year when I purchased my first iPod Touch and I discovered the true power of this device and the available apps. As a result, I have now officially joined the ranks of Apple enthusiasts.

To me it is incredible that sound techs can now carry around, in their pockets, just about every sound test app available, including SPL (Sound Pressure Level), RTA (Real Time Analysis), FFT (Fast Fourier Transform), ETC (Energy Time Curve), IR (Impulse Response), plus a host of other sound tools all for just a few dollars, not the hundreds, perhaps thousands of dollars it would cost if you were to purchase these test devices outside of the iDevice app market.

If you’re still not convinced that it may be time to think about the purchase of an iDevice, please consider the following: For the first time ever, I witnessed two instances when an attendee of the morning church service walked up to the tech booth with their iDevice in hand, showing the sound tech the SPL of the morning service, followed by an “appropriate” comment about how loud it was. Be warned, there are sound apps for the iDevices that cost only 99 cents that do just that. So it might be a good idea to be prepared with your own iDevice that will actually record and chart the SPL of the entire service, along with the actual audio. More on that later….

For those who already own an iDevice

iDevice owners already know the benefits of their hand-held device and I now join your enthusiasm about the Apple way of doing things. They already know there are over 100,000 applications (apps) available for their iDevices of which there are dozens specifically designed for sound. These apps are normally listed under the “music” category at Apple’s iTunes store. The rest of this article will discuss one such app, or in this case, app suite that is targeted specifically at the sound tech. Studio Six Digital, www.studiosixdigital.com, has developed a full suite of sound test apps called AudioTools. Products range from a basic dB (SPL) meter for 99 cents that looks just like the famous or infamous Radio Shack analog meter, to high end apps that include SMAART modules, hi-resolution RTA (1/48th octave), FFT to 32k, and the Spectrograph for $49.99.

  Page 1 of 3   next page >>